What's the happy medium menu here?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My kid LOVES taco's, especially "walking taco's" (crush a single serving bag of Dorito's, add meat/toppings and eat with a fork). Most people are fine with taco's or fajita's. You could have some shredded lettuce incase that person would prefer a salad.

Calzones are another great idea that you can freeze if you don't eat them all. I'd make sure to have a few adult varieties like caprese, philly cheesesteak, etc.

Walking taco has got to be the trashiest dinner ever. If dinner can be trashy. I would not admit to eating this (if I did) nor would I ever consider “serving” this and calling it dinner when I had people over. Good God people

Lololol. WTF did I read, seriously

[Anonymous]

OP here,

Some people are just wrong. Walking tacos are made with FRITOS not Doritos!

I have no problem with a walking taco in an all kid setting or maybe some family members, but I'm not serving walking tacos to an adult I don't know well and would like to befriend. No way, no how.

I feel like the beauty of a taco bar is that you can get a lot of people through a line efficiently. So, I'll save the taco idea for that kind of setting. This wil be 4 or 5 people, so I could do something else.

[Anonymous]

I’d make chicken parmesan, pasta aglio olio, roasted broccoli. I’d roast the broccoli ahead of time and serve at room temp. I’d make the aglio olio ahead of time and leave on stovetop. I’d make the breaded chicken cutlets ahead and leave in fridge. When I got home, I’d simultaneously (1) warm olive oil on stove, (2) boil/make pasta, (3) warm/crisp up chicken in oven and add sauce and cheese topper. You could also throw some garlic bread in oven.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Gosh, I think there are a million directions you could go in. Chili bar or fajitas, spaghetti with meatballs, lasagna, crock pot pork bbq with coleslaw, roast chicken, etc. What have you been thinking about, OP?

Yes OP, tell us what you would think of and then we can comment on whether it is appropriate.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I’d make chicken parmesan, pasta aglio olio, roasted broccoli. I’d roast the broccoli ahead of time and serve at room temp. I’d make the aglio olio ahead of time and leave on stovetop. I’d make the breaded chicken cutlets ahead and leave in fridge. When I got home, I’d simultaneously (1) warm olive oil on stove, (2) boil/make pasta, (3) warm/crisp up chicken in oven and add sauce and cheese topper. You could also throw some garlic bread in oven.

I would feel like my host really fussed mid week with this meal. I would be stressed about inviting you back...

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Gosh, I think there are a million directions you could go in. Chili bar or fajitas, spaghetti with meatballs, lasagna, crock pot pork bbq with coleslaw, roast chicken, etc. What have you been thinking about, OP?

Yes OP, tell us what you would think of and then we can comment on whether it is appropriate.

I did! I just forgot to sign my post

This list was from me:

Marinated grilled or broiled chicken breast with a side of fresh pasta with pesto or romesco and a salad or broccoli.

Enchiladas

Swedish meatballs over egg noodles

Homemade pizza

Pasta bolognese

Although I'm now also considering some of the other things people suggest.

-- OP

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I’d make chicken parmesan, pasta aglio olio, roasted broccoli. I’d roast the broccoli ahead of time and serve at room temp. I’d make the aglio olio ahead of time and leave on stovetop. I’d make the breaded chicken cutlets ahead and leave in fridge. When I got home, I’d simultaneously (1) warm olive oil on stove, (2) boil/make pasta, (3) warm/crisp up chicken in oven and add sauce and cheese topper. You could also throw some garlic bread in oven.

I would feel like my host really fussed mid week with this meal. I would be stressed about inviting you back...

OP here,

See, that's the problem from my perspective.

I want to cook, because I like to cook and cooking for adults is more fun. And because a nice homemade meal seems like a nice thing to do for a new friend.

But I also don't want to overwhelm someone.

Hence, the "happy medium" goal.

[Anonymous]

I'm the picky eater who would hate a taco bar or fajitas or anything like that.

Marinated grilled or broiled chicken breast with a side of fresh pasta with pesto or romesco and a salad or broccoli. - I would love all of this but without anything on the pasta. Sauce on the side so I could skip it.

Enchiladas - would not eat at all

Swedish meatballs over egg noodles - I would love this

Homemade pizza - I'd love just plain cheese pizza

Pasta bolognese - I'd love this.

[Anonymous]

Swedish meatballs. That can be done ahead of time and reheats quickly. The pasta can be cooked in under 20 min and requires zero fuss. Have a salad/vegetable side ready ahead. Done.

OR turkey meatballs in red sauce. This is our favorite and so good. The meatballs and sauce can be made ahead and reheat quickly or transferred to a crock pot on low when they are done.

https://foodschmooze.org/recipe/julia-turshens-turkey-ricotta-meatballs/

Any type of casserole (lasagna, baked ziti, etc) that has been in the frig is NOT going to be reheated in 20 min. More like 40+.

And homemade pizza for 4 teens/adults is not going to accomplished in 20 min either, even if the dough is ready.

[Anonymous]

Turkey chili in the crock pot
Homemade corn muffins
Cheese and sour cream for toppings
Salad

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
Hard to go wrong with chicken tacos - you can get everything ready in advance - sauté peppers and onions, grate cheese, chop lettuce and tomatoes, grill or sauté the chicken, even make the guacamole. Then it’s just reheating and assembly and people can put what the want on their taco.

This with already grilled chicken or rotisserie

Taco bar hater chiming in here. This forum is the worst about suggesting taco bars for every conceivable occasion. Please stop beating the dead horse.

Are there any suggestions above you like? I'm hoping to hear from people who have strong opinions because I want something that will please most people.

We'll probably just serve whatever it is family style at the table on the deck, because it's going to be 4 or 5 people. But I am leaning towards something kind of deconstructed because you never know what kids like to eat, whether that's tacos, or pasta with a few choices for toppings, and sides, or something else.

-- OP

NP here with a very picky kid and a relatively flexible kid who doesn't eat some of the few things the picky kid eats. And a lightly picky DH to boot. We do taco bars all the time for the same reason people suggest it all the time--it is easy to please lots of different tastes.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
Hard to go wrong with chicken tacos - you can get everything ready in advance - sauté peppers and onions, grate cheese, chop lettuce and tomatoes, grill or sauté the chicken, even make the guacamole. Then it’s just reheating and assembly and people can put what the want on their taco.

This with already grilled chicken or rotisserie

Taco bar hater chiming in here. This forum is the worst about suggesting taco bars for every conceivable occasion. Please stop beating the dead horse.

Are there any suggestions above you like? I'm hoping to hear from people who have strong opinions because I want something that will please most people.

We'll probably just serve whatever it is family style at the table on the deck, because it's going to be 4 or 5 people. But I am leaning towards something kind of deconstructed because you never know what kids like to eat, whether that's tacos, or pasta with a few choices for toppings, and sides, or something else.

-- OP

NP here with a very picky kid and a relatively flexible kid who doesn't eat some of the few things the picky kid eats. And a lightly picky DH to boot. We do taco bars all the time for the same reason people suggest it all the time--it is easy to please lots of different tastes.

OP here,

For whatever reason, my kids really like my carne asada (which won't work timing wise), and my fish tacos (which I think might be too adventurous for kids with unknown pickiness), and some weird vegetarian tacos I've made that I wouldn't inflict on other people, but chicken tacos aren't a huge hit there.

How would this menu go over with your family:

Broiled chicken breast (choice of plain or with lemon and herbs)

Plain pasta

Roasted vegetables (I usually serve them separated on a platter so people can pick the ones they want and leave the others)

Romesco sauce (roasted red pepper sauce, could go on pasta or chicken or veggies)

Pesto (also could go on whatever)

Parmesan

Some kinda fruit

Some kinda baked thing (brownies, lemon bars, chocolate chip cookies?????)

Vanilla ice cream

Could everyone feed themselves from that?

Is that too "extra"?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'd prepare a tray of baked ziti and garlic bread ahead of time, then pop them in the oven as soon as you get home. You can prep a salad in advance too.

I'd probably do something like this but ask if they have any food preferences.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
Hard to go wrong with chicken tacos - you can get everything ready in advance - sauté peppers and onions, grate cheese, chop lettuce and tomatoes, grill or sauté the chicken, even make the guacamole. Then it’s just reheating and assembly and people can put what the want on their taco.

This with already grilled chicken or rotisserie

Taco bar hater chiming in here. This forum is the worst about suggesting taco bars for every conceivable occasion. Please stop beating the dead horse.

Are there any suggestions above you like? I'm hoping to hear from people who have strong opinions because I want something that will please most people.

We'll probably just serve whatever it is family style at the table on the deck, because it's going to be 4 or 5 people. But I am leaning towards something kind of deconstructed because you never know what kids like to eat, whether that's tacos, or pasta with a few choices for toppings, and sides, or something else.

-- OP

NP here with a very picky kid and a relatively flexible kid who doesn't eat some of the few things the picky kid eats. And a lightly picky DH to boot. We do taco bars all the time for the same reason people suggest it all the time--it is easy to please lots of different tastes.

OP here,

For whatever reason, my kids really like my carne asada (which won't work timing wise), and my fish tacos (which I think might be too adventurous for kids with unknown pickiness), and some weird vegetarian tacos I've made that I wouldn't inflict on other people, but chicken tacos aren't a huge hit there.

How would this menu go over with your family:

Broiled chicken breast (choice of plain or with lemon and herbs)

Plain pasta

Roasted vegetables (I usually serve them separated on a platter so people can pick the ones they want and leave the others)

Romesco sauce (roasted red pepper sauce, could go on pasta or chicken or veggies)

Pesto (also could go on whatever)

Parmesan

Some kinda fruit

Some kinda baked thing (brownies, lemon bars, chocolate chip cookies?????)

Vanilla ice cream

Could everyone feed themselves from that?

Is that too "extra"?

That looks good but I'd also add a simple red or white sauce for the pasta (alfredo sauce is super easy to make) and a salad. We are vegetarian but that would be perfect as there is something for everyone.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
Hard to go wrong with chicken tacos - you can get everything ready in advance - sauté peppers and onions, grate cheese, chop lettuce and tomatoes, grill or sauté the chicken, even make the guacamole. Then it’s just reheating and assembly and people can put what the want on their taco.

This with already grilled chicken or rotisserie

Taco bar hater chiming in here. This forum is the worst about suggesting taco bars for every conceivable occasion. Please stop beating the dead horse.

Are there any suggestions above you like? I'm hoping to hear from people who have strong opinions because I want something that will please most people.

We'll probably just serve whatever it is family style at the table on the deck, because it's going to be 4 or 5 people. But I am leaning towards something kind of deconstructed because you never know what kids like to eat, whether that's tacos, or pasta with a few choices for toppings, and sides, or something else.

-- OP

NP here with a very picky kid and a relatively flexible kid who doesn't eat some of the few things the picky kid eats. And a lightly picky DH to boot. We do taco bars all the time for the same reason people suggest it all the time--it is easy to please lots of different tastes.

OP here,

For whatever reason, my kids really like my carne asada (which won't work timing wise), and my fish tacos (which I think might be too adventurous for kids with unknown pickiness), and some weird vegetarian tacos I've made that I wouldn't inflict on other people, but chicken tacos aren't a huge hit there.

How would this menu go over with your family:

Broiled chicken breast (choice of plain or with lemon and herbs)

Plain pasta

Roasted vegetables (I usually serve them separated on a platter so people can pick the ones they want and leave the others)

Romesco sauce (roasted red pepper sauce, could go on pasta or chicken or veggies)

Pesto (also could go on whatever)

Parmesan

Some kinda fruit

Some kinda baked thing (brownies, lemon bars, chocolate chip cookies?????)

Vanilla ice cream

Could everyone feed themselves from that?

Is that too "extra"?

That is a lot going on for 4 people. Plus door to table to under 20 min. Are you trying to cook the chicken right then? Reheated chicken isn’t great. I think you should simplify this- too much food and too many options for a quick low key dinner. I also would not do broiled chicken.