dinner suggestions for a large group of boring eaters

We are hosting a pre-Christmas party for a large group (probably about 30) of old friends. My usual dinners always never seem to go over well enough for all of the bother. I may resort to lasagna.

Does anyone have a suggestion for a main course that I can make in advance and throw in the oven?

Thanks,
Al

Have you thought of Crock-Pot type stuff? Coq au vin, boeuf bourgunione (sp?), Osso Bucco ... all are pretty easy make aheads, and may be more acceptable if you say it's stew.

I would suggest the same sort of braised dish, like provencal beef daube or chicken with 40 cloves of garlic or the like.

The other thing I do with picky boring types for dinner is do a "choose-your-own-adventure" type of dish, like a (mild) English-style chicken curry with 15 toppings (chutney/pickles/tomatoes/hard-boiled eggs/pineapple/etc./etc.) or make some homemade pizza crusts and sauce and then let people split up into pairs and top their own pizzas. That requires some time in the kitchen, baking them off, though.

Jacki

If I were one of your "old friends", it would be enough to enjoy the camaraderie and Christmas cheer without being subject to a meal you don't want to make and one that I have historically not enjoyed. As one of your friends, I would prefer:

1) Skip the dinner and just offer me beverages and some store-bought munchies or sweets. I've remained your friend through all these years of bad dinners so I'm not going to dump you now.

2) Get someone to cater the event. Unfortunately, for 30 people this will be really expensive for a good caterer and, as your old friend, I would hate to see you spend that much except you never paid me back for the gas money you borrowed from me in college so its the least you can do after all these years.

3) Never underestimate the gift of food prepared with your own hands and presented with affection to those you care about. We've all had big flops, but get back on that horse and knock yourself out to give pleasure and joy to your friends.

Probably not what you were looking for, but too many times I have been on the receiving end of half-hearted meals that showed little care and attention from the host.

Bill/SFNM

Take them to the Country Squire in Grayslake. That place has always struck me as the ideal place for a pleasant but unexciting meal.

Stick with "comfort food". I often make a large chicken pot pie, topped with store bought puff pastry. Always a hit and most of the elements can be prepared ahead of time.

For easy sides, I've served mashed potatoes cut with a little parsnip or rutabaga.

Best,
EC

Hi Al,

I know you have good taste in wine and food. What kind of food do your friends offer when they entertain? You may have the problem of reverse snobbery and perhaps jealousy. They may not have your taste and talent in the kitchen, preferring to bring stuff in. You may put considerable efforts into your food offerings, which they cannot hold a candle to, so rather than compliment they find fault. In these cases, whenever I visit them whatever they serve I always compliment. I may have my personal thoughts, which I will not reveal, but I always find something good to say. They know I can do better, though I can be a better guest, too. A teach by example moment.

I had problems at a church ladies function: for me it was easier to make something at home and bring it. They always picked up something at Jewel. They earnestly complained I was showing off. Eventually I just faded away from that crowd.

Why not soup, sandwiches and salad?

Make two different kinds of soup, where they can sit in a crockpot.

You have that Hungarian sausage producer nearby, Alef and the German sausage producer Koeneman's at 120 and 12. So arrange all these meats, cheeses with interesting breads and let them arrange their own meal. I would add mustards of various types, slice onions, pickles, gherkins, some pickled onions, horseradish and such. Maybe make a pate.

For salads: a wilted cuccumber salad, green salad, coleslaw and German Potato salad. I will sometimes make a roast beef, then slice it to make a salad with a Dijon vinaigrette and lots of onion.

If they don't like that, well you really should stick to cocktails and cheese. Anyway, the leftovers will not be unpleasant to work through.

Do advise later what you did do and their reaction.

Cathy2 wrote:Why not soup, sandwiches and salad?
Make two different kinds of soup...

I think Cathy's idea is a really good one. A buffet of excellent cold cuts, maybe a hot dish such as roast beast, cheeses, smoked fish, breads, a few salads (I'd definitely include German potato salad) and a couple of very different soups... Maybe something thick of the stick-to-the-ribs ilk, e.g. split pea soup, and something thinner and a bit lighter with relatively universal appeal, e.g. tortellini in brodo. Surely every one could find things they really like in such a spread...

Antonius

Westphalian ham from Koenemann's ...MMMMMMMMMMMMMMM...

Westphalian ham from Koenemann's

I buy their butt ends at a reduced price to drop into soups.

I really like their vinegary headcheese, though I always get a sample before buying. Some years ago, the vinegary sharpness varied greatly from batch to batch. I remember getting puzzled looks when I commented on this.

I've been thinking of contacting them to see if they will let us LTHforum types in for a school-trip type tour. Maybe combined, or separate, with a tour of the Hungarian place in Vernon Hills ... the only negative it would likely be on a weekday. I think it would be neat.

eatchicago wrote:Stick with "comfort food". I often make a large chicken pot pie, topped with store bought puff pastry. Always a hit and most of the elements can be prepared ahead of time.

For easy sides, I've served mashed potatoes cut with a little parsnip or rutabaga.

A friend of mine has prepared mashed potatoes with broccoli at a number of recent potlucks, and it's gone over quite well with anybody willing to comment. I've never prepared it myself, but I must admit it's a tasty dish.