Need Dinner Party Help!!!

So I was out and about this weekend, ran into some friends I hadnt seen for a while and was really happy to see them. Without thinking, I invited them over for dinner at the end of the week. Normally this would not be a problem, but since I got banded (about 3 months ago), I have not been able to experiment much with different foods. Seems like I get into a rut with the foods I know I can handle well and stick with those. Anyway, I was hoping some of yall could give me some suggestions for a menu of what I could make for dinner with friends...nothing formal...just some friends coming over, sitting around, chatting, etc. I was hoping some of yall might have done this before and know of some foods that I will probably handle well and that my guests would also enjoy.
Thanks in advance!!!
:hungry:

Wheat pasta spaghetti w/turkey meatballs, tossed salad and garlic bread; dessert Italian icecream over angel food cake. A good bottle of Kiante, hope this helps.

I do baked salmon, salad or steamed brocolli, brown/wild rice.

Hi, do your friends no about your band? Some of mine do some dont. So when we have friends over that dont I try and stick to Fish, salard. and a very fatterning pud!.
For the friends that no I normally prouduce a paster dish. Small amouts of different types. And loads od ice cream. Always gose down well!
Good luck anyway. Hope it gose well.
Mrs D

My friends and most of my family don't know about my band. I had a bunch of people over a few weeks after my surgery and made a huge pot of soup (leek and potato) and had tons of fixins for paninis (roasted veggies, grilled meats, assorted cheeses and breads, etc.). So, when it was time for dinner, people picked out what they wanted on their paninis and I made them to order on my panini grill. Everybody helped themselves to a bowl of soup, and when everyone was served, I fixed myself a big bowl of soup and skipped the panini. No one was the wiser and people raved about the party.

You could do something similar with pasta, fajitas, anything really, as long as a major part of the dinner is something you can eat.

Bon appetit!

You could also just do an appetizer type theme. That way, you can have some small nibbles and not stand out for not filling your plate.

What about a taco bar? We do this all the time and it works well. I make myself some nachos and everyone else has nachos, tacos or buritos. Just make the meats, chop up some veggies, and have sour cream, guac, and cheese set out. When people have to be involved making their dishes they are less likely to notice what you are doing. For dessert maybe some flan? ~Mandy

With the weather being kinda cold, you could always make a big pot of chili. Kinda mushy and full of protein!

e

Here are some dishes, appetizers, I've done that have worked well for me & guests:

Fondue! I've found it to be the PERFECT bandster dinner party! It is always great because you eat slow, and can have portions as small or large as you'd like, and it's fantastic for socializing. For meats I get lobster tails, shrimp, chicken, pork, and filet, ahi, and salmon - and use baby russets, carrots, pearl onions, etc. for the veggies. For the broth I just use the FF chicken stock and add some orange juice, parsley, garlic, cumin, etc. and a dash on pineapple. Makes a nice "Caribbean" style broth. You can precede it with a cheese fondue (gruyere and crab is awesome), and follow it up with a choclate desert fondue (I just use godiva chocolate bars with either a little bit if peanut butter mixed in or plain, or some pecans & caramel - then get pretzels, cheesecake bites, rice krispie treats, etc. for dipping).

Seafood (fish mostly) is generally a safe bet. But I like to go a little fancy when we have company, unless we're grilling, so I make a lobster & shrimp stuffed filet of tilapia. Bacon wrapped shrimp on the grill (if you spritz with olive oil beforehand they will stay extra moist).

For a great appetizer, take fresh grated parmesan (from the block, not the pizza topping kind) - line a baking tray with parchment paper and place the cheese by the heaping tablespoon onto the paper, a few inches apart. Bake at 350 (I think that's what I do) until it melts and browns. Let them stay on the paper until cool to make a "chip" or they're moldable when warm, so you can lay them over some shape (I use an inverted muffin tin or foil that I've folded into a "taco shell" mold) and let them cool. The muffin tins work great to make "cups" for holding small green salad portions, fruits, proscuitto salads, etc.

If we want to do something quick and good and more casual, I make a crustless pizza (have posted the recipe before, so it should still be out there) that my guests ALWAYS enjoy more than real pizza. You can cherry pick your toppings to your preference, or use toppings that you know will go down ok.

I like the chili idea cuz i prepare it in the crockpot so I'm not crazy in the kitchen when everyone comes and prepare a variety of toppings for everyone to chose from - onions, jalepenos, cheeses, olives, lettuce/shredded, tomatoes, and then maybe spaghetti(some like to top with chili) and some tortillas. I can also eat chili pretty well so I don't have to worry about pbing, etc.

And, you can make a vegetarian version and meat version as needed.
have a good time and don't stress too much is also my advice!

Also i immediately checked out wheetsin's crustless pizza and i'm trying it tonight - girl you can cook

I love the smoked salmon from Costco, it is already sliced, and it goes down so well. Its also very healty, I eat it with rye crisps, and I also love hummous, its very flavorful and goes down nicely too!