20 Show-Stopping Dinners That Will Win Over Your Mother-In-Law
Cooking for your mother-in-law can feel like the ultimate culinary test, but it doesn’t have to be stressful. The secret to a successful family dinner is serving something that looks incredibly gourmet but is secretly simple to pull together. From perfectly roasted meats to elevated, comforting classics, these 20 impressive recipes will make you look like a seasoned pro in the kitchen. Get ready to serve up a meal so spectacular, she will be begging you for the recipe before dessert even hits the table!
Pork Chops with Cider and Blackberry Sauce
Oven-baked succulent pork chops served with a wonderful cider and blackberry sauce, silky Jerusalem artichoke puree and broccoli.
French Onion Pork Chops
French Onion Pork Chops combines the great flavors of a french onion soup with juicy, tender pork chops for an easy weeknight dinner that the whole family will love! This family favorite is perfect for a busy weeknight, yet impressive enough to serve guests!
Shrimp Scampi in the Instant Pot
The ever elegant restaurant entree that you love to order just became so much easier to make at home! This recipe for Instant Pot Shrimp Scampi cooks in– get this– 3 minutes! This is a one pot meal that you’ll love to serve up, either for a quick meal for yourself or to impress at a dinner party!
Tuna Steak With Capers, Parsley and Lemon
Seared tuna steak with capers, parsley and lemon cooked very rare is a wonderfully simple and elegant dish that is guaranteed to impress!
Balsamic and Honey Glazed Duck Breast
Balsamic and honey glazed duck breast with walnuts, cabbage and apple is a perfect fancy dinner that is remarkably quick and easy to make.
Parmesan Roasted Mashed Potatoes
When it comes to setting an impressive holiday table, these easy Parmesan Roasted Mashed Potatoes are one of my favorite side dishes!
Slow Cooker Lamb Shanks in Red Wine
Slow cooker lamb shanks in a bold red wine sauce with garlic, red pepper & rosemary, a perfect “Sunday” lunch that goes nowhere near an oven.
Brown Butter Gnocchi with Sage and Walnuts
This brown butter gnocchi with sage and walnuts is the perfect 30 minute dinner! It comes together quickly, and the browned butter adds a depth and richness to the dish. Top it with some parmesan and mwah…. perfection.
Super Tender Air Fryer Filet Mignon
Looking for a stunningly gourmet dinner at home without the effort? This air fryer filet mignon is it! Cooked to juicy tender perfection every time, this dinner is sure to impress.
Roast Spatchcock Quail with Marsala and Grapes
Roast quail is the perfect date night meal, it looks fancy but is easy to make, here it is spatchcocked & served with a marsala & grape sauce.
Carbonnade Flamande Belgian Beef Stew
Carbonnade Flamande is a classic and delicious Belgian (Flemish) beef and beer stew that is very easy to cook despite its long cooking time.
Chicken Milanese Breaded Chicken Cutlets
Chicken Milanese are bashed-out chicken breasts (cutlets) that are coated in parmesan cheese & breadcrumbs before being fried until golden. This recipe is delightfully simple and really quick to cook too, preparation should take no more than 15 minutes and it will cook in under 10 minutes.
Poulet au Vinaigre French Chicken in Vinegar
Poulet au Vinaigre may sound fancy but it is a simple French dish featuring chicken legs cooked in white wine vinegar with shallots & garlic. Not only is this dish simple, but it is also pretty quick for a “braise”, it will take around 45 minutes to prepare and cook.
Oven Roasted Rack of Lamb Recipe
This Rosemary & Garlic Oven Roasted Rack of Lamb is a perfect centerpiece for an elegant holiday dinner without requiring any fussy or difficult skills! Juicy, tender, and perfectly cooked to a medium-rare with a crusty exterior made with garlic, herbs, and lemon zest, this is one of the best cuts of lamb and makes an easy and impressive main dish for entertaining!
Balsamic Dijon Crusted Beef Tenderloin
Looking for the perfect special occasion dinner? This balsamic dijon beef tenderloin roast is both simple and impressive. Served with a Meyer lemon gremolata, it’s great as a holiday dish too!
Roasted Whole Beef Tenderloin with Onion Blue Cheese Sauce
My foolproof recipe for Roasted Whole Beef Tenderloin with Onion Blue Cheese Sauce makes a truly impressive main dish for your Christmas dinner or a special occasion.
Parmesan Risotto Recipe
This parmesan risotto recipe is wonderfully delicious and perfect for an impressive dinner. If you follow my instructions, you will have a spectacularly creamy, delicious, cheesy risotto in no time.
Stuffed Delicata Squash with Cranberry Apple Pork Stuffing
Stuffed delicata squash is simply roasted to sweeten and caramelize and then stuffed with a delicious mixture of seasonal fall ingredients like ground pork, cranberries, apples, leeks and fennel. It’s an easy meal packed with flavor and impressive enough for a special occasion.
Slow Cooker Country Style Ribs
This family recipe keeps it simple— slow cooker country style pork ribs, sweet onions, BBQ sauce, and a few easy spices. The crockpot does all the work, and you get tender, flavorful ribs that everyone will love.
Air Fryer Halloumi with Hot Honey Glaze
Air Fryer halloumi cheese in a delicious, quick and easy hot honey glaze seasoned with dried mint, sweet paprika and a splash of lemon juice. This dish is incredibly low maintenance, all you need to do is pre-heat your air fryer whilst you mix the glaze.
