How to Plan a Family Dinner Menu

You've finally moved into your new house, the one that's big enough for the whole family to visit at once. Naturally, one of the first things you do is plan a family dinner and invite the whole clan over. Planning a family dinner menu is easy if you keep certain basic concepts in mind.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

1. Start with the basics. Every good family dinner menu starts with meat and potatoes. Choose from the basics–beef, chicken, or pork. Unless there are several game hunters and outdoorsmen in your family, stay away from things like lamb, rabbit or venison. No matter who is in your family, they won't all appreciate a fish dinner, either.

2. Add alternatives. One way to tell a family dinner has been successful is that everyone leaves full. If you choose beef for your menu, include an alternative for anyone who doesn't eat red meat. When planning chicken as the main dish, be sure to include plenty of white and dark meat. You might consider preparing two different chicken dishes, one with a sauce and one without.

3. Branch out. Vegetables round out any dinner menu. Family dinners can get tense if the children are forced to eat vegetables they don't like. Provide several vegetable options on your family dinner menu to avoid tears at the table. Your nieces and nephews will love you for it.

4. Indulge in dessert. It's not healthy and everyone will complain you ruined their diet, but the family will walk away from your dinner table happy if you serve a rich dessert. Including a couple of dessert options is always popular, too. Make sure that one dessert is chocolate and one isn't; that will cover everyone.

[athome]

on 3/8/2009 thanks 5*

[MIHealthCoach]

on 5/19/2008 Healthy desserts like baked apples or a couple of graham crackers are good.