Today is a backwards edition of Works For Me Wednesday (WFMW) hosted by Rocks In My Dryer . In other words, I’m asking a question and looking to you for an answer. My question today is, “What is your favorite no-fail dinner menu for when you are expecting company?
Thanks for playing along.
{ 12 comments… read them below or add one }
It depends on whether kids are coming and if they are picky eaters. I usually stick with spaghetti or lasagna with garlic bread & green beans, since most kids like that. I found a crock-pot lasagna recipe that I love & I will never go back to making homemade lasagna in a 9×13″ ever again! I’ll post it on my site. Another big hit is a cheesy potato casserole – great with pork chops or chicken on the grill, or meatloaf (in the winter when a warm stove helps heat the house!)
Chicken Enchiladas! I have a super easy recipe that is delicious and easy to make.
Honestly, we don’t have a lot of people with kids who come to our house, so I find a new recipe. I find that a lot of people fall into food ruts and never try new things so they like to experiment at my house. I pull out all my books and mags and pull up recipes on the internet until I am inspired. My go-to recipe places are “Real Simple,” Rachael Ray, Martha Stewart, and AllRecipes.com. I also have a Juniour League of Women cookbook from our city that has never failed me yet.
As long as it’s not snowing, we grill out! Usually we do a couple types of meat so our guests can choose. We also do a lot of kabobs – meat, peppers, onion, mushrooms, pineapple, etc…….
Twice-baked potatoes are great because you can do them up ahead of time. Throw in a nice salad or fresh fruit & some bread & you’re done.
I try to defer to my guests tastes as much as possible. If I don’t know someone well I don’t hesitate to ask about their likes and especially dislikes. I tend to make spicy dishes, but always include a few blander selections as well. When planning your menu try taking the entree out of the equation–if your guest could not eat the entree would there be enough other dishes offered to satisfy them? For kids, while I’ve taught my children to take a little of everything, not make faces, etc. I understand that that is my parenting choice and don’t worry about other people’s kids’ manners. I keep frozen chicken nuggets on hand just in case and set out lots of snacks like olives, fruit and veggies, cheese and crackers that are kid-friendly. No reason to make a picky eater go hungry! A happy, full kiddo means their parents can stay and visit longer!
Lasagna is always a good choice, but The EASIEST last minute dinner I prepare is to marinate chicken in champagne salad dressing, bake it in the oven, and top it with grated parmsean. Serve it with instant risotto or a salad and people will think you’re a gourmet!
Bon Appétit!
You should make that spaghetti noodle chicken casserole type thing that you made a few weeks ago when I babysat. I ate some of it and it was delish. Can I have the recipe? It was real good
I’d be glad to give you the recipe. I need to start posting some of my recipes here. It’s been tough to cook for the kids because they are being so picky. I had tons of leftovers from that meal because the kids wouldn’t touch it. Adam and I thought it was great.
I do make some sort of pasta if my husband is not available to grill or the weather is yucky. I went to to a great get together the other night where it was all just appetizers. That was yummy. We ordered pizza for the kids,though.
These are great ideas people have offered–I need to remember them next time I’m inviting someone over.
Thanks for your comment over at my site. I feel like I got a great feel for what people appreciate and enjoy in this big ol’ bloggy world.
I used to make a knock-off of the Pasta Rustica from Macaroni Grill, but some people don’t like pine nuts, and that’s part of what makes it special and yummy. So I stopped making that (but I love it myself and make it sometimes just to satisfy my own taste buds).
I’m going to look for the crockpot lasagna idea. That sounds easy. I love things I can assemble in advance so that I can focus on enjoying my company.
One more idea that’s family friendly is a taco/mexican night. I just pull out everything a person would want in a burrito, taco or taco salad and everybody makes their own. It’s very casual and fun, so won’t do for fancy company.
Frozen Stouffers lasagna, Salad and French Bread bought at a local market…buy some fancy butter with it….dessert…frost brownies…and throw some vanilla ice cream on it…maybe even a cherry if you have them….appetizer I would thaw shrimp with cocktail sauce…that is my no fail and it always goes over well.
Lasagne or spaghetti, garlic bread, salad for dinner. Apple pie for desert.