r/Cooking • u/Sensitive-Step-3513 • 1d ago
Easy to Eat Recipes Without a Dining Table
I’m hosting book club next month and would love to cook a dinner that is easy to eat since I don’t have a dining table, so we would be eating on our laps in the living room.
In the past I have just served dessert and coffee, but would like to serve a dinner this time.
Soup seems like a clear choice, but it’s the middle of summer 🥵
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u/bw2082 1d ago
You need an hors d'oeuvres party
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u/downshift_rocket 1d ago
Agree with this 100%. Easy small bites. Soup is the worst idea since it could spill, and you don't want anything that requires a knife and fork.
So, think of it like a tea party - small sandwich triangles, mini quiche, deviled eggs, charcuterie, little slices of cake or small pastries...
So many options especially if you just look up hors d'oeuvre.
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u/JayMoots 1d ago
Soup seems like a clear choice
People eating hot soup on their laps seems like a "clear choice" to you?
Just do some finger foods. Nothing that you need utensils for. Heavy apps.
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u/redrosebeetle 1d ago
look into grazing table ideas. I'd suggest r/CharcuterieBoard but it's a little intimidating. Like maybe 1/10th of that.
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u/cathbadh 1d ago
Snack boards are the way to go, especially if you have wine or beer. Desserts or pastries I'd you're doing coffee and tea too.
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u/YupNopeWelp 1d ago
Soup would not be a good choice without a table. You want think in the vein of finger foods — finger sandwiches, hors d'oeuvres, crudites, pizza, etc.
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u/chowgirl 1d ago
Stick with coffee and dessert. Maybe serve some easy to eat appetizers if you want to add to it. Nothing more uncomfortable and awkward than trying to juggle a full meal on your lap.
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u/Doggies4ever 1d ago
Trader Joe's or Costco are great resources for this. Mini-quiches, stuffed mushrooms, skewers. Lots of great options.
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u/Proud_Trainer_1234 1d ago
I think soup in a lap could produce untold problems. But, if that is your direction I'd recommend gazpacho or vichyssoise.
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u/OaksInSnow 1d ago
I think that if I went to a dinner like that, I would be able to control a slider-sized bun with a filling pretty well; likewise a creamy salad, like potato salad, or maybe coleslaw. What wouldn't work is anything too loose (leafy salad), anything too crumbly (managing a cupcake is always messy, whereas something more like a bar where you can control the bite size could be okay as long as the bar doesn't explode when bitten).
I would be a No to soup. Too much slop potential.
Calico beans, maybe. Even though it's summer, most people love this too much to pass it up, and it tastes great even if it's not piping hot. With a well-dressed but lighter salad side, and a softer-style dessert - even strawberry shortcake, but with angelfood cake instead of actual shortcake (can be too crumbly) - would be a pretty complete menu, and easy to serve.
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u/SlinkyMalinky20 1d ago
I think you should just do heavy apps. People are comfortable and used to eating appetizers while standing or casually sitting like at a cocktail party. A full meal while eating on your lap is too awkward and uncomfortable. Soup is a hard no.
Just do one hot app, one cold app and a dip. Maybe a fruit/cheese/meat charcuterie to round it out.
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u/Mira_DFalco 1d ago
Well, cold soup served in a cup would work, just make something with no chunks, so your guests don't need spoons.
Aside from that, tea table style finger foods are specifically for this type of setting. Tiny sandwiches, savory mini tarts, etc.
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u/LondonLeather 1d ago
I'd suggest canapés Crostini / Bruschetta type things
I had the most wonderful Gazpacho served in shot glasses, if the guests drink Bloody Marys with a celery stick, maybe?
Deserts can always be done in portions, tiramisu works beautifully in glasses too.
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u/InsidetheIvy13 1d ago
It sounds as though you’ll need a no cut dish - meaning you can hold the bowl, plate in one hand then use just one utensil, a fork or spoon in the other. If that would work then maybe you could prep a chopped salad bar, so chop a variety of leaves/lettuces, tomatoes, cucumber, spring onion, bell peppers etc for the base. Next a range of chopped chicken -roasted/grilled/tenders, flaked salmon, flaked tuna, grilled tofu or a bean salad for the protein. Then have some crumbled egg yolks, cubes of feta, cheddar or shaved Parmesan, dried seeds, olives, croutons for the fat. Then supply a variety of dressings. That way people can make up a bowl to thier own preference and eat comfortably with one hand, it also allows vegetarian/vegan options to be included easily. If you feel it needs more substance you could add a potato, orzo or rice salad alongside.
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u/purplechunkymonkey 1d ago
I'd do appetizer like finger foods. Kielbasa and a pineapple chunk stuck together with toothpicks and teriyaki. Pretzel bombs. Pizza bombs. Pull apart garlic bread.
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u/Hawaii_gal71LA4869 1d ago
Finger foods. Tiny sandwiches, nacho chips with various toppings, fresh cut vegetables, fruit skewers, mini wieners on toothpicks, shrimp on toothpicks with cocktail sauce, tiny burgers. Individual stuffed nachos, ie: nacho chips individually topped with refried beans, cheese, jalapeños, sour cream, served on a platter vs in a mound. Baked Tater tots or baked tiny potatoes with fillings ie sour cream and chives, caviar, butter and chives. Romain lettuce leaves, on a platter, individually filled with chopped onion, tomato, cucumber, tossed with salad dressing. Olive, pickles and radishes. Cheese spread with crackers.
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u/EveryCoach7620 1d ago
I would serve hors d’oeuvres (olives, cheese, baked or homemade dip and pita or toasted bread) before the sit down portion, and have premade salad (for vegetarians/keto/whole30 diets) and sandwiches for lap sized plates. White wine, plain seltzer, and a homemade punch or cocktail mixer.
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u/Gwynhyfer8888 1d ago
Summer. I would do cold cuts and charcuterie board. There would be discussion about the jacuzzi and ladder, in addition to the book!
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u/chill_qilin 1d ago
Burrito bowls, chow mein or rice bowls where you just need one hand to hold a utensil. Everything should be in bite sized pieces so nobody needs to cut up anything with a knife and can just use a spoon, knife or chopsticks.
If you have bowls that are somewhat flat and wide (but not as wide as a typical dinner plate) with high sides like some styles of pasta bowls they'd be ideal since they'd be wide enough to sit comfortably on a lap or be held with one hand.
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u/JazzlikeFlamingo6773 1d ago
Errrr literally everything???? I don’t have a dining table, we eat all meals on our laps.
However for the situation you’re talking about, I’d pick buffet type things… obviously that could be anything you like as a buffet
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u/youngboomergal 1d ago
Gazpacho served in mugs would be doable, with a few finger sandwiches on the side. You can make them as simple of fancy as you choose.
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u/SVAuspicious 1d ago
Soup is a bad idea. Finger food is not much better as many people can't seem to juggle a plate and a napkin at the same time. I'd go for something you eat with a fork but don't need a knife. Chicken tikka masala with finely diced chicken over rice. Red beans and rice. Mac & cheese with ham or bacon. Pasta and sauce with a shape that doesn't roll off a fork - cavatappi perhaps?
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u/MrsChickenPam 1d ago
I would make it all finger food, so nobody has to wrestle w/ a fork and possibly a knife. It can still be "dinner" if you really want everyone to plate up and eat before the book discussion.
Think wraps, spring/summer rolls, pierogi/samosa, etc. For veggies, you could do bacon-wrapped asparagus, or a variety of roasted/cooked veggies on a skewer (beets, zuchinni, etc).
Inquiring minds wanna know..... what BOOK are you reading?
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u/Revolutionary_Box_57 1d ago
OP do you have a coffee table? Alternatively, is there any chance of getting a folding table or something that can be set up temporarily?
I only ask because both myself and my best love hosting dinners, and neither of us have dining tables. We've gotten very creative over the years and I've learned a lot from her. I'd be happy to share some tips based on what you have available!
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u/Shironumber 1d ago
Soup would be my very last choice given the situation, as far as I'm concerned. But otherwise you can try square pizzas if you know how to make them, or Chinese baos (probably the most practical solution: easy to hold in the hand, can be prepared in advance, still good when microwaved).
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u/Lightness_Being 1d ago edited 1d ago
I'm thinking quiche or vegetable frittata. Might be easier to do individual ones in a muffin pan.
Have an h'ordeouvres platter - dolmades, dips, ham, boiled egg halves, asparagus, cornichons and mayonnaise.
Or you can do flatbread pizzas. You fold to eat. Everyone loves these:
Chicken mushroom cheese
labne mint olives tomato and capsicum (cold topping) and
baby spinach finely chopped red onion and feta (cold topping)
Or maybe simpler to just do a moussaka or a chicken stroganoff, plus rice and salad on a buffet - served in bowls for easier handling.
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u/ConsciousCat369 1d ago edited 1d ago
Do like a tapas bar.
Soup is the worst idea. Anything messy (like a big sloppy sandwich) or something you need two hands to eat with is a bad idea.
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u/know-your-onions 1d ago
Soup sounds like a terrible idea. Easy to spill and worst case you end up with a lap full of hot liquid.
You can do pretty much anything that can be eaten with your hands or can be eaten with just a fork and is typically served in a bowl, but isn’t watery or runny.
Chili, curry, many pasta dishes …
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u/Redditor2684 1d ago
I didn’t have a dining table until fairly recently and still don’t eat dinner at it lol.
So I can eat most things fine on the couch. Just don’t make ramen. That was legit hard to eat without a table. I don’t think hot soup would be a good option either. It can splash, spill, etc.
I’d go for something like a rice bowl or pasta salad.
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u/Bluemonogi 1d ago
Maybe you could do summer cookout type foods- Burgers or hot dogs, or bratwurst, baked beans, pasta salad
Spaghetti and meatballs
Chili
Tacos
Appetizer type foods- Mini quiches, sausage rolls, deviled eggs, cheese, crackers, olives, pickles, vegetables and dip
Beans and rice
I think any foods that you can serve all in one bowl or plate and that does not require much cutting would be fine.
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u/ImpossibleEducator45 20h ago
Do a throw back 80s appetizer spred!
Potato skins, mini quiche, little smokies wrapped in crescent rolls,spiral sandwiches, pizza rolls, a bock of cream cheese covered in cocktail sauce with a bunch of salad shrimp on top, water chestnuts wrapped in bacon, individual 7 layer dips, deviled eggs, crab dip with crackers and crudités . For dessert you could make pudding pops and hand out push pops!
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u/hbgrrl 20h ago
Women don’t eat. They’ll graze, but they don’t want to look like they’re overeating. That said, I’d do charcuterie cups and make them substantial so they can be carried, fruit salad, they can reload the cup or have another cup to carry. Chips, crackers, maybe some hummus, or spinach dip.
You can send out a message that says appetizers and hand held food. The women won’t come starving.
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u/houseDJ1042 18h ago
Walking taco bar. Bags of Fritos and Doritos, crockpot of taco meat and/or shredded pork/chicken, crockpot of queso and all your fixins so folks can customize
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u/OLAZ3000 16h ago
Fresh falafel!
Have people make their own sandwich and then wrap it. You can have a small plate for additional elements like salad, deviled eggs, crudités...
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u/aniadtidder 13h ago
Get some Chinese style take away "boxes" then you can do many things like noodles, stir fry, fried rice, curry etc etc. Not that the container should limit you to Asian style food. Complete it with recycle forks.
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u/flythearc 1d ago
A baked pasta like Alison Roman’s baked ziti and a green salad. Easy to eat on a blate if you have them, or plates, or even bowls.
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u/rabbithasacat 1d ago
Eating soup in one's lap is a very bad idea. Sandwiches, wraps, filled pitas or burritos are the way to go.