I am hopeless in the kitchen. Truly. We are having a simple Christmas lunch for my husband's family. So far the menu is homemade mac and cheese, weiners in barbecue sauce cooked in the crockpot, and jello. More ideas, please! As you can see, this won't be any elegant affair, just something easy and fast that people will eat. The only other thing I really know how to make that would be lunch type is spinach quiche, but I'm not sure that belongs with those other items. Help!!

By Cat on Monday, December 20, 2004 - 04:05 pm:

Sounds pretty informal, so I wouldn't get too elaborate with anything. You already have your main dishes, how about a salad or green bean salad??? Whip up some brownies or cookies and there you go. Good luck.

By Breann on Monday, December 20, 2004 - 04:07 pm:

What about getting a deli platter? You can get them in any size. And, it usually ends up costing the same, or less than trying to make one up yourself.

Also, we sometimes buy the deli sandwiches from Albertsons. We buy the foot long ones for about $5. Slice them up and they are ready to eat. One sandwich goes a long way. They are pretty thick! They will custom make the sandwiches with or without any specific toppings. I would say a foot long would easily serve 5 people since you are having the mac and cheese and the weinies on the side.

Fresh veggie trays are always a big hit at our house. We like to get the ranch dip that you mix with sour cream. Yum!

Maybe a baked potatoe bar? Have chili, cheese, ranch, sour cream, bacon bits, chives, butter, broccoli and cheese soup.

I'm sure that whatever you do will be fine. Just remember, if it's supposed to be simple, keep it simple. Don't stress over it too much

By Mrsheidi on Monday, December 20, 2004 - 04:12 pm:

Easiest thing ever and EVERYONE loves it as an appetizer, etc.

1 Cup of peanut butter
1 Cup of plain yogurt
Dash of cinnamon

Mix and you have an apple dip! (Granny apples are best) Serves 4

I cut up the apples right before they come! Or, you can use the fruit fresh stuff!

By Trina~moderator on Monday, December 20, 2004 - 04:48 pm:

I was also thinking a veggie tray, garden salad and brownies or cookies as well.

By Ginny~moderator on Monday, December 20, 2004 - 07:01 pm:

Meatballs? You can get the frozen ones. Chicken Wings? I don't much care for the frozen ones, so I do what my mom always did - sprinkle them with Lawry's Seasoned Salt and then Colgin's Liquid Smoke, and broil. If they are separated (you can get them frozen and separated) they are much easier to handle.

By Paulas on Monday, December 20, 2004 - 08:38 pm:

What about a spinach dip and some riped up pieces of bread?

By Feona on Tuesday, December 21, 2004 - 08:10 am:

You know I like the deli platter idea.
Stays good all day.
You can add chicken wings or not or anything.
It all goes.
Goes good with everything else you wanted to serve.
With salad.


How about Italian Buffet?
Green Salad - Open some bag salad and throw in some tomatos (cherry tomatos.) Dressing on the side.

Bought all Frozen from

Stouffers or Costco or made fresh.

Frozen Meatballs covered with tomato sauce.
Frozen lasagna (they have the white sauce and the red sauce one) or make you own two days before.

Or make a baked ziti. Or make your own lasagna.

Can be made ahead and frozen.

You can still do the mac and cheese.

I think I like the chicken wing idea too. I like chicken wings.

If you want cook up some italian sausage. Or sausage and peppers. (optional)


Salad
Veggie Platter from supermarket made already.
or baby carrots and dip.


If you want
Cheese platter made from supermarket store.
Or make your own with one cheese.


Potato chips and dip

If you want to spend money. - shrimp platter with dip.


Brownies and cookies would be perfect.

By Feona on Tuesday, December 21, 2004 - 08:13 am:

The spinach quiche would be good with the deli platter too.