Our friends are coming for dinner and I'm strapped for cash. They have very healthy appetites. There will be 5 adults and 2 kids. They come over a couple of times a month so my recent dinners were spagetti, tacos, hot dog bar, and enchiladas. Now I'm looking for something different. Please help.
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How about shredded beef or pork sandwiches that you can cook in crockpots and a baked potato bar where everyone can add their favorite toppings (keep the topping simple too) and a simple green salad. Even marinated tomatoes and onions or cukes & onions would work instead of salad.
Fresh fruit like a watermelon and/or a scoop of ice cream or sherbet for dessert.
there is a whole thread on frugal meals which should help - but you can always ask your friends to bring a favorite dish and then build around that!
For me - soup is always good - in winter - beef barley - summer - cold potato soup etc. lots of great recipes...add a loaf of bread and homemade biscuits, icecream and canned fruit etc. and you have a inexpensive meal....
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******The power of our risen Jesus Christ can transform: My disposition (The way I act); My devotion (The things I love); and My destiny (Where I am going). Amen!*******
Baked Mac and Cheese! 2 pds of any macaroni, crushed tomatoes,velvetta cheese slices (1 pkge per pd) and bacon. Bake at 350 until cheese melts. precook bacon and noodles before you mix noodles cheese and tomatoes. layer the mac,cheese and bacon.
Excellent meal, very filling and kids love it!
2 tbsp chopped onion
2 tbsp cooking oil
2 tbsp flour
3/4 tsp salt
1/2 tsp sugar
1/4 tsp dried basil, crushed
1/8 tsp pepper
1 16-oz can chopped tomatoes
1 16-oz can cut green beans, drained
1 1/2 cup chopped cooked beef (leftover roast)
1 tsp instant beef bouillon granules
1/2 tsp Worcestershire sauce
1 cup Bisquick
1/4 tsp dry mustard
2 tbsp. margarine
1/2 cup milk
1/2 up. shredded sharp American cheese
In a skillet, cook onion in oil until tender. Stir in flour, salt, sugar, basil, and pepper. Add next 5 ingredients. Cover and simmer the ixture 10 minutes. Meanwhile, combine Bisquick and dry mustard. Cut in margarine; stir in milk till well blended Stir in cheese. Roll dough out on floured surface to a rectangle 1/2 inch thick. Cut into 6 wedges. Turn beef mixture into 10X6X 1 1/2 inch bakeing dish. Top with biscuit wedges. Bake at 400 degrees about 20 minutes. Makes 6 servings.
Serve this with a salad and you have a nice dinner.
__________________ cat lover We Welcome Strays
When I was young we used to go "skinny dipping"; now we just "chunky dunk"
Why do you always have to provide all the food? Do these friends have you over twice a month in return? There is certainly nothing wrong with asking them to bring something, as Goria mentioned. If they are just coming and eating your food and not having you over, maybe you need to change the menu--bologna sandwiches, chips and kool-aid. Jello for dessert. Or maybe no dessert. Guess I am sounding like Mrs. Scrooge here, but real friends do not eat you out of house and home and create a hardship. Good luck with this! I know it is an uncomfortable situation for you.
BTW--I grew up in Houston. It will always be home to me.
A huge pan of fried rice will work. Instead of the expensive fresh peppers (unless you have a garden) you could use corn, eggs, green onions, celery, grated carrots. Add soy sauce and serve with a side of fried tofu for protein.
I like the idea of potluck though.
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Ellen in PA
"God has not given us a spirit of fear; but of love, power, and a sound mind."
You could do a grill night, this recipe isn't expensive to make and you could do baked potatoes on the grill, and even do vegetables foil packs. You could have s tray of potato toppings for the potatoes, onions, bacon bits, sour cream, butter, slivced chives, etc, Dessert could be as simple as watermelon or whatever fruit is in season rigth now and that would keep the cost down.
Chicken and Fruit Packets
1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1" pieces
2 firm pears, sliced
1 Granny Smith apple, sliced
1/2 cup honey mustard salad dressing
2 tbsp chopped fresh thyme
Heat coals on grill or prepare gas grill. Divide chicken, pears and apple among four 18x12 inch sheets of heavy duty aluminum foil. Drizzle with dressing and sprinkle with thyme. Fold foil over chicken and fruit. Seal edges, making tight 1/2-inch fold, then fold again. (If you are preparing this in the morning before your party, brush the pears and apple with a little lemon juice so they don't turn brown). Make sure you allow space on sides of the packet for circulation and expansion. Place on grill and cover. Grill 4-5 inches from medium heat 10-15 minutes or until chicken is cooked through and no longer pink. Place packets on plates, cut large X across top, and fold back foil to serve.
Serves 4
__________________ cat lover We Welcome Strays
When I was young we used to go "skinny dipping"; now we just "chunky dunk"
Melissa 
cat lover 
When I was young we used to go "skinny dipping"; now we just "chunky dunk" 
Ellen in PA 
