topic Re: CHRISTMAS DINNER PARTY QUESTION in Kitchen

CHRISTMAS DINNER PARTY QUESTION

qvc chick — Fri, 02 Dec 2022 19:29:25 GMT

So I am planning on having 8-10 people for a sit down holiday dinner in a few days.

I was thinking about ordering some platters to add to my homemade dishes.

Maybe some pasta platters - like baked ziti or stuffed shells, etc.

Question - How do people transfer the food to their own serving dishes without making a mess??

I want to pass the food off as my own

Re: CHRISTMAS DINNER PARTY QUESTION

haddon9 — Fri, 02 Dec 2022 19:35:03 GMT

I do this often....mix home made with store made. I just move it to my own pots or dishes to be warmed up then I will either use the same dish or transfer to another serving dish. However I never pretended that certain things were made by me. I never felt the need to do that.

What will you say if someone asks what is in a certain dish that you bought ready made?

Re: CHRISTMAS DINNER PARTY QUESTION

bargainsgirl — Fri, 02 Dec 2022 19:37:27 GMT

Many people mix home made with store bought. I would be truthful. Why pretend you spent time and talent cooking when you did not? Your guests won't care. They are just glad to be together!! Enjoy your party.

Re: CHRISTMAS DINNER PARTY QUESTION

haddon9 — Fri, 02 Dec 2022 19:37:36 GMT

I want to add an easy way to make it look like you baked it is to transfer it to your own dish then sprinkle the top with cheese and maybe some extra sauce. It will blend right in and look seemless.

Re: CHRISTMAS DINNER PARTY QUESTION

May5 — Fri, 02 Dec 2022 19:54:40 GMT

Oh brother! Don't lie, just be honest.

Re: CHRISTMAS DINNER PARTY QUESTION

Krimpette — Fri, 02 Dec 2022 20:01:20 GMT

I would feel so guilty if I misrepresented that I made the dishes myself. What's to be ashamed of? Especially these days when so many people are so busy at holiday time.

Re: CHRISTMAS DINNER PARTY QUESTION

chrystaltree — Fri, 02 Dec 2022 20:04:05 GMT

I do this all the time and I have for years. It's what hostesses do now. I have never heard anyone ask a hostess "did you make everything on the menu with your own two hands?" LOL. Pasta dishes can easily be transfered to your serving dishes. If you baked your own stuffed shells. You'd transfer then to serving dishes. No one will suspect that you have catered dishes unless you tell people but honestly, no one would care anyway. When someone compliment you on the delicious meatballs; just say "thank you".

Re: CHRISTMAS DINNER PARTY QUESTION

homedecor1 — Fri, 02 Dec 2022 20:05:03 GMT

I love all my temptations pieces BUT never cook in them.

I know it's double work but everything gets transferred (store or homemade)..I just try to make it presentable by adding some garnish, if necessary.

(Although I've never attempted to transfer lasagna😉).

And I have no problem letting others know when I store buy something sometimes it's not worth my time or money to home make it because it's delicious!

Just enjoy your company🙂 @qvc chick

Re: CHRISTMAS DINNER PARTY QUESTION

Love my grandkids — Fri, 02 Dec 2022 20:21:06 GMT

If the food is good no one will care if you made it nor not and doubt they'll ask. If they compliment you on the catered food, just say "glad you like it" and let it go!

Re: CHRISTMAS DINNER PARTY QUESTION

RetRN — Fri, 02 Dec 2022 20:23:32 GMT

Better hope no one asks for the recipe. Best to be honest.

Re: CHRISTMAS DINNER PARTY QUESTION

cookinfreak — Fri, 02 Dec 2022 20:23:52 GMT

I'm kind of paranoid. I'd be afraid to pass a dish off as my own in case the taster thinks its bad. But also be careful about that. I have an intolerance to some preservatives in frozen entrees, and have reactions that include racing heart, rash and trouble breathing. But, what ever you decide to do, I hope you all have a great time!

cookin

Re: CHRISTMAS DINNER PARTY QUESTION

Yahooey — Fri, 02 Dec 2022 20:58:35 GMT

you are hosting - which is a big job even if you didn't cook

so kudos to you!

enjoy the company - and if there are haters (judgers) bc of store bought items

phooey on them - i wouldn't lie about it

Re: CHRISTMAS DINNER PARTY QUESTION

kate2357 — Fri, 02 Dec 2022 21:01:51 GMT

Go for the dishes that are easy to transfer ... like the stuffed shells. Place shells in your serving dish, pour over sauce, top w/ parmesan and fresh chopped parsley. Plan 2 shells per guest - most will only take one, but who knows - and you can always freeze and have leftovers.

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Another side that's easily transferred are green salads or even antipasto salads. Just put into one of you serving dishes and garnish. W/ green salads, those large croutons are nice as is shredded cheese, shredded carrots, grape tomatoes.

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It's the garnishing that will allow you to make it yours. I typically garnish w/ an ingredient that is in the dish or at least compliments the dish. You want your garnish to be edible.

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Have fun. I think it's great and perfectly acceptable to bring in catered dishes and of course I would put them in my own serving dishes.

I am having 2 holiday events and they will be partially catered. When people say they like the food, I just say thank you, great to know.

Re: CHRISTMAS DINNER PARTY QUESTION

sunshine45 — Fri, 02 Dec 2022 21:03:59 GMT

not sure where you are getting them from, but sometimes you can take your own dish or serving pieces to them and they will fill them in your containers. it saves a lot of waste also. ask them if they will do that for you.

Re: CHRISTMAS DINNER PARTY QUESTION

JohnnyWasnt — Fri, 02 Dec 2022 21:22:52 GMT

@qvc chick- the only way I could pass that food off as my own (and convince my dinner guests) would be to put it in the oven and burn it! (Sad, but true!)

Either way, I'm sure your guests will love it.

Re: CHRISTMAS DINNER PARTY QUESTION

qvc chick — Fri, 02 Dec 2022 21:28:53 GMT

But if you have stuffed shells or lasagna - How would you transfer that to your own serving dishes without messing it up?? That’s my question.
And it’s not so much I am trying to pass food off as my own, I go thru a lot of trouble to make a beautiful setting…I do not want to use the tin foil trays they serve it in

Re: CHRISTMAS DINNER PARTY QUESTION

Love my grandkids — Fri, 02 Dec 2022 21:34:27 GMT

@RetRNNo need to 'be honest". She can just say it's a secret family recipe. Not everything has to be told. It's only food, not a state secret.

Re: CHRISTMAS DINNER PARTY QUESTION

Sooner — Fri, 02 Dec 2022 22:08:02 GMT

@qvc chickIf I weren't being honest about it, I wouldn't serve it whether I made it or not.

With today's food allergies and issues it would be a terrible idea and unfair to guests. Me? If it has artificial sweetener, I've got a terrible migraine and can be very ill very suddenly. Others have issues too so please be honest and keep the lables if people need to see them.

No point is being ashamed of something you are serving. I hope you have a great time!

Re: CHRISTMAS DINNER PARTY QUESTION

RedTop — Fri, 02 Dec 2022 22:09:20 GMT

@qvc chick

Cut the lasagna in serving size pieces and transfer to your baking dish.

Re: CHRISTMAS DINNER PARTY QUESTION

ECBG — Fri, 02 Dec 2022 23:46:04 GMT

I think the best way to serve 8-10 is buffet style. When chairs are close together, it's hard to serve yourself, not to mention how the dishes with food crowd the table.

I have a delicious "Italian" casserole that can be made the day before. It's always a winner.