Most of the world is still in social isolation, nightlife and in-person get-together are still not allowed. Bars and other entertainment establishments aren't open yet, the only way to bond with the girls is over Zoom. All you need are your laptop, wine, and dinner to set your mood for a great virtual dinner with friends.

Zoom Call Dinner Ideas

Here are easy dinner recipes to make while on a Zoom call with the girls while drinking the same wine:

Carbonara Pasta Recipe

This creamy carbonara pasta from Delish will surely satisfy your comfort food cravings!

Total prep time: 20 minutes

Yields: 4 servings

Here's what you need:

• 12 oz. spaghetti pasta
• Kosher salt
• 3 large eggs
• 1 c. freshly grated Parmesan
• 8 slices bacon
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• Freshly ground black pepper

For Garnish

• Extra-virgin olive oil (optional)
• Flaky sea salt (optional)
• Freshly chopped parsley

Here's how to prepare it:

1. In a large pot of salted boiling water, cook spaghetti by following the package directions until al dente. Drain well, and reserve 1 cup pasta water.
2. In a medium bowl, whisk eggs and Parmesan.
3. Meanwhile, in a large skillet over medium heat, cook bacon until crispy for about 8 minutes. Transfer slices to a paper towel-lined plate to drain. Reserve fat in the skillet.
4. Into the same skillet, add garlic and cook until fragrant for 1 minute. Add cooked spaghetti and mix until fully covered in bacon fat. Remove from heat. Pour over egg and cheese mixture and stir heartily until creamy (be careful not to scramble the eggs). Add pasta water a couple of tablespoons a time to loosen the sauce if necessary.
5. Season with salt and pepper and stir in cooked bacon.
6. Drizzle with olive oil and garnish with flaky sea salt, Parmesan, and parsley before serving.

Ravioli with Sage-Walnut Butter Recipe

This ravioli by Food Network Kitchen is simple and easy to make with rich and earthly taste. 

Total prep time: 25 minutes

Yields: 4 servings

Here's what you need:

• Kosher salt
• ¼ c. balsamic vinegar
• 2 teaspoons honey
• 1 bay leaf
• 2 9 oz. packages refrigerated cheese ravioli
• 6 tbsp. unsalted butter
• 1/3 c. fresh sage leaves
• 1 c. walnuts, roughly chopped
• ¾ c. grated Parmesan cheese

Here's how to prepare it:

1. Boil salted water in a large pot. Mix the vinegar, honey, and bay leaf in a small saucepan and boil over medium-high heat until syrupy for 4 to 5 minutes. Cover to keep warm.
2. Add the ravioli to the boiling water and cook according to the package directions until al dente. Meanwhile, in a large skillet, melt the butter over medium heat, then add the sage and walnuts, and cook until the nuts are toasted for 3 minutes. Increase the heat to high, ladle in about 1 cup of cooking water and bring to a boil. Cook until reduced by about half for about 1 - 2 minutes.
3. Drain the ravioli. Reserve another 1/2 cup cooking water. Add the ravioli to the skillet and toss to coat, adding the reserved water as needed. Remove from the heat, toss with the Parmesan and season with salt.
4. Divide the ravioli among plates and drizzle with the balsamic syrup before serving.

Hot Sausage Cast-Iron Skillet Pan Pizza Recipe

This cast-iron skillet pan pizza from Rachael Ray (Food Network Kitchen) will give your sausage pizza a whole new look!

Total prep time: 30 minutes

Yields: 4 servings

Here's what you need:

• 1 c. diced canned tomatoes
• 2 tbsp. sun-dried tomato paste
• 1 large clove garlic, crushed

• 1 scant tsp. (1/3 palm full) oregano
• A pinch of sugar and salt
• A few leaves of torn basil, plus a few torn to serve
• 1 pound ball dough ( from the market or your favorite pizza parlor or EZ Pizza Dough, recipe follows)
• EVOO, for drizzling, and about ¼ c. in a cup for brushing
• ½ lb. hot Italian sausage
• 1 tbsp. cornmeal
• ½ AP flour
• Salt and pepper
• Crushed red pepper flakes
• 2 c. shredded mozzarella cheese
• ¼ c. grated Pecorino cheese
• 2 tbsp. water
• 1 tbsp. acacia honey
• 1 scant tsp. Calabrian chili paste or chili flakes
• Basil leaves
• Fennel and Olive Salad, for serving, optional, recipe follows

EZ Pizza Dough:

• 1 c. warm water
• 1 package active dry yeast (look for pouches marked "For Pizza")
• 2 tbsp. EVOO, plus some for the bowl to rest the dough
• 1 tbsp. acacia honey
• 2 tsp. kosher salt
• 3 c. AP flour

Fennel and Olive Salad:

• 1 small bulb fennel, reserve a handful of fronds
• ½ small to medium red onion
• ½lemon
• ½ orange
• Salt and pepper
• ½ c. oil-cured black olives
• 2 to 3 tbsp. capers
• 4 to 5 c. arugula or baby kale
• EVOO

Here's how to prepare it:

1. Preheat oven to 525 to 550 degrees F, as high as it goes, with the rack at the center. Preheat a 10 to 12 inches cast-iron skillet over medium-high heat. Preheat a second smaller cast-iron or another skillet over medium-high heat for the sausage.
2. Gather all ingredients.
3. In a food processor, whizz up sauce: tomatoes, paste, garlic, oregano, sugar, salt, and a few leaves of basil.
4. Stretch dough into an even round that will cover large skillet.
5. In a smaller skillet, drizzle a little EVOO. Cut sausage from casing, add to the pan and lightly brown and crumble. Turn pan off.
6. In a larger skillet, sprinkle a little cornmeal and flour and press dough into and up sides as much as possible. The pan is hot -- reminder. Brush the dough with EVOO and season with a little salt and pepper or red pepper flakes. Top the dough with the sauce and sausage, sprinkle the cheeses over the sausage and place in oven.
7. In the sausage skillet, add a little water, honey, and chili paste and stir to mix (reheat your pan if it's not warm enough to heat the honey).
8. Bake the pizza for 15 minutes until deep golden brown and bubbly. Sprinkle or brush the pizza with the chili honey mixture and top with torn basil.

EZ Pizza Dough:

1. In a mixer with the dough hook attached, add warm water and yeast and let the yeast bloom and foam for about 5 minutes.
2. Add EVOO, honey, and salt and turn on the mixer. Add the flour gradually to form the dough. Transfer to a bowl drizzled with a little EVOO and cover; let stand for 1 hour.
3. Cut dough in half; wrap half the dough and freeze for later use.

Fennel and Olive Salad:

1. Using a mandolin or very sharp knife, thinly slice the fennel and the red onion and place in a bowl.
2. Add orange and lemon juice and season with salt and pepper.
3. Pit olives and coarsely chop; add to bowl.
4. Add capers and arugula or kale.
5. When ready to serve, add EVOO, 2 slow turns of the bowl, toss and serve.

Cook’s Note

You cannot make your own dough in 30 minutes, of course, but here's a simple recipe that makes 2 pizzas and you can keep it on hand in the freezer.

Homemade Pizza Recipe

This Pizza recipe from Taste of Home is a hearty, zesty main dish with a crisp, golden crust.

Total prep time: 25 minutes

Bake: 25 minutes

Yields: 2 pizzas (3 servings each)

Here's what you need:

• 1 package (1/4 ounce) active dry yeast
• 1 tsp. sugar
• 1-1/4 c. warm water (110° to 115°)
• ¼ canola oil
• 1 tsp. salt
• 3-1/2 to 4 c. all-purpose flour
• ½ lb. ground beef
• 1 small onion, chopped
• 1 can (15 ounces) tomato sauce
• 3 tsp. dried oregano
• 1 tsp. dried basil
• 1 medium green pepper, diced
• 2 c. shredded part-skim mozzarella cheese

Here's how to make it:

1. In a large bowl, dissolve yeast and sugar in water; let stand for 5 minutes. Add oil and salt. Stir in flour, a cup at a time, until a soft dough forms.
2. Turn onto a floured surface; knead until smooth and elastic for about 2-3 minutes. Place in a greased bowl, turning once to grease the top. Cover and let rise in a warm place until doubled for about 45 minutes. Meanwhile, cook beef and onion over medium heat until no longer pink; drain.
3. Punch down dough; divide in half. Press each into a greased 12-in. pizza pan. Mix the tomato sauce, oregano, and basil; spread over each crust. Top with beef mixture, green pepper, and cheese.
4. Bake at 400° for 25-30 minutes or until the crust is lightly browned.

When you miss hanging out with the girls during this COVID-19 pandemic time, whip out one of these dinner recipes to pair with your fave wine. Have no fear. You can still spend quality time with your loved ones just as fun as the in-person get-together. The virtual conference is the new trend nowadays. 

Tips: Send a set of wine charms to your gals and a bottle of wine. Check out this Girls Night Out Party Magnetic Wine Charms! These are the best wine charms for ladies’ night or Zoom party. Whether you serve red wine, champagne, martinis or margaritas, these classy wine charms will be great conversation starters.  Send them some of these dinner recipes ahead. Cook the same recipe together. Let the Zoom call begin, and enjoy!

← Previous Post Next Post →