ThisIsTheDay Posted November 7, 2018 Share Posted November 7, 2018 Friends are coming into town around 9:00 on Thursday night. They are coming from the west coast, so it will be 6:00 p.m. their time. As I'd assumed they would be grabbing something at the airport when changing planes, I've already purchased finger food/appetizers. Yesterday they indicated they would be very hungry and were thinking of dinner. While they don't eat huge amounts of food, I need to add something a bit more substantial to our planned food: Cheese, sausage, and cracker tray Shrimp cocktail Apple slices and grapes Mozzarella/cherry tomato/basil skewers with balsamic I need easy ideas, not expensive or time consuming, and I don't want another item with cheese. Maybe a pasta salad? I don't want to change the meal plan, as we have other plans during their stay, and I can't reuse these items on another night. (Although I guess I could serve them for a snack kind of lunch instead . . . ) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
J-rap Posted November 7, 2018 Share Posted November 7, 2018 I wonder if you could serve up a super simple chili to go along with your appetizers? A little hearty protein can go a long way, especially if they're hungry enough for a dinner. (If it were me making it, I'd probably even go with just a veggie chili, although you could certainly add a little meat if that's more your style.) Chili freezes pretty well so you can always freeze leftovers. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
whitestavern Posted November 7, 2018 Share Posted November 7, 2018 Meatballs? Buffalo chicken dip and tortilla chips? Deviled eggs? 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lmrich Posted November 7, 2018 Share Posted November 7, 2018 I was going to suggest a chili in the crockpot as well. Some kind of sandwich or sliders might help. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spryte Posted November 7, 2018 Share Posted November 7, 2018 My first thought was chili, too. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alisoncooks Posted November 7, 2018 Share Posted November 7, 2018 I'd go with meatballs or those ham and Swiss sliders (baked and buttery/gooey). 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Annie G Posted November 7, 2018 Share Posted November 7, 2018 Meatballs in a crock pot (sauce of your choice) and slider buns. The combo of meat and carbs will be filling. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ThisIsTheDay Posted November 7, 2018 Author Share Posted November 7, 2018 4 hours ago, J-rap said: I wonder if you could serve up a super simple chili to go along with your appetizers? A little hearty protein can go a long way, especially if they're hungry enough for a dinner. (If it were me making it, I'd probably even go with just a veggie chili, although you could certainly add a little meat if that's more your style.) Chili freezes pretty well so you can always freeze leftovers. Thank you so much. This is a perfect idea that I never would have thought of, and I have a wonderful White Chicken Chile recipe from Giada that I've made before and will use. Your comment about freezing was also great--I can freeze any leftovers and then take to my college student! I appreciate all of your responses. ? 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Carol in Cal. Posted November 7, 2018 Share Posted November 7, 2018 I vote for those crockpot meatballs with the grape jelly in the sauce. Hearty and holds well. And/or tortellini Alfredo in a crockpot, ditto. Either one is main dishish but also served appetizer style. That’s the goal. If you weren’t dead set against cheese I would suggest cheese fondue. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
regentrude Posted November 7, 2018 Share Posted November 7, 2018 (edited) Soup and bread. Something warm that says "real meal" instead of "nibbles". Edited November 7, 2018 by regentrude 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KungFuPanda Posted November 7, 2018 Share Posted November 7, 2018 I’d add more meats and cheeses and substitute rolls for the crackers. This way you have a hearty little sandwich bar and can use your original foods. Put out mustard, mayo, and some lettuce and tomatoes for sandwich toppings. If you’re on the east coast, they’ll be arriving at 6 pm their time. The flight change might not be a mealtime for them and they may just snack or get coffee then. They’ll be at your mercy and might not feel comfortable plundering your cabinets or going out in your area. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
regentrude Posted November 7, 2018 Share Posted November 7, 2018 1 minute ago, KungFuPanda said: If you’re on the east coast, they’ll be arriving at 6 pm their time. The flight change might not be a mealtime for them and they may just snack or get coffee then. There may also be not enough time for an actual meal at the airport, not to mention that food prices are horrendous. I would never expect a guest to eat during a plane change. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Carol in Cal. Posted November 7, 2018 Share Posted November 7, 2018 4 minutes ago, regentrude said: There may also be not enough time for an actual meal at the airport, not to mention that food prices are horrendous. I would never expect a guest to eat during a plane change. Right, and you can’t count on buying food on planes anymore, necessarily. It’s catch as catch can. You have to figure that they might not have been able to eat since the beginning of the first flight. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ThisIsTheDay Posted November 7, 2018 Author Share Posted November 7, 2018 5 hours ago, regentrude said: There may also be not enough time for an actual meal at the airport, not to mention that food prices are horrendous. I would never expect a guest to eat during a plane change. Yeah, there's enough time, and the prices are not a deterrent. They will not be in the airport/flying for 13 hours without food. I am frustrated because it's my mom. The evening plan changed several times, and we knew they would want to eat something but not too much since they will be making an adjustment to the time. We are already on a short time schedule, and then yesterday they suddenly said that they'd instead rent a car (not in the plan!) instead of borrow ours, eat dinner at a restaurant and just see us Friday morning. I completely realize that they are trying to bend over backwards to accommodate us, but we (meaning us and them) had already planned it one way. This will be her third visit in 8 years. I cannot afford to visit her. She will be here for four days, that's the amount of time that she makes her trips. It makes me sad, because I think we have a good relationship, both with her and her husband. I just want to see her the freaking night she gets in!!! I DON"T want them to rent a car, and I certainly don't want to have to wait until the next day to see them. So I kept quiet about the car but said, nope, you are coming to dinner, we've already PLANNED IT! (And now I'm adding to my plan!) So it has nothing to do with expecting guests to eat at the airport. ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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