Sometimes, I need a cork.
November 27, 2007 | Me,Mr. Squirrel,NaBloPoMo,trips down amnesia lane
For my mouth. Remember this conversation? Well, my husband’s coworker leaves early next week…and we haven’t had him over for dinner yet. I’m so bad! UGH.
We did take him apple picking with us, though — so that must count for something. And last night, Mr. Squirrel took him and another colleague (from China, who is in town for only a week), out to dinner with Jojo. With Jojo. Apparently, Jojo charmed the pantalones off of the waitress (me: “did you ask her if she ever wants to babysit?” Mr. Squirrel: “shit. No, I didn’t think of that.”). Still, they had fun.
But I don’t know what came over me. Is anyone else like this? You feel COMPELLED to have the foreigners over for dinner because it should be done? It’s the right thing to do and possibly, the tasty way to do it? Last night, when I learned they were both leaving next week, I suggested they come over for dinner.
Tomorrow and Thursday evening, Mr. Squirrel would be working late on some ‘extra’ projects that he doesn’t get paid for but OH does he love helping out the community and OH does Mrs. Squirrel try to be supportive. Friday is out because I work and get home around 6pm. Saturday, one of the two visitors returns to China. That left tonight.
Tonight. So tonight, the two nice scientists from China will be coming over for dinner.
The last time we had a Chinese-American over for dinner, it twas a disaster. It was another of Mr. Squirrel’s coworkers — an American male, and his lovely wife (Chinese-American, but came over for college/stayed) and their ahhhhdorable little girls. We liked the couple a lot (they have since move. I don’t think the reason is due to the dinner, but that hasn’t been confirmed.) and had done things socially with them before. All of this, mind you, was before Jojo.
Mr. Squirrel told me HE would cook the meal. He wanted to make pad thai.
I love Mr. Squirrel. I do. I just don’t love his pad thai. The thing is, he never cooks/soaks the rice noodles long enough, so they’re at least a portion of the pack sticks together in a huddled, crunchy craptacular mess. It’s never good. I tried a gentle reminder to let the noodles soak. And uh, we should probably make 2 packs, since 1 pack serves just barely 2 people.
Did he listen?
Ahem. Ok, so where were we?
Ah yes, so Mr. Squirrel prepared the meal, and I huddled around, entertaining and enjoying our guests’ company. Then it was time for dinner. And to my dismay, Mr. Squirrel neither soaked/cooked the noodles long enough nor put in two packs of noodles.
The reason I was particularly upset and embarrassed about the amount of food was that in one of my graduate courses, we were learning about communication across cultures and the importance of food/hosting dinners in China. According to a boatload of research, in a typical Chinese dinner party or gathering, food is the main focus, and there are specific roles guests and hosts play with one another. The host should provide MORE than enough food and continually encourage guests to eat more more more, not taking “no thank yous” or “I’m fulls” or any initial protests from the guests (who are, in turn, playing their parts by eating a little of every bountiful and colorful dish that arrives at the table while also complimenting, suggesting they are full and putting up a protest…but then carefully eating a bit of everything and taking more until FINALLY, someone pops.). Or, until several rounds of this conversation until clearly, the guest is full and the mountains of food have a noticeable dent in them.
Now, our guest would NEVER ever ever say anything to let us know that we did NOT have enough food. I think that’s taboo, too, but she must have noticed and internally cringed at the embarrassment of it all. I certainly was. I think her husband was able to squeeze out a tiny bit of seconds, but it was just a token request, as the noodles weren’t cooked through and stuck together in massive clumps. Oh people. It was NOT good.
For tonight, I’m making my grandmother’s baked beef stew recipe. I had just bought the ingredients before I suggested having them over, and it definitely serves four adults adequately. I’m not going full-out craziness with the number of dishes, etc. I mean, I realize we’re not a typical Chinese family. In fact, we’re not typical nor Chinese. I do, however, want to serve them a hearty, delicious meal that leaves them satiated and satisfied.
I’m thinking of picking up some bakery bread to go along with the beef/potatoes/carrots/celery stew. But what else? The oven will be taken from 2:25-6:15. What can I do for appetizers? Are they necessary? What about dessert? HELP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Also, wish me luck!
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November 27th, 2007 at 1:08 pm, Carrisa Says:
I wouldn’t say they are necessary… but are always nice. What if you served salad or a veggie tray beforehand?
Do you have a special dip that you make? If not have you ever melted cream cheese and salsa together? Then let it set back up and chill in the fridge a bit. Makes for a tasty dip with chips or veggies.
I also love to make what I call Simple Salad.
It has three ingredients. Romaine lettuce, homemade ranch dressing, and homemade bacon bits. That’s it. And it’s yummy.
What about dessert?
You could take a brownie mix and put it in a muffin/cupcake pan. Use paper liners and then push a mini peanut butter cup into the batter before you bake them. So simple but people think you are a genius.
I could go on and on…
November 27th, 2007 at 1:39 pm, no name today Says:
I agree with Carissa – veggie tray or salad should do the trick. Plus they both can be bought premade, which is always a plus when you are already cleaning/cooking/etc.
Also, I am totally stealing the peanut butter cup in the brownie mix idea!
Depending on the bakery that you go to, could you get bread that can you can serve the stew in, like Panera?
November 27th, 2007 at 1:58 pm, Liz Says:
SERIOUSLY, MAKE THIS AND IMPRESS!
go buy a nice piece of brie and some puff pastry and some frozen raspberries and some raspberry jam/preserves.
let the brie soften some. heat the oven to, like 325. cut the top off the brie and place it in the center of a sheet of puff pastry. on top of the brie, place some of the frozen berries and a heaping bit of the jam/preserves. fold the puff pastry over the fruit and cheese. put it in the oven for about 20-25 minutes. take it out and let it sit for a bit.
serve with cut pear, apples, crusty roll and both green/red grapes for color garnish. you won’t be disappointed.
if you have a slice of extra puff pastry dough, you can get creative and roll out an initial or a shape or something to really wow your guests.
November 27th, 2007 at 2:34 pm, Ree Says:
Yes to the bread. And now that I’ve finished reading your other comments….I have no other suggestions I’m hopeless at entertaining.
November 27th, 2007 at 2:44 pm, Stephanie Says:
I am with Liz, stick with fruit and cheese. But I would be a lazy ass and just buy a bag of cheese and plop it on a plate with crackers and fruit. No prep. I think fruit is better beforehand because you have lots of veggies in the meal itself.
What about something all american for the desert since that fits with the theme of the meal. Apple Crisp? Apple Cobber?
November 27th, 2007 at 3:57 pm, My Buddy Mimi Says:
I would just stop by the deli/bakery at my local store and pick up something for an appetizer/dessert. But that’s just me. I’m lazy like that.
November 27th, 2007 at 11:19 pm, SJ Says:
Salad! Make a salad! Whatever you did (um, it’s late and I’m sure by now dinner is WAY over) I’m sure was fine.
I hope they enjoyed it!
November 28th, 2007 at 12:08 am, motherofbun Says:
When we entertain, we cater. So yeah, um…. No ideas here. But sounds like you’ve got a seriously yummy dish. Sure it will go beautifully and yummily.
November 28th, 2007 at 12:42 pm, jill Says:
a salad would be fine for starters. and you could do wine, fruit and cheese for dessert? that would be super fancy. serve a red with your beef and a white with your fruit?
November 28th, 2007 at 2:46 pm, Lisa Says:
Oh nooooo! AND this post reminded me that I invited some people over for dinner before I move (in January)… so I better do it soon. Argh! GOOD LUCK!
November 28th, 2007 at 3:21 pm, Frema Says:
For dessert: cheesecake! Yum!
November 28th, 2007 at 6:59 pm, Sallyacious Says:
So how was it?
November 28th, 2007 at 10:25 pm, Hollow Squirrel » Recaps! Explanations! Updates! Says:
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