Dinner Club RuLeS!!!!!

To make this a successful group and a rewarding experience (ie. to make all our lives easier), there are some rules:

*These meals are designed to be "homemade" and will be served to our families for dinner so please keep this in mind while choosing a recipe. Also, choose a recipe that you have tried before.. please don't experiment on the group!

*Since you DO have to complete ten meals, choose one that is fairly simple to prepare. We all have busier times in our lives so when a busy month comes along, choose an easier recipe, and then do an exceptionally awesome meal the next month. It all evens out in the end!!

*Each meal should feed six adults.

*Please prepare as much of the meal as possible... again. to make all our lives easier.

*Your meal is designed to be the main dish. You do not need to provide any other sides, but please provide any uncooked rice, pasta, or buns that are needed to complete the main dish.

*The budget/spending goal is $75. Give or take a little. If you find yourself under budget, you can always include a little something extra on the side, like chips, juice, or a pudding box.

*Because these meals should arrive FROZEN, please prepare the meal accordingly. For example, undercook pasta and rice; leave the ingredient that will not freeze well out (ie. sour cream or cream cheese) and give each member the package and directions to add later; and substitute such ingredients with others that will freeze well (ie. frozen hashbrowns for raw potatoes).

*Package the meal in a disposable container, such as a Frozen Ziploc Bag or Aluminum Casserole Pan covered with Aluminum Foil.

*Write on the packaging the Meal Title, Directions to cook from thawed, the Number of things that come with your dinner (ie. 1 of 4), and the Month/Year.

*Bring Frozen Meals in a basket, cooler, or large box to exchange on specified dates (see sidebar=>)... then leave with 10 DIFFERENT Frozen Meals to serve throughout the month :) Please arrive on time!

*If you cannot meet on the specified meeting date, you can make arrangement beforehand to hand-deliver the meals or provide you own substitute. Your substitute needs to be fully aware of all the directions and rules. (please notify Rachel of any problems/concerns/substitutes/changes.. she is pretty nice and understanding and is definitely willing to help!)

*If you decide that you would like to withdraw from the group, please let us know ON the meeting date that this will be your last month... this gives us plenty of time to find your replacement.

*We welcome any who are interested in joining, as the group is always evolving. If you are the person responsible for introducing the Dinner Club to a new member, please act as their teacher/mentor so they are aware of all the rules and have a smooth transition.

*E-mail the recipe the day we exchange. Include all ingredients and directions, any sides that will go well with the meal, and your name and phone number. The recipe will also be included on this blog.

*Please feel free to leave a helpful AnOnYmOuS comment on the blog. This blog is designed to keep us all informed and to improve on the recipes for future use. -none of us are perfect so please do not criticize or get offended at any suggestions :)

*ENJOY YOUR MEALS!!

Bean Dip

Please leave comments for Bean Dip...Did it feed 6? Did you like it? Did you love it?

10 oz. can of Bean with Bacon Soup
1 C. shredded cheddar cheese
1 C. salsa

Warm all ingredients on the stovetop with enough water to make it a dip consistency (about 1/2 can). Stir to keep from burning. When the cheese is melted, serve with tortilla chips.

Goes well with fruit, juice, salad

Creamy Garlic Chicken

Please leave comments for Creamy Garlic Chicken...Did it feed 6? Did you like it? Did you love it?

1 1/2 to 2 lbs. of chicken, cut into strips
1 1/2 cups of seasoned bread crumbs
1 pt. (16 oz.) sour cream
1 1/2 cups whole milk
1 1/2 tsp. crushed garlic
1 1/4 tsp. salt
1 1/4 cup parmesan cheese
1 (10 oz.) can garlic, onion diced tomatoes
Italian seasoning and basil leaves

Lay chicken strips in bottom of pan. Sprinkle bread crumbs over top. Combine sour cream, milk, garlic, salt in a pan and mix together over medium heat until smooth. Pour over chicken. Sprinkle parmesan and seasonings on top. Opt. cut up fesh tomatoes or canned and pour over the top. Cook at 375 degrees for 25-30 minutes or until chicken is done.

Serve over pasta. Goes well with salad, breadsticks or French Toast, and broccoli.

Tortellini Soup

Please leave comments for Tortellini Soup...Did it feed 6? Did you like it? Did you love it?

Fry together:
1 lb. Italian sausage
1 or 2 minced garlic cloves
1 chopped onion

Combine with:
5 C. beef broth
1/2 C. cranberry juice
2 C. diced (or stewed) tomatoes
1 1/2 C. sliced carrots
1/2 tsp. basil
1/2 tsp. oregano
1 (8 oz.) can tomato sauce
1 C. sliced zucchini

Bring to a boil and cook just until carrots and zucchini are tender and then add:
2 C. frozen tortellini

Boil three more minutes (or until tortellini float) and serve immediately.

Serve with toasted garlic bread or bagels.

Chicken Kiev

Please leave comments for Chicken Kiev...Did it feed 6? Did you like it? Did you love it?

8 thin slices of Boneless Chicken Breasts.. the butcher at Broulim's will thin-slice a package of boneless breasts at no charge.
1 Stick Butter - cut stick cross/wise and length/wise and then once more through the miccle to get 8 small sticks
Roll butter in a mixture - as you like:
-2 Tbsp chopped chives
-2 Tbsp chopped parsley or tarragon
(-or 4 Tbsp. Italian seasoning)
1 minced clove garlic
1/2 tsp. salt
1/4 tsp. white pepper

Place one of the seasoned butter pieces in the center of the chicken and roll so that the butter is completely enclosed. Secure with a toothpick (or 2-3:)).
Now make crust by rolling in bowls each with:
Milk,flour, beaten egg, dry bread crumbs (Pepperidge Farm Herb stuffing is good).
Bake in 400 degree preheated oven reduced to 375 degrees for 30 minutes.

If freezing, wrap in saran wrap and freeze.

Serve with rice, noodles or potatoes; a salad; and broiled seasoned tomatoes, diced and topped with cheese.

Steak & Everything Sandwiches

Please leave comments for Steak & Everything Sandwiches...Did it feed 6? Did you like it? Did you love it?

1 lb. deli style roast beef, shredded
1 onion, sliced
1 pepper, sliced
1 cup sliced mushrooms
1 pkg. cream cheese
6 hoagie buns
1 cup mozarella cheese

Saute veggies in a little olive oil. Add shredded meat and desired amount of cream cheese (recipe calls for the whole pkg, but some might like a little less). Heat until cream cheese is melted and meat is warm. Toast buns. Spoon meat mixture onto buns and top with cheese.

Serve with tossed salad or chips

Tuna Casserole

Please leave comments for Tuna Casserole...Did it feed 6? Did you like it? Did you love it?

8 oz. tri color rotini
2 cans cream of mushroom soup
2/3 C. milk
1/2 C. mayonnaise
1 tsp. dry mustard
2 C. diced string cheese
7 oz. tuna drained and flaked

Cook rotini according to package and drain. Mix soup, milk, mayonnaise and mustard. Stir in rotini and cheese and gently fold in tuna. Turn into a 1 1/2 qt. casserole dish that has been sprayed with cooking oil. Bake uncovered at 350 degrees for 45 minutes.

Chicken Tetrazzini

Please leave comments for Chicken Tetrazzini...Did it feed 6? Did you like it? Did you love it?

8 oz. spaghetti, broken in pieces
5 Tbsp. butter or margarine
6 Tbsp. flour
3 C. chicken broth
1 C. light cream
1 tsp. salt
dash of pepper
1 small can mushrooms, undrained
5 Tbsp. minced green peppers
3 C. cooked chicken, cubed
1/2 C. shredded parmesan cheese
1 C. shredded cheddar cheese

Cook spaghetti according to package directions. Melt butter and blend in flour. Stir broth into mixture and add cream. Cook until mixture thickens and bubbles, stirring constantly. Add. salt, pepper, drained spaghetti, mushrooms, green peppers, and cooked chicken. Place in a 9x13 pan and sprinkle with parmesan and cheddar cheese. Bake at 350 degrees for 30-45 minutes until bubbly and lightly browned.

Recipe from Girlfriends on the Go see sidebar=>

Chicken Melt Patties

Please leave comments for Chicken Melt Patties...Did it feed 6? Did you like it? Did you love it?

*recipe makes 4 patties so double to make 8*

2 (6 oz) cans chicken (can also use tuna)
1/3 c. finely chopped celery
1/4 c. green onions
1/4 c. unseasoned bread crumbs
2 T. mayonnaise
2 T. sweet pickle relish
1 egg white
1 tsp. mustard
6 english muffins
6 slices american cheese

Mix well: chicken, celery, green onions, bread crumbs, mayonnaise, relish, egg white, and mustard. Form into 4 patties. Spray grill pan with cooking spray. Grill patties 3 minutes each side. Top with cheese and place on toasted English Muffins. Tomato slices and lettuce leaves can be added if desired.

Serve with a large green salad, soup, or noodles

Crock Pot Chops

Please leave comments for Crock Pot Chops...Did it feed 6? Did you like it? Did you love it?

6 pork chops
3/4 c. ketchup
3/4 c. water
2 T. vinegar
4 T. soy sauce
a pinch of sugar
a handful of dry onioins

Mix wet ingredients and pour over the chops in the crock pot. Cook on low for 6-8 hours or on high for 3-4 hours.

Serve with rice and green salad.