skip to main content

The Kitchen Table

Could you help me plan a lunch, please?

17 years ago

I'm having 4 friends over next Tuesday for a visit and for our kids to play together. They each have three kids 7 and under. They're from our homeschool group, and we all get together every second Tuesday.

Anyhow, any ideas of something good, but easy, that I can make for lunch that could be prepared ahead of time? Not pizzas.

I'm drawing a blank.

Thank you!

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (19)

User
17 years ago
Why not go with finger sandwiches, such as egg and/or tuna salad? You could cut up some fresh veggies and serve it with dip to go on the side. And have juice and milk too.
orie
17 years ago
You can also make cheese and chicken quesadillas for the kids and just add other things to them for the adults. Keep them warm in the oven and serve with salsa, guacamole and sour cream...
Related Discussions
Hey Anntn6b, could you please help me to understand?
Q
Comments (8)
Time to get past the colors. In my garden, I first see potential RRD from a distance. Remember how I said in your other post that roses are predictable? They are. If you see a mass of leaves within a huge rose, often it's just a birds nest. But occassionally it's witches broom, which happens when the back up leaf axil buds break, break again, and may break as many as 21 times. So that there's a cluster of new stems emerging from where there should be just one. Colors also draw us, especially when they are unexpected. And this is the hardest thing, because I wasn't used to seeing colors on the bushes...only on the blooms. That very deep reddish purple color comes with some roses.....it's always been there, we just haven't noticed it. But when it comes to Rose Rosette, we HAVE to look past the distant view. In my garden I have come to demand that there are three different symptoms before I say RRD (followed by expletives). Color is just one. And for color, I have asked on here (and will continue to ask) is anyone seeing that color on the same cultivar in my part of the country. Then I look at leaf symmetry, at leaflet symmetry, at the edges of the leaves, at the stipules (I place a lot of emphasis on stipules), on the spaces between leaves (internodal distances), on the buds themselves...some lack the hip part, some have too many rows of sepals and no stigmas...all sorts of things basic to the rose that go wrong. Aggierose, what you're going to have a real problem with is that your leaves are hitting serious summer heat too early. Those roses are putting out what are potentially good leaves (check the leaf edges), but the afternoon heat (I saw Dallas' temps yesterday and that was hot) is going to crisp up some leaves and stunt others. So you're going to get bushes with big healthy leaves from last month and early this month followed by skimpy leaves. (In my garden, the early spring leaves were small, followed by great honking big leaves from April when we had one great slow rainfall with 2" of rain and lots of N thanks to thunder storms, and now we are back to dry.) So we both are going to have to ignore leaf size and get to the up close look for the basics tield to the genetics of the rose. RRD messes up the rose morphology in ways that we can see, but we have to look closely. Sadly, this looking will continue as long as we grow roses. But knowledge means we can continue. We just learn more and share it.
...See More
Menu planning help pls...Lunch
Q
Comments (15)
Glad to hear it went well. I love those kind of summer, salady meals! And I am a huge fan of anitpasta platters, where folks can pick and choose their own perfect little plates! As for lentils, like I said, I love lentil salad too and I always have to struggle getting the lentils just right--not too mushy, not to hard. I now special order French green lentil and also have tried the black beluga ones. They are both rounder and seem to be better for salads. But anyway, glad to hear the dinner went well. I knew it would! But I still love it when folks report back. What can I say, I am so busy and devoid of a social life I have to live vicariously through others, lol! So thanks for sharing the fun!
...See More
Layout help - please help me plan a functional kitchen!
Q
Comments (14)
florantha - yes, I would want to protect the range from traffic more than in that last layout. The suggestions of opening up the long wall on the left are interesting, I don't think they are right for our family. We do want to keep a table in the kitchen and upon reflection, I don't really want the kitchen completely open to the family room since a little separation is nice when friends are over and the kids are watching a movie in there. I do think that the thoughts are ideas that could inspire other readers in their own planning. I am leaning toward option C (last) in the original post, but I am a little hesitant about the fridge location. I like it along the back wall because it leaves the sides of the room more open, giving more of a feeling of connection to the family room and to the outside through the window on the right wall. The room is long and my idea was to place the bulky fridge to shorten the room, not narrow it. Placing the fridge on the back wall in the corner also allows room for a bigger (deeper) fridge without interfering with traffic in the room - I'd like to maximize my fridge space without going to the expense of a large built in. But I also know that it's preferable to have the fridge on the perimeter of the kitchen. The proposed location would not drive traffice through the prep and cooking area, but perhaps it's still a bad plan? Feedback would be appreciated. For Layout C, the shallow pantry on the left side of the room is 12" cupboards, the space from there to the island is 41", the island is 41" wide, and the space from the island to the cleanup sink is 48". I've pulled the counters on the back wall so that the counters would be 30". Sorry not to have added these dimensions to the drawings.
...See More
PEGASUS, LEANDER, A SHROPSHIRE LAD- Could you please help me out?
Q
Comments (17)
Rebecca, I garden in zone 5 now, but for decades I had a zone 4 rose garden and I experimented with every darn climber I could find that anyone told me would be hardy in zone 4. And I can also tell you that Ameri2nal is correct that wrapping in burlap is not going to do the trick. Been there, tried that - no real success. Your Johann Strauss row is lovely - but it is planted next to the foundation of the house (always a bit warmer) and you say that it is cut down to the soil level every year and regrows. That's often the case in zone 4 - you can find roses that properly planted (as you are doing) will survive and bounce back - but in a climber where you really want long canes to survive from year to year, just survival of what is below ground is not enough. I'd be shocked if you have any surviving cane above the snow line on your original 3 roses you were inquiring about. And I must add that I'm dubious about live cane on Reine des Violettes, either. I never was successful with that one in zone 4. I have it planted now in my zone 5 garden, but I don't know yet how it will have survived its first winter here - although it has been a mild one. But I'm not holding my breath. I can tell you that there is a virtually thornless climber called Victorian Memory (AKA Isabella Skinner) that I grew for years in zone 4. Well, really it is a very tall shrub, but it can be pruned and trained to grow on a trellis. I had it tied up and over one side of a copper arch for many years. I think there are still my photos of it on that you can view at HelpMeFind...probably you'd have to click on "older" photos. It is available at Rogue Valley Roses and it is one that I would recommend for your zone. http://www.helpmefind.com/gardening/l.php?l=2.3416.1&tab=1 Anne
...See More
glenda_al
17 years ago
Nicole, I used this recipe to makeup my own rendition.
BBQ Muffins
1 (10 ounce) can refrigerated buttermilk biscuits
1 pound ground beef
1/2 cup ketchup
3 tablespoons brown sugar
1 tablespoon cider vinegar
1/2 teaspoon chili powder
1 cup shredded Cheddar cheese

DIRECTIONS
Separate dough into 10 biscuits; flatten into 5-in. circles. Press each into the bottom and up the sides of a greased muffin cup; set aside. In a skillet, brown ground beef; drain. In a small bowl, mix ketchup, brown sugar, vinegar and chili powder; stir until smooth. Add to meat and mix well. Divide the meat mixture among biscuit-lined muffins cups, using about 1/4 cup for each. Sprinkle with cheese. Bake at 375 degrees F for 18-20 minutes or until golden brown. Cool for 5 minutes before removing from tin and serving

------------------------------------
What I did:
Brown half a pound of ground beef, drain thoroughly.
Add to it some ketchup, mustard, garlic powder, onion powder maybe a dash of chili powder. Cook until flavors are blended, and follow directions as above. **Kinda like a sloppy jo, but not really that liquidy.

My GS used to love those. And I always had some frozen whenever he was around, cause I knew he was gonna ask for my Meat Muffins :o)
chubby_rat
17 years ago
So that's about 15 kids that are 7 and under?? I'd have a Margarita for lunch! Maybe 2.....LOL!
phyllis__mn
17 years ago
Chubby, you beat me to that observation!!
nodakgal
17 years ago
A taco hotdish? I've made this one and my GB's like it.

1 pkg crescent rolls
1 pkg Doritos, crushed
1 to 1 1/2 lbs browned hamburger
1 pkg taco seasoning
1 pint sour cream
1/2 lb cheddar cheese,shredded
toppings as desired
Unroll rolls into 9x13 pan. Layer 1/2 the Doritos chips, then hamburger mixed with taco seasoning. Then sour cream,cheese and 1/2 of chips. Bake at 350 degrees for 20 minutes. Top as desired with chopped lettuce, tomatoes, onions,olives, etc.
***I didn't add the sour cream to the layers in the pan, cause someone said they didn't like it! So just added it to the toppings**

Glenda's muffins sound good.
BBQ's in the crockpot would be good too.
Lasagna?
A veggie pizza, with the crescent rolls and Ranch dressing and chopped veggies?
glenda_al
17 years ago
Pig in the blanket made with those little cocktail sausages.
Can be made ahead, even frozen, then reheat.
sharon_fl
17 years ago
My mom was an Elementary school cafeteria mgr and the BIGGEST request weekly she got from the kids was for what she named "Roy Rogers Bow Ties". Now, natch-kids today would be clueless as to that famous cowboy but you could name it a current tv character they are familiar with today.
The dish? Goulash made w/hamburger, sauteed onions (she used tiny tiny diced so they didn't know it was in there!), spaghetti sauce, bow tie noodles, parmesan cheese & a sprinkle of sugar in the sauce.
This is much better when made the day before. Or you can get it ready & throw in the oven-to be ready at lunchtime.
A salad of some kind for the moms & applesauce for the kids and garlic bread?
Another idea for dessert? Using a box cake mix..pour batter into the short ice cream cones, placed in muffin tins to bake. Use ready made icing to top them & add sprinkles-again-can be made the day before.
Just an idea.
grinch_gut
17 years ago
LOL @ chubby..........Lasagna? My kids and their friends have always gobbled it up...Stacy
Granlan_TX
17 years ago
My mind is a blank just thinking about having that many kids around. I'd be pouring myself a couple of stiff cocktails, too. :)

Nicole, you must have nerves of steel.

Lots of good and easy ideas here. So have you decided?
lydia1959
17 years ago
I think I'd do little sandwiches on dollar rolls. You could do an assortment - turkey, ham, tuna. I know how small kids can be very picky about what they eat. Carrots and dip as a healthier alternative to chips. I'd like to try the fruit salsa dip and cinnamon chips recipe in the link below - it's the number 1 appetizer recipe on that website.

Have fun! I'll be joining the gals having the Margaritas! lol

Here is a link that might be useful: Fruit Salsa
Happy_Go_Lucky_Gayle
17 years ago
I'd just go for a Scrambled Hamburger Spagetti & Salad. Kids love Bread Sticks. Maybe a Jello Fruit Salad or some Blueberry Muffins for Dessert.

Gayle
enjoyingspring
17 years ago
Glenda, those BBQ Muffins sound great.
Do they freeze well???
Kathsgrdn
17 years ago
I like the lasanga idea or simple soup and sandwiches. You can make snail roll up sandwiches. I made them for a party at work last year. Those and homemade chicken noodle soup sound really good.

Here is a link that might be useful: snails
good36
17 years ago
Walking Taco's
Back of Fritos opened up at top and/or side seam with their choice of the following:
Seasoned meat
cheese
onion
green pepper
sour cream
Ketchup
anything else you want to add

Big hit at our work place.
good36
17 years ago
That should be a BAG of Fritos!
okwriter
17 years ago
I'm thinking a bus trip to McDonalds.
:-)
glenda_al
17 years ago
Those meat muffins/bbq muffins do freeze well! If they last that long.
nicole_ont
Original Author
17 years ago
Thanks so much, everyone! I think I'm going to go with a pasta, and serve raw veggies on the side. I'm saving these other ideas for another time! Thanks again!

And yeah, I'll probably sit and enjoy a drink after they leave. :)

Related Stories

Help Me Design My Wine Cellar - Please!

ARCHITECTURE House-Hunting Help: If You Could Pick Your Home Style ...

By Laura Gaskill

Love an open layout? Steer clear of Victorians. Hate stairs? Sidle up to a ranch. Whatever home you're looking for, this guide can help

DECORATING GUIDES Could a Mission Statement Help Your House?

By Laura Gaskill

Identify your home’s purpose and style to make everything from choosing paint colors to buying a new home easier

KITCHEN STORAGE End the School-Lunch-Prep Chaos

By Tiffany Carboni

Make mornings less hectic with kitchen drawers and baskets dedicated to kids' lunch boxes and accessories

LIFE Simple Pleasures: The Big Sunday Lunch

By Laura Gaskill

Make Sunday afternoons special with a casual, stress-free meal where friends and family pitch in

SUMMER GARDENING Houzz Call: Please Show Us Your Summer Garden!

By Annie Thornton

Share pictures of your home and yard this summer — we’d love to feature them in an upcoming story

Ideabook 911: Help Me Finish My Foyer

By Becky Harris

HOME OFFICES Quiet, Please! How to Cut Noise Pollution at Home

By Christine Ciarmello

Leaf blowers, trucks or noisy neighbors driving you berserk? These sound-reduction strategies can help you hush things up

ORGANIZING Do It for the Kids! A Few Routines Help a Home Run More Smoothly

By Alison Hodgson

Not a Naturally Organized person? These tips can help you tackle the onslaught of papers, meals, laundry — and even help you find your keys

LIFE Could Techies Get a Floating Home Near California?

By Mitchell Parker

International companies would catch a big business break, and the apartments could be cool. But what are the odds of success? Weigh in here

Sponsored

More Discussions

Lettuce and salad greens avoidance?

161

What are you reading? August 2026 Edition

23

91

Weekend Music - Looking Up

31

Spots on my philodendron.

2