easy eats for game days
Games days are fun and call for easy meals. After all, you want to be part of the cheering! Or is game day for your house “Settlers” or other board games?
We do both. I like to have food that is more than an appetizer but less effort than a fully prepared meal.
Ham and beef sliders are part of my “go to” options. I set out the makings and condiments. I like the dinner rolls size over the Kaisers or other sandwich rolls which tend to be big. The ones pictured are Hawaiian. They were on sale. The ham and beef maybe left overs from the meal the night before earlier in the week. When we have weekend company, I often plan to have ham or tenderloin leftovers for sliders and sandwiches.
Beef tenderloin sliced thinly is delicious for sandwiches. Add a little horseradish and it’s a taste explosion!
Ham is turned into a deli delight with an assortment of mustards to choose from. I buy a good quality dinner rolls that won’t turn soggy.
Cold sides are purchased at the deli counter or made ahead of time. Pictured with the ham slider is 5 Cup Salad. The recipe is below. Yes, salad and I am from the south. Trust me on this…it is delicious with ham and turkey! The girls like it in their luuch too if any is left.
Bonus is it is so easy little ones can “make” it.
sturdy paper plates are okay
It may come as a surprise to those of you who know me…I do use paper plates now!
In years past quality sturdy paper plates were extra expensive and came in white. Like many others I had the woven bamboo paper plate holders that kept the flimsy things from flopping. We lived in Asia for 13 years. Their paper products were not good so I kept a plethora of plates in a variety of sizes. No paper ones!
With places like Amazon and Party City, finding plates that are both sturdy and pretty is easy. I use both paper and the plastic ones. I mean, who wants to be doing dishes or cooking the entire time when everyone else is having fun!!
casual buffet
Also on these game days, we use the dining room table so seating is limited. Food is set out in the kitchen on the table and drinks on the counter. Everyone knows where the trash can is!
Why am I sharing this? I love to host. However, it can tie me in knots so I have learned the 3 P’s.
Plan, Prepare and Participate
Plan manageable menus, timelines and shopping lists that suit the occasion and will make for an enjoyable time for your family and guests. See here for more details about planning.
Prepare prior to guests’ arrival. Sure, you don’t want to grill until it is time or actually prepping and cooking the entire meal when guests arrive. Appearing to not be ready or not to have a plan can make some uncomfortable. You do want the food to be the right temperature too. Cut up vegetables, mix the dip. Follow your time line. Have the table ready.
Participate in the joy of coming together. No one wants to sit down for a meal and have the hostess constantly hopping up. You don’t want to be doing that either. For casual occasions, have the drinks and food and refills ready to set out. Does my family help out? Yes. I don’t do it all by myself. However, my planning makes it easier for everyone to pitch in.
Tips for Serving With Love
Ingredients
- 1 cup pineapple chucks in real juice drained
- 1 cup Mandarin oranges in unsweetened juice
- 1 cup sour cream
- 1 cup coconut
- 1 cup mini marshmallows
Instructions
- Drain fruit.
- If you use more than 1 cup fo fruit, add a little extra of the other ingredients
- Put in large bowl
- Gently mix together by folding ingredients together
- Chill for several hours before serving
After all, for us, having guests, family or friends is a family affair!
Oh gosh, I’m so with you on being prepared, Linda. Isn’t it awful when you go to someone’s house and they are running around in a panic and still preparing food? So all of a sudden, you’re looking for an apron to cover your good clothes so you can help wash and chop veggies. The worst! lol
Such a great post with sound advice!
Such great tips for hosting dinner and a game night, Linda. It’s been so much fun to work on a puzzle or a game on rainy winter days and I know we’ll be having lots of lazy summer days coming up soon too. Can’t wait to try this recipe! Hugs, CoCo
Oh that sounds so yummy and that salad delicious! I love easy meals and leftover, and the hubby doesn’t mind either. Thanks for sharing your tips and recipe!
These are great tips for a low stress, low mess gathering and that pineapple/orange salad looks so yummy!
Great tips! Being prepared is such a big advantage. I get anxiety when we have company and being prepared helps to ease it.
This looks wonderful. I host ‘game night’ (different kind of game) every week so there’s always snacks to be made. Being prepared and making it as easy as possible for yourself is a must.
I love all the tips! And the recipe! I will use them for an upcoming family gathering for Easter!
Hope it is a wonderful time for all.