How many main courses should I have for family dinner on sunday

so, some of you may know that this Sunday I am having a dinner for my mom and fh's mom to meet. FH told me this morning that he told his SIL that we would be bringing everything over completely prepared and NOT bbqing- which I thought we were so anyway,

now I have to switch gears a little and prepare food at home and bring over there to heat on racks and sternos (catering style)

after all of the- my question is how many main courses do I need to have?

I am planning to make a chicken dish and a hot pasta to serve with it, but should I have something else too?

for appetizers, I am going to make shrimp cocktail, bruschetta, guacamole and chips, and a few other little things. also green salad and fruit salad.

I plan on making cupcakes for dessert. we will also have a champagne toast.

Thanks for your help!

Re: How many main courses should I have for family dinner on sunday

I think you're making a lot to begin with, and you don't need another main course...JMO...

However, if you really want to, what about making some Spanish cuisine to impress the FIL's? Let them know that you'll take care of their son through his stomach....

Re: How many main courses should I have for family dinner on sunday

It really depends on how many people..

how many?

Re: How many main courses should I have for family dinner on sunday

Jess that sounds like plenty to me!! Mmm, you're making me hungry too!!

Don't stress about Sunday, just enjoy it!!

Re: How many main courses should I have for family dinner on sunday

there will be about 14 adults and 4 or 5 small children.

Chris, my FMIL calls me her 'cocinera' I have cooked for them many times before, so that's not really an issue, but I DO want to make a nice meal.

I don't want to make anything that will not re-heat well, like beef. I suppose I could make lasagna or baked ziti, but I am making pasta with red sauce on Friday for my brother. I dont' want to do that twice.

I am making chicken breast stuffed with spinach, portabella mushrooms, mozzarella and parmesan (the real deal that I brough back from Sicily) I am using the same veggies to make a VERY light cream sauce using white wine and a little heavy cream to go on the pasta....

Re: How many main courses should I have for family dinner on sunday

Wow - that's a pretty full main course alone!

What about making a risotto?

Re: How many main courses should I have for family dinner on sunday

You may want to add a veggie. Some steamed squash or eggplant? But I think you have everything covered. I tend to over do it when I have dinner parties, so I know the feeling you're having.

How about an antipasti salad? I know you have the bruchetta already.

Re: How many main courses should I have for family dinner on sunday

I was going to suggest eggplant also. How long will it take you to prepare all of this?

Re: How many main courses should I have for family dinner on sunday

---

Posted by sarahbelle

I was going to suggest eggplant also. How long will it take you to prepare all of this?

---

All told, I am looking at a good few hours of cooking time. eggplant is not too popular with everyone, but an antipasti platter may work.

unless I just make stuffed shells....we'll see how hot it is too- all this baking may kill me.

Re: How many main courses should I have for family dinner on sunday

---

Posted by JessicaM.

---

Posted by sarahbelle

I was going to suggest eggplant also. How long will it take you to prepare all of this?

---

All told, I am looking at a good few hours of cooking time. eggplant is not too popular with everyone, but an antipasti platter may work.

unless I just make stuffed shells....we'll see how hot it is too- all this baking may kill me.

---

I hope it's not a hot weekend for ya! Too much of the oven going on!

Re: How many main courses should I have for family dinner on sunday

how about ceviche, it is a cold spanish meal- it can be an appetizer but we eat often for dinner..it can be made with shrimp, fish or chicken...

Re: How many main courses should I have for family dinner on sunday

I think you are making plenty! I agree that maybe you should make a vegetable!

Jess, I wish you would come cook for me! Everything sounds delish!

Re: How many main courses should I have for family dinner on sunday

that is so nice.. Good luck... I would do apps, then pasta, then dinner, then desserts.

Re: How many main courses should I have for family dinner on sunday

---

Posted by tracie143

that is so nice.. Good luck... I would do apps, then pasta, then dinner, then desserts.

---

I would do it like that, but with so many people, it's buffet style, not sit down.

Hollie, I described something that sounds like it tastes good, but the end result.....we'll see. it will have all of those ingredients though!

not sure what kind of veggie...there will be a lot of spinach and mushroom in the chicken and in the sauce, plus a green salad. beside eggplant, what else can I do that travels well?!

Re: How many main courses should I have for family dinner on sunday

how about asparagus...with a little oil salt and pepper... put in oven til a bit crispy... YUM

Re: How many main courses should I have for family dinner on sunday

maybe broccoli?

or spinach with garlic?

how about a salad like a ceasar salad or greek salad or something like that?

id add a veggie but another main course may be too much

Re: How many main courses should I have for family dinner on sunday

---

Posted by Preshy7

maybe broccoli?

or spinach with garlic?

how about a salad like a ceasar salad or greek salad or something like that?

id add a veggie but another main course may be too much

---

I totally agree!

Re: How many main courses should I have for family dinner on sunday

I wish i could help, but I'm not much help in a kitchen!! LOL No, I do cook well, but I still
need recipes to do it, I'm not good at 'whipping things up'.... but it sounds like you have plenty of food, maybe just another side dish and you should be fine! Good luck...that's a lot of cooking!

Re: How many main courses should I have for family dinner on sunday

I think that the broccoli is a great choice. Really easy to do and it compliments everything.

Re: How many main courses should I have for family dinner on sunday

---

Posted by JessicaM.
I don't want to make anything that will not re-heat well, like beef. I suppose I could make lasagna or baked ziti, but I am making pasta with red sauce on Friday for my brother. I dont' want to do that twice.

---

Maybe you can double up on what you make Friday so you can bring that Saturday? Less to cook the next day?