Simple dinner party meal

[Anonymous]

My go to is slow cooked salmon: https://www.onceuponachef.com/recipes/slow-roasted-salmon-with-french-herb-salsa.html

Never overcooked, you can serve it hot or cold, and you can buy a sauce - mango salsa, tzatziki (thinned), etc. if you don't want to make one.

Add roast baby potatoes, a salad, and a side of pasta with butter for fussy kids.

[Anonymous]

Dc is a strange place, so much catering towards vegetarianism, which is a choice and relatively small percentage of the population. There’s almost no acknowledgement of people that can’t eat gluten/wheat due to health reasons. At just about every gathering we go to there is a veggie pizza, or veggie lasagna, or vegan buns, and complete disregard for the kids that can’t eat wheat. It’s very annoying.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Happy back to school! I'd love to host some of the kids' friends' parents over for dinners.
In my ideal world is that I have that "go to" dinner party meal for 8-ish people, including 4 kids. Easy, delicious, kids will (well, not one of mine; she eats only fruit and popcorn, sigh) eat it.

Do you have one of these? What's your menu?

(yes, this may have been asked before, but people change their menus )

We always have meals like that catered. No one really wants to eat food that is not professionally and sanitarily prepared. I know I sure would not at your house.

Are people really this uptight? They won’t eat home cooked meals at the homes of friends?

DP. I'm not worried about the germs. I just don't want to pretend the food is good if it's not. I hate that.

Or just put out some heavy apps.

.

This is a weird take. I'm a good cook. My food is better than most catering.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Dc is a strange place, so much catering towards vegetarianism, which is a choice and relatively small percentage of the population. There’s almost no acknowledgement of people that can’t eat gluten/wheat due to health reasons. At just about every gathering we go to there is a veggie pizza, or veggie lasagna, or vegan buns, and complete disregard for the kids that can’t eat wheat. It’s very annoying.

Are you KIDDING? Everything has gluten this gluten that on it.
I'm a vegetarian who eats cheese. Most places have gone full vegan for their options to make menus simpler.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Keep in mind a lot of people aren't eating red meat these days, or have religious restrictions that make beef or pork a no go. Sticking to chicken is a safer bet, and having a vegetarian option is always a good idea (for non-vegetarians as well).

You make a good point. Chicken used to be "not fancy enough" for a dinner party but now it's a really good go-to choice. Make sure a vegetarian has plenty of options from the sides and apps.

(not everyone eats shrimp and salmon)

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My easy dinner party meal is pork tenderloin. I buy around a half pound per adult, which would probably be around 2-3 pieces. Season with lemon juice and olive oil, mustard, or whatever rub you like (I usually do Greek-ish - garlic, oregano, olive oil, lemon) and throw it in the oven. You can marinate ahead of time if you remember, but if you forget that’s okay too. It also cooks fast because it’s long and thin.

This goes well with basically any carb - I’ve done cous cous, roasted or mashed potatoes, risotto, rice pilaf, orzo, quinoa salad, etc. Plus a big tray of roasted veggies or a green salad, or both, depending on your preference. I am not a baker/dessert person, so I either buy a dessert, serve fruit and ice cream, or make Ghirardelli brownies from the box.

I would never do pork for a large group. A lot of people don’t eat it, be it religious or cultural (my atheist Middle Eastern born spouse won’t eat it) or a personal dietary choice

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:A shrimp boil is really fun and pretty easy. The Valerie Bertinelli or Ina recipes for over roasted shrimp boils are super easy and delicious.

NEVER serve only shrimp, or shrimp that touches other food due to shellfish allergies.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I knew it wouldn’t be long before the taco bar or baked potato bar person posted.

NP. How weird that you have to point this out. You might want to look in the mirror and assess. I have never posted either of those, but they're great suggestions.

I notice you didn't bother to add some great, creative, never-been-posted-before option.

I didn't think it was weird. I think the constant taco-bar posts are weird. DP

Then move on. OP asked for suggestions. People provide them. OP can take the suggestion or not. I don't understand why people think they have to police everything other people want so suggest. Your opinion isn't the only opinion. Get over yourself.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My easy dinner party meal is pork tenderloin. I buy around a half pound per adult, which would probably be around 2-3 pieces. Season with lemon juice and olive oil, mustard, or whatever rub you like (I usually do Greek-ish - garlic, oregano, olive oil, lemon) and throw it in the oven. You can marinate ahead of time if you remember, but if you forget that’s okay too. It also cooks fast because it’s long and thin.

This goes well with basically any carb - I’ve done cous cous, roasted or mashed potatoes, risotto, rice pilaf, orzo, quinoa salad, etc. Plus a big tray of roasted veggies or a green salad, or both, depending on your preference. I am not a baker/dessert person, so I either buy a dessert, serve fruit and ice cream, or make Ghirardelli brownies from the box.

I would never do pork for a large group. A lot of people don’t eat it, be it religious or cultural (my atheist Middle Eastern born spouse won’t eat it) or a personal dietary choice

People know their crowds. While you don’t serve pork many other people do. There isn’t a right answer here.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My easy dinner party meal is pork tenderloin. I buy around a half pound per adult, which would probably be around 2-3 pieces. Season with lemon juice and olive oil, mustard, or whatever rub you like (I usually do Greek-ish - garlic, oregano, olive oil, lemon) and throw it in the oven. You can marinate ahead of time if you remember, but if you forget that’s okay too. It also cooks fast because it’s long and thin.

This goes well with basically any carb - I’ve done cous cous, roasted or mashed potatoes, risotto, rice pilaf, orzo, quinoa salad, etc. Plus a big tray of roasted veggies or a green salad, or both, depending on your preference. I am not a baker/dessert person, so I either buy a dessert, serve fruit and ice cream, or make Ghirardelli brownies from the box.

I would never do pork for a large group. A lot of people don’t eat it, be it religious or cultural (my atheist Middle Eastern born spouse won’t eat it) or a personal dietary choice

I don’t know what to tell you. I invite friends over a lot and have not had this issue. One couple keeps kosher and doesn’t eat pork or shellfish, so when I have them over (rarely, for various reasons it’s more common that we go out instead), obviously I serve something else.

But in a group of 6, which is what OP referenced, you’d probably know dietary preferences.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My easy dinner party meal is pork tenderloin. I buy around a half pound per adult, which would probably be around 2-3 pieces. Season with lemon juice and olive oil, mustard, or whatever rub you like (I usually do Greek-ish - garlic, oregano, olive oil, lemon) and throw it in the oven. You can marinate ahead of time if you remember, but if you forget that’s okay too. It also cooks fast because it’s long and thin.

This goes well with basically any carb - I’ve done cous cous, roasted or mashed potatoes, risotto, rice pilaf, orzo, quinoa salad, etc. Plus a big tray of roasted veggies or a green salad, or both, depending on your preference. I am not a baker/dessert person, so I either buy a dessert, serve fruit and ice cream, or make Ghirardelli brownies from the box.

I would never do pork for a large group. A lot of people don’t eat it, be it religious or cultural (my atheist Middle Eastern born spouse won’t eat it) or a personal dietary choice

People know their crowds. While you don’t serve pork many other people do. There isn’t a right answer here.

+1 OP didn't say it was for a large crow. They specifically stated it would for 4 adults and 4 kids. Basically hosting one family. It would be easy to figure out if pork wouldn't work or not.

[Anonymous]

It's impossible to please or cater to everyone. When I don't know people very well, I text the menu in advance so they know it and can choose to eat before if they want. Also, I ask for allergies and aversions so I can take reasonable precautions.

Here is my go-to meal that I love personally and usually has something for most people. I have Greek family and I lean into heritage recipes

Veggie crudite and pita chips with a garlicky tzatziki I make myself. I always include lots of kid-friendly raw veggies like cucumbers and baby carrots.

Homemade family recipes Spanikopita that gets rave reviews but is NOT low carb

Baby rack of lamb baked with a parsley-mustard crust (usually enjoyed by gluten sensitive people) I'll have lamb meatballs too if there are more kids

Greek salad

Baklava and assorted homemade cookies if there are a bunch of kids

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Happy back to school! I'd love to host some of the kids' friends' parents over for dinners.
In my ideal world is that I have that "go to" dinner party meal for 8-ish people, including 4 kids. Easy, delicious, kids will (well, not one of mine; she eats only fruit and popcorn, sigh) eat it.

Do you have one of these? What's your menu?

(yes, this may have been asked before, but people change their menus )

We always have meals like that catered. No one really wants to eat food that is not professionally and sanitarily prepared. I know I sure would not at your house.

Are people really this uptight? They won’t eat home cooked meals at the homes of friends?

DP. I'm not worried about the germs. I just don't want to pretend the food is good if it's not. I hate that.

Or just put out some heavy apps.

.

This is a weird take. I'm a good cook. My food is better than most catering.

+1 There’s nothing better than a dinner party with good home-cooked food.

We had a few people over last week and I set up my usual taco bar options.
Carnitas using this variation on Roberto Santibanez’s recipe: https://idiotskitchen.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/Carnitas.pdf
Shredded chicken.
Homemade pico de gallo and guacamole.
Shredded cabbage.
Chopped onion.
Chopped cilantro.
Corn and flour tortillas.
Cheese and sour cream.

I’d doubled the carnitas recipe because we had a couple of teen athletes in the bunch, and there was nothing left of it at the end.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Dc is a strange place, so much catering towards vegetarianism, which is a choice and relatively small percentage of the population. There’s almost no acknowledgement of people that can’t eat gluten/wheat due to health reasons. At just about every gathering we go to there is a veggie pizza, or veggie lasagna, or vegan buns, and complete disregard for the kids that can’t eat wheat. It’s very annoying.

Are you KIDDING? Everything has gluten this gluten that on it.
I'm a vegetarian who eats cheese. Most places have gone full vegan for their options to make menus simpler.

That’s exactly what I’m saying. Dc, in general, seems to bend over backwards to accommodate vegetarians (I think they go full vegan just to be safe, so they can accommodate another elective preference group that is similar) but disregard people that can’t eat gluten or wheat. I can’t count the number of gatherings I’ve been to where my daughter literally can’t eat a thing, and then the hosts either try force her or treat her like she’s rude. But the mid 30’s woman that is a vegetarian has a special dish for her.

[Anonymous]

Most of my friends are vegetarian. You basically hang out with people who are similar to you.