Hi lovely sisterhood
I would love some advice.
When you have people over to your house for lunch or dinner what do you cook?
Also what do you talk about?
I’m about to move closer to friends and family and will have to start having people over and I’m a shocking cook and find by the time I’ve seen someone for an hour, I’ve run out of things to say.
Thank you
12 Replies
I wouldnt get too carried away and try and make something fancy. If it's warm things like chicken Kiev from the butcher with a few salads to choose from. If it's cold go for a roast with roast veggies, potato Bake. Put it all on trays on the table and everyone can help themselves with what they like. Pull uno out after dinner, something to focus on and helps conversation flow. We always pull it out when we have people over especially if we don't know them too well it helps keep the night flowing.
Oh wow yer this is too much for me.. I’m with the poster on this 🤣 I’m shit at entertaining! Too much effort, pizza is much easier 😅
Really, I thought they were easy meals? What do you all make on a regular night if that's too hard? Roast and veggies is so simple, it just goes in the oven with minimal prep work. Chicken kievs are literally just put in the oven, no prep work at all lol. You can buy salads! Garlic bread. Not hard at all!
I just find it all a tiring process when entertaining and cleaning up afterwards. Pizza and throw the box in the bin is much easier 🤣 I do roast a lot for my family but entertaining I couldn’t be bothered with it. Usually going to others homes, we have always had take away or a bbq. I just find it tiring entertaining and cooking. I never sit down now. Im just a crap entertainer lol
I admit we would have takeaway too or a BBQ but OP asked for meals so I just thought that wasn't her thing. Can't go wrong with a roast or chicken and salad though if you're wanting to cook for visitors.
Don’t stress. I’m not one for having people over. I go to others houses now and then but I don’t over do it. You don’t have to have people over. If you do want to then order a platter from wollies, $25 and they are great. I do this. I get a meat platter that has cheeses and crackers in plus meats for $25
If not they do wrap platters for $35
If you want cheap then packer of backs it’s and coffee or cheese and crackers.
We Have a bbq and just grab some sausages and salad but that can get expensive too or we order pizza.
I am striaght out and say im not a cook and I’m not cooking for eveyone or just say come over for pizza.
I always keep Aldi Jatz and cheese in fridge and a few cheap dips, corn chips or salsa.
Don’t stress about it. You can’t go past the $5 dominos pizza either for kids 😂
Start small with afternoon tea.
If you have people arrive at 2.30pm, be eating by 3, by 4 - 4.30 people will naturally want to start heading off.
It's also less pressure food wise because you can just grab some cakes, muffins, do some meat and cheese platters or little sandwhiches - simple and everyone loves those things.
Good topics of conversation.
Work.
Family.
Pets.
Reminiscing about the past (especially if you're reconnecting with some of these people).
Popular TV shows.
Travel.
Hobbies.
If you don't like having people over why not meet them somewhere? Park for a BBQ, picnic lunch somewhere local, try a local restaurant or Cafe. You don't have to have people at home and you get to know the local area, or know it again if you already lived there before.
Bulk pizza, or Chinese. Chuck them on the table. Pile of plates. Everyone help themselves. Wine helps tbe conversation keep flowing😂 also there are lots of adult card games now that also keep things fun if you're not a big talker.
Potato bake/garden salad and a protein which sometime is BBQ, sometime casserole (osso bucco is super easy to make a lots of flavour). Most things you can find a masterfoods sachet for these days.
I’m not a confident cook, so like things that can be cooked before people arrive and kept warm. That way I’m not getting myself flustered.
We also sometimes do pizzas, garlic bread and a salad.
Cheese salami olives crackers. Chips and dip. We just basically whack something out. Have a chat then wrap it up if you’re done.m it doesn’t have to be a whole day event if you’re not feeling it. Microwave popcorn. Oven pizza or party snacks. Burgers or hot dogs. When I have company I don’t try to cook as well, it’s easy feeds.
Rule 1… you do not have to cook or do anything that you don’t want to do. If you do want to cook, then I suggest a BBQ or a few hot chickens and salad, BBQ is great because usually someone else or one of the men will cook it.
I refuse to cook when people come over. I find it hard work on me. Shopping for it, Preparing it , looking after the kids, cleaning up afterwards and entertaining all day. Take away makes it easier and I get to enjoy the time too, so it’s a treat for me also, If not, I don’t stop and I do not enjoy the day at all.