A Dinner Menu for the Best of Friends

When you just want to hang out with friends and make them some really good food...

Appetizers:

• blue cheese and walnut spread with water crackers, red pears and fresh black figs
• bacon-wrapped dates
• parmesan spirals

Beverages:

• Four Vines Zinfandel
• Blue Fin Pinot Noir
• vodka tonics
• martinis with bleu cheese-stuffed olives

Main Course:

• beef shank and sausage ragu with spaghetti
• green beans with garlic and parsley
• assorted Italian breads

Dessert:

• flourless chocolate cake served with fresh whipped cream and strawberries
• coffee

*All recipes from Everyday Food by Giada, except for ragu. Ragu taken from Bon Appetit, May 2009*