The Neighborhood Dinner Group

Dinner Group Menu for 2007-2008

October 6th: Veal Marsala
Appetizer: Selected by Hostess
Salad: Bib Lettuce/Roquefort dressing
Entrée: Veal Marsala
Side Dish: Green beans w/ almonds
Side Dish: Twice baked potatoes
Dessert: Dump cake

November 3rd: Pork Roast
Appetizer: Selected by Hostess
Salad: Apricot pecan salad
Entrée: Pork roast
Side Dish: Red cabbage
Side Dish: Sweet potatoes soufflé
Dessert: Sandy's lemon cake

December 1st: Beef Burgundy
Appetizer: Selected by Hostess
Salad: Pear salad
Entrée: Beef burgundy
Side Dish: Wild rice
Side Dish: Butter peas with onions
Dessert: Angel food cake

January 5th: Home Made Soups
Appetizer: Selected by Hostess
Salad: Selected by person who brings it
Bread: Selected by person who brings it
Soups: 3 selected from submitted recipes
Dessert: Selected by person who brings it

February 2nd: Manicotti
Appetizer: Selected by Hostess
Salad: Italian salad
Entrée: Manicotti
Side Dish: Asparagus Vinaigrette
Dessert: Chocolate-raspberry sorbet

March 1st: Chicken Cutlets
Appetizer: Selected by Hostess
Salad: Tomatoes & mozzarella
Entrée: Chicken cutlets
Side Dish: Zucchini maison
Side Dish: Boursin mashed potatoes
Dessert: Mandarin orange cake

April 5th: Seafood Quesadillas
Appetizer: Selected by Hostess
Salad: Guacamole and chips
Entrée: Seafood Quesadillas
Side Dish: Sour cream, salsa
Side Dish: Black beans
Dessert: Apple enchiladas

May 3rd: Lamb Chops
Appetizers: Selected by hostess
Salad: Greek salad
Entrée: Lamb chops
Side Dish: Marinated vegetables
Side Dish: Sautéed mushrooms
Dessert: Chocolate silk cake

July 12th: Barbeque
Appetizer: Selected by Hostess
Entrée: Barbeque Ribs and Sausage
Side Dishes: selected by people who
bring them. Beans, potato salad, etc.
Dessert: Selected by people who bring them

If you would like to join, please call Diana Pollard 972-250-1247, Geri Hetterich 469-737-4208
or Elizabeth Disch 972-713-8371.

Guidelines

Our Neighborhood Dinner Group is devoted to good food, good company and good fun. These are the most commonly asked questions about the group.

How often do you meet?
The Dinner Group meets the first Saturday of the month from October to May. If the first Saturday is a holiday weekend, we meet the second Saturday. We also usually have a barbeque in July.

What is the cost of joining the Dinner Group?
There is no charge for joining the group. Everyone who attends a dinner pays for their portion of the meal.

Can we join in the middle of the year?
Absolutely. Just call one of the people listed above. Or, you are welcome to attend as a guest if you want to just try the group out. You’ll have to pay for your portion of the food.

Do I have to be a gourmet cook to join?
NO. This group is about neighbors getting together for friendship and fun. We believe that great food does not require hours of toil. Novice cook or gourmand, you’ll find our recipes easy to make and quite delicious.

Is this just for couples?
No. We welcome singles as well.

Are we expected to host one of the dinners?
Yes, if at all possible. It’s only fair to spread the work load of hosting. At the beginning of the year we will ask for volunteers for two hostesses for each of the nine dinners. Some years there are not enough slots for all of the participants.

How many people are we expected to host?
As many as you can comfortably accommodate, usually 8 to 12 people. The appetizers and desserts do not require sit-down eating.

Are we expected to entertain lavishly?
Certainly not. We’re an informal group. If you want to trust us with your best china, fine. If not, everyday dishes are great. We are more interested in good company.

What is the dress code?
Casual to dressy casual. Some of the ladies dress up more for Christmas.

Who selects the menus and recipes?
A team of volunteers takes on the job of selecting the menus and recipes. Each of the team members researches and recommends recipes, which the team reviews and approves. We try to have an appetizer, a first course, an entrée and vegetable and a dessert for each meal. We are always looking for volunteers to serve on this team.
How do we find out about the date and menu each month?
We are now posting the year’s entire menu on the HOA web site so you can plan ahead. The menu team handles reservations. We divide the assignments, so you will hear from different people during the year. The person handling reservations emails the menu two weeks before the dinner. Everyone who wants to attend is asked to respond by a deadline (usually the Tuesday before the dinner). If you do not have access to email, please let us know – we will snail mail the recipes to you.

How are the recipes assigned?
Assignments are sent out with the recipes. The person handling reservations also makes recipe assignments. If you see something on the menu that interests you, tell the person handling reservations when you RSVP. This year, we are trying a new approach. The first hostess will provide appetizers for all diners. The second hostess will provide dessert for all diners. Other people will bring the entrée and other dishes. We try to make sure that everyone is assigned a recipe.

Is everyone expected to cook for each dinner?
Pretty much yes. So if you don’t really like to cook, this may not be the group for you. On the other hand, if you’ve been ill or out of town and really want to attend, call the person collecting reservations – if we can balance the amount of food and the number of guests, we’ll want to you to come.

What if we have house guests?
If you would like to bring house guests to a dinner, let the person taking reservations know. Unless space is a problem, this should be OK. You will have to pay for the food for yourself and your guests.

What about wine?
Because some of us drink wine and some don’t, we do not include wine in the menu. The hosts provide water and coffee. If you want wine to drink, please bring it with you. The hosts will provide wine glasses.

How are the dinner costs handled?
Each person who contributes a dish is expected to bring an estimate of the costs of the ingredients. We add up the costs and divide by the number of guests. Your cost for the entire meal, less what you’ve already spent, is what you owe. If you spent a large amount, say for the entrée, you will usually get money back. A typical cost of one meal is $20 to $25 per person.

If you would like to join, please call Diana Pollard 972-250-1247, Geri Hetterich 469-737-4208 or Elizabeth Disch 972-713-8371.