Sunday, August 05, 2007

Pre-party freak out

I cannot sleep. Somehow I agreed (perhaps even suggested?) that we bring an appreciation lunch to a meeting: 30 people, most of them hearty eaters.

We have ordered chicken from Walmart's deli, but I will be providing the drinks, sides, and dessert. The kids and I will schlep it all there, serve it, and clean up during the meeting.
I am crazy, now that I think about it.

Things to make: potato salad, cole slaw, baked beans, sliced tomatoes and dessert.
Just now I worried that the menu might not be thoughtful to my husband and the other couple of diabetics. So, I changed my mind to green beans cooked with red potatoes, sliced tomato platter, with fruit cups for dessert.
Then, I went back to my original plan because it involves keeping the least amount of food hot. I will have access to a large empty fridge and an electric warming oven that I'm not sure how to use.

Must grocery shop in the morning. Any thoughts?

16 comments:

Shannon said...

I think it sounds wonderful. If you really need to add something low carb, maybe a deviled egg platter? Just keep reminding yourself that your goal is to show appreciation not to impress - that's always my biggest hurdle. Meanwhile, we're both up way to late:)

Kim said...

My husband is a diabetic. The most helpful thing for his is when he has access to the nutrition labels. This is especially helpful for items with lots of ingredients like baked beans. Making measuring tools available to your guests will also help. Many people feel awkward asking for them. My hubby will always measure if the tools are their, but he would NEVER ask! Have a great picnic!

Maggie said...

You could make the coleslaw with splenda or a veggie tray with the lower carb veggies or even celery with cream cheese? Your fruit looks beautiful. The deviled eggs Shannon suggested sound like a good idea.

Anonymous said...

I vote for skipping the coleslaw and adding a veggie tray, maybe with bleu cheese or ranch or creamy caesar dressing as a dip. And chopped fruit is a great summer dessert that needs no added sugar. It's so blasted hot out, I don't think anyone will miss much in the way of warm side dishes! Plus, besides the potato salad and the baked beans, all your prep for the others will just involve chopping - maybe less heat in your own kitchen at home!!

Grace in Nashville

Anonymous said...

You could add other veggies to the platter of sliced tomatoes turning it into a colorful and lo- carb side that most diabetics could freely enjoy. I'm thinking peppers, cucumber spears, celery but there are many good seasonal veggies that would work. A piece of chicken, lo - carb vinegar type slaw, a deviled egg, fresh veggies and fruit is a plentiful plate. You could also serve the baked beans or the potato salad. Some might prefer it to fruit if they don't usually have a fruit exchange at lunch. I'm sure any effort made to accomodate those who have to watch their carbs will be appreciated. -Melissa

pomo housewife said...

I agree on the crudités - I'm not diabetic, but I always like this sort of thing at parties, because I know exactly what it is - nothing mysterious!

What about some sort of bread?

I think a cold lunch would be fine, given that it's summertime over there.

Anonymous said...

Oh Meredith!
My heart goes out to you because I know EXACTLY what that panicky feeling is like when a big event is looming over you and you feel like you won't be ready! I am praying for you now, even as I write this, that your morning will all fall into place and that the event will be a blessing to you, too. I think it's so kind of you to do this, and I think the menu sounds wonderful. I'd probably just leave the menu the way it is. Decisions made under lots of stress seem to have a way of backfiring. Enjoy your day, and let us know how it went. Wish I lived near you, because I'd gladly help you schlep the food where it needs to go!!
Hugs and blessings to you this morning-

Susan

Rachel said...

Electric warming ovens are wonderful... you really should use it if you can. It makes serving a LOT less stressful. (there are always those unforseeable delays, like so-and-so isn't here and and he's supposed to give the blessing...)

Anyways, if it's anything like the one our church has, just turn it on, turn up the dial to "high", or "9", or "140 degrees"...then just stick your oven-safe dish of baked beans or green beans on a rack in there and it'll keep it perfectly warm!

Amy said...

I know it will all turn out beautifully, but isn't it funny what we manage to commit ourselves too? I am always a wreck before stuff like this. It is good to know that I am not the only one who gets nervous :)

I agree with the above posters. Keep it simple and the veggie tray is much easier on you anyway!

I know it will all be lovely!

It's a Mom Thing said...

You're such a wonderful wife! Just think of how it makes your husband feel to know that you love him so much that you are willing to do things like this for his coworkers. That's gotta make a man feel proud!

And I have no doubt you can pull this off!

Amy said...

I hope you can catch your breath and remember that these folks are going to be very grateful to have a homecooked meal delivered to them.

I'd go with whatever is most comfortable for you, as far as the reheating and serving. Diabetics (I'm borderline myself) are aware of their own limitations, and I doubt any of them expect a meal to be catered to their personal diets. I like the veggie tray others are talking about, too- that's something easy to put together, and nearly everyone likes it.

Good luck! I'm sure everyone will enjoy whatever you decide to bring!

Anne Marie@Married to the Empire said...

This may be too late since it's now early afternoon, but what about cold green beans with boiled eggs? You can toss the cooked green beans with some oil-and-vinegar dressing, and toss in some chopped boiled eggs. It's very tasty and a cold dish.

I also like the idea of a veggie tray. Instead of (or in addition to) the typical ranch dip, you could have hummus. It's protein rather than carbs, so better for the diabetics.

Anonymous said...

I have no ideas, except a vote of confidence--you've done wonderfully at things like this before, and I have every confidence that today will turn out very nicely again. Don't know about those with diabetes, but as a parent of a child with food allergies (that I had to observe also while he was still nursing), I don't expect our food needs to be catered to, but I hugely appreciate when the ingredients list is available.

Anonymous said...

Like so many of the others have posted to you, I am 100% sure that what ever you put together will be almost perfect. I am sure your husband will be proud of you, and that most of all you will have made a wonderful imprsssion again on his co-workers...You do an awsome job of what ever you do. Take care of yourself. Roxie

Hyperactive Lu said...

Everything sounds and always looks so perfect! You do an awesome job!

Brenda@CoffeeTeaBooks said...

Diabetics can get away with one big meal like that once in awhile. It's when we do it all the time that we get in trouble.

My doctors have always agreed when I eat a very high carb meal, make certain my next meals for the day are salads and such.