Weekend houseguests - what food in the house? Help

[Anonymous]

We are going to have five houseguests this weekend on short notice; they are coming in for a friend's funeral so obviously we haven't had time to plan ahead. It's not clear to me exactly how many meals we'll actually be hosting as there is one dinner out planned and the repast, of course. I will definitely be serving two breakfasts, one lunch, and need to have snacks/appetizers on hand. I am so out of practice at cooking for adults as we have young children.

For breakfast, I'd like to make a strata for one morning. Any favorite recipes? For the other breakfast, can I just put out toast, fruit and juice, or do I need to cook a real breakfast? This will likely be a travel day for our guests.

We have plenty of beer and wine in the house, but what kind of apps/snacks do I need? Also any suggestions for a make-ahead (?) lunch that serves a crowd but doesn't take ages to heat up since we'll all be arriving home around the same time.

Any advice/suggestions appreciated--I want to create an environment where things are as comfortable and welcoming as possible under difficult circumstances, but entertaining and hosting doesn't come naturally to me. I have one day to shop and cook. Thanks.

[Anonymous]

Snacks - cheese tray/crackers
crudite
chips/salsa
fruit tray
cold cuts and bread, sandwich stuff (lettuce, tomato, mayo)
pickles
olives
hummus

[Anonymous]

You can buy 2 dozen eggs and make a big batch of scrambled eggs for breakfast one day. Or go out and get bagels that morning.

You can easily make ahead a big batch of chili now. It can be reheated when people are hungry. Buy some corn bread or tortilla chips and shredded cheese for on top. Make it hearty, with beans and veggies.

Snacks: get some cheese (it can be cheap, maybe pre-sliced bc it's easy) and crackers. Hummus and pita with veggies is good too. And potato chips, the good kind. Get lots of those. People will always eat chips. I'd suggest buy a bunch of nuts in bulk and keeping them out pretty much all the time.

Whenever people are just sitting around and it's like 3pm and not lunch and not dinner time, pull out the snacks. Don't ask if people want them, just put them out. People will eat them.

[Anonymous]

Also buy a big bag of clementines, put them in a bowl somewhere visible with a stack of napkins next to them.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:You can buy 2 dozen eggs and make a big batch of scrambled eggs for breakfast one day. Or go out and get bagels that morning.

You can easily make ahead a big batch of chili now. It can be reheated when people are hungry. Buy some corn bread or tortilla chips and shredded cheese for on top. Make it hearty, with beans and veggies.

Snacks: get some cheese (it can be cheap, maybe pre-sliced bc it's easy) and crackers. Hummus and pita with veggies is good too. And potato chips, the good kind. Get lots of those. People will always eat chips. I'd suggest buy a bunch of nuts in bulk and keeping them out pretty much all the time.

Whenever people are just sitting around and it's like 3pm and not lunch and not dinner time, pull out the snacks. Don't ask if people want them, just put them out. People will eat them.

These are good are all good suggestions.

I usually have sandwich supplies on hand for lunch, and often make soup as well (not canned, homemade or at least the nicer fresh kind in containers from the grocery store or costco).

I agree with the bagel suggestion for the second breakfast, I don't think toast will be enough for everyone.

[Anonymous]

When I host a crowd I do bagels, cream cheese and smoked salmon (purchased at Costco for price).

For lunches I'd do a couple of huge batches of soup and some excellent bread. Easy to heat up.

Have lots of sliced veggies, cheese salami and dip in the fridg.

[Anonymous]

Toast only??????

[Anonymous]

Just get bagels for breakfast and have done fruit. Cold cuts and cheese and chips/pretzels for lunch. No one is going to expect 5 star.