How to Plan Meals for your House Guests

If you are looking to plan meals for house guests, there are simple steps you can take to ensure each meal is enjoyable for all parties involved. The steps that follow will help take the stress out of meal planning when company arrives.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

1. Refer to cookbooks or use the internet to find recipes then plan a menu. Test any new recipes on your family before house guests arrive. Put together a list of all the meals you would like to serve. Plan to prepare some of your family’s favorites and take requests from your guests to ensure the meals are enjoyable for all.

2. Stock the fridge and pantry within your home or the guest house with easy-to-fix snacks and a variety of beverages. Show house guests where the dishes are kept and insist that they help themselves. Include snacks in the guest welcome basket to help with the midnight munchies.

3. You and your guests may be on different schedules when it comes to waking up and eating breakfast. For this reason, set times for when meals will be served.

4. Consider offering a bed&breakfast style buffet with some of the following items: bagels, toast, hot and cold beverages, bananas, raisins, and other fruit, hot and cold cereals, jam, jelly, peanut butter, cream cheese, etc. At night, put the coffee in the pot and have it ready to go. Let house guests know that whoever wakes up first can just push the button. Ditch the dishes and set out paper or plastic plates and utensils to reduce chores later.

5. Prepare a variety of selections for lunch and dinner. Set out different types of deli meat, a bread tray and a vegetable tray during lunch. Provide condiments like ketchup, mayo and mustard. If hosting a large number of guests for dinner, consider a variety of salads and vegetables. Provide a selection of white and whole wheat rice, bread and pasta and prepare both a red meat and chicken entrée.

6. Think of meals that freeze well and prepare them prior to your guest's arrival. Consider such dishes as lasagna, spaghetti, quiche, stew, etc.

7. If your house guests love to cook, plan quality time cooking together or invite them to prepare a meal on their own. They will jump at the chance to show their appreciation for all you’ve done to make them feel welcome.

8. Find the best local pizzeria, Chinese food restaurant, quaint breakfast nook, Sunday brunch eatery, etc. then recommend them as places for your house guests to try. While you are visiting restaurants, take the time to pick up take out menus. These will be great to provide your guests when they are considering take out options.

9. If you think your house guests may like to have dinner at the new restaurant in town, plan ahead and make a reservation as soon as you can. You can always cancel the reservation later if your guests are not interested in the cuisine.

Resources

• Proven ways to earn more money on eHow
• Everything You Need to Know to Prepare for House Guests
• Earn $ Sharing Your Knowledge on Bukisa

[CBPope]

on 11/10/2008 Fabulous! I'll be over:)

[Addonis]

on 10/12/2008 great work.very good 5 stars

[Kilogramm]

on 10/12/2008 Great how to, lots of details!