Critique this menu!

[Anonymous]

I am hosting my family for Christmas for the first time. It will be six adults, no dietary restrictions.

Appetizers:
cheese, crackers, nuts. phyllo cups with ricotta, honey and pistachios.

Entree:
Mussels two ways, one will be white wine and garlic and the other will be a marinara. Crusty bread. Butter lettuce salad with shallot vinagrette.

Dessert:
Gingerbread trifle


Thank you!

[Anonymous]

It sounds delicious! I love mussels, and am planning a mussel dish for Christmas myself!

The only thing I might do differently, is I might not serve two appetizers that are cheese, nuts and carbs. Either of the ones you have planned is fine, but I might do something different for the other. Since you only have the one vegetable with dinner, I would probably do something like a veggie tray with some kind of dip, and keep the phyllo cups. But I am a person who really likes vegetables.

[Anonymous]

I’d get rid of the ricotta app and add something that mixes better with mussels. Crab stuffed porta bello or bacon wrapped scallops come to mind. Even meatballs would be good.

[Anonymous]

You might think about special butter for the bread. Maybe an herbed butter and a honey butter.

Agree with PP that you might add a veggie tray -- my family eats it up when I make sure to buy organic veggies and cut them up myself (those bagged baby carrots have no taste compared to freshly cut carrot sticks). I serve with homemade onion dip (carmelize diced onions, add salt and pepper, deglaze pan with balsamic, let cool, add to sour cream), but you can use hummus, or whatever.

[Anonymous]

This sounds good but anemic. Mussels aren’t very filling so I would be looking for something else. Can you choose mussels one way and add something else to the main entree?
Perhaps a fillet of salmon roasted in the oven with lemon wedges, carrots and asparagus?

I agree with the herb or honey butter for the bread. That would be divine. Hope your party goes well

[Anonymous]

or buttered noodles to sop up that mussel juice. Or frites with some dipping sauces.

[Anonymous]

I don't like the entree.

[Anonymous]

Your guests will be hungry, maybe fettuccine with the mussels?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I am hosting my family for Christmas for the first time. It will be six adults, no dietary restrictions.

Appetizers:
cheese, crackers, nuts. phyllo cups with ricotta, honey and pistachios.

Entree:
Mussels two ways, one will be white wine and garlic and the other will be a marinara. Crusty bread. Butter lettuce salad with shallot vinagrette.

Dessert:
Gingerbread trifle


Thank you!

Do they like mussels? Ask them, not us. I'd eat before I came.

[Anonymous]

Agree on adding fettuccine or frites with sauces. Then you’re good. Assuming you know this crowd enjoys mussels.

Also would add a second dessert, even if just bakery-purchased cookies (or ask guests to bring dessert) so you have a few options.

[Anonymous]

Serve another main with the mussels. This entire menu is so unappealing. Yuck.

[Anonymous]

Mussels are not very filling - how about adding a nice filet of fish as the main or at least at frites as others have mentioned. I also think the ricotta cups should be subbed for another type of appetizer.

[Anonymous]

Mussels aren’t most people’s favorite and this isn’t a lot of food or festive. If you want a similar vibe, I’d do a a seafood linguine with a bunch of different stuff - clams, scallops, shrimp, lobster, and mussels also if you insist.

[Anonymous]

I would love this! Mussels and a good crusty bread are one of my favorite meals.

[Anonymous]

Mussels are not always a crowd favorite sorry to say. If it’s one small course, that’s one thing but as a meal, half of my household would not be eating. For some people, they have a very earthy taste and you have to eat a ton to get full.