What would you serve for lunch for people you don’t know well?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:To me chicken salad can be eaten alone, along with greens, or in a sandwich. I am not sure why the hate. There are a million ways to make it that are not just chicken drenched in mayo.

Agreed. The 242 people who made Ina Garten’s curry chicken salad and gave it 5 starts can’t all be wrong

Seriously though, in response to a comment upthread, it’s very common to put raisins or grapes in chicken salad, and there are plenty of recipes for chicken and grape dishes online (yes, even on sites like the NYT and Epicurious). I personally like chicken salad with a combo of Greek yogurt, lemon juice, and a little bit of Mayo for the dressing. Add some chopped celery, walnuts, and dried fruit and I’m good to go.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I would also serve lasagne. It seems to be a safe food that most people will eat.

Lasagna isn't good for people with dairy allergies or gluten sensitivities. If she's trying to account for the possibility of food restrictions, she shouldn't make any sort of casserole.

I suggested Mediterranean spread. But sandwich tray or other kinds of trays also work.

I expect people to speak up if they have allergies or food restrictions. Why do you people always assume that people coming over to your house to eat wouldn’t speak up? I always let my hosts know that my kids are allergic to peanuts and tree nuts, and I offer to bring our own food if needed.

You’re a shit just to not ask or consider the possibility.

DP. Uh, we've all just discovered why you aren't invited to other peoples' homes much, if at all. Your response is way over the top given the context of the discussion. You need to learn some manners.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:To me chicken salad can be eaten alone, along with greens, or in a sandwich. I am not sure why the hate. There are a million ways to make it that are not just chicken drenched in mayo.

Agreed. The 242 people who made Ina Garten’s curry chicken salad and gave it 5 starts can’t all be wrong

Seriously though, in response to a comment upthread, it’s very common to put raisins or grapes in chicken salad, and there are plenty of recipes for chicken and grape dishes online (yes, even on sites like the NYT and Epicurious). I personally like chicken salad with a combo of Greek yogurt, lemon juice, and a little bit of Mayo for the dressing. Add some chopped celery, walnuts, and dried fruit and I’m good to go.

Dried fruit??? This chicken salad discussion just keeps getting worse. Walnuts?? I'm literally shuddering

I might have discovered my least favorite food.

[Anonymous]

I like chicken salad but (as seen on this thread) meat salads are pretty polarizing so it’s not what I’d serve to people I didn’t know well.

I think the Mediterranean platter or DIY sandwich board would be the safest bet.

Hot pasta dishes seem way too heavy for lunch IMO.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:In my circles the most common food restrictions are: no pork, no meat, vegetarian, lactose free, gluten free and no/low carb. So, I would serve broiled salmon, some version of mixed greens salad, and a couple of vegetarian side dishes, one of which will be vegan.

I don't eat fish. Just goes to show you can't please everyone with salmon. Maybe offer two types of protein.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:To me chicken salad can be eaten alone, along with greens, or in a sandwich. I am not sure why the hate. There are a million ways to make it that are not just chicken drenched in mayo.

Agreed. The 242 people who made Ina Garten’s curry chicken salad and gave it 5 starts can’t all be wrong

Seriously though, in response to a comment upthread, it’s very common to put raisins or grapes in chicken salad, and there are plenty of recipes for chicken and grape dishes online (yes, even on sites like the NYT and Epicurious). I personally like chicken salad with a combo of Greek yogurt, lemon juice, and a little bit of Mayo for the dressing. Add some chopped celery, walnuts, and dried fruit and I’m good to go.

Dried fruit??? This chicken salad discussion just keeps getting worse. Walnuts?? I'm literally shuddering

I might have discovered my least favorite food.

Don't knock it till you try it.

[Anonymous]

If I don’t know people well, I will usually make chicken and beef fajitas. The good thing about fajitas is that you can provide all of the ingredients in a buffet and let people assemble their own. The vegetarians can leave off the meat, the lactose intolerant can leave off the cheese and sour cream, etc. People who don’t eat gluten can use corn tortillas or just make a salad.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Big pot of minestrone soup or other homemade soup, good-quality bread and butter/oil, salad. Maybe also a fruit salad.

+1 and don't put any pasta in the soup.

[Anonymous]

Fruit salad and chicken salad are both disgusting. I am surprised at the number of people who recommend either.

And who wants sandwiches in winter? Homemade soup, a nice green salad and crusty bread sounds delicious.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:To me chicken salad can be eaten alone, along with greens, or in a sandwich. I am not sure why the hate. There are a million ways to make it that are not just chicken drenched in mayo.

Agreed. The 242 people who made Ina Garten’s curry chicken salad and gave it 5 starts can’t all be wrong

Seriously though, in response to a comment upthread, it’s very common to put raisins or grapes in chicken salad, and there are plenty of recipes for chicken and grape dishes online (yes, even on sites like the NYT and Epicurious). I personally like chicken salad with a combo of Greek yogurt, lemon juice, and a little bit of Mayo for the dressing. Add some chopped celery, walnuts, and dried fruit and I’m good to go.

Dried fruit??? This chicken salad discussion just keeps getting worse. Walnuts?? I'm literally shuddering

I might have discovered my least favorite food.

Yes, walnuts! Or pecans. Dried fruit like golden raisins or cranberries. So fascinated that chicken salad is so polarizing! Do you eat tuna salad? (Not suggesting that for a lunch, btw!)

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:To me chicken salad can be eaten alone, along with greens, or in a sandwich. I am not sure why the hate. There are a million ways to make it that are not just chicken drenched in mayo.

Agreed. The 242 people who made Ina Garten’s curry chicken salad and gave it 5 starts can’t all be wrong

Seriously though, in response to a comment upthread, it’s very common to put raisins or grapes in chicken salad, and there are plenty of recipes for chicken and grape dishes online (yes, even on sites like the NYT and Epicurious). I personally like chicken salad with a combo of Greek yogurt, lemon juice, and a little bit of Mayo for the dressing. Add some chopped celery, walnuts, and dried fruit and I’m good to go.

Dried fruit??? This chicken salad discussion just keeps getting worse. Walnuts?? I'm literally shuddering

I might have discovered my least favorite food.

Don't knock it till you try it.

No I've tried plain chicken salad and that was bad enough. Then adding the ingredients to a fruit cake??? Ah hell nah!!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Quiche and lasagna are too rich and heavy IMO.

Are these people American? If so, I would so chicken salad croissants, but only if you can find good ones at a real bakery, (i do a mostly yogurt with just a small spoon of mayo, and curried style). Not Costco garbage. Then cut the sandwiches into thirds and arrange on a platter. That way people can pick just a small piece if maybe it isn't their fav. Have some fruit and green salad available. Maybe a homemade muffin too

You're nuts if you think chicken salad coissants are lighter than quiche. BTW, chicken salad is a vile abomination, one of the most disgusting things Americans have concocted. Why would you chop up chicken, add fruit to it, and then bind it with mayo? <shudder>

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:To me chicken salad can be eaten alone, along with greens, or in a sandwich. I am not sure why the hate. There are a million ways to make it that are not just chicken drenched in mayo.

Agreed. The 242 people who made Ina Garten’s curry chicken salad and gave it 5 starts can’t all be wrong

Seriously though, in response to a comment upthread, it’s very common to put raisins or grapes in chicken salad, and there are plenty of recipes for chicken and grape dishes online (yes, even on sites like the NYT and Epicurious). I personally like chicken salad with a combo of Greek yogurt, lemon juice, and a little bit of Mayo for the dressing. Add some chopped celery, walnuts, and dried fruit and I’m good to go.

Dried fruit??? This chicken salad discussion just keeps getting worse. Walnuts?? I'm literally shuddering

I might have discovered my least favorite food.

Don't knock it till you try it.

No I've tried plain chicken salad and that was bad enough. Then adding the ingredients to a fruit cake??? Ah hell nah!!

The only way to make this even more vile is by adding cilantro. I'm sure some freak has done that.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:To me chicken salad can be eaten alone, along with greens, or in a sandwich. I am not sure why the hate. There are a million ways to make it that are not just chicken drenched in mayo.

Agreed. The 242 people who made Ina Garten’s curry chicken salad and gave it 5 starts can’t all be wrong

Seriously though, in response to a comment upthread, it’s very common to put raisins or grapes in chicken salad, and there are plenty of recipes for chicken and grape dishes online (yes, even on sites like the NYT and Epicurious). I personally like chicken salad with a combo of Greek yogurt, lemon juice, and a little bit of Mayo for the dressing. Add some chopped celery, walnuts, and dried fruit and I’m good to go.

Dried fruit??? This chicken salad discussion just keeps getting worse. Walnuts?? I'm literally shuddering

I might have discovered my least favorite food.

Yes, walnuts! Or pecans. Dried fruit like golden raisins or cranberries. So fascinated that chicken salad is so polarizing! Do you eat tuna salad? (Not suggesting that for a lunch, btw!)

Ok you are just trolling me now, right? There are so many memes about people putting raisins in potato salad that this is just another version, right??? 🤮
No I don't eat tuna salad. Walk away from the mayo, people!!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I would also serve lasagne. It seems to be a safe food that most people will eat.

Lasagna isn't good for people with dairy allergies or gluten sensitivities. If she's trying to account for the possibility of food restrictions, she shouldn't make any sort of casserole.

I suggested Mediterranean spread. But sandwich tray or other kinds of trays also work.

I expect people to speak up if they have allergies or food restrictions. Why do you people always assume that people coming over to your house to eat wouldn’t speak up? I always let my hosts know that my kids are allergic to peanuts and tree nuts, and I offer to bring our own food if needed.

You’re a shit just to not ask or consider the possibility.

DP. Uh, we've all just discovered why you aren't invited to other peoples' homes much, if at all. Your response is way over the top given the context of the discussion. You need to learn some manners.

+1
Go back and read the OP y'all. She wants something easy for people she doesn't know. That doesn't mean "I'm going to find out who's vegan, etc." She doesn't know them. That's all the info we have to go on.

Think about every work lunch you get catered to accommodate people "they don't know". Wraps or sandwiches, or even better, rolls with sliced meats, cheeses, veggies. Fruit (yes it's usually a freaking fruit salad or fruit plate, and people pick off what they like or take a variety--(who are you freaks against fruit salad?)) and then brownies/cookies/lemon squares/ all the above.
If it's no trouble, add a soup. Water, Iced Tea, Lemonade, Sparkling water, 2 cokes that nobody takes, 4 diet cokes. Done.