Dinner Party For 20 Somethings?

Parent Cafe
1

<p>I need some ideas for a nice but casual dinner party for 20 something grad students this weekend. Any thoughts for appetizers, main dishes and desserts appreciated!</p>

2

<p>Make it a buffet with several choices to accomodate meat eaters and vegetarians- that would make it easier for people to pick and choose plus take more/less. A fresh veggie tray and cheeses plus dips and crackers would serve for appetizers. You can choose some less common of both to broaden their horizons. Use paper plates, plastic cups and siverware if that doesn’t offend your environmental sense. Try for dishes that would be new to some students- all American for foreign students… Since it is winter you may go for pumpkin and apple pie/crisp, brownies and other classics. Even American grad students will appreciate touches of home they neither have the time nor skills for. I think you can emphasize homestyle favorites rather than fancy foods. </p>

<p>Make your own chicken fajitas, ground beef tacos, refried vegetarian beans can be one station. Other chicken, beef or fishseafood and potatoes could also be served. And hot veggies. Think of the Thanksgivivng spread- anything is fair game.</p>

<p>Too bad I can’t come and cook for you- I love to cook and lost my audience.</p>

3

<p>Personally I would go for something that you could prepare ahead and would be suitable for everyone – maybe a vegetarian lasagna and salad.</p>

<p>If there is no need to worry about vegetarians, perhaps a large turkey, stuffing and roast vegetables would work. We’ve also served beef Beef Bourguignon to a crowd.</p>

4

<p>Pick a theme…Mexican, Italian, American, etc.</p>

<p>Italian:Pasta dinners are easy and can be done ahead of time: Ziti, lasagna, rigatoni, alfredo. Easy tossed salad and garlic bread. Appetizers of crostini, mozzarella, tomatoes, fresh basil, marinated olives, sliced cured meats and cheeses from deli
Mexican: Enchiladas can be done ahead, serve with Mexican rice, black beans, salad. Appetizers of bean dip, queso dip, guac, salsa and chips
American: Different chilis, veggie, beef and white. Good bread and salad. Serve meats/cheese platter for appetizers or pick any of your favorites. A turkey dinner is an easy dinner for a group. I have also served pork tenderloin to large groups…have a great Cuban recipe if you’re interested!</p>

5

<p>Thanks for so many good ideas. This is an international crowd–MIT students. </p>

<p>Wis, apple crisp is just what I had in mind for dessert! So that part seems perfect.</p>

<p>Fendrock, lasagna sounds good. Is that something these kids get lots of in the dining hall and at local pizza joints though? How can I make it more interesting?</p>

<p>NorthMinn, love the idea of the meats and cheeses. Ina Garten has a great looking platter on Foodnetwork I was thinking of doing. Do you guys think the international crowd will find this appealing?</p>

6

<p>I think a platter of cured meats and cheeses would be well received. I always have fresh fruit, too. I love Ina Garten’s entertaining tips and recipes! Went to a new Italian place last Saturday and had the best caprese salad served with little crostini. The mozzarella just melted in my mouth! Reminded me of warm summer nights on the deck…sigh</p>

7

<p>20-something grad students usually enjoy chilled adult beverages of various types. Red, white, brown, clear, etc.</p>

8

<p>hmom5, are you familiar with [Epicurious.com:</a> Recipes, Menus, Cooking Articles & Food Guides](<a href=“http://www.epicurious.com?]Epicurious.com:”>http://www.epicurious.com?)</p>

<p>If you do a search on “vegetarian lasagna,” you will turn up a number of recipes, most of which will be a good cut above anything they would be served at college.</p>

<p>Here is one, although since it is only for four you would need to multiply it:</p>

<p>[Roasted-Vegetable</a> Lasagne Recipe at Epicurious.com](<a href=“http://www.epicurious.com/recipes/food/views/Roasted-Vegetable-Lasagne-238397]Roasted-Vegetable”>http://www.epicurious.com/recipes/food/views/Roasted-Vegetable-Lasagne-238397)</p>

9

<p>deleting double post, sorry.</p>

10

<p>One thing I would say about the meats and cheeses idea is to make sure that you separate them. I am vegetarian and it’s kind of a pet peeve to me when deli platters have things layered, so you have to go through two pieces meat to get your cheese. Maybe try to do different halves of the plate or something?</p>

11

<p>My favorite for a crowd is fajitas - you can roast peppers and onions in the oven while you grill some meat (cheap steak or chicken breasts that you chop up later in thin strips ) Beans of some type (black beans, red kidney beans heated up with peppers, refried out of the can, whatever), cheese and guacamole, lettuce and tomato on the side. Everyone can make them to their own specification since everything was prepared alone. No worry about the cheese and meat mingling for vegetarians, vegans can use beans and veggies, etc. Bowls of hot and mild salsa…
Add a salad and some kind of dessert and some red, white, brown or clear bevereges… be sure to include iced tea!..</p>

12

<p>Lemon squares are easy to make and generally a big hit with young people. I often make both lemon squares and brownies — a nice contrast. Thanks to Google, I found that someone has scanned the pages of the Charlie Brown cookbook I grew up with!</p>

<p><a href=“http://www.stuckinthe70s.com/images/lemonsquares.jpg[/url]”>http://www.stuckinthe70s.com/images/lemonsquares.jpg&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

13

<p>A really easy and very popular dessert is Toll House squares. Just follow the cookie recipe on the 6 oz. package of Nestles chocolate chips but make it in a Pam sprayed jelly roll pan (11" by 15") and bake it for about 20-25 minutes. Cut immediately into squares. Easier than making individual cookies.</p>

14

<p>Thanks for all the great ideas. DS1 who’s group this is loves lemon squares beyond all reason so it’s nice to have a new recipe.</p>

<p>I love when folks post recipes here, I have a whole file of CC recipes, especially from the soup thread! Keep them coming!!</p>

15

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<p>Most MIT dorms don’t have dining halls. :)</p>

<p>I am a 20-something, an MIT alum, and sometimes go to dinner parties with other 20-something MIT students and alums.</p>

<p>One dish that I have had at dinner parties and other parties that has been a hit with pretty much everyone who doesn’t have nut allergies (omnivores, vegetarians, and vegans), is peanut tofu curry. It is a big hit in my social circle. I will see if I can get the recipe from someone.</p>

<p>Salads are good for many people, and meat and cheese plates are good for non-vegans.</p>

16

<p>The curry idea sounds great. Which made me think about Pad Thai with tofu. I did the recipe (link below) for 8 and everyone loved it. I served it to D1 and future son-in-law and two of their friends when they came to our house to watch the Academy Awards–these kids are in the 25-27 age range.</p>

<p>[Pad</a> Thai Recipe – ThaiTable.com](<a href=“http://www.thaitable.com/Thai/recipes/Pad_Thai.htm]Pad”>Pad Thai - ผัดไทยกุ้งสด - ThaiTable.com)</p>

17

<p>A baked potato bar can be fun–with some funky, nontraditional toppings, perhaps.</p>

18

<p>I recently cooked for a crowd of carnivores, vegetarians, and vegans: beef stew, a lentil stew with roasted root vegetables, and a savory bread pudding with cheese and wild mushrooms. The carnivores had it the best – they got to eat everything! All these dishes were made ahead of time.</p>

19

<p>Bela, can we have the bread pudding recipe? My mouth is watering.</p>

20

<p>Don’t forget chocolate! We have done brownie sundaes and everyone loved them. Have a varitey of toppings for brownies, different ice creams, etc. .</p>