Evening Playdate/Adult Get Together Food Ideas?

Updated on September 01, 2010
L.W. asks from Florence, KY
9 answers

Hi Ladies
OK Tomorrow (friday evening) my hubby and I are having a late playdate. We are doing this because we (both parents) are tired of being alone on a weekend night so we wanted to get together to play cards and maybe have a bonfire. It starts at 7...pretty much when the kids go to bed. Our kids are 20 months old. So the kids should be sleeping around 8pm (hopefully) and the other mom and I decided that we would all eat together. I dont want to make this a formal thing and was looking for something easy to make. Not TOO appitizer-ee (meaning not junk food) but I would also like to be able to just leave it out for when we are playing cards.
I wanted to add that this will be the FIRST time my hubby will be meeting these other couple and the first time I have ever had a play date at the house. Im not worried about the kids becaues they love eachother. I really like the parents and 'hope' they like and my hubby likes eachother....so I was hoping to set the perfect atmosphere (if that makes sense) any ideas? I was thinking of doing a veggie tray, having cold cuts made from the grocery store, but that sounds kind of impersonal..you know? Grilling sounds too involved since it will be kind of late. what do you ladies think? Thanks

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So What Happened?

Thank you ladies for all your responses. The Good news is I now have serveral ideas for future events and I actually plan on doing everyones suggestion. For tonight, I made a decision based on timing because we all are working today. I am going with a taco bar. I made regular hamburger taco meat last night and right now in my crock pot is a yummy shredded beef that will be done when I get home. All I have to do is get out the shredded cheese, lettuce and tomatoes. Before they come, I have to make guacomli, spanish rice and some refried beans, but I figured it would be good to make nacho's later on or just dip into the beans, guac or salsa. Im sneaking out of work around 330 today and hoping to go to the party store and buy some themed disposable plates and bowls so there is no clean up. I am super excited about tonight. Thanks again for the great ideas!!

Featured Answers

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A.V.

answers from Indianapolis on

What about doing an antipasto plate? You can put together a big plate with a few different type of olives, roasted red peppers, a couple kinds of cheese, some type of sausage/prociutto. Then you can do a bread board. Pick up some fresh french bread that morning, put it out with some dipping oil (olive oil with salt, pepper, grated parmesean chees, maybe some italian spices). And maybe a fondu station with some chocolate and strawberries. Hope that's helpful! Sounds like a fun night.

good luck,
A. V.

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T.F.

answers from Dallas on

You could make an antipasta platter. Italian meats....hard salami thinly sliced, etc, sliced mozz cheese, Italian olives, maybe some grilled red pepper for color, sliced baguette. Or, Pasta salad.

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L.A.

answers from Austin on

You could grill, chicken or make tacos.
Have some guacamole and queso and chips for an appetizer.

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L.S.

answers from Jacksonville on

I've done a potato bar that turned out great. Just bake big potatoes and have the typical toppings like butter and sour cream, but also include various cheeses, grilled chicken (got mine precooked from the deli), saute some beef tips with mushrooms or peppers and onions, chili, steamed broccoli etc. Serve with a salad and brownies for desert!

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K.F.

answers from New York on

Appetizer's don't have to be junk food. We do appetizers all the time. It just may take some thinking ouside of the box. Example: buy some crackers (we like Wheat Thins (the one with olive oil & sun dried tomato) and Town House crackers (because of the buttery flavor)) then we go absolutely crazy with the toppings. We use any combination of the following feta cheese , cherry tomato cut in half is best for sitting still, capers, cream cheese regular or flavored, sardines, tuna salad, olives, deviled ham, shreded carrots, cut up cooked hot dogs cut bite sized, extra sharp cheddar cheese, parmesan cheese, mozzarella cheese, fresh or dried basil, deviled eggs, etc.

Basically just have fun with everything on a cracker. It is simple easy. When layed out on trays with veggies like carrot sticks, celery stalks, broccoli, and/or cauliflower it can be very beautiful, creative, not junk food, and delicious. You can always do your own veggie tray, I stay away from cold cuts because of the high salt content and I really don't like them.

Since your activity for the evening will be card playing, you may want to make certain your food for the evening isn't anything that will make the hands dirty or you could have a time for the appetizers then serve something up from the grill before game playing begins.

Grilling is easy as long as you remember to marinate (season well and in advance your meats from burgers, to steak, to fish). Vegeatables are really easy on the grill, just put all your hearty veggies like zucchini squash, peppers, onions, mushrooms, etc on sizable piece of aluminum foil add ice, fold and seal the sides and ends so nothing can fall out. Place in the grill at the indirect heat for 5-10 minutes and then they should be done. Corn in the husks is great on the grill. Soak the corn in a huge pot of water for 1 hour before grilling. Then place the corn husk and all on the grill remembering to turn over till all sides of corn are cooked. Corn comes out delicously sweet and smoky flavored.

I love a great party, I hope this helps you to have one.

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N.B.

answers from Toledo on

I like the idea of a taco bar, pizza bar (small Bobolis for everyone to fix individually, which would involve some bake time) or picnic food---cold fried chicken, potato salad, coleslaw, beans, chips, fruit salad. That way, everyone can serve themselves, and come back for more if they want. Nothing has to be kept warm, and paper plates make clean-up easy. You can play games or cards with your friends instead of "playing hostess".

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S.Z.

answers from Indianapolis on

I think anything that you can throw together in a crock pot is the way to go. Pulled pork for sandwiches, white chili, something like that with a few finger foods on the side, a cheese and meat tray for snacking. Minimal mess, won't spoil. Here's the link to one of my favorite websites- http://crockpot365.blogspot.com/ if you can't find something there you won't find it anywhere...LOL...Have fun on your playdate. We use to call them card parties in my day.

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S.P.

answers from Indianapolis on

Have some cheese cubes with the cold cuts, dip for the veggies, and mix up some black beans (rinsed), whole kernel corn, chopped green onions, and a can of diced tomatoes with chopped green chilies (drained), plus a little Pace medium picante sauce, and serve with Frito or Tostito Scoops.
And there you have it! .....All good to munch on.

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R.P.

answers from Youngstown on

sloppy joes is nice to have ready ahead of time and can be put in a slow cooker to keep warm

if you want to make something more spectacular... cabbage rolls? You can cook them that day and leave them on the stove on low for the evening

baked potatoes are nice and easy and can be microwaved if they want some later.. you can have a topping bar for them

macaroni salad is always yummy and can be put in the fridge just after you eat and bring it it back out if someone starts getting hungry

fruit is always great!

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