What to feed 4 college boys?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:NP. My mind also went to rotisserie chickens. (And pulled pork sandwiches.)

Get some salad in bags and boxes. Like spring mix (add cherry tomatoes) and "Steakhouse Wedge". Have Italian and Ranch dressing. Or Newman's Own Regular or Lite Balsamic Vinaigrette.

Another side option is Birdseye garlic rotini with vegetables. It has broccoli, carrots, and a little pasta. Or get frozen green beans if you do not like the idea of a mix.

With 4 adult men, I'd get half a chicken for each and 2 bagged salads. You'll have leftovers but that's better than having too little.

You could get ice cream (Breyers Chocolate/Vanilla) and fruit to offer as dessert. So either a rich or a more natural food dessert. I'd suggest bananas, grapes, and mandarin oranges.

Mi was with you until the Breyers. You give them werthers too?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:NP. My mind also went to rotisserie chickens. (And pulled pork sandwiches.)

Get some salad in bags and boxes. Like spring mix (add cherry tomatoes) and "Steakhouse Wedge". Have Italian and Ranch dressing. Or Newman's Own Regular or Lite Balsamic Vinaigrette.

Another side option is Birdseye garlic rotini with vegetables. It has broccoli, carrots, and a little pasta. Or get frozen green beans if you do not like the idea of a mix.

With 4 adult men, I'd get half a chicken for each and 2 bagged salads. You'll have leftovers but that's better than having too little.

You could get ice cream (Breyers Chocolate/Vanilla) and fruit to offer as dessert. So either a rich or a more natural food dessert. I'd suggest bananas, grapes, and mandarin oranges.

I am making dessert (I am much more of a baker than a cook) which will be gluten free. I think I'm going to go with the chickens, it will be easier, and I'll make green beans with shallots, a salad and the couscous.

[Anonymous]

I would make sheet pan chicken fajitas or grill outside some steaks and burgers.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Roast chicken. Grilled chicken thighs. Steak with a baked potato bar. Taco bar. Slowcooker a pork but and make bbq pulled pork sandwiches. Basically make a protein centered dish.

I’d also stock up on eggs. My college student sons eat a ton of eggs for breakfast.

Yes I have eggs. I'm just upset because this is very last minute and one of them might stay for days. I hate having guests so much and especially because I now have to rush and do a bunch of things and still work all day. Would you all feel this way or be thrilled? I am a reluctant hostess, it's a nightmare for me.

Hosting tires me out, but I love having more kids around, I always wanted to be the house where the kids came and I fed them and they felt welcome here. When my teens do bring friends over I feed them and make them feel welcome, but they don’t come around that often!

Just remind yourself it’s only for a few days. Don’t hesitate to ask the boys to clear their plates and enlist them in taking out the trash and helping with dishes. Get paper plates (not usually my thing but may save your sanity in this situation!) and try to focus on the positives. Seeing your kid. Knowing he has friends. Being a welcoming home when not every kid has a welcoming home.

Oh and you didnt mention breakfast but I would get a lot of bagels and cream cheese and more eggs on top of the eggs you already have. Also, assuming your son can drive to the store, just send him out if you need something else! Basically don’t hesitate to delegate!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Baked ziti, salad and garlic bread!

I thought of something like that but I know my ds at least (and I think the others as everyone works out) is not a big carb person in that way (more like sweet potatoes and such) so worried they won't like it. I sort of hate this!!!

What!?

He does not eat pasta, pizza...

Sounds like a super fun guy. Way to live your life without joy.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Roast chicken. Grilled chicken thighs. Steak with a baked potato bar. Taco bar. Slowcooker a pork but and make bbq pulled pork sandwiches. Basically make a protein centered dish.

I’d also stock up on eggs. My college student sons eat a ton of eggs for breakfast.

Yes I have eggs. I'm just upset because this is very last minute and one of them might stay for days. I hate having guests so much and especially because I now have to rush and do a bunch of things and still work all day. Would you all feel this way or be thrilled? I am a reluctant hostess, it's a nightmare for me.

Hosting tires me out, but I love having more kids around, I always wanted to be the house where the kids came and I fed them and they felt welcome here. When my teens do bring friends over I feed them and make them feel welcome, but they don’t come around that often!

Just remind yourself it’s only for a few days. Don’t hesitate to ask the boys to clear their plates and enlist them in taking out the trash and helping with dishes. Get paper plates (not usually my thing but may save your sanity in this situation!) and try to focus on the positives. Seeing your kid. Knowing he has friends. Being a welcoming home when not every kid has a welcoming home.

Oh and you didnt mention breakfast but I would get a lot of bagels and cream cheese and more eggs on top of the eggs you already have. Also, assuming your son can drive to the store, just send him out if you need something else! Basically don’t hesitate to delegate!

My house has always been that sort of house but not overnight: just kids coming in and out all the time. I don't mind that part but I do mind feeding people formal meals, enormously so. I find it very hard and ime people often have hidden dos and don'ts they don't mention and then I feel terrible. My ds is a pretty good breakfast cook so I think he's going to handle that part and make them eggs and protein pancakes.

[Anonymous]

I just made this over the weekend, I roasted 2 6lb chix in one pan using Ina Gaten's perfect roast chicken recipe (did not make the gravy, just used the au jus and covered chix with olive oil, not butter). So easy, stick it in the oven and forget it until finished. While cooking, I sliced several sweet potatoes and mixed in olive oil salt and pepper and roasted - again, stick in the oven and forget it until done. Make a salad and steam a bunch of broccoli and dinner is ready!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I just made this over the weekend, I roasted 2 6lb chix in one pan using Ina Gaten's perfect roast chicken recipe (did not make the gravy, just used the au jus and covered chix with olive oil, not butter). So easy, stick it in the oven and forget it until finished. While cooking, I sliced several sweet potatoes and mixed in olive oil salt and pepper and roasted - again, stick in the oven and forget it until done. Make a salad and steam a bunch of broccoli and dinner is ready!

I'm going to buy the chickens. Dh and I actually don't eat meat and I only cook it when kids are home. I don't love doing it and I never do it in large quantities. I think it is safer. I hate how nervous I am about all this. Feeding people = horrible for me, not my thing (and yes I cooked every day of my life when kids were home but I am SO happy not to do this anymore, over it).

[Anonymous]

Yes I'd do tacos. I cook the ground meat about 80% and then I add in a can of black beans, frozen corn, a diced red pepper and half a diced onion. It helps the meat go a lot further.

You could also grab a can of refried beans they could add for even more protein. Make some spanish/mexican rice (from a box if you want!) if you need to bulk it even more.

Then get some easy toppings and besides chopping the veggies, it's pretty easy and fast. We serve with crunchy taco shells or soft tortillas. You could also do tortilla chips.

Then get a box of brownie mix and have your DS make that for after dinner.

[Anonymous]

I would do burgers or turkey burgers. Or have some veggie burgers on hand if they are vegetarian. But I feel like DS would have mentioned that.

[Anonymous]

Also, while I realize this is annoying for you to pull together. Just remember college kids might eventually stop coming by. It's a compliment he's bringing his friends to your home and a sign he feels safe and welcomed. So swallowing the critiques and throwing your arms wide open and being really glad they are there means A LOT to your kids at this age.

I watched my Mom be more than welcoming and it's paid off with lots of casual time with not only her children, but the people they are friends with. My MIL was always grumpy and would have complained and grouched about something like this and she has met ZERO friends her kids have made post-college. They are both local.

So yes, it's annoying because it's last minute and you feel stressed. But drop your perfection expectations, get a meal on the table, bulk up dessert if you aren't sure and just try to relax and enjoy your son and his friends.

[Anonymous]

Make your tacos but Fajita style with grilled chicken and steak.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Baked ziti, salad and garlic bread!

I thought of something like that but I know my ds at least (and I think the others as everyone works out) is not a big carb person in that way (more like sweet potatoes and such) so worried they won't like it. I sort of hate this!!!

What!?

He does not eat pasta, pizza...

My dating profile 20 years ago literally said “If you don’t eat carbs I am simply not interested in spending time with you.” Carbs are delicious and I would not want to live with someone who didn’t agree. Hope it’s working out for you though!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Baked ziti, salad and garlic bread!

I thought of something like that but I know my ds at least (and I think the others as everyone works out) is not a big carb person in that way (more like sweet potatoes and such) so worried they won't like it. I sort of hate this!!!

What!?

He does not eat pasta, pizza...

My dating profile 20 years ago literally said “If you don’t eat carbs I am simply not interested in spending time with you.” Carbs are delicious and I would not want to live with someone who didn’t agree. Hope it’s working out for you though!

A lot of kids these days are really health conscious and into working out. I think they tend to seek similarly-minded people. There is no wrong way, it's all about compatibility.

[Anonymous]

Get them chipolte