Meal ideas for casual dinner party

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If you are heavily pregant and have to manage your kid alone for the whole day I would never think less of you for just ordering pizza or other takeout for the group.

This.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Build your own grilled cheese with fancy cheeses, breads, and trimmings. Tomato soup on the side.

This makes no sense whatsoever. Everyone stands around the kitchen waiting for their turn to grill their own sandwiches? Or even worse--OP who is 8 mos pregnant stands in a hot kitchen to grill everyone's sandwich.

Sounds good in a Martha Stewart magazine with single people, but not in real life.

If you have a big griddle pan or electric fry pan it works. Otherwise yrH it's a bad idea

[Anonymous]

Thanks PPs - I went out last night and got pork butt and got it in the oven this morning. I got some sides, stuff for fruit salad, veggie tray, cheese plate and and a dessert. Also chicken fingers and pasta for the kids. The guest list is apparently at 20 now so I'm glad I bought too much just in case.

I would normally be annoyed, but DH did all the cooking and cleanup to host both our families at Thanksgiving, so I can suck it up for one party. I may pass out right after the toddler tonight though!

[Anonymous]

Pulled pork bbq in the crock pot (make it from scratch or buy it and heat it up in the crock pot). Coleslaw, buns. Chips. Drinks.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Thanks PPs - I went out last night and got pork butt and got it in the oven this morning. I got some sides, stuff for fruit salad, veggie tray, cheese plate and and a dessert. Also chicken fingers and pasta for the kids. The guest list is apparently at 20 now so I'm glad I bought too much just in case.

I would normally be annoyed, but DH did all the cooking and cleanup to host both our families at Thanksgiving, so I can suck it up for one party. I may pass out right after the toddler tonight though!

This sounds like a great menu, Op.

[Anonymous]

Great idea. I was just going to suggest pulled pork. It is a great big party meal because it stays ready in a crockpot and is all do-ahead. Have fun and make DH clean up again!

[Anonymous]

I often order pizza and make a huge green salad that I serve with an antipasto tray (marinated veggies, some crudités, mozzarella, provolone, pepperoni, salami) and a few dressings. People can make a meal of the salad with their own toppings, eat both, or just eat pizza. Sometimes I also make garlic bread. Dessert is boxes brownies and ice cream.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Great idea. I was just going to suggest pulled pork. It is a great big party meal because it stays ready in a crockpot and is all do-ahead. Have fun and make DH clean up again!

You could have one crock pot with pulled pork bbq and another crock pot with pulled chicken.