Hosting two small Christmas dinners without breaking bank?

[Anonymous]

As the pps said, depends on tastes, allergies, etc., but a lot of peasant foods (that used to be bulked with cheaper ingredients) are fancy again. Meatloaf, cottage pie, stroganoff with noodles, swedish meatballs with rice or noodles. All lovely foods. My DH orders meatloaf in restaurants every chance he gets!

[Anonymous]

I always like to serve a ham. They're SO easy to cook, always turn out wonderfully and are kind of impressive looking. I got mine on sale a month or so ago and froze it, but you might still get some on sale. I save the leftovers in 2 cup portions for soups and quiches. Anyways, that was my go to when I didn't have much money.

Potatoes are really inexpensive

[Anonymous]

Make a big batch of beef stew that will be enough for both notes. Serve with a salad and whatever you land on for apps.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Make a big batch of beef stew that will be enough for both notes. Serve with a salad and whatever you land on for apps.

*notes should say "nights"

[Anonymous]

I go to trader joes and get cheese and crackers and grab some frozen appetizers and a couple $5 bottles of wine.

[Anonymous]

For the older couple I'd do Mississippi roast. Cheap cut of meat, could not be easier if you throw potatoes and carrots in toward the end.

For the other group, big batch of black beans and rice, chips & guac/queso to start

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:For the older couple I'd do Mississippi roast. Cheap cut of meat, could not be easier if you throw potatoes and carrots in toward the end.

For the other group, big batch of black beans and rice, chips & guac/queso to start

NP. Do not serve this family beans and rice.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:For the older couple I'd do Mississippi roast. Cheap cut of meat, could not be easier if you throw potatoes and carrots in toward the end.

For the other group, big batch of black beans and rice, chips & guac/queso to start

NP. Do not serve this family beans and rice.

Plus 100

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:For the older couple I'd do Mississippi roast. Cheap cut of meat, could not be easier if you throw potatoes and carrots in toward the end.

For the other group, big batch of black beans and rice, chips & guac/queso to start

NP. Do not serve this family beans and rice.

Plus 100

I am so glad I have more laid back friends.

They have small kids. It's something the kids I know eat. And it does not break bank, even if you make it with good chorizo.

[Anonymous]

Spaghetti and meatballs for both meals. Add a salad and Italian bread.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:For the older couple I'd do Mississippi roast. Cheap cut of meat, could not be easier if you throw potatoes and carrots in toward the end.

For the other group, big batch of black beans and rice, chips & guac/queso to start

NP. Do not serve this family beans and rice.

Plus 100

I am so glad I have more laid back friends.

They have small kids. It's something the kids I know eat. And it does not break bank, even if you make it with good chorizo.

Same! This sounds delicious!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:For the older couple I'd do Mississippi roast. Cheap cut of meat, could not be easier if you throw potatoes and carrots in toward the end.

For the other group, big batch of black beans and rice, chips & guac/queso to start

NP. Do not serve this family beans and rice.

Plus 100

I am so glad I have more laid back friends.

They have small kids. It's something the kids I know eat. And it does not break bank, even if you make it with good chorizo.

It doesn’t matter if your friends’ kids would eat beans and chorizo. Lots of little kids won’t.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:For the older couple I'd do Mississippi roast. Cheap cut of meat, could not be easier if you throw potatoes and carrots in toward the end.

For the other group, big batch of black beans and rice, chips & guac/queso to start

NP. Do not serve this family beans and rice.

Plus 100

I am so glad I have more laid back friends.

They have small kids. It's something the kids I know eat. And it does not break bank, even if you make it with good chorizo.

It doesn’t matter if your friends’ kids would eat beans and chorizo. Lots of little kids won’t.

So, plain rice for the win?

I love the helpful commenters who forget the actual suggestion part.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:For the older couple I'd do Mississippi roast. Cheap cut of meat, could not be easier if you throw potatoes and carrots in toward the end.

For the other group, big batch of black beans and rice, chips & guac/queso to start

NP. Do not serve this family beans and rice.

Plus 100

I am so glad I have more laid back friends.

They have small kids. It's something the kids I know eat. And it does not break bank, even if you make it with good chorizo.

It doesn’t matter if your friends’ kids would eat beans and chorizo. Lots of little kids won’t.

So, plain rice for the win?

I love the helpful commenters who forget the actual suggestion part.

Who is suggesting plain rice? Why would there need to be rice at all?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:For the older couple I'd do Mississippi roast. Cheap cut of meat, could not be easier if you throw potatoes and carrots in toward the end.

For the other group, big batch of black beans and rice, chips & guac/queso to start

NP. Do not serve this family beans and rice.

Are you kidding? That is my favorite meal. I eat with a salad with feta, walnuts, and sun dried tomatoes with a balsamic dressing.