Where are the exchange students from?
I like the tacos idea, because they can pick and choose what they want on them, but what if one (or some) are vegetarians? (Same concern for the chicken). Maybe there's an additional non-meat entree you can prepare--not just salad, tho.
Maybe 2 lasagne dishes? One meat, one veg? (like eggplant parm) Some of the frozen ones, that you can pop into the oven, don't taste too bad.

Kath, the most impressing is stuff they don't get back home. KFC is world wide. :)

What is famous in your area?

Our last exchange student got BBQ'ed ribs, tatar salad and baked beans for her first meal.

Moni

I think you should stick to something very plain(meat and vegetables) for the first few meals. Our exchange student (from Thailand) had a very upset stomach from the change in food when she got here. I remember one of your ES is from Germany so maybe the food won't be quite as different?

Pammy is wise to consider the vegetarian angle. But, theT tacos work great for a vegetarian, just make sure there are is no beef or chicken (or any other animal) stock in the black beans and voila - black bean tacos!

I'd make something simple that I do well. Like a roast chicken with some kind of potatoes, and a nice garden salad.

what about grits, chitlins, greens, pigs feet... you know,
the "stereo typical" southern food? lol

Yeah, what Moni said!

Personally, I think any student who insists on having a special diet (vegetarian) should have revealed that ahead of time. I'm sure that would make it more difficult for that student to find a host family.

I think your idea of tacos sounds great. With it you have some variety and the "hottness" of the seasoning can be determined by the sauce added.

In some cultures, vegetarian is not considered a "special diet" - so revealing it may not have been considered.

Neither one is a vegetarian, they ask it on the forms they have to fill out. The only food preference or dislike is that Johanna, from Germany, doesn't like cooked tomatoes. Yikes! I add them to everything! lol. Maria is from Spain. I was trying to find something they wouldn't necessarily find in their countries.

To be honest, I really don't even know what is considered Spanish food other than Paella (sp?) and some type of pork (?) meat on a stick, I had them there years ago. We used to go TDY there every year when I was in the Air Force and most of my meals were eaten from a grill on base. Maria said she is going to cook a typical Spanish meal for me, which will include sponge cake and a Spanish omelete. ( :

I think I'll stick with the tacos and have a couple different side dishes and some fresh fruit. Thanks.

Moni and Kat, that was another of Lauren's suggestions, bbq ribs because she loves them. She will eat an entire full rack when we go out to eat by herself! I could get some pickled pigs feet, pickled eggs, Vienna sausages (otherwise known as vieenies), tater salad, squirrel. I think I might have some poke salad growing out back too.

I agree with those who said they'd go with something very simple, like Jannie's idea of roast chicken, and make the "American" part of the meal dessert - apple pie with ice cream. Then the kids can eat something very simple if they're not yet in the mood to experiment.

I agree, Joanne. I'd save the tacos for another day.

I would do a roasted chicken with vegetables. Many people do not disclose food preferences because it doesn't occur to them that something might be typically served. I don't eat spicy, and I dont' eat veal. Wouldn't you know that someone served veal at a luncheon I went to? Who eats veal? hahaha

Are they teenagers? IME teenagers will tell you everything is "fine", and then you learn the laundry list of things they won't eat. Tacos are a little unusual for a first meal. I have a friend from the midwest who eats "anything". Well, anything readily available in the midwest. She wouldn't eat the shellfish I served. It never occurred to her that I might serve shellfish.

How about sloppy Joes, Baked beans, tater salad & hotdogs! I'd make it a comfy meal the first nite & then find out what they like or dislike!

Your tacos sound comfy too!

Good luck!

Donna (^_^)

The tacos sound like a good idea. I get so tired of hosts being expected to make all sorts of dietary options for people who won't say something if they have a like/dislike or a true dietary restriction. There's no way a person should be forced to automatically go out of their way to provide vegetarian "just in case", nor should they also be forced to have an Atkins meal option, along with a celiac option, and a true vegan and sugar free, plus a kosher, and an egg free, and a yolk only free and all the other possibilities, "just in case". People can speak up or not eat! LOL

I thought this type of thing would have some info up front and the cooked tomatoes could have an impact on a lot of things. They would be in the taco sauces, sloppy joe sauce, even in some peoples' pot roast or something too.

I'd have the option to vary the spicing though, especially for the first few days to see what they can handle. Don't forget that when traveling stomachs can be affected where they wouldn't be normally bothered at home. I'd have some bottled water around if they're bothered by your local water. That kind of a "just in case" seems reasonable to me.

Ribs are always great, as are grilled burgers, dogs, brats and other sausages. Chicken is always good. A ham or turkey would give great leftovers for midnight snacking, sandwiches and such.

What's considered "Spanish" food will vary on the locale, income and the like. Technical dishes can vary but things like pork and beef are common, the prep might vary a bit. Pulled pork variations are common, rice dishes but they also eat potatoes and vegetables much like we do in the States, just a little different prep. So ribs, pot roast, even meatloaf and various casseroles should be familiar fare with a varied prep method.

Now, are you starting to plan for the "last supper"? :) Hope you have an enjoyable time with your guests.

I would just make whatever you want, something you've made often and something you do well. Let them see that it is typical of Americans to make foods from all different cultures and areas. Will they like it? Maybe, maybe not but at this point you just have to start putting something on the table and go from there. There is no way you can predict if they have delicate stomachs, aversions to spices, likes, dislikes (other than the cooked tomatoes), etc.

I think cooked tomatoes are icky, but I like tomato sauce, soup, puree, etc. I just don't like "stewed" tomatoes. Maybe that's what she meant.

What is your time frame? (I'm assuming you're picking them up at the airport.) It may be a long day for all of you. For easy, I think a big plate of spaghetti with meat sauce, Texas garlic toast (frozen kind) and a salad would be great. Use your favorite jarred sauce and add some browned Italian sausage and/or hamburger. More herbs if you like. It can be done ahead of time and reheated. Even the spaghetti can be cooked ahead and refrigerated.

Get a watermelon and chunk it up for a cool and light dessert. Cut both ends of the melon off so it can stand level on a cutting board. Cut down the sides to remove the rind, then cut in chunks. (Store in a very large container with a well-fitting lid.)

I was an exchange student in Vienna in the 1970s. I remember that my host family proudly produced a bottle of Coca-Cola and poured me a big glass (fairly warm, no ice) to drink with dinner, explaining that since all Americans drank Coke with dinner they wanted to welcome me with something that felt like home! I had never ever had Coke with dinner; in fact, I never drank pop at all at that time and we certainly didn't drink it at home with dinner. I'll never forget that first meal: Wiener Schnitzel and warm Coke!

Patti, yes, I'll be picking them up at the airport but am still waiting to find out the time. I only know the date. The coordinator is on vacation until early next week and she said she'd e-mail as soon as she got home. I don't like jarred sauce, I make my own, only thing is I use lots of chunky tomatoes in my sauce.

Marita, Schnitzel and warm Coke, yum. Lived in Germany years ago so it actually sounds good.