Help! Need food suggestions for complicated dinner- VERDICT IS IN!

[DeChRi]

I am entertaining tomorrow night. I do not know what to feed people. Here is the guest list:

Couple #1- Mr.1 is steak and potatos guy, Mrs.1 is vegetarian and has a week old baby so is trying to eat healthy.

Couple #2- Mr.2 is mainly vegetarian but will eat fish and occasionally chicken. Mrs.2 will eat only white meat and is on a mission to lose weight to trying to keep it healthy. They have 2 kids there are very picky.

Couple #3 is my family. My DD is very picky. My DH is a total meat and potatos guy but also a health nut (think steak, chicken, eggs, potatos, oats, rice and veggies), and myself, total carnivore, trying to eat well, and I can't have dairy.

So short of wine and beer (which we all like ), what the hell do I cook??????:

[GinaRae]

You're screwed. *snort*

I am NO cook, wish I could help!

What about two main dishes they can choose from? One veggie and one meat.

[*Lindsey*]

Ack! That's quite the diverse crowd you've got.

I like Gina's suggestions of two main dishes, one meat/one veg, and letting them choose. But that sounds like a lot of work for you.

What about a minestrone soup? You could have half with meat and half without.

[captain optimism]

I'm not in your DDC but this is the kind of question I like.

I have two ideas. Either make one meat and one vegetarian main dish, or just a vegetarian one that is very meat-like. Seitan is a good choice because it is high protein, low fat, and easy. It goes with potato dishes. Obviously it's not for people who have wheat gluten sensitivity.

http://blog.fatfreevegan.com/2005/12/recipe-index.html

Try her blog, she's helpful.

[DeChRi]

I thought of that, but I can't think of anything without dairy! Lol.

Tell me what you think of this....a variety of appetizers (veg, non-veg, dairy, non-dairy)....then a fancy salad bar of sorts....different greens, hard boiled eggs, dried cranberries, different cheese (feta, etc), different veggies, dressings, flavored almond shreds, homemade croutons, grilled steak and chicken strips and such.

I know one couple well and they would love this. Never met the other couple, but what the hell. THey can eat the appetizers only. Is that salad idea tacky if I add in the appetizers?

And the kids get pizza.

[mosesface]

not in your ddc, but i saw this on new posts...

i would do:

roasted chicken breasts (any way you like them. taste best when cooked with skin and bones, let your guests remove if they wish.)
quinoa stuffed zucchini (recipe here. not nearly as complicated as it sounds. works as a main dish for vegetarians and a side for everyone else.)
something orange -- roasted carrots or sweet potatoes
big salad

now i'm hungry.

[DeChRi]

Originally Posted by captain optimism

I'm not in your DDC but this is the kind of question I like.

I have two ideas. Either make one meat and one vegetarian main dish, or just a vegetarian one that is very meat-like. Seitan is a good choice because it is high protein, low fat, and easy. It goes with potato dishes. Obviously it's not for people who have wheat gluten sensitivity.

http://blog.fatfreevegan.com/2005/12/recipe-index.html

Try her blog, she's helpful.

Great, thanks!!

[Ruthla]

Will the "meat and potatoes" guys eat poultry? If so, then Mrs #2 and the guys can all eat the same chicken or turkey dish. If not, then make beef for the guys and a veggie main course and Mrs. #2 can eat the vegetarian option.

Whatever meat you make, keep it simple in one dish. Make all the other dishes vegetarian- so the meat eaters take the meat and all the "sides", the vegetarians just take the other dishes.

I'd make some sort of grain/potato, some sort of bean dish (do the vegetarians eat cheese and/or eggs? That gives you more options), and 2-3 vegetable dishes, one cold salad plus 1-2 cooked veggies.

[starry_mama]

How about chili? One with meat, one without? Or even just one with fake meat? And homemade bread.

[DeChRi]

mosesface...those sound awesome.

[DeChRi]

Wow wow, you guys are great!

Now I need lunch!

[Curlita]

I like the with and without meat chili idea.... mainly because it sounds easiest and the rest of your conundrum makes me want to lay down with a cold rag on my head. I really did come to this thread with a desire to be helpful, but... good god, woman! What are you doing entertaining at less than a month post-partum!?! They should be happy with whatever you put on the table.

[GinaRae]

I think your salad idea is a winner!!! Make everything and they get to choose what they want. And you get to joke about how hard it is to coordinate a meal for such picky eaters. Love the idea... not tacky at all. Of course I love fresh salad ideas. Add some beans and what not for veggie protein or Mexican food lovers.

[Curlita]

Just had an idea (better late than never) similar to the salad one -- I've been to build-your-own-taco dinners with a range of options. Might be worth a try.

[Starr]

Big hearty salad

Pasta Bar- Different noodles and maybe a cream sauce, red sauce, and a meat sauce, steamed veggies they can add in

Homemade bread

And if you feel ambitious soup

[celestialdreamer]

Not from your DDC, hope you don't mind!

Seriously, you had a baby less than a month ago, why are you hosting dinner for these people? My opinion is that should not be having to prep a whole meal by yourself. Can you do something really easy like make a big vegetarian crockpot soup you can make earlier in the day? If anyone really picky doesn't like it, then let them know they are welcome to make something else while you and your other newly post-partum friend lounge on the couch and nurse your newborns I would try to make something healthy, vegetarian, super easy and not try to make it elaborate. As long as its dairy free and vegetarian everyone should be able to eat it. I think a one pot/pan dish sounds best in this scenario.

Is there anyway couple #2 can host instead? I can't imagine expecting a friend with a teeny tiny baby to host me for dinner! I'd insist on bringing them food or having them over instead.

[maisiedotes]

I would make... RESERVATIONS! But seriously folks, I was going to suggest a potluck but I guess it may be too late for that. How about a make-your-own fajitas thingie? You could do chicken, beef, and grilled veggies. That way the meat people are happy, the veg people are happy, the chicken people are happy, and the heath-conscious people can leave off sour cream if they want.

[celestialdreamer]

I have another idea! What about getting takeout? Since there are 2 mamas with newborns it would probably be hard to go out, but this way you don't have to cook.

[DeChRi]

Originally Posted by Curlita

What are you doing entertaining at less than a month post-partum!?!

They offered to bring wine, and they have a GREAT wine selection.

[DeChRi]

What was I thinking. You are all right...lol.

Here is the connection.....The couple with the 2 older kids (not new baby couple), are friends of mine. She was my old boss, and now is trying to help me get on with the new company works for, which would be WORKING FROM HOME. So I am fostering that relationship as much as possible. Her hubby, is a SAHD and attorney. He did some legal work for my DH's business, so he is trying to foster the work relationship with MY DH for more work so he can be home with kids. (My DH is in real estate.) Enter couple #2....the wife is the sister of husband #1. They just moved here, 3 weeks before she was due to have baby, so they know no one and I have not met them yet. My DH helped them get in the rental they are in now while they are waiting for thier house to sell in Illinois. They are relocating through a company here that my DH just happens to be one of a couple area realtors that do their relocation work. But they got placed with the other realtor, whom we think is a schmo. But they have not bought yet. Wife 2 is stuck home in a new town with a new baby and is spending a lot of time with Wife 1, who suggested Wife 2 and I would make good friends.

So it goes like this....I want work for Wife 1. Hubby 1 wants to work for my Hubby. My Hubby wants to work for Wife and Hubby 2. Wife 1 wants Wife 2 to make friends other than her. Hubby 2....well he has a great job and just wants to have a good meal and a drink. :

So that is why I am making dinner. And, I really love Wife 1. She has been a wonderful friend. And brings goood wine.