Is anyone else annoyed by this new trend of catering to various diet restrictions for a dinner party? Especially for picky eating kids. I think a true allergy is one thing but can't people just eat what they are served for one night?? And if you don't like something, avoid it. Being a host these days is ridiculous.

No meat and no tomatoes? Tell them to kick rocks

I mean pot roast on the stove top (this is the pp)

Or you can pot roast one of them

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Pizza

OP here: That was my go to with a nice salad before I learned about the tomato issue!!! Roast chicken might be good as that is the one meat that seems okay. If I did that I would need two chickens for the 8 people, not sure how I would do that with my single oven.

Just put both on a baking sheet with well-raised edges, or use 2 smaller foil bakers side by side. You can make one chicken plain, to appeal to the kids, and the other more interesting, for example seasoned with lemon pepper or herbes de Provence.

OP I've recently learned to cook, and I cook for my family but don't cook for others--it would turn an event that I would normally look forward to into an event I would dread! So rather than never have anyone over, I order out. I'm just upfront and tell them I wouldn't subject them to my cooking.

Then I may have pizza, or PF Chang, or sushi. It can be expensive but in my book, I'm buying off stress.

That being said…roast pork tenderloin is super-easy. You can do yams in the oven (400F for one hour; flip halfway through and pierce with a fork) . If the yams are done early, they'll wait until you are ready to serve them. You could do steamed asparagus or broccoli, too (you can do that last minute, just get the water out--sometimes I warm up the water, then leave it, then when it's time to boil it, it heats up faster. Add some dinner rolls and butter…oh, and buy a dessert!

Also a group appetizer plate of cheese, little crackers and olives is nice!

And yes, (sigh) the mac and cheese. Such a shame that it has to be required these days.

I would do a taco bar with chicken and plenty of vegetables on the side -- black beans, avocado, sauteed peppers and onions.

Have cheese, sour cream, lettuce, tomatoes, jalapenos, and salsa set out in little bowls so people can top to their liking.

Maybe make a big pot of rice, too. Plenty of easy Mexican rice recipes out there.

Have plenty of tortillas and tortilla chips. Maybe guacamole and queso. Also a simple green salad, or do something that fits the theme better -- maybe jicama with orange and red onion?

Roasted chicken with mac and cheese on the side

Chicken parmesan with pasta. The no tomato sauce kids can have plain/buttered pasta.

Chicken and Veggie stir fry
Crock pot pulled chicken sandwiches
Chicken enchiladas
chicken pot pie (or chicken pot pies)
Barbeque chicken pieces (mixed thighs, legs, breasts)
homemade mac n cheese
chicken and pasta alfredo

Anonymous wrote:Pizza

OP here: That was my go to with a nice salad before I learned about the tomato issue!!! Roast chicken might be good as that is the one meat that seems okay. If I did that I would need two chickens for the 8 people, not sure how I would do that with my single oven.

Pizza

Roast chicken? With a potato dish of some kind and either a salad or hot green vegetable.

Any other dietary restrictions or strong dislikes?

I am a total cooking failure and need your help. Having a family of four over for dinner this weekend so I need an easy to make meal that will appeal to the adults and 4 elementary school aged kids. Two of the four kids don't like tomatoes and most meats are out as well. I would prefer to make one meal for all 8 people, but have no ideas. Help me please!!!!