Noon Play Date Meal

I wouldn't expect to be fed, but would be happy if I was offered whatever the host was making for herself. Sandwiches? Salads? Soup? Anything really.

I am known for big trays of homemade Mac and cheese. I will also give the kids chicken hot dogs on the side, watermelon or apple sticks, and then Carrot sticks. My mom friends usually insist on eating the Mac and cheese, its a nice treat!

Cold cuts usually work well.

Just make whatever you make for yourself

Just ask her.

"Hey, I'm glad you're staying so we can talk! I thought I would (make soup/make a salad/make grilled cheese for both us and the kids). Does that work for you? Anything you don't or can't eat?"

Short, simple, and it allows her to let you know if there is indeed anything she doesn't or can't eat. I have close friends who are gluten-free (due to celiac disease), who have specific food allergies etc. so I've learned that is is greatly welcomed by adults when someone just says, "I'm thinking of making (name a couple of simple options). Is there anything you don't or can't eat?"

It will save you any issues if, for instance, you make a huge salad and put in something she can't have (or hates but is too nice to say so). If it's a salad, I'd let her put on her own stuff rather than mixing everything up yourself in advance. Or if you made soup, and it was full of beef but maybe she does not eat beef, it saves you realizing that she left half the soup in the bowl.....it's just thoughtful to ask, and so easy to do.

If she says, "Oh, little Sam doesn't eat nuts" -- be sure to ask again, "What about you?" Some moms are so focused on the kids' allergies or likes and dislikes that they don't hear that they are getting a choice too!

Just ask her...

We used to do make your own pizzas for children, they loved it.

Soup and salad, pasta salad, sandwiches, are all great.

Heck...If I didn't have to cook it then I am a happy woman!

I understand you want to make something more tantalizing. Yes, soup and salad will be divine!! Or just soup and some crusty bread :)

But, if you wanna make it easy then throw me a peanut butter and jelly sandwich and some applesauce while we sit at the kids' table :) I am happy either way...the treat is just hanging out with a friend.

Have a fun play date!

Soup AND salad would be lovely.

Grilled cheese & tomato soup, add a little zest to it & throw some bleu cheese into the tomato soup. Had this a restaurant recently...yummy! You can always have a salad along with it.

Whatever you have make the same thing for everyone, not separate meals for the adults and kids.

Pasta?
What about chicken salad or tuna salad on a croissant?

Salad bar - you're chopping everything anyway, so just put things in separate bowls and that way the kids and you and the mom can pick/choose. Chunks of cheese, some tuna, some turkey, and some dressings or hummus, and then everyone can help themselves. Add in some sliced fruit, and you're done.

Just make whatever you feel is tasty, something you are confident serving.
That could be ANYTHING.
One of my go to dishes is a sesame/cilantro noodle salad, everyone loves it, it can be made ahead of time and served either cold or at room temp, plus it's pretty and one dish, win win win!

Salads are always a hit. I like to add chicken so there is a hearty protein. You can leave it without dressing and let her choose the dressing.

I always mac n cheese for the kids, even if it's the instant kind. It's quick and easy.

I find whenever I make a nice big salad, moms are thrilled. That way they can have some pizza or whatever the kids are eating, but still feel like they got a little special treatment and ate something healthy. Might I add, that my salads rock :) People are always like, "Oooh, I like all the parsley as a major green" and whatever things I throw in there. Although I have one mom friend who HATES vegetables. So I make garlic bread when she comes over as our side to "kid stuff".
You can also do the old crackers and cheese and celery sticks and carrots thing for her to nosh on.