I have an instant pot, slow cooker, normal stove top cookware, sous vide, and some paella pans.
I’m hoping for something I can ‘pre-prepare’ and have cooking/simmering/staying warm so I can enjoy the meeting.
In the past, I have done burgers, hot dog buffet, pizza, smoked tri-tip. I want less hands on this time.
I’m feeling acutely uncreative, it seems, and would love some advice on how others prepare for a casual group but not have to miss the social fun while cooking…what dishes do you all fall back on?
Plus, the meeting will involve a lot of plugging and unplugging gear for the meeting.
I have cheese and charcuterie ready, but then I go flat.
Stew is the obvious if unoriginal answer, boeuf bourguignon, veal Marengo that sort of thing. All the work is ahead of time, even the day before if you want.
This chicken chile verde recipe from Serious Eats is about as tasty as it gets. And you can just pick up pre-made pico de gallo and tacos if you’re feeling super lazy.
Agreed. You can even cook noodles or mashed potatoes ahead of time. If noodles, just put a minimal amount of oil on them so they don’t stick together. Make a nice salad, cover and put in fridge until you dress it just in time to eat. This has worked well for me.
They listened to stuff from Meatloaf, Fiona Apple, Phish, and Humble Pie. Then they got into an argument about whether cables matter and someone got a shotgun blast of Salt-n-Pepa to the face. Anton is freaking out because his homeowners policy won’t cover it and he no longer sees retirement in his horizon.
The person who got “shotgun blast of Salt-n-Pepa to the face” did it make their “Third Eye Blind”? Did they pray to the “Jesus and Mary (Chain)”? Did they become the “Outkast” of the party? Was there enough seasoning in the Meatloaf or did they add some “Red Hot Chili Peppers”? “Cake” to end the festivities or perhaps a glass of (Dropkick) Murphy’s Irish Stout over an “Ice Cube”? “Korn” on the cob?