Need some "creative" dinner theme ideas!

[Delanl]

Usually every other Sunday, me, DBF, my brother and his girlfriend go to my parents house for dinner. We don't normally bring anything as my mother usually tackles all of the cooking. However, one week a few months ago, DBF and I brought some homemade guac and my brother made antipasto. It helped lighten the load for my mother and I think she found it really gratifying to see that her son and daughter both enjoy to cook.

Anywho--we were trying to think of some themes to do to make it fun. Like only making foods that start w/ the letter "A" or everyone bringing a different course.

Any other suggestions? I know how creative you ladies and gents are!!

PS--Have to be mindful of my Pop--who can't eat anything with seeds!

TIA!!:)

[Pony]

We've done different things like pizza night and everyone brings a pizza...it is sooo fun to try different types of pizza and there are so many ways to make pizza!!!!

Also, we've done Iron Chef type things...once we did potatoes. We had potato bread, sushi made w/ mashed potatoes, potato tart, potato chip cookies...kind of a starchy meal, but you could use something else.

We've had just appeitizers.....or old fun recipes that you would eat as a kid.....hope this helps.

[Delanl]

Thanks for the ideas Pony!! Especially the pizza party suggestion. DBF and I are always raving about how good LynnB's "White Pizza" is!

Thanks again--keep those ideas coming!

[Sister]

Sounds like the beginning of a family Dinner/Cooking club! and a great idea! I started a dinner club with my brother and his girlfriend (our best friends) early in the year. We do the usual once a month with a theme and take turns hosting. We have grown to 5 couples now, which we think is the perfect amount for our group.
Both times after my turn hosting (once was Mexican theme and the other was Moroccan theme) I decided that since I already had the main course recipes down pat and I had the decor, music and serving dishes out, I would have all my family in for a repeat dinner. They really enjoyed doing their own research for a dish to make to fit in with the theme. I included 2 of my aunts for the last one and they really got into it, they even came in costume! and, everyone enjoyed trying the different foods. Now they are all looking forward to our next dinner! and so am I.
Our group has done:Japanese theme, Greek theme, Beach party, Polynesian, Appetizers, Mexican, Moroccan. The possibilities are endless and with internet access so are the recipes. Have fun and enjoy the time with your family.:D

[patissac]

For the pizza night what you can do is use pitas instead of regular pizza crust so this way everyone can have thier own personal pizzas. I also like the mexican or tapas night theme and watch a spanish movie like tu mama tambien or tortilla soup? Or for example do an asian night and rent crouching tiger hidden dragon or the last samuri? Have seasame wings and cold seasame noodles...the list goes on and on...

[rosie_one]

I like Pony's idea of a nostalgia night. Everyone brings something they loved as a kid.

What about using favorite books or movies as a theme? Alice in Wonderland? Wizard of oz?

[bobmark226]

I don't know how "exotic" your family is willing to get, but I've always liked the idea of what R. Ray calls "passport nights," doing the food of one country and maybe renting a movie from the same country. This isn't really too hard, as it can be Greek, Mexican, any of the Far Eastern countries, etc., a lot of which can be done without getting too far out, as Sister suggest above. If you scan the foodtv site, under her show, you'll probably spot quite a few suggestions and maybe get some detailed ideas with recipes.

BOB

[schuh]

The last time I hosted dinner group my theme was "Fear Factor." No, it wasn't beetles and worms. You had to cook a dish containing an ingredient you've never cooked with before. Or a dish you've been too scared to make (one person cooked risotto). Everything was really good.

I also enjoyed our Asian dinner. We do ethnic stuff quite a bit and that's always fun.

We've also done "tomatofest" a couple of times -- no, not everything incorporated tomatoes. The idea was cooking with stuff fresh from your own garden (or the farmer's market).

Have fun!

[rinsav]

How about doing an All Appetizers theme. There are so many good ones out there! I also like the idea of a soup night (maybe in the Fall/winter) and make some bread bowls to serve it in. It's so nice that you're doing this!:)

[schuh]

Originally posted by rinsav
How about doing an All Appetizers theme.

My mom has done all appetizers for Christmas Eve. I love it!

[Delanl]

Thanks everyone for your great ideas!!:) :)

I'll let you know what we decide!

Leigh