We recently had my father-in-law in town, and one of our shared loves is cooking. When we visit him, he always has something special planned, and I try to do the same in return. This time around, things looked a little different with a toddler in the mix, but I still wanted to make something elevated. I ended up cooking porterhouses, truffle gnocchi, and lemon chili flake broccolini. It was delicious and reminded me that hosting a dinner party and making something fancy is absolutely possible—it just looks a bit different these days and might not happen as often as it did pre-toddler life.
That meal reignited my love for hosting, even during the chaos of parenting, and inspired me to create a simple menu for those of you who might be nervous about diving back into hosting while juggling toddlers.
Hosting a dinner party with little ones doesn’t have to mean sacrificing fun or elegance! It’s all about finding that balance between feeling a little fancy (because parents deserve it!) and keeping things simple and toddler-friendly.
Appetizers
Vegan Option: Vegan Caprese Skewers
Cherry tomatoes, vegan mozzarella, and fresh basil drizzled with balsamic glaze.
Toddler Tip: Serve deconstructed to avoid skewers.
Vegetarian Option: Spinach and Feta Stuffed Mushrooms
Button mushrooms filled with a savory spinach and feta mixture.
Toddler Tip: Chop into small pieces for easy eating.
Non-Vegan/Vegetarian Options:
Individual servings of classic shrimp cocktail.
Toddler Tip: Ensure shrimp is cut into small, manageable pieces.
Mini Puffed Pastry with Smoked Salmon
Flaky puff pastry topped with cream cheese and smoked salmon.
Toddler Tip: Substitute with mild cheese or soft veggies if preferred.
Main Dishes
Vegan Option: Herb-Crusted Cauliflower Steaks
Roasted cauliflower slices with a flavorful herb crust.
Toddler Tip: Serve smaller florets for easier handling.
Vegetarian Option: Spinach and Ricotta Lasagna Rolls
Lasagna noodles rolled with spinach and ricotta, baked in marinara sauce.
Toddler Tip: Offer cut-up pieces to make it toddler-friendly.
Non-Vegan/Vegetarian Options:
Juicy chicken thighs coated with olive oil, breadcrumbs, Parmesan, and fresh herbs, baked until crispy.
Toddler Tip: Cut into bite-sized pieces or shred for easier eating.
Tender salmon fillets with a sweet honey glaze.
Toddler Tip: Flake into bite-sized portions and keep the glaze mild.
Side Dishes
Vegan Option: Maple-Glazed Roasted Carrots
Sweet and tender carrots roasted with maple syrup.
Toddler Tip: Cut into small pieces or mash slightly for younger toddlers.
Vegetarian Option: Creamy Garlic Mashed Potatoes
Smooth mashed potatoes enriched with garlic and cream.
Toddler Tip: Ensure a smooth consistency to suit toddler tastes.
Non-Vegan/Vegetarian Options:
Layered potatoes baked with a rich cheese sauce.
Toddler Tip: Serve soft, small portions appropriate for toddlers.
Green Bean Almondine with Parmesan
Sautéed green beans with toasted almonds and Parmesan.
Toddler Tip: Omit almonds if necessary; serve tender green beans.
Desserts
Vegan Option: Mini Fruit Tarts
Fill vegan tart shells with coconut yogurt and top with fresh fruit like berries and kiwi.
Toddler Tip: Serve deconstructed with fruit and yogurt separately.
Vegetarian Option: Classic Cheesecake Bites
Mini cheesecakes baked in muffin tins with a graham cracker crust.
Toddler Tip: Cut into bite-sized pieces for easy handling.
Non-Vegan/Vegetarian Options:
Rich chocolate cake with a gooey molten center, served warm.
Toddler Tip: Keep the portion small and let it cool slightly.*
Baked apple slices topped with a crumble of oats, brown sugar, and butter.
Toddler Tip: Serve softened apples without the crumble for younger toddlers.*
Cheers to a compassionate and joyful year ahead! 🥂✨
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