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DEL.ICIO.USDoes your appetizer unintentionally become the main course?
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
This weekend I had some friends over for dinner. When they offered to bring something I suggested a light appetizer. I find that because I don’t always know what I’m making until that day, it’s hard to assign a part of the meal.
Since we were eating as a family we set an early gathering time, so people shouldn’t have been famished. When they arrived with a bean dip and some chips, I watched as everyone devoured it like they hadn’t seen food in weeks. When we sat down to dinner 45 minutes later, everyone barely touched their food. When I asked my kids if they didn’t like it, they replied they were just too full from all the chips. Not only did I work for hours on the meal, but as I scraped half full plates of seafood into the garbage, in my mind all I saw was wasted money.
I know that it’s nice to have a pre-dinner nibble when catching up with guests especially if drinks are being served, but I wonder how to avoid the free for all pre-dinner munching. I often only offer nuts or olives but when someone else has brought the appetizer it’s hard to say “that’s enough chips everyone, it’ll ruin your appetite.” Now I wonder if I should have.
How do you avoid people filling up before dinner? What are your favorite light appetizers?
Permalink | Comments (8) | Post your comment | Categories: Home cooking
Comments
By Shashi
January 20, 2009 3:37 PM | Link to this
maybe dessert would be a better dish to suggest…if anyone offered to bring something….
By LT
January 20, 2009 4:42 PM | Link to this
I agree with Shashi. I find that almost everyone will find more room for a dessert! It is hard to find an appetizer that won’t fill everyone up. Then if you do try & eat the meal, too, you invariably end up feeling gluttonous. But somehow most ppl can always squeeze in something sweet! ;-)
By LT
January 20, 2009 4:42 PM | Link to this
I agree with Shashi. I find that almost everyone will find more room for a dessert! It is hard to find an appetizer that won’t fill everyone up. Then if you do try & eat the meal, too, you invariably end up feeling gluttonous. But somehow most ppl can always squeeze in something sweet! ;-)
By Eat lite
January 20, 2009 6:19 PM | Link to this
Well, I prefer to order apps as a main course…the portions are just the right amount when I want to have a few different items.
By missnadine
January 21, 2009 8:22 AM | Link to this
I would have to agree with the majority and say dessert, or maybe fancy coffee or wine. I too have had a few meals that were barely eaten due to heavy appetizers. Another option would be to suggest appetizers, for example a veggie plate.
By Goober
January 21, 2009 10:53 AM | Link to this
I say don’t let them up from the table until they have finished everything including the brussel sprouts.
By JRG
January 22, 2009 12:25 PM | Link to this
I WOULD PUT OUT THE APPETIZERS, BUT, I WOULD REMIND EVERYBODY THAT I PREPARED A WONDERFUL DINNER AND THAT THEY SHOULD BE MINDFUL OF NOT FILLING UP ON SNACKS.
By FCM
January 22, 2009 5:30 PM | Link to this
I think I would have told them to bring dessert or wine too. You don’t need to be Ms. Manners to know that saying something like “that’s enough chips everyone, it’ll ruin your appetite.” is not hard it’s rude.