Pre Event dinner, serving ideas

[Pea-n-Me]

Hosting a small, *simple*, informal dinner prior to an event this weekend.

Am torn about what to serve.

Thinking about

a) Lasagna and (homemade turkey) meatballs/sausages w/ rolls and crusty bread

OR

b) Chicken (marinaated and grilled) Caesar salad with pita and crusty bread.

Undecided on desert but it will be simple and homemade, possibly cupcakes.

Questions:

Which would you prefer?

Looking for ideas as to what else to serve with chix caesar (besides bread)?

If I do A should I bother with a garden salad?

Thanks for any input.

 

[NHdisneylover]

So for option B are you going with the chicken ON the salad or grilled chicken breasts with salad on the side? If it is the former I would personally prefer the lasagna.

Lasagna would also feed vegetarians if you have any in the group (just keep the meatballs on the side)--whereas just salad and bread from option B would not go far.

I think a side salad with the lasagna would be good--it would seem lacking otherwise.

If you do chicken ceasar salad as one item and have bread with it--that also seems very light and lacking. It is the kind of thing that people will choose as meal when they want something light but not something that should be the only option when people are expecting food. Maybe if you had a good and hearty soup to go with it it would seem more substantial.

 

[The Mystery Machine]

Personally I will take A and I would include a salad.

B sounds more like a lunch thing to me.

 

[MerMom60_94]

I would choose the lasagna over the chicken. As a guest, it would be something I don't often have (as opposed to chicken that I eat all the time). As a host, it would be easy to prepare ahead so I just have to throw it in the oven and can enjoy my guests rather than spend any real time in the kitchen. If you go with lasagna, serve a nice side salad.

 

[Bren's Mom]

I would do B, personally. And I would serve a nice soup with it. (Can be done ahead and warmed in the crock pot, or cooked in the crock pot). And have the chicken cut in strips, gently warmed, and served on a platter alongside the salad. That way, those that might want chicken and soup can do so, those that want the chicken in the salad can do so, etc.

If it's a sitting type event (like a concert) I wouldn't want heavy lasagna in my belly.

 

[Mrs.Toad]

I would do B, personally. And I would serve a nice soup with it. (Can be done ahead and warmed in the crock pot, or cooked in the crock pot). And have the chicken cut in strips, gently warmed, and served on a platter alongside the salad. That way, those that might want chicken and soup can do so, those that want the chicken in the salad can do so, etc.

If it's a sitting type event (like a concert) I wouldn't want heavy lasagna in my belly.

I like this idea! Soup is so easy to serve to large groups and it gives the guests more options.

Or if I chose the lasagna, I would definitely add a salad. Seems too heavy a meal to me to just eat lasagna and bread.

 

[wvjules]

Is the event informal as well? If people will be even remotely dressed nice I would avoid a red sauce at all costs.

 

[Pea-n-Me]

Sorry MIA, had a couple of busy days. Thanks for the feedback.

I decided to go with the lasagna as DH was disappointed at the idea of not having it. "Aww, I was looking forward to my lasagna!"

I am doing a salad as well. Along with the meatballs, sausages and crusty bread. We also decided on making a strawberry whipped cream cake - those are always a hit at our house, people literally run into line when we put it out!

I will save the chicken ceasar salad for another day. I had decided on serving peanut noodles with it if I did do it.

The reason I wanted to keep it simple and was contemplating the salad, is that, it being a Friday people will be arriving late due to work, and we only have a short window before we have to leave for the event. I thought the salad would be easier to throw in the fridge as opposed to all the hot stuff.

As it turns out, some will be coming back after the event as well as their kids will be here. There might be some who haven't eaten yet (no food at event) and/or who want seconds, but we can easily pull stuff out of the fridge and throw it in the microwave if need be.

Personally I will take A

See you at 5!

 

[Rora]

Lasagna!

 

[Disney Doll]

Ggod choice. Lasagna is my favorite. And it is all about me, after all!