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It won't be for several months probably, but still I need to get a handle on this as they'll be coming together:

First friend loves a full-fledged meal (what I call lovingly a Farmhouse Meal)with a beverage and coffee and don't forget a big dessert; and make that 3x per day!

Second friend is a tiny gal who rarely puts a carb into her mouth. Lunch is a bottle of water, a few grapes and half of a granola bar. She can't tolerate/doesn't like: spicy foods, fish, etc. She also rises at an early hour on the clock I hardly recognize!

These gals are long time friends of each other and I'm a new friend.

I definitely want them to feel at home (they'll be here at least five days.

Hubby/I will eat anything, so there's no prob there.

It won't do any good to 'ask them' cause they'll both say anything is fine; HElp!!!!

Please and thank you

quote:

These gals are long time friends of each other and I'm a new friend...I definitely want them to feel at home (they'll be here at least five days.

Five days, with this to cope with? You're a better host than me.

I've created a smorgasboard kind of menu that can be munched on throughout the day. In-between meals, key foods can be put back in the refrig. Some want massive meals, some can barely face coffee.

And, let's not forget the The Husband and I ALSO have different eating tastes and habits.

Some of this can actually be done ahead of time--weeks, perhaps even a couple of months. Then, just minimal work on each day.

I have two different crockpots, both 2 qts. Big enough to hold a couple of varieties of soup, but not a family-size amount in each one. Many soups can be made well in advance, and pulled out/heated through in the crockpots during the night.

Maybe this will inspire you. Or not...

MENU

BREADS and CRACKERS:
---Croissants (homemade or storebought)
---White Spelt or Gluten-Free Wraps
---Pumpkin Bread with Honey Cream Cheese Spread on the side
---Saltines
---Gluten-Free Crackers of any type

SOUPS:
---Chicken and Gnocchi Olive Garden Knockoff soup
---Polish Beef and Root Soup with sour cream on the side

SANDWICH BOARD:
---Cheeses: Swiss, Colby or others
---Cold Cuts (Corned Beef, Ham, Turkey) Can get less chemical laden ones from healthier-type stores

ADDITIONAL:
---Boiled Eggs
---Rice Pudding with Bourbon Cream Glaze on the side (this fills in for a cereal craving)

CONDIMENTS:
---Mayo
---Mustard
---Pickles (we love Bubbies)
---Cuke slices
---Tomato slices
---Other finger or sandwich veggies

BEVERAGES:
Coffees and Teas in K-cups (We have a Keurig, but don't use the K-cups except for guests. We have the fill-your-own cup that can be purchased aftermarket for everyday. We get sampler packs that contain both caffeinated and decaf, flavored coffees, teas, hot chocolate, etc.)

FRUITS:
Apples
Navel Oranges and Tangerines
Bananas
Other Seasonal Fruits that are self-serve and non-messy

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Everything in the Bread section can be made or purchased ahead of time. Ditto with the soups. If buying prepackaged cheeses and cold cuts, again, purchased in advance, and just put on serving platters the night before. Boiled eggs keep for at least a couple of weeks, so those can all be cooked in advance. Fruits can be purchased in advance, as well as some of the condiments and beverages. Only the veggies under the condiment section and the Rice Pudding need to be done close to the actual time of visit.

The spread for pumpkin bread can be eliminated, as well as the sauce for the Rice Pudding if time and energy don't allow.

For variety each day, get various breads and crackers, but limit the variety each day. Don't put out 10 varities of quick breads each day. Vary soups that freeze well. Different cold cuts and cheeses, again don't put out a huge variety each day, just a few... save the variety for being over the course of several days.

This lets the guests pretty well fend for themselves for breakfast, lunch, and snacks, allowing you to focus only on dinner--which can be pork roasts, or something more substantial.

While soup might seem weird, around here, soups are served on some of the buffets as some people wake up ready for a major meal. I'm one of them, but I eat supper early in the evening, so I wake up ravenous.

You can get as "healthy" as you want with this menu, serving Bubbies instead of Vlassic pickles. Getting higher quality cold cuts like Applewood instead of Oscar Meyer. Ditto with the rest of the menu.

Hope this helps as a springboard.

P.S. In my own notes for this menu, I have "assigned" serving dishes for each item, so I know what to serve it in, leaving eating dishes to actually eat on. Pretty serving dishes can be coordinated and purchased ahead of time by doing this "assignment" of serving dishes.

It can make for a pretty buffet.

Oh, and full disclosure: I have a kitchen island, leaving the rest of the kitchen and countertops for cooking supper, etc.

But, this could work on a table as well, if people prefer to take breakfast in their rooms, or in front of the TV, on a porch, etc. or if there is a formal dining area as well as a breakfast nook or bar.

Good grief! Five days with picky eaters!!

You have already gotten some very good advice. Just curious: are you expecting everyone to eat every meal at your home?

When I have guests staying for a few days, inevitably they treat me and HD to several restaurant meals and often chip in for provisions or even offer to cook a meal and clean up, so I am not stuck doing everything.

Well, I've got to be odd man out. These two girls have been friends for a long time and somehow they have worked out their eating differences. Don't drive yourself nuts. Fix a good, healthy meal and let them eat or not as they choose. Just because they have their druthers doesn't mean you have to jump through hoops to do things just like they would at home!! After all, they are coming to visit you in YOUR home. The point is to enjoy their stay! In fact, it behooves us all to be a bit accommodating when we are guests in someone's home.

CJO, I think Index lady has already provided the main menu for the week and concept for food - make it, store it and let both know where it is and how to heat it up! Then give them a tour of your kitchen and let loose of any controls if you can ~ if not, it will probably be an anxious time ~ don't let that happen!

Bottom line, welcome them into your home, show them how to work your coffeepot; show them where the food is and, then, tell them to make themselves at home ~ seriously! The nite owl can sleep in, the morning lark can go jog and you will see each of them @ 10 AM to plan the rest of the day together!

IT is NOT up to you to re-structure two very different lifestyles - just let them be and go on with your own lifestyle as usual. Who knows? You just might have fun....

I'd not fret this one.
Do you normally eat three times a day?
If so just do what you might normally do.

At our house breakfast is light when there's going to be lunch and supper.

Perhaps cold cereal, bagels & cream cheese, English muffins, crumpets or other step-it-up-a-bit breakfast breads. Offer yogurt & granola, fresh fruit and don't forget about Clementines.
Hot tea, coffee and cocoa and a couple bottles of various fruit juices.
If you don't mind cooking for breakfast perhaps make scrambled eggs or simple omelets a day or two to augment the continental offerings.

For lunch I'd offer soup and sandwich or sandwich and salad with relishes and dip; cookies or bars if you want something sweet.

Dinner in the evening cook like you would for your own family. Here that would be meat, potatoes or rice, vegetable or leafy salad, dessert on the light side.

Index Lady...you went all out; I didn't expect anyone to do that much work, but I certainly appreciate it and will keep in my "Guests" file!

No to eating 3xday for us! In fact, I usually fix 1 'big' meal per day and we fend, as we get hungry, for the rest of the day.

They would probably offer to treat us to one meal out, but we would never automatically expect that.

Thanks again to all of you...what great friends you are

quote:

Index Lady...you went all out

Oh, no, no, no. I just copied it from my own file.

Everyone who seems to come visit us is diametrically-opposed to everyone else and us when it comes to eating.

quote:

Originally posted by Florida Farm Girl:
Well, I've got to be odd man out. These two girls have been friends for a long time and somehow they have worked out their eating differences. Don't drive yourself nuts. Fix a good, healthy meal and let them eat or not as they choose. Just because they have their druthers doesn't mean you have to jump through hoops to do things just like they would at home!! After all, they are coming to visit you in YOUR home. The point is to enjoy their stay! In fact, it behooves us all to be a bit accommodating when we are guests in someone's home.

Totally agree with this. You might have on hand bottled water, grapes, and granola bars and not serve spicy foods or fish since you are aware of these preferences. Otherwise I'm sure if you plan some interesting things to do together perhaps they will suggest treating you to lunch occasionally when you are out together.

quote:

First friend loves a full-fledged meal (what I call lovingly a Farmhouse Meal)with a beverage and coffee and don't forget a big dessert; and make that 3x per day!

Good grief! only someone performing strenuous manual labor 8 hrs a day should eat 3 squares a day.
I'm all for accomodating guests, within reason!
I'm all for accommodating dietary restrictions, but 5 days of "I want, or I don't like...." HAH! my home is not a 5 star hotel.

Before guests arrive, stock the frig with seasonal fresh fruit & Greek yogurt; buy freshly roasted coffee (the real deal and decaff), and an assortment of teas. Have a container of filtered water in the frig - health conscious ppl avoid plastics (hopefully your guest travels with a refillable personal container).

First day: offer an array of lunchtime "fixins", and prepare a "safe" dinner with dessert!
While y'all get re-accquainted, discuss planned activities & times, and listen to their expectations. What better opporunity to laughingly confess to being a late riser and invite them to raid the frig & cupboards while you snooze until they clammor for your attention

Seriously, hosting out-of town-guests provides an opportunity to become a tourist in your home town...unique/ not Dizzyland?
After hours of touristy activities, IF anyone is hungry, offer fruits, cheeses & crackers; or maybe hot garlic bread & a bowl of pre-made homemade corn/leek chowder with a side of seafood for your other pal

This message has been edited. Last edited by: tessa89,