Throwing first large get together - critique my menu

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It sounds great OP, I just wonder how you keep pizza warm for 30 people in an open house setting.

I'm not a psychopath who puts sour cream in my guac, but I do enjoy a rapidly cooling pizza (and cold). There are dozens of us!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Thanks all for the recommendations and congratulations. This is a late 20s / early 30s crowd and some of the more ‘elevated’ suggestions may not hit the park. Here’s where I’ve sort of landed:

Pizzas
Caesar Salad (both catered from pizza place)
Pita chips and hummus
Crockpot meatballs
Some sort of baked dip (likely ‘Mexican’ food style - elote corn, seven layer…) and tortilla chips
Vegetable tray and dip
A ‘charcuterie tray’ of sorts with dessert options (mini brownies, cookies, chocolate covered pretzels, etc.)

This sounds 100% perfect, OP, and I think your guests will enjoy it.

Yum. Do you need an older adult to meet a quota? I am free!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Husband and I recently bought our first house and are having an open house to celebrate - expecting about 30 people. There are lots of men with big appetites coming (husband is military). This is my first time hosting this many people, please critique my menu - we want to keep things pretty casual.

- Pizza (ordering multiple pies from a local shop, vegetarian / meat options)
- Vegetable platter with ranch dip
- Some kind of 'baked' dip (street corn, 7 layer, etc.) with tortilla chips
- Homemade guacamole (also with tortilla chips)
- Two kinds of "hot" appetizers: thinking mozzarella sticks and Mac n cheese bites
- Variety of beers
- Liquor (vodka / rum / tequila) with various sodas as mixers
- Some type of batch cocktail (currently thinking a strawberry margarita) - something fun

This is all carbs and fat. Where’s the actual good. You are missing meat and veggies.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Husband and I recently bought our first house and are having an open house to celebrate - expecting about 30 people. There are lots of men with big appetites coming (husband is military). This is my first time hosting this many people, please critique my menu - we want to keep things pretty casual.

- Pizza (ordering multiple pies from a local shop, vegetarian / meat options)
- Vegetable platter with ranch dip
- Some kind of 'baked' dip (street corn, 7 layer, etc.) with tortilla chips
- Homemade guacamole (also with tortilla chips)
- Two kinds of "hot" appetizers: thinking mozzarella sticks and Mac n cheese bites
- Variety of beers
- Liquor (vodka / rum / tequila) with various sodas as mixers
- Some type of batch cocktail (currently thinking a strawberry margarita) - something fun

This is all carbs and fat. Where’s the actual good. You are missing meat and veggies.

OP posted a revised menu later on. Also, this menu had a veggie platter. Enjoy your party OP!!!!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Get a few boxes of Popeyes. If you’re feeding big eaters it’s easy protein they’ll gobble up and you don’t have to cook it or keep warm

Sub hummus for the ranch on crudite, in fact I’d do a mezze instead. Like add olives and grapes, stuffed grape leaves. Cukes.

Pasta salad instead of mozzarella sticks. Agree on adding green salad.

Ew, what is wrong with people? Do not serve gross fast food to your guests!

Lose the superior attitude. Different people have different tastes, and you are a judgmental snob.

[Anonymous]

If you are trying to save time , I like Whole Foods guacamole (but the mild version).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Guac often has sour cream in it

"Often"?

Um, no. Only if the person preparing it is a psychopath.

WTF. No one in their right mind puts sour cream in guacamole That’s bat $hit crazy.

As someone who spent years living in Mexico I audibly gasped reading that. I have never seen that and for anyone who adds soir cream to guac, straight to jail.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:When I do an open house, I do things that are in components, rather than all mixed together. Like a spiral ham, beans (no bacon), rolls, salad with dressings on the side, cheese tray, fruit tray, etc. This way you don’t have to worry about anyone’s preferences in particular because they can take the things that they can eat and make their own plate. Also agree that since its an open house over several hours to not plan for food that is great when it’s fresh but is not good when it’s been sitting there.

Yes- something along these lines. I’d do:
Very large spiral ham with biscuits or rolls in basket.
Roast a bunch of asparagus as a side.
Grab some shrimp cocktail from WF or Costco (everyone loves).
Charcuterie board with crackers, dried fruit, nuts, cheeses. Make it look good.
Some kind of an orzo Salad (look up an Ina one) maybe with mixed grilled veggies. And/ OR Mixed greens salad with farro for more substantial (look up Charlie birds farro salad).

Order dessert- variety of cookies and such.

[Anonymous]

Nice revisions, OP! Have a blast!