Creating a food menu can be daunting, especially when you have to serve a variety of ages and tastes. Youngsters often like easy-to-eat, plain foods, and adults tend to be more experimental. The good news is you can satisfy two generations in the same meal. Use one set of basic ingredients, and tweak the final product to make it enjoyable for all.
Step 1
Offer at least two kinds of main dishes and two kinds of drinks at breakfast. The menu can include simple scrambled eggs for kids; for adults, add more exotic ingredients, including smoked salmon or goat cheese. For those who don't like eggs, add a second entree, such as French toast. The children's version can have a simple topping of jelly, while adults may enjoy vanilla French toast with pure maple syrup.
Vary the drinks, too. Serve youngsters plain orange juice, but for adults add Champagne to make mimosas. For a hot drink, offer children sweet hot chocolate with marshmallows, and give grownups bittersweet chocolate garnished with whipped cream and cacao nibs. Other breakfast ideas are available at websites that include Thatsmyhome.com and Finedinings.com.
Step 2
Keep the lunch menu simple, especially if you have other meals to prepare. You can create grilled cheese sandwiches two ways. For kids, use cheddar cheese and cut the sandwiches into triangles. For adults, add ham or apple slices to the cheese before grilling. Accompany the sandwiches with veggies. Children often enjoy celery and carrot sticks with dip or peanut butter, while adults can have a vegetable salad with a vinaigrette or citronette. For a drink, give children lemonade and mix lemonade with iced tea or soda water for older folks. Websites, including Foodnetwork.com and Alanskitchen.com, offer additional lunch suggestions.
Step 3
Vary the menu for a simple barbecue dinner. Most kids enjoy hot dogs with mustard on a bun, and adults will go for a gourmet sausage with Dijon mustard on sourdough bread. Add a few side dishes, such as potato salad for grownups and potato chips for children, and offer a double-duty dessert. Serve fruit chunks to youngsters, and for adults, macedonia--fruit salad with a light lemon and sugar dressing. For a variety of dinner menus, look at websites, such as Whatscookingamerica.com.
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