What to serve your four year old guest. I have no idea.

Ferdinand is having his first sleep over tomorrow night.  The friend is coming over here, so we are trying to plan the menu.  Ferdinand has voted for candy; he said “we would each like to have the biggest bag of candy you can find, and we want to eat it all night.”  “Ferd” I said, “I’m serious.  He said, “I’m serious Mom.”

It is at times like these that I know I have issues.  I can make menus.  I can do weddings with dietary restrictions, dinner parties with no kitchen or business functions that can’t have anybody picking something up off of a tray that will get stuck between their teeth.  The minute I have anyone come to my house to eat, if they are four or forty, I start to sweat.  I think crazy stuff like what do hot dogs go with?  (Buns)  And what if he doesn’t like hot dogs? (make a hamburger).

I dropped Ferdinand off at school this morning and I asked his friend to tell me what he will eat.  He said he’ll think about it.  I may just have to order out.

In case you are not serving four year olds, why not have a fish party?   Boil up some water with a half teaspoon of peppercorns, some leeks, a thyme sprig, a parsley sprig, a garlic clove and a half cup of a dry white wine you would be happy to drink.  Cook with no lid for about 5 or 10 minutes.  Turn down to a simmer Drop in a few half pound crabs, cover and cook for 7 minutes.  Remove.  Add a pound of shrimp with their tails on, veins removed (or not).  Cook uncovered for about a minute or two, or just as they have turned white.  Remove.  Throw some chopped garlic, some chopped parley and some red pepper flakes into a frying pan.  Cook until the garlic is golden.  Pour in a cup of the cooking liquid.  Add some scrubbed mussels and cook for about 3 to 5 minutes covered, until the mussels have opened.

Remove.  Serve everything in a big bowl, drizzled with your best olive and a squeeze of lemon, and some great bread.  This is good with broccoli rabe, sauted in garlic and with a little red pepper flakes and lemon as well.

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