Spaghetti Party

18 years ago

Well it really isn't a pasta party , it's a gathering of cottage friends, but here in the city, to celebrate Sara's homecoming! She still has to go to Bloorview as a day patient but she comes home every night! YEAH!!!

There will be 14 adults and 10 kids 12 and under. I decided spaghetti/penne was the easiest way to feed everyone. I want to keep this real simple and casual but I do tend to over think these things! LOL

I'm doing meat sauce, tomato sauce with meatballs and an Italian sausage and red/yellow pepper sauce.

Here is my dilema. My meat sauce has onions, mushrooms and green peppers in it. I'm worried some kids...Sara for sure.. will not be happy with mushrooms and/or peppers but I don't want to leave them out because that's the way I make my sauce!!!

So should I

1) Leave it that any person who is mushroom/pepper challenged can choose the meatballs in tomato sauce (hate to limit choice)

4) Let them pick out the offending veggies (maybe not a good option for kids who "saw" a mushroom!)

3) Take some of the meat sauce out before adding the veggies and have a plain meat sauce ( that makes four options so I need to think about serving and cooking utensils)

4)Would it be smarter just having a plain tomato sauce for the fussy ones? (again the option issue but this is at least a real option not just another meat sauce)

Told you I tend to over think things! LOL

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Comments (33)

lindac
18 years ago
Still not sure how many sauces you are having...
I would make one "good" sauce with peppers and mushrooms....and one Chef Boyardee type sauce where you put it all into a blender so the kids don't see any onions nor mushrooms and omit the peppers in that one.
Put meatballs in another pot and put a simple Chef Boyardee sauce on them....just enough to keep them moist.
So...people have the opportunity of putting some "Good" sauce over their pasta or the Chef Boyardee stuff....and either kind can be with or without meatballs...
And have a bowl of bagged mozerella for the kids who are really fussy about strong tastes.
Linda c
annie1992
18 years ago
Chase, I'd leave it with the three choices. You aren't limiting choices, everyone chooses which one they like. Some will go for just the meatballs, some will pick out the veggies, some will go for broke! Others will fill up on bread or whatever anyway.

Just enjoy your time, and celebrate with Sara. As long as you have something SHE likes, you're all set, LOL.

And tell her Annie sends hugs and that I said "Party On, Sara". I'm sure impressed with her and I'll be there in spirit, with that big silly grin on my face.

Annie
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cindy_5ny
18 years ago
Hi Sharon - great to hear the good news about Sara!

I don't really have a good answer for you - but maybe just make extra sauce with the meatballs, so there would be a "plain" choice? - I guess that's pretty much what Linda said :) Other than that, I don't see any way of getting around having 4 sauces :)

Cindy
denise8101214
18 years ago
Congratulations on Sara's great progress!

I would go with your option (1)

Meatballs in tomato sauce is very similar to meat sauce with less vegies.

But...with kids, do you need a butter and parmesan option? (with the picky kids I know, I would)
lindac
18 years ago
Woops!! I missed the news about Sara!!!! Fabulous!!! Great that she's doing so well and sleeping at home at night!!
Lidna C
granjan
18 years ago
Great news. I'd make surte there was some option with no meat. Butter and parm is fine, and they could add a meat ball if they are vegetable adverse rather than meat adverse!
lsr2002
18 years ago
I am so excited about Sara coming home. Huge hugs to all of you.

I'm assuming from your comments that the sauce with meatballs does not have the potentially "offending" veggies, so that seems like a choice for the veggie haters. You are providing plenty of choices in all. Just do your sauces as planned and have the butter and parm on hand.

Have a wonderful party - when is it - I'll be thinking of you all.

Lee
User
Original Author
18 years ago
Thanks guys ! Sometimes you just need to validate what you are already thinking. Actually it was more about sharing the incredible news about Sara. She still has a long way to go but the progress is amazing.

I'm going to keep some plain tomato sauce for the meatballs and some meat sauce, before I add the veggies, to the side. I'll just nuke it if someone is that fussy. I'm making it anyhow.

I'll also have all the ingredients on the ready for butter and parm....oh those are the ingredients! LOL

So it's:

My meat sauce with mushrooms and peppers
Meatballs in a herb tomato sauce
Spicy Italian Sausage, Red & Yellow peppers in tomato sauce

Available upon request:

Plain Tomato Sauce
Butter and Parm

Sides are Caesar Salad and a plain tossed salad and lots of bread and rolls. That's it! Of course I have planned way to many nibblies before this is served!
annie1992
18 years ago
Too many nibblies? There is no such thing. I'd fill up on them and not need the pasta anyway!

Annie
stacy3
18 years ago
Sharon, it sounds perfect. Wish I could be there to celebrate with you all. What a wonderful reason for a get together :-)
lackboys3
18 years ago
Congrats to Sara and your whole family Chase! This is really great news, and a spaghetti party sounds like just the ticket. It's a real crowd pleaser, and I think you have more than covered all the bases. Butter and parmesan cheese is a good backup to have around, as everyone above me said:-) I have a 7 and 11 year old and I never know whether they'll be in the mood for tomato sauce or butter with parmesan. Have a wonderful good time celebrating and again, congratulations to Sara for such amazing progress.

I agree with Annie, the nibblies are ALWAYS the best part!
DONNA
msafirstein
18 years ago
I think your menu sounds perfect and very good! Congrats on Sara's homecoming. She's been through so much and deserves a wonderful homecoming and holiday season!

Michelle
caliloo
18 years ago
What fantastic news! I am so happy to hear that Sara is doing well enough to spend nights at home.

I think your menu sounds great - I love the options you are offering and as everyone has mentioned, the nibblies are the best part!

Alexa
wizardnm
18 years ago
Just have fun! Wishing I could be there too, just to celebrate that Sara has done so well.

Nancy
cloudy_christine
18 years ago
Wonderful news abut Sara!
I'm sure what you make will be fine.
If you have time, will you please post the recipe for your meat sauce with mushrooms and peppers?
san_
18 years ago
oh chase--i can only begin to imagine what a happy event this was for all of you! congratulations to sara! please tell me you will share some pictures of the pasta party with us!
homesforsale
18 years ago
You are the BEST auntie:)

I would have done what you are doing:)

Plain..apart....

I have a daughter..the teacher..:) That hates mushrooms.. she picks them out..but she's 32..That's her job:)

Everyone else in the family loves them..

Rejoice! What wonderful wonderful news.. What a Christmas!

Life changes in a heartbeat.. it is soo nice to get another chance!
I am very very very happy for you .I think this party is a great little dose of happy medicine....
Amusez-vous!
Bizzo
18 years ago
Congrats to Sara!

Pasta is just top on my comfort food list, what a perfect choice for welcome home!! (your choices are making me hungry LOL)
doucanoe
18 years ago
Sharon, that sounds like a terrific homecoming party for Sarah! I am sure she will be overjoyed!

I think option number one is the best, too. Several good choices, everyone should find at least one that they like. Personally, I would be snarfing down a heaping helping of each! (oink!)

Linda
booberry85
18 years ago
So happy to hear about Sara! Good luck with the spaghetti party.
User
Original Author
18 years ago
Yesterday was so much fun. The sauce choices worked out well. Not one kid wanted plain sauce or butter and parm but one of the Dad's did! LOL

As promised here are some pics of Sara. One is with some of her cottage pals, the other is her showing off the fact she can squeeze the hand on her "lazy" arm. Notice in both pics she is standing on her own! Not bad for a kid who was totally paralyzed on the right side two months ago!
woodie
18 years ago
Sharon - she gets more beautiful every day, really and truly.
san_
18 years ago
how really, REALLY wonderful, chase! i just showed ted and those pics caused him to mist over! congratulations and best wishes, again, sara.
User
18 years ago
I was hoping when I opened this thread that you would have shared pictures of Sara. It is so wonderful to see her doing so well.

Ann
wizardnm
18 years ago
Yea! Sara! Go Sara, Go Sara!!!!

Nancy
booberry85
18 years ago
It's so great to see the pictures of Sara. I'm glad she's doing well. Glad the spaghetti party was a success too!
maggie2094
18 years ago
That is wonderful, Chase. She is beautiful inside and out.
debbie814
18 years ago
Sharon, she is such a doll. I'm so glad you posted pictures of dear Sara. What a great auntie you are!
mustangs81
18 years ago
All sounds fantastic! I'm happy to hear that your planning and prep was received so well.
eileenlaunonen
18 years ago
Make a quick Marinara for those who dont like too much ingedients...I also find kids LOVE speghetti with butter!!
homesforsale
18 years ago
Oh Sharon..I just came back and SEE SARA..

Quelle Belle Fille! She sparkles!!!!!
canarybird01
18 years ago
She's lovely Sharon. So glad to hear that she's recuperating!

And good to hear the party was a success.

SharonCb
sheshebop
18 years ago
I am so very, very happy to hear about Sara, and to see her picture. Chase, she is absolutely stunning! I am so happy that she is working hard to recover, and standing! It just gives me goosebumps!
Sherry

Spaghetti Party

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