Putting together a meal plan can become overwhelming quickly, especially if you feel like you have to entertain the palates of surprise houseguests. But a few simple strategies can help you maintain your sanity and keep your guests' bellies full.
Meal Planning Shortcuts
Crock Pots: If you have a crock pot, you will have an easier time feeding your guests. Crock pots not only cook the meal, but they also keep a meal hot longer without drying it out. Chili made in a crock pot can be eaten by houseguests while you are away at work, or it can be kept on low. After you've shown your houseguests around town, everyone can come home to a home-cooked hot meal.
Make-Ahead Meals: Prepare breakfast casseroles and brunch omelets before guests arrive. Muffins can also be made ahead, frozen and then set out the night before for breakfast.
For lunch, serve sandwiches that can be made in a few minutes with little mess. The night before, make a loaf of bread in the bread maker. Take it out in the morning, and slice it for sandwiches. Then place it into a plastic bag, and seal until it's time for lunch. If you're really energetic, you could make bread bowls in advance and use them as soup bowls.
Soup: Soup also can be made in advance and frozen. Remove the frozen pot of soup from the freezer the day before. Leave it in the refrigerator overnight. About two hours before the meal, pour the still-frozen soup into a large kettle with a cover, and simmer while you visit.
To Serve or Not to Serve?
If houseguests are staying for only one night, prepare a nice sit-down meal with mashed potatoes and gravy, a beef roast with vegetables and pie. Pamper your guests, and show off a bit at the same time.
If your guests want to help do the dishes, great, but, if your guests will be leaving the next morning and you'd rather get in as much visiting time as possible, just stack the dishes and forget about them. You can always do them later. Or, fill the dishwasher, wash off the table, and return with coffee and pie.
Houseguests who stay more than two days should be expected to pick up several meals on their own. Don't feel bad if they have to get their own food after a certain amount of time.
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