topic Re: What do you keep on hand for guests in Kitchen

What do you keep on hand for guests

dex — Thu, 18 Dec 2014 04:36:22 GMT

With unexpected visitors and people dropping by..I just never know what to feed them.I guess snacks and lunch ideas would be helpful....thanks for any ideas.

Re: What do you keep on hand for guests

dex — Thu, 18 Dec 2014 05:42:29 GMT

I guess everyone has trouble feeding those guests

Re: What do you keep on hand for guests

Sylanne — Thu, 18 Dec 2014 05:49:45 GMT

Drop in, unexpected guests are not welcomed into my house.

Re: What do you keep on hand for guests

JeanLouiseFinch — Thu, 18 Dec 2014 05:55:43 GMT

We really don't have too many unexpected guests, let alone anyone who would be stopping by and expecting to be fed. I always have a stash of salsa because the one I like is only available part of the year so I stock up. Tortilla chips are a little more iffy depending on if it's early or late in the month. We always have lunchmeat, cheese, salad, yogurt, berries. PB&J. I'd be happy to feed anyone if they want to eat what we're already having or I can offer to make some soup or warm up leftovers if I have any, but I think it would be kind of wasteful and a poor use of our grocery budget to have to keep "maybe or just in case food" on hand. If I happen to stop by someone's house, I'm stopping to see them and not really expecting them to feed me. JMO

Re: What do you keep on hand for guests

Lakegirl — Thu, 18 Dec 2014 06:05:27 GMT

I always have homemade soups in the freezer. Tuna salad, egg salad, or grilled cheese sandwiches can be put together quickly. If you know people are coming ahead of time, deli meats and cheeses would work. Any kind of green salad with nuts and fruit and a quick homemade dressing would also be easy. As for snacks, the grocery store is full of them. Chips and salsa, cubed cheeses. If you make Christmas cookies, those would be a delicious treat. It really is easy to entertain nowadays with all the grocery stores have to offer. I always welcome unexpected guests into my house. I feed so many people anyway that a few more doesn't matter!

Re: What do you keep on hand for guests

Sakuya — Thu, 18 Dec 2014 07:16:45 GMT

On 12/17/2014 dex said: With unexpected visitors and people dropping by..I just never know what to feed them.I guess snacks and lunch ideas would be helpful....thanks for any ideas.

Offer a beverage and order take-out.

Re: What do you keep on hand for guests

ECBG — Thu, 18 Dec 2014 07:20:55 GMT

I keep cheese and crackers but everyone is so busy no one ever drops by nor do we. It's rude to presume someone will want unplanned company.

Re: What do you keep on hand for guests

qualitygal — Thu, 18 Dec 2014 11:02:59 GMT

A big smile and a welcome, "come on in".

Re: What do you keep on hand for guests

circles — Thu, 18 Dec 2014 11:24:30 GMT

I rarely get drop in company....but if I do...and they are lucky....I will have just been grocery shopping....and have food on hand....otherwise I may or may not have real food or snacks to serve....

I always have soda...milk...bottled water....juice and coffee on hand...

Re: What do you keep on hand for guests

Danielle46 — Thu, 18 Dec 2014 15:18:28 GMT

We wouldn't think of just ""dropping in"" on our friends or family members nor would they do that to us.

Re: What do you keep on hand for guests

Desertdi — Thu, 18 Dec 2014 15:45:33 GMT

I keep one of the bathrooms clean......(that's probably the reason "they" dropped in, anyway)

Re: What do you keep on hand for guests

Ms X — Thu, 18 Dec 2014 15:45:43 GMT

Just don't answer the door. Ha, ha!

Re: What do you keep on hand for guests

Iwantcoffee — Thu, 18 Dec 2014 16:37:14 GMT

Popcorn is a favorite snack here.

For lunch in winter I like soup, chili, or stew with cornbread. In warmer weather usually a salad or sandwich for lunch.

Re: What do you keep on hand for guests

fthunt — Thu, 18 Dec 2014 18:14:51 GMT

Telephone number of the local pizza shop!

Overnight guest: new toothbrushes in case they forgot to bring theirs

Re: What do you keep on hand for guests

Vamp — Thu, 18 Dec 2014 18:25:16 GMT

I don't have any friends who drop in unannounced.

Re: What do you keep on hand for guests

curlywhitedog — Thu, 18 Dec 2014 18:35:54 GMT

How welcomed people are when they drop in depends on who the people are. If I open the door to someone I don't want to spend time with I say "OMG, you just caught me, I have a dental appt. in half an hour but please, come in for a few minutes so we can say hi while I finish up getting ready. That sets the stage for me to excuse myself after a brief time saying "I wish we could visit longer but please, call me next time so we can make plans".

I would never be rude, close the door in their face or tell them they're not welcomed, that's not my style, but I learned my lesson like we all learn our lessons, experience. I opened the door one day to a friend I no longer had any interest in seeing, and despite how I really felt, I asked her in and she overstayed her welcome by at least an hour. I will NEVER again put myself in that position.

Maria

I'm sorry OP, I went off on a tangent without answering your question. If I have something to go with a cup of coffee, I'll put it out but I don't feel any sense of obligation to offer food if their visit was unannounced and unwelcome.

Re: What do you keep on hand for guests

rrpell — Thu, 18 Dec 2014 18:49:17 GMT

I have cans of (orange and lemon)San Pellegrino soda in the cupboard. It is something special that I can serve kids as well as adults. I have a bottle of white wine in the fridge (and a easy drinking red available). I have cans of mixed nuts and bags of pretzels and a few jars of pretzel dipping sauce in my pantry. When friends drop over, unexpectedly, I do not believe they want me to drop everything and fuss. However, I like to offer them something while we are chatting. If I have these few things on hand, I am all set.

Re: What do you keep on hand for guests

chickenbutt — Thu, 18 Dec 2014 19:04:33 GMT

That's an interesting question.

I don't entertain anymore and certainly wouldn't be happy to see somebody just show up at my house, unexpected or uninvited (so rude!). So I guess the answer for me is - nothing.

Re: What do you keep on hand for guests

Chrystaltree2 — Thu, 18 Dec 2014 20:23:26 GMT

I don't have uninvited guests. I think just dropping in on people is an old timey type of thing, people just don't do it anymore. Even my daughters call or text before they come over. I think if someone did just drop in and there was not a very good reason for their rudeness, I would not offer them an refreshments. Why reward bad behavior? If I'm expecting a visitor and it's not for dinner or lunch; I offer them coffee, tea, a soft drink and I always have crackers, cheese, grapes, cookies that I arrange on a plate.

Re: What do you keep on hand for guests

Peaches McPhee — Thu, 18 Dec 2014 20:31:42 GMT

I am seriously amazed that people drop by unannounced and expect lunch. Seriously amazed.