Ideas for a meal with Chinese coworkers

[LadyWild]

I have some coworkers coming into town from Shanghai. We have invited them to our home for dinner one night. Now, I'm suddenly worried about what to feed them. They have never been to the US (never outside of China actually). I asked them what they eat and they said they eat everything. I also asked what they knew about American food...McDonalds. Oi!

I have been to China and I know the food is very very different. I would like to make something that is at least palatable to them and I certainly don't want to make anything Asian. I know from some other coworkers that many Chinese find american food very bland and sweet. I don't mind bland, but I'd like to at least give them something to fill their bellies.

Right now I'm thinking at a minimum I'll have some crudites and fresh fruit out in case they hate what's served. I'm hoping that someone out here in the community has some experience with Chinese friends and could share some things they love that maybe I could mimic.

Thank you.

[MaryMac]

In the past I had to entertain Asian co-workers of my ex-husband's. We would serve filets. If you have a Costco nearby they have great filets...I always say they are like mini roasts. Also, Costco has the wild caught sockeye salmon right now..you could do that on the grill and serve either with roasted asparagus and a rice dish.

[zwieback]

I don't have any specific recipes to suggest, but considering they've never been to the US, I'd probably go with a typical American meal. Steak & potatoes, fish & roasted potatoes, pot roast & veggies.....even pizza, if you would like to keep it casual or make it a little fancier by grilling it, or having more gourmet toppings.

If I went to someone's house in another country, I'd appreciate very much to eat a typical dish from that country. That's just me, though.

[LadyWild]

Thank you both. Filets are our standby when we have company in. That's a great idea. My husband also loves to grill pizza. Either of those would be fantastic.

Thank you for the tips. I definitely want to go "American" but I also don't want them to leave hungry. They served me chicken feet when I went there. They thought it was hysterical. I'm adventurous enough to find it fun (not my favorite dish but it was interesting). These guys are a ton of fun and we want to treat them right.

Thanks again.

[Canice]

If I went to someone's house in another country, I'd appreciate very much to eat a typical dish from that country. That's just me, though.

Theoretically I agree, but the chicken feet are an example of how, for me, theory is often more attractive than reality. I think of the Chinese girl I knew who described her experience with meatloaf (choked on the taste and texture) and mashed potatoes (weird and maybe for old people).
I've only twice had to cook for Asian guests with limited experience with American cooking. I really just wanted to prepare something I thought they could eat, and not offer a cultural experience, so I went simple (no doubt in the "bland" category) and made fish -once salmon, once halibut- with a glaze heavy on soy, ginger, garlic, pepper flakes. Served with white rice and that roasted asparagus with balsamic, and once with roasted green beans. Both times I made a pile of mushrooms and onions with lemon juice and soy sauce. I have no idea how well the dishes were received, but it was the best I could do to cook "regular" American foods in a way that wasn't too inventive.
But you're so fortunate that they're great guests and a lot of fun - that makes everything easier

[margeslp]

Here's a link:
http://learnchinesebusiness.com/2012...lture-friends/

[PAMMELA]

I vote for grilled pizza and have an assortment of topping so everyone can make their own.

[Sheila in MD]

I vote for grilled steak and fish with grilled pizza as an app! If you really want to do American you could do burgers and hotdogs or sausage with typical sides or fried chicken....and apple pie for dessert:-)

Sheila in MD

[cakebaker]

Don't have any suggestions, but last summer we had 4 Chinese exchange students staying with us. They complained about the blandness & mushiness of our food. The only things they seemed to enjoy was lasagna made with hot Italian sausage and eggplant parmigiana made with arriabatta sauce. One of the boys loved hamburgers, the others, not so much. Oh, and they all loved ice cream.

[margeslp]

Don't have any suggestions, but last summer we had 4 Chinese exchange students staying with us. They complained about the blandness & mushiness of our food. The only things they seemed to enjoy was lasagna made with hot Italian sausage and eggplant parmigiana made with arriabatta sauce. One of the boys loved hamburgers, the others, not so much. Oh, and they all loved ice cream.

Wow. When would I ever characterize the foods we post here as bland or mushy? Nor would I expect guests to make those comments without a serious invitation from me to help me prepare dishes.
I taught a Chinese student English and prepared him for his speeches in public speaking class. He did do a speech on food and talked about the soft foods they prepare for their elderly.

[cakebaker]

Margeslp: The Chinese students said American food was bland and mushy to them. I never said you said that. I always invite our students to cook with/for us, so we can learn about authentic cooking from various countries. So far in the 5 years we have been hosting students, there have been no takers.

[mcgee]

I host a fair amount of Asian guests at work and have to cater lunch for them. I don't prepare it I just order from our onsite cafe. I've always been told NO cheese - they have problems digesting it. The meal that is always very well-received by all groups is Asian-inspired: teriyaki salmon, vegie potstickers, chinese long beans, and bok-choy. I always get compliments and people go back for seconds and even thirds! When I serve something more American, most of it goes uneaten. They just push it around on their plates.

[margeslp]

Margeslp: The Chinese students said American food was bland and mushy to them. I never said you said that. I always invite our students to cook with/for us, so we can learn about authentic cooking from various countries. So far in the 5 years we have been hosting students, there have been no takers.

Guess I didn't express myself well. Just meant that I consider this board to be full of imaginative, fantastic cooks that wouldn't prompt responses ofbland or mushy.

Last poster prompted memories from what I have read about Tibetans. They suffered serious digestive problems in transitioning from barley to Chinese restrictions on their diet.

Looks like I have quite a cultural lesson to learn here.

[LakeMartinGal]

My friend has a couple of Chinese college-age exchange students through her church, and they love to come and cook with her! Their favorite meal, so far, was turkey with the trimmings at Thanksgiving! But, they've been in this country at least 6 months, now, and are used to more American food...

[LeaHamm]

This is not WHAT to serve, but a lesson (maybe) of HOW it is served. Once my SIL brought one of her Filipino students to visit us. She told us about her first meal as a guest when she came to America.

The family had *this drink* in green tumblers at each place setting. Since she didn't drink she kept worrying how she could possibly bring herself to taste it, or how she couldn't without offending her hostess.

She broke into peals of laughter when she told us she finally got up enough courage to take a cautious sip. It was iced tea! The green glass had made it that ominous color!

[margeslp]

This is not WHAT to serve, but a lesson (maybe) of HOW it is served. Once my SIL brought one of her Filipino students to visit us. She told us about her first meal as a guest when she came to America.

The family had *this drink* in green tumblers at each place setting. Since she didn't drink she kept worrying how she could possibly bring herself to taste it, or how she couldn't without offending her hostess.

She broke into peals of laughter when she told us she finally got up enough courage to take a cautious sip. It was iced tea! The green glass had made it that ominous color!

Think we have a lot to learn; every Asian visitor is not the same.

[LeaHamm]

every Asian visitor is not the same.

I think we tend to forget that the majority of them are as anxious to please us as much as we want to please them.

If I were a visitor in their country I would much rather have them serve me one of their typical meals. I wouldn't even want semi-American food because I am anxious to taste their meals. I can always eat American at home!

[Anne]

I tend to think of a typical US summer meal as grilled something. Perhaps salmon, bok choi, and a couple other vegetables. I'd go heavy on the vegetables and have a variety of condiments so they can add as much spice as they prefer.