Quick - what to serve for BCS bowl tonight?

[tarheels]

Help me, I've never cooked for kids before lol.

We're going over to a friend's house tonight to watch the game and it's my turn to cook. It's 8 adults and 4-6 kids. Kids are...[whatever age is still wearing diapers, does that fast run-walk thing, and only says a few words?] to kindergarten. No allergies that I know of.

I was thinking something like chicken spaghetti or chili mac/goulash or southwestern casserole would feed everybody happily? Or soup, salad, and grilled cheeses? (Can little kids eat soup?) What do I need to consider with the munchkins?

All the times we've been over there, I've only seen the kids eat the same things the adults eat - no separate meals. The kids aren't afraid of a little personality - I made a quiche app with jalapenos in it once and the baby loved it the best of anything there.

The chicken spaghetti has a cream base instead of the tomato base of the others. Do the parents care about tomato stains, would they prefer the cream base?

Should I make two different entrees for variety?

I'm going to do a grown-up app or two, but I've got that under control

[peach]

Don't overthink it.

As long as it's not spicy or has chunks of "green stuff" in it, kids should generally eat anything. And if there is a super picky eater there, too bad for them. My kid is picky and she can starve if she won't eat what's for supper. won't kill her.

Chicken spaghetti sounds fine. And yes, kids can eat soup. ;D

[thewop]

My DD eats pretty much anything. She loves pasta. Red sauce is cool.

[peach]

This is how I picture you, Tarheels ;D

[pickle123]

that fast run/walk thing...ha!

[emoflamingo]

Hah. My kid generally eats most everything unless it looks really weird. He loves broccolli (or, as he calls them, trees) but had to be bribed with $2 to try some shrimp this weekend and then ate all 5 pieces on his plate like he couldn't get enough.

[tarheels]

Jan 7, 2013 12:33:16 GMT -5 peach said:

This is how I picture you, Tarheels ;D

Then it's totally accurate ;D I've done that quite a few times in my life lol.

Of the 6 kids, I definitely have my two favorites: the clean, neat, and mostly quiet ones. They ask to sit on my lap and for me to read them a story. I was freaked the hell out the first time they asked, but I'm good now But the whiny little kid who is always covered in food and for some reason never has on pants and has had a crusty, runny nose and cough since I met her a year ago? EWWW. Stay away from meeee!! You have COOTIES!

[Deleted]

Jan 7, 2013 12:44:56 GMT -5 tarheels said:

Jan 7, 2013 12:33:16 GMT -5 peach said:

This is how I picture you, Tarheels ;D

Then it's totally accurate ;D I've done that quite a few times in my life lol.

Of the 6 kids, I definitely have my two favorites: the clean, neat, and mostly quiet ones. They ask to sit on my lap and for me to read them a story. I was freaked the hell out the first time they asked, but I'm good now But the whiny little kid who is always covered in food and for some reason never has on pants and has had a crusty, runny nose and cough since I met her a year ago? EWWW. Stay away from meeee!! You have COOTIES!

LOL!!!!!!! I like the clean and quiet kid types too TH! A friend of mine has a little girl (well, she's 10 now) that I've absolutely adored since she was born. She was even in my wedding. But her little brother OTOH once made the grave mistake of carrying his sippy cup upside down in my house and dribbled juice everywhere. He hasn't set foot in my house since. I don't dislike kids, but I've just not been around a lot of toddler age kids.

Oh but to answer your question: most kids love spaghetti so I think the chicken spaghetti is a good idea. I used to make that for my friend's daughter and would add broccoli and she loved it. Keep it simple and they'll be happy.

[pamela]

Consider the level of mess you are willing to deal with and the level of staining with the toddler age. Grilled cheese is probably good, they could leave out the soup and be satisfied. My son is 2 and would totally be able to do soup, but the amount on his clothes would totally depend on the day (and if I brought a bib). Chili mac is probably tomato based so likely stains and I'd avoid it.