Make ahead/prep ahead meal for company

[Anonymous]

LOL this thread is cracking me up. Lots of good ideas and a splash of that classic DCUM judgement!

I’m going to do barbecue pork sandwiches, Mac n cheese, fruit, and the caprese salad someone mentioned earlier, even though it doesn’t exactly go with the meal it’s delicious and I think they will like it. I can prep most of that ahead of time so I think it is a good balance.

Dessert tbd but will definitely involve ice cream (maybe over brownies or a fruit crisp???) eaten outside in our backyard.

Thanks for all the ideas, we do often have more adult guests over so I’m tucking the other ideas away for another day.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I think it's poor hosting to make everything ahead. Desserts? Okay. Salad (without dressing) maybe okay. Fancy bread with dinner? Okay. But if I'm not willing to put in the time and effort, why am I even bothering to have these people over? They deserve high quality, tasty meals.

What? Most high quality tasty meals take hours to prepare and can require stages of prep that can exceed 24 hours. I often start cooking 24+ h in advance for meals - marinating, prepping, etc. And many high quality tasty meals can be also easily picked up from a local restaurant. The point is the act of hosting and welcoming people into your home. I like to prepare as much as possible in advance so I can actually host my guests, not put on a performance in the kitchen.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think it's poor hosting to make everything ahead. Desserts? Okay. Salad (without dressing) maybe okay. Fancy bread with dinner? Okay. But if I'm not willing to put in the time and effort, why am I even bothering to have these people over? They deserve high quality, tasty meals.

What? Most high quality tasty meals take hours to prepare and can require stages of prep that can exceed 24 hours. I often start cooking 24+ h in advance for meals - marinating, prepping, etc. And many high quality tasty meals can be also easily picked up from a local restaurant. The point is the act of hosting and welcoming people into your home. I like to prepare as much as possible in advance so I can actually host my guests, not put on a performance in the kitchen.

Some hosts can do both. I have friends that do both, and do both well.

If you can't, you can't. That's fine.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP here - that wasn’t me but I actually love the idea of pulled pork in the crockpot or the oven. Definitely keeps me out of the kitchen! I was already planning on Mac n cheese for the kids but corn muffins and salads sound great. PP please come back and share your make a head salads!!

One salad that tastes better the next day is a "german" potato salad. I put it in quotes because I just cook potatoes, add tons of dill and crumbled bacon (can be on the side for vegetarians), chives and let it stew in a homemade italian dressing overnight.

And booo to the person putting down make ahead. Everything can be tasty (and tastier!) if you make ahead. And less stress. And it's a ton of work to make-ahead-- you are just spreading it out.

Side Note: If you are putting Italian dressing on potatoes, there is nothing German about it. Not saying it doesn't taste good. Just not German--call it potato salad.

--German

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP here - that wasn’t me but I actually love the idea of pulled pork in the crockpot or the oven. Definitely keeps me out of the kitchen! I was already planning on Mac n cheese for the kids but corn muffins and salads sound great. PP please come back and share your make a head salads!!

One salad that tastes better the next day is a "german" potato salad. I put it in quotes because I just cook potatoes, add tons of dill and crumbled bacon (can be on the side for vegetarians), chives and let it stew in a homemade italian dressing overnight.

And booo to the person putting down make ahead. Everything can be tasty (and tastier!) if you make ahead. And less stress. And it's a ton of work to make-ahead-- you are just spreading it out.

Side Note: If you are putting Italian dressing on potatoes, there is nothing German about it. Not saying it doesn't taste good. Just not German--call it potato salad.

--German

That's why I put it in quotes and had the caveat that it's my version of potato salad. I expect better attention to detail from you, oh "German".

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think it's poor hosting to make everything ahead. Desserts? Okay. Salad (without dressing) maybe okay. Fancy bread with dinner? Okay. But if I'm not willing to put in the time and effort, why am I even bothering to have these people over? They deserve high quality, tasty meals.

When I visit someone’s home, I am there for the company rather than the food - I have food at home. While I enjoy good food and appreciate whatever time, money, and effort my hosts devote to the occasion, I would much rather chip in for pizza or take a covered dish to a potluck than to have a host(ess) who is too busy and/or stressed out to socialize with their guests and enjoy their own party.

OP here and thanks for this! I am more of your philosophy, particularly since more than 50 percent of the people will be elementary school aged or younger.

I actually really like to cook a nice meal but making something reasonably kid friendly (guests have a very picky child) and that won’t tie me to the kitchen can be a bit of a challenge.

This was an extremely important detail OP.

Nope. No idea why Americans are so obsessed with "kid friendly food".

[Anonymous]

In the US potato salad generally means mayonnaise so I think this is a good distinction to make. There needs to be a term for no Mayo. Un french?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I think it's poor hosting to make everything ahead. Desserts? Okay. Salad (without dressing) maybe okay. Fancy bread with dinner? Okay. But if I'm not willing to put in the time and effort, why am I even bothering to have these people over? They deserve high quality, tasty meals.

Lol we order in when hosting. Im bothering to have them over to hang out! Not have them watch me cook!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Check out Ina Garten's "Make it Ahead" cookbook. Lots of great recipes and also tips for how to prep ahead. It's kind of become my whole hosting philosophy. She has a lot of other recipes online that are adaptable to make ahead too.

Her prosciutto-wrapped pork tenderloin is one of my go-to's, but I've done a ton of her stuff.

+1

Also, chicken marbella is a great one. Prep it the night before and let it sit and take in all the flavors, as instructed.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think it's poor hosting to make everything ahead. Desserts? Okay. Salad (without dressing) maybe okay. Fancy bread with dinner? Okay. But if I'm not willing to put in the time and effort, why am I even bothering to have these people over? They deserve high quality, tasty meals.

Lol we order in when hosting. Im bothering to have them over to hang out! Not have them watch me cook!

People wanting to watch you cook is a sign you are a fantastic cook. I'll watch my friends mom make those scratch tortillas anytime.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP here - that wasn’t me but I actually love the idea of pulled pork in the crockpot or the oven. Definitely keeps me out of the kitchen! I was already planning on Mac n cheese for the kids but corn muffins and salads sound great. PP please come back and share your make a head salads!!

One salad that tastes better the next day is a "german" potato salad. I put it in quotes because I just cook potatoes, add tons of dill and crumbled bacon (can be on the side for vegetarians), chives and let it stew in a homemade italian dressing overnight.

And booo to the person putting down make ahead. Everything can be tasty (and tastier!) if you make ahead. And less stress. And it's a ton of work to make-ahead-- you are just spreading it out.

Side Note: If you are putting Italian dressing on potatoes, there is nothing German about it. Not saying it doesn't taste good. Just not German--call it potato salad.

--German

Oh man my grandmother made a really delicious German potato salad with a vinegar base. I don’t think I’ve had it since she passed. I wonder if anyone has the recipe…

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think it's poor hosting to make everything ahead. Desserts? Okay. Salad (without dressing) maybe okay. Fancy bread with dinner? Okay. But if I'm not willing to put in the time and effort, why am I even bothering to have these people over? They deserve high quality, tasty meals.

What? Most high quality tasty meals take hours to prepare and can require stages of prep that can exceed 24 hours. I often start cooking 24+ h in advance for meals - marinating, prepping, etc. And many high quality tasty meals can be also easily picked up from a local restaurant. The point is the act of hosting and welcoming people into your home. I like to prepare as much as possible in advance so I can actually host my guests, not put on a performance in the kitchen.

Some hosts can do both. I have friends that do both, and do both well.

If you can't, you can't. That's fine.

I guarantee that if you are cooking the whole time, your guests are somewhat neglected and also relieved that you are so busy cooking so they don’t have suffer your company. I guess you are right. It’s probably best for them that you are away in the kitchen and they can chill out with some wine elsewhere.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think it's poor hosting to make everything ahead. Desserts? Okay. Salad (without dressing) maybe okay. Fancy bread with dinner? Okay. But if I'm not willing to put in the time and effort, why am I even bothering to have these people over? They deserve high quality, tasty meals.

What? Most high quality tasty meals take hours to prepare and can require stages of prep that can exceed 24 hours. I often start cooking 24+ h in advance for meals - marinating, prepping, etc. And many high quality tasty meals can be also easily picked up from a local restaurant. The point is the act of hosting and welcoming people into your home. I like to prepare as much as possible in advance so I can actually host my guests, not put on a performance in the kitchen.

Some hosts can do both. I have friends that do both, and do both well.

If you can't, you can't. That's fine.

I guarantee that if you are cooking the whole time, your guests are somewhat neglected and also relieved that you are so busy cooking so they don’t have suffer your company.

You don't need to be secluded to the kitchen, because you planned a meal that can be finished without constant attention. Also its common to trade kitchen detail with FOH detail, if necessary, so people never feel neglected. Again, you can choose preparations that don't require constant attention.

If you are in the kitchen 100% you are doing it wrong, I agree.

Anonymous wrote:...and also relieved that you are so busy cooking so they don’t have suffer your company. I guess you are right. It’s probably best for them that you are away in the kitchen and they can chill out with some wine elsewhere.

"suffer your company"?

I'm a bad person because I suggested "Some hosts can do both" and "If you can't, you can't. That's fine."?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Indian food, if you like it, is excellent for make ahead. Butter chicken, a couple of veggie dishes like aloo gobi & saag paneer. Store bought naan and rice on the side.

Please don't. Order from a restaurant. Rice on the side?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Indian food, if you like it, is excellent for make ahead. Butter chicken, a couple of veggie dishes like aloo gobi & saag paneer. Store bought naan and rice on the side.

Please don't serve it to Indians, if you are not an Indian. Please order from an restaurant instead of cooking yourself.