<p>I HATE to cook but must be at least adequate because people keep expecting me to do it … Anyway, I would appreciate any suggestions for feeding a houseful of relatives next weekend. We will have an aunt and one set of grandparents staying in our home, another grandmother (my wonderfully considerate mom) at one nearby hotel, and my 24 and 21 y/o daughters at another. The grad’s boyfriend will also make an appearance or two and eats like any 18 y/o boy (tons). So I’m looking at 10 people - nothing too scary about that, right?</p>
<p>We have a unique situation in that d will not be attending the entire grad ceremony. Long dull story, but she’ll get her diploma before the ceremony starts, walk in with her class, then jet across town for the first performance of her dance recital. So those of us who are going to both events that night will be out of the house from 4 PM until 10 PM. I think the grandparents will just go to the graduation walk-in and catch the second recital performance the following night. But we’ll all still have to eat, and my FIL, over 80 and on the frail side, certainly couldn’t wait to eat until after I get home from the performance. So I’m thinking of getting some nice sandwich trays and salads, putting stuff out at 2:00 PM or so, saying “help yourselves” and using paper plates. Is there a better way?</p>
<p>I feel obligated to provide a nicer meal the next afternoon. D and I will be leaving the house at 5:30 PM to get over to the performance; everyone else will follow at 6:30. I think a larger meal at 1:00 or so will work. What should I serve? Ideally, I won’t have to cook that day - I could prepare it ahead of time or, even more ideally, buy it somewhere. FIL is uncomfortable at restaurants, so that solution is unavailable … I know I’ll have a cake. But what else?</p>
<p>And yes, everyone has their dietary restrictions and preferences. I can’t serve my favorite fall-back entree, lasagna, because of some cheese issues in dh’s family …</p>
<p>We had the identical problem three years ago when d2 graduated. We thought a cookout would be fun, with chicken, burgers, and salads. But that was way more labor-intensive than I’d like. Any suggestions? What would you do in my spot? Many thanks!</p>
<p>Not sure where you are in New York, but Balducci’s has an awesome menu of sandwich trays and other platters. Stew Leonards, less pretentious, but ditto. Probably your local Wegmans can pull something like that together for you.</p>
<p>I’d just have cold platters in this weather … sitting in the fridge ready to pull out at the appropriate times.</p>
<p>I’m with you on the Wegman’s suggestion! I love them, and when d is off to school in August I think I’ll let Wegman’s do dinner for us every night, or until the food budget is exhausted. Maybe we’ll just do sandwich platters two days in a row for graduation.</p>
<p>Make it easy on yourself. I’m sure your guests won’t mind self-service meals. We’ve used Whole Foods twice now (H’s big birthday, graduation party). I think the cost is reasonable for what they provide–it’s delicious, it looks beautiful, there’s a lot of it, and napkins, plates, and utensils are included.</p>
<p>It depends on where you live and the weather, however, if you are dead set on making the food yourself to avoid catering costs, could you boy a lot of sandwich meat and bread and fixings and arrange it nicely on a platter. Perhaps, make a side salad or potato salad. Then, you could have a nice cake or special dessert for your daughter which will make it seem more festive.</p>
<p>I agree with the Wegmans suggestion. We got all the food for our daughters casual wedding there and people raved about the food. They have any kind of tray you can think of -cheese and crackers, Mediterranian, meat and cheese, fruit and many more. The Brie in a pasrty shell was a huge hit but needs to be baked for about twenty minutes. Prices were reasonable and everything was very fresh. Their cakes are delicious. One other tip, you can pay a few cents more and get your rolls already sliced open. No I don’t work for Wegmans, we just love the place.</p>
<p>Consider serving a couple of soups and salads along with sandwiches from a deli tray. A buffet meal would make life easier for you. With this menu, you could make some homemade soups or salads and get the rest from a deli or from Wegmans. If you have crock pots, put the soups on low, make a nice green salad and pick up potato or pasta salads from the deli along with a nice meat tray. Have a selection of bread rolls on hand, choose a dessert (perhaps a cake from the bakery?), throw some drinks in a beverage tub and let the good times roll! I think guests are more relaxed in a casual setting and the graduate would certainly want you to enjoy yourself rather than stress over details~ By allowing each guest to select their own sandwich, etc. dietary restrictions are more readily cared for. Don’t hesitate to solicit the help of your older daughters–they’ll be glad to help.</p>
<p>If lasagna is your stand-by, serve it but provide a second entree for those unable to eat the cheese. Perhaps roast a turkey breast and pick up a couple of side dishes?? If shrimp is an option, many super markets will steam it for you. All you’d need to do is come up with side dishes. Another option might be baked spaghetti…Good Luck</p>
<p>How about making pasta with pesto? You could serve it hot, room temp or cold.</p>
<p>You could accompany it with asparagus – microwave until tender, dunk it in cold water, then toss with a vinaigrette (or olive oil and lemon juice). Serve this cold as well.</p>
<p>Add a green salad or fruit salad.</p>
<p>If you want add some meat, I recently bought some teriyaki beef from Whole Foods and served it cold. Although it was $15.99/pound, I actually got at least 6 servings from that pound.</p>
<p>(In my view, this would be easier than making sandwiches.)</p>
<p>Thanks, all, for the great suggestions! rutgersmama, you sound like a terrific hostess. You’re right that the two older ds will be helpful, though the oldest, a very good cook, would love to prepare lamb curry or a Mexican spread or a number of other things that would make the in-laws blanch.</p>
<p>We’ll definitely do make-your-own sandwiches and cold salads for Friday (with soup if I get ambitious). I love the idea of a turkey breast for Saturday, if I can get d1 to take on doing it. Many thanks again!</p>
<p>We just had D’s rehearsal dinner catered by Buca di Beppo. If you have one of those near you, I would really recommend it. They delivered, set it up and came back and took it all away. I had them bring disposable plates and utensils, but you can do your own. There are several options for the food, and it is REALLY reasonable and we had left-overs. For dessert we got gourmet cupcakes (private bakery) which were delivered.</p>
Many thanks again!</p>