Set out a platter of :

warmed pita bread

a few tubs of different flavored humus (red pepper, plain, etc.)

containers of baba ganoosh, parsley sald, etc.

a nice selection of putted olives, otehr picked veggies

cut up red and orange bell peppers, maybe baby carrots

feta cheese

yogurt dipping sauce

If you want you can make something hot to go along like a bean soup, or some felafel.

This is a delicious and super easy shrimp recipe. I love Mark Bittman. Like he says, you could put it over rice, in pasta, or as a taco filling. I'd do the taco thing with black beans, guacamole, salsa, sour cream, etc.

http://markbittman.com/sunday-supper-the-simplest-and-best-shrimp-di

Fish tacos. Problem solved.

I would make a seafood newburg. You can make the newburg sauce ahead of time and then at the last minute, you can saute the various seafood and then add the sauce. You can make a rice pilaf ahead of time and reheat or put it in a rice cooker and just turn it on 30 minutes before you need it. Alternatively, you can make toast points (very traditional, but I like it better over rice).

You can make this recipe with any combination of fresh seafood based on what is fresh and good at the market. Then just saute the seafood in butter until cooked, then add the newburg sauce and heat until bubbly and you're ready to go. I've made with flash frozen salmon, lobster, crab, shrimp and scallops...but you really can use just about any seafood and it is safe for Catholic Fridays.

http://www.epicurious.com/recipes/food/views/Lobster-Newburg-11057

Ok, I just remembered last night that they are Catholic and forego meat on Fridays during Lent - my friend didn't say so when I asked (she is very accommodating/polite), but I do know this about them. So I don't think I should serve a roast or meat of any kind.

That leaves fish on the grill (I'm not good at that), or pasta.

I have a good baked ziti recipe, will make that and a salad.

I wish it weren't so hot outside - baked ziti seems so wintery. Don't know what else to do though.

Thanks again for your ideas/help.

We just have friends over for a movie day this past weekend and I made a beef stew that I put in the crockpot at 10am and it was ready at 6;30pm when we were between movies. I made whole wheat egg noodles, but it also goes fine over rice. And I've made this before and it's popular with kids and adults alike. I think of it as cold weather comfort food. This isn't my mother's recipe, but one that uses beef and smoked sausage and the smoked sausage gives it a nice flavor. Made the pasta in the morning and just ran hot water over it in a colander before serving. I did all my prep in the morning and only had about 5 minutes of prep at dinnertime. Worked out great.

How about a big pot of chili? You could provide small bowls of garnishes such as avocado, tomato, red onion, cilantro, sour cream, sliced jalapenos etc etc. Serve with chips and garlic bread. You could make this in advance.

Thanks - these are great ideas. I'll let you know what we decide!

I second the taco or fajita idea - both are food many kids like (I see tons of teenagers eating together in Rio Grande, sans parents), plus you can do chicken, beef and veggie for each to appeal to all eaters. Start with homeade guacamole and chips, end with fruit and ice cream with caramel or dulce de leche sauce , and coronas and margaritas for the grown ups!

BBQ sandwiches, fruit salad, chips, brownies.

If you prefer more upscale, pork tenderloin, cous cous, salad

Corned beef is cheap and plentiful right now...

How about a pot pie with spring vegetables?

How about a roast? Once it is prepped you just pop it in the oven. I have loved just about every dish in the Barefoot Contessa Family Style Cookbook. You could try the herb roasted lamb or if you don't like lamb the Sunday rib roast. Serve with a side of grilled asparagus. Oh and I love baked brie with honey as an appetizer.

You could try tacos or fajitas - much could be prepared in advance, and there are a lot of appropriate sides. I've also had good luck in the past with a soup and sandwich and salad thing. There are any number of great soups for groups - tomato and butternut squash, for example. You could dress up the tomato soup with tortellini or rice or something and serve a side of roasted veggies or whatever.

Out-of-town friends are visiting - two adults, two kids ages 14 and 11. DH and I have same-age kids. So, four adults, two teens, two tweens.

No food restrictions or allergies.

I'd like to make something that doesn't have DH or me standing at the (smallish) grill for any period of time, and that won't have one or both of us spending too much time in the kitchen once our guests get here. If possible, I'd like to avoid baked pasta (tired of that) and chicken marbella (this friend makes it when she has company).

Any ideas?

Thanks!