your go to dinners for playdates?

[kjnewk]

Ds is increasingly having friends over after school and I need to make them dinner. Last couple of times, I went for pizza but that didnt seem to go down all that well. Now am feeling nervous as I dont want the kids to go home hungry and complain to their parents. So please hit me with your fail safe dinners. Ds is 7 years old if that makes any difference.

A big hit, which I only made because DS’ friend is celiac but will do again, was a fake Nandos of baked chicken thighs (bit of lemon and garlic), mash, corn on the cob.

Otherwise we’re very pizza/pasta on playdates. DS is not fussy but he has been at other people’s houses (didn’t like the brand of margarita pizza even though it is the same one we’ve had at home “yes mum I know but I didn’t like it then either, the Morrisons one is nicerrrr”), very embarrassing.

Also they are usually halal.

Many years ago a relative of mine picked her granddaughter up from school (normal a couple of days a week) this time with a friend.

So she decided to get the girls to help make a cake.

The girls had a conversation where the guest said that her parents "bought food", the granddaughter replied, "We are poor, we have to buy ingredients".

I thought that as well

Pesto pasta isn't crap

Veg sticks aren't either

Unfortunately, Ds cant have pesto otherwise I would definitely do it. Any ideas for pasta other than simple tomato sauce?

@kjnewk another go to pasta-a blob of cream cheese, chopped ham or cooked chicken and whatever vegetable you have to hand (cooked of course) all stirred up together. You can cook the pasta in a water with a bit of a stock cube if you like.

DS7 Pizza, oven chips, chopped up carrots, cucumber, apple in bowls, all in the middle of the table. Served with choice of smoothie/juice/water and followed by a mini magnum or yogurt. I always kind of feel that unless it's a sleepover they will have the option to eat something at home if they don't like it, and take no offence if they don't really eat it. On play dates they are always too distracted by playing to eat much anyway.

DD who is 10 a few of her friends have had a takeaway curry/roast dinner etc with us as they seem to be getting less picky and more open.

Roast chicken, roast potatoes and a few different veg. Never met a kid who doesn't like it and it's really not much of a faff to put together.

@Comedycook "Roast chicken, roast potatoes and a few different veg. Never met a kid who doesn't like it and it's really not much of a faff to put together"
That's certainly more time, faff and washing up than I would choose for a midweek tea for people who only want to refuel and dash off to play!

It's really not very labour intensive... literally just chuck a whole chicken and some potatoes in oven, boil some veg....takes a little time in the oven but thats it. Although I must admit some parents seemed quite surprised but pleased when they found out what their child had eaten...

I have odd children though and when they were little they hated fish fingers, burgers, sausages and pizza ..all the typical kids foods, so we never really had those meals

We do:
home made pizza
Bolognaise
Sausages and mash
Fish fingers and chips

And some type of pudding - turns out pudding is key with my kids friends.

😂

Sorry I was laughing again the raw cat guts typo 🤣

*laughing at

I used to ask the parents what they liked eating.