Good guests

Said goodbye to my family Saturday morning, drove six hours from Pennsylvania to New York, and said hello to my husband's family who is visiting this weekend. Trying to get ready for houseguests when you're away for five days takes some planning (and a husband and daughter willing to take direction over the phone.) I came home to a house that was surprisingly clean - good job, guys! - and a very happy dog who has not left my side since I got back. And a lot of lists and some food in the freezer, because I had to start thinking about meals as soon as I got home.

I think I came up with a pretty good plan, so I thought I'd link you to some of the easy, sort-of make ahead recipes I used. Our dinner last night was parmesan chicken, tomato and mozzarella salad, and green beans from the garden, which my husband had picked and washed.  I trimmed and pounded the chicken breasts ahead of time and froze them, so there wasn't a lot of prep work. The salad was just sliced tomatoes, fresh mozzarella and basil with a little olive oil drizzled over it. It was very pretty, but there was no way I had time to take a picture of it. We also had zucchini bread and these chocolate chip cookies, both of which I made last weekend and put in the freezer. I haven't made  Toll House cookies since I found this recipe in Cook's magazine a few years ago. I don't make them quite as big as the recipe suggests. (I just eat twice as many.)

The picture is our lunch - Martha's pressed sandwich, which has all sorts of yummy stuff - roasted red peppers, artichokes, prosciutto, greens - I can hardly wait. It needs a few hours in the refrigerator, lashed to a cutting board and weighted underneath something heavy, so I made it before everybody was up and around this morning. I'm sure Martha weights hers with something elegant. Mine is being squooshed right now underneath a jelly-roll pan with a gallon of milk and a six-pack of beer.

My sister-in-law and her husband are such great houseguests that they wouldn't care if we ordered pizza. Which, of course, is why we like to treat them well. We want them to come back. Mary Janet always comes with wonderful hostess gifts. This time she brought me pantry goodies from Williams-Sonoma, and a little plaque.

Kinda says it all, don't you think?

Comments

[Beth Leintz]

I've heard about Martha's pressed sandwich, and I have a gallon of milk and a 6 pack of beer, so I think I can make it!

I love the fresh tomato mozzerella salad- sometime I add a little balsamic vinegar and crusty bread cubes (or store bought croutons)

[Diane ( Crafty Passions)]

Your so organized , the meals sound great good job!!! The plaque is adorable!
Diane

[Robin~Thrifty Miss Priss]

Oh I love that plaque! and the meals sound yum o! I can't wait to hear how the lunch was....I'd love to try that! and...I JUST heard on the radio yesterday from a master gardner....you are NOT supposed to put picked tomatoes in the window! I've always done it and never had problems!

[jerusalem]

I adore that plaque! Too cute!

[Michele]

I adore that plaque...so cute! The salad sounds delish...

Hugz,
Michele

[Kim V]

Wow! You did good with being away! So organized!
Have a great day!
Kim

[Judy]

I love that plaque.

[karla nathan]

smart planning! I wish I'd done that this summer when I had a quick turn around with travel and guests. You'll be able to relax and enjoy the company this way. Especially if you open the six pack.

[Carmen @ Thrifted Cottage Dreams]

Mmmm...those things sound scrumptious! I think I'd be a nutcase, though! Love the plaque!
Carmen

[Patty]

I've always wanted to make that sandwich. The sign is great.

[susan]

hehe love the plaque. thanks for the cookie recipe, i usually make toll house pan cookie, but i will give this one a try. you are just so dang funny