How to be prepared for unexpected guests?

Senior Member Joined: Jun 11 2012 Posts: 237

So I had planned on an intimate Shabbos lunch with just the family because of craziness these past couple of weeks and only had a limited amount of food since we hope to go away this week. My ds invited a friend over -- no problem, just one extra child. Then the big brother walked home with the kids. Then I see the mom walking in as well. I scrambled to add a bit more side dishes since my only meat was a smallish london broil and some chicken wings. Everything worked out but my question is how can I be prepared for future unexpected guests based on what I might have in the pantry?

Gold Member Joined: Jan 11 2011 Posts: 1164

Since I once got stuck without food for 2 univited guests - I always make sure to have enough for at least another person.
Some tips:
for meat: package of cold cuts
fish: I always make an extra 2 portions max we can eat it on Sunday. (or canned geflita fish)
dessert in summer always have ice cream.

Diamond Member Joined: Feb 28 2010 Posts: 4876

We always make lots of extras. We don't warm it all up on the plata on Shabbat, but if anyone came over, we would just add. The leftovers we eat Sunday/Monday.

It is strange though that a mom would just walk over uninvited to a meal. That's never happened to me, and I would never do it to anyone else. Kids, I understand.

Executive Member Joined: Jan 13 2011 Posts: 301

As someone who has a lot of guests and walk ins, I always make a huge roast or a huge amount of chicken ,etc a recipe that will freeze well. the leftovers cna be frozen and defrosted at another point.
Alsom I always keep 7 avocados in my fridge and a bag of tortilla chips and a jar of salsa. Youd be surprised how excited people get when they see guacamole, salsa and tortilla chips and how fast it goes

Gold Member Joined: Mar 14 2006 Posts: 1879

I always have smoked salmon and cold cuts in the freezer, if you cut into strips you can add them to a salad and they defrost really fast, or leave them whole and they defrost slightly slower.
Also, always have cans of tuna and pickles, so can make tuna salad in addition to whatever fish I have - 2 kinds of fish, so you can have less of each. Also cans of corn make a quick corn salad, cans of chickpeas as a quick side dish or to bulk up a salad. I also have matza in the house, so if I don't have enough challah for everyone to have second or third pieces, I can put some matza on the tray as well. And I always have extra cholent.