Looking for menu ideas

[spinbaby]

I'm cooking a middle eastern dinner for a largish family gathering next week. The thing is, there are children and a couple of picky adults at this event, so I need to have at least one dish that will appeal to those who object to anything unusual or seasoned. I guess I could just do mac and cheese and be done with it, but it would be nice to have a dish that they would eat and would also go with the theme somewhat. Any ideas?

Also, what would be good to drink with this menu? I'm thinking beer is probably a better choice than wine for the adults and maybe iced mint tea with honey for those that don't drink alcohol.

All suggestions welcome.

My menu so far:

Starters
Spanikopita
Olives
Hummus with pita chips
Raw veggies

Dinner
Orange blossom carrot salad
Apricot ginger chicken
Couscous salad
Jasmine rice
Cold Moroccan salmon
Tzatziki or cucumber riata

Dessert
Baklava
Rose gelatin
Stuffed dates
Fruit of some kind

[A HERETIC I AM]

1. Wow! Quite a menu! Consider Dolmathes as an addition to your appetizers;

Like the ones I made in this thread;

http://www.democraticunderground.com/115723682

On edit to say you don't have to go as far overboard making those as I did. If you can get ground lamb at your market, then you can save yourself about an hour of my prep time!

Also, Google "Souvlaki".

SUPER flavorful way of doing meat. Traditionally Lamb, but you can use ground beef just fine.

I've eaten in several North African style cuisine restaurants over the years, and the spice palate always blows me away. You're already there, so I would say you are headed in a delicious direction.

As far as picky eaters are concerned, I really think you have enough so far that just about everyone will find something. If you have a little kid or two coming that won't eat ANYTHING other than what he/she is used to, just have a hot dog and some water ready!

[Kali]

2. maybe kofte?

just some basic beef and/or lamb meatballs or maybe leave some chicken plain

that and the rice and fruit should be good for most picky eaters, and you know? not really your problem. and I say that as a picky eater. Those of us with special issues need to learn to fend for ourselves and not impose on a hosts hospitality.

your menu sounds absolutely delicious!

[spinbaby]

3. Meatballs would probably work

Maybe in a Greek tomato sauce in the slow cooker, so I could make them ahead in place of the salmon, which I had chosen because of its make-ahead potential.

[pinto]

4. Some off the top of my head suggestions -

Add a fruit plate to start, as well? With finger food type stuff the kids can pick up, like little fresh pita triangles with peanut butter and raisins? Cubed melon. Roasted, honeyed almonds.

Ground lamb meatballs as a rice topping? (Everyone recognizes meatballs).

Chilled almond paste and honey to top baklava.

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Sounds like you have a handful to do. Good luck and have fun! ~ pinto

[littlewolf]

5. wow sounds awesome. one of my favorites as a

starter is melon and ham
slices of cantaloupe / honey dew and prosciutto

also love Falafel with a cucumber yogurt dill sauce.

[grasswire]

6. what about lamajoun?

It's close enough to pizza to be familiar to American palates. And it appears that you are a workhorse enough to take on another dish!

Little kabobs might be good, also. Beef cubes, bell pepper, onion, mushroom, marinated and grilled.

And flatbread would make a yummy side.

Sounds like a wonderfully fun day of cooking!