...in various ways in various threads, but I'm gonna ask it again and pose it in a different manner now, since we've got many new members as of the last few days. So New Members in particular- this is where YOU jump in!

One of the BEST ways to find out things about new friends is to ask such a question- so here goes!

If you're invitin' folks over for supper who you don't know that well- what foods do you share from your kitchen to nourish their bodies, please their bellies and make them feel welcome?

Me? I love all foods. I've worked in some high-falootin' places where we served fancy food- and I've worked in others where the grub was just very basic meat n' potatoes stuff. My personal comfort level in my own home falls somewhere in the middle. I like to cook and serve fun casual food, presented handsomely on big family-style platters.

So on a rare cool/breezy late-summer night like tonight, for a casual patio supper I might serve:

Usually a double meal - homemade pasta with meatballs and braciole, homemade bread, large antipasto, roast beef, mashed potatoes, gravy, veggies and loads of various desserts.

Then you just roll 'em out the door..............

mama, damn... why can't you live closer? I wanna drop by your kitchen for a bite to eat SO BADLY, but I'm afraid you're just too far for me to easily "ROLL" home!

BTW- not being Italian... I have never eaten braciole... in fact- first time I ever heard of it was on an episode of "Everybody Loves Raymond", when Deb found Marie's old handed-down family recipe for it written down and then she made it- which led to all kinds of hilalrious family drama- as always. Do you watch that show- and did you see that episode? SO FUNNY!

Good lord Mama you make me drool on my keyboard lol.
Italian food is my favorite thing. I made lasagna and garlic bread tonight using your marinara for the sauce.

If I were making a meal for new friends I would probably make herb roasted chicken, gravy, garlic mashed potatoes, buttermilk biscuits, baked mac and cheese, coleslaw and maybe some pan roasted cherry tomatoes.
Dessert would be something like homemade ice cream with chocolate cake.
We dont do fancy meals in this house. Rustic country grub all the way.
I do Italian and even asian some of the time but mostly I cook country cooking like my Mama and my Mamaw before her.
Only I do it without the lard lol.

...your supper sounds fantastic too- like mama's, janie! dang you gals, anyway!