Easy holiday menues for teens just take a little planning.
When holidays roll around menu planning for teenagers with unique tastes sometimes proves daunting. Some teens hate certain vegetables, some dislike hot spices, others still may be Kosher or vegetarian. The key to success with holiday cooking efforts for teens is communication. Have your young people call their friends and get feedback on some favorite foods about two weeks prior to the party. As you plan the menu, refer to that list as a starting point to which you can add personal traditions and flavor profiles. Does this Spark an idea?
Make Your Own Pizza
Pizza makes a perfect party food any time of the year.
Pizza adapts to nearly any occasion with little or no fuss. By laying out a variety of toppings, teens at your holiday party get exactly what they like. It also gives them a chance to be more included in festivities. Offer different flavors of pita bread as a foundation, several sauces, then toppings like cheese, broccoli, bacon, onions, olives, pineapple, ham, peperoni, and chicken. Once assembled, microwave to perfection.
Finger Foods
Finger sandwhichs offer healthy choices to visiting teens.
Holiday parties with teens tend to be very active. A variety of finger foods encourage socialization and go with the teen as they move through the house. Better still, most finger foods assemble quickly and easily. Consider offerings like a tray of diverse finger sandwiches, crackers with cheese and pickles, chicken wings, mini sausages, meat or vegetable skewers, deviled eggs, stuffed cherry tomatoes and tacos.
Bowl to Go
Small sturdy bowls hold hearty and hot fare while teens socialize.
Have several crock pots set up in a buffet style. Put sturdy disposable bowls and utensils nearby. Like finger foods bowls offer portability, and provide you with the chance to offer more variety in holiday fare. Put the garlic mashed potatoes in one crock pot and turkey meatballs in another for Thanksgiving, for example. Many recipes come out great in crock pot cooking. Some suggestions for teens include spaghetti, macaroni and cheese, chili, herbed vegetables, hot dips, and Asian style meatballs. The best part about crock pots is the simplicity of keeping hot food hot without having to constantly check it.
Tried n' True Pot Luck
A holiday buffet gives everyone's recipes a chance to shine.
Holiday pot luck parties give everyone a chance to share favorite foods. By asking teen guests to each bring something from their family's holiday tradition, you can get to know these young people better. It's fun and educational. Better still, now instead of several dishes, you need only prepare one.
Tags: finger foods, Better still, crock pots, favorite foods, young people