Serious Eats - seriouseats.com

This is a very timely post because I recently had mussels for the first time in a cream sauce and thought it was a very interesting method. I too usually use a wine and herb sauce (sometimes spiced with bacon or chorizo) but I really want to try this approach for a change. I'm lucky enough to be able to get good PEI mussels here in Austin, so I think we'll put these on the menu for this week.

That's a much harder question to answer than I initially thought it would be. After some deliberation and reading the thoughts of others I'm down to a tie:

Bobby Flay - I love to grill and I'd love to grill with him. I think I'd take so much away from the experience.

Jamie Oliver - His food is just to comforting and satisfying, and I think the dinner discussion with him would be fantastic.

I've found that flank steak is very popular with the younger set, and if you buy it at your local warehouse club it's very affordable for a crowd. I've found this Soy-Marinated Flank Steaks recipe a flavorful option that works well when you aren't sure what everyone will like. I'd serve this with corn on the cob with regular and herb butter, and a nice pasta or maybe even a panzanella salad (depending on the crowd).

For dessert a make your own ice cream sandwich bar is always a treat. If you have time you can make the cookies and ice cream yourself, something a teen host might like to help with. But if you're pressed for time as most parents are, you can buy all of the fixins at your local grocery and still have a hit. Don't forget fun toppings to roll the sandwiches in - it takes them to a whole new level.