Need dinner idea for 13 people AFTER First Communion

[Anonymous]

This year's First Communion celebration is turning into a festival.... We're having 13 people to our house for a party at lunch time. We'll have 8 adults, 5 kids. That menu is skewers -- chicken, shrimp & veggies -- plus salad and a Japanese rice dish, and hot dogs for the kids.

Everyone is coming from out of town and it is a big graduation weekend, so I'm planning to have dinner here for everyone, too. Any suggestions for an EASY meal that everyone can eat? I've thought of crockpot pulled pork & sweet potato fries, or chili or tacos. There are some food allergies, so we can't have garlic and any dairy/soy/wheat needs to be optional. (There went my lasagna plan!)

Thanks for any ideas!

[Anonymous]

I like your ideas. We've also done the picnic fare: pulled pork/chicken or sliced ham with potato salad, baked beans, salad and rolls.

[Anonymous]

Sounds like you're going to have a lot of food for lunch so maybe a tray of deli meats, rolls, and a green salad, plus any leftovers from lunch.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Sounds like you're going to have a lot of food for lunch so maybe a tray of deli meats, rolls, and a green salad, plus any leftovers from lunch.

I would do this, then you wouldn't have to cook twice. Taco bar is also a good idea; that would only require some minimal cooking (maybe brown some meat) and warming up some beans.

[Anonymous]

You could also call some of your pizza delivery places to find out if they have gluten free dough.

[Anonymous]

Chicken Marbella, prepared in advance. Stick it in the oven, serve with rice and bagged salad.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I like your ideas. We've also done the picnic fare: pulled pork/chicken or sliced ham with potato salad, baked beans, salad and rolls.

+1 - I also have a first communion this weekend! We were planning on ordering from Dixie Bones for dinner. Pulled Pork is a "southern" dish so I like to serve it to my "northern" relatives when they are in town.

[Anonymous]

We are in the same boat. I am thinking a baked potato bar plus leftovers from lunch!

[Anonymous]

Won't you have already cannibalized Jeebus?

[Anonymous]

Salmon is easy because its cut in individual portions. Just slather on Dijon mustard, sprinkle dill, and bake 25 mins 400 and voila. You could pair it with burgers on the grill in case somebody doesn't like fish. Or do a rotini pasta pairing with a quick 20-minute sauce (fry lots of crushed or sliced garlic for 3 minutes, add furmanos tomatoes, little tomatoe paste, lots of trader joes basil, simmer).