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HMCS does appear to be Maltodextrin.

Here's some info on Maltodextrin:
http://www.wisegeek.com/what-is-maltodextrin.htm

We got crepes after my senior prom, but I'm having trouble remembering my junior prom......I think it involved Jack Daniels.

Honestly I don't think it's fair to label lasagne "kid food," and if they're renting a hotel room that means they're gonna be drinking, and not wine-tasting drinking, case of Keystone Light drinking. If this is the case, they're going to want a big, hearty meal, especially if there's boys involved. Then again, I don't know your sister or her friends, I'm just judging this on having been a teenager 3 short years ago, and knowing that 95% of teenagers would appreciate something simple, classic, and filling. Hey - if I was still the size I was in high school, I'd eat mac and cheese and french fries almost every day - no shame in that!

I'm glad I'm not the only pasta-loather. I hate pasta, particularly baked things (insert obligatory high school baked joke here).

But it doesn't need to be 'kid food,' either, that's why I like the cold spread--chicken, salami, bread, olives (and I still say cake is always welcome)--it's classy without being pretentious and good finger food for picking. Cookies, chocolates, fruit, would be fine too.

What I ate at my junior prom (I was not *sniff* asked to the senior prom):

We had ice cream sundaes made at home afterwards--that's an idea!

Pancakes for breakfast.

A waffle (frozen before?) bar with ice cream, toppings, fruit, ect. might be nice, and cold fried or roast chicken for the people who want protien. Or nice chicken wings :p

One popular dessert thing I sometimes see is a 'candy bar' of different kinds of candy, to be used as toppings on cupcakes, ice cream, waffles, etc.

Lets be real. If I was 18 again and in a hotel with my friends, the LAST damn thing I would want to do is start screwing around with lasagnas and vinagrettes.

Prom screams TACOS and a ridiculous amount of them! Make brownies and chocolate chip cookies. Cake? Please. Who has time for all of that nonsense? ITS PROM!!!

@ heartofglass...cumberbuns? LOL! vests for sure...no cumberbuns!

@ Christina...you ain't alone baby...I am no fan of lasagna and I sure as hell wouldnt want to eat it while partying it up on Prom weekend!

@renzata-- I'm still a teenager, and I've never much liked lasagna! ;)

Giada does a lasagne roll up recipe similar to what Carriebwc is mentioning. My husband loves it more than regular lasagne - it's lighter and has a bit of procuitto in it, so is more cost effective (I found the recipe on foodnetwork.com). Eggplant parm might be another idea - perhaps a tray of eggplant and a tray of chicken parm to satisy the meat eaters? What about chili? Or a taco bar - make up the meat filling ahead and slice toppings (lettuce, tomato, onion, grated cheese, guac) and store in food containters. Kids heat up the meat and some beans, toast the shells if desired. I know Costco sells those large packages of shells and home made refried beans (I make a beanier version that is lower fat) are much cheaper than canned. Or a baked potato bar - provide the potatoes - easy to cook and don't take up much room - you could do 20 in an oven easy, along with toppings - chili, brocolli, cheese sauce, mushrooms, sour cream, chives, butter. Serve any of these with a salad or veggies and dip and I think the kids would be set.

For $50, you should be able to make lasagna and possibly a couple of loaves of garlic bread. I'd caution against making it in one huge pan, because it probably won't fit in a hotel size oven. Several smaller pans would probably work out better and you could do meat and veggie. Maybe you could call the hotel and get a better idea of refrigerator and oven space. I'd suggest they provide their own beverages and possibly a big dressed salad, as well as table and silverware. If you're a miracle worker, you could try a few loaves and fishes? ;)

I definitely think pasta with some jazzed up sauce--using spices you already have in your kitchen, hopefully--is your best bet. You can totally add some whacked up eggplants, squash, etc. in there for nutritional content.

I don't know your sister's tastes, or those of her friends, but I caution against making the assumption that just because they're teenagers, they'll be happy with mac 'n cheese or casseroles. When I went to prom, my friends and I all ate asparagus and roasted tomatoes, corn souffle, etc. and I wouldn't say that we were especially sophisticated or erudite.

Some of the tests you can do when making custard are as follows. When you cook custard make sure you stir it with a large spoon. Preferably use a wooden one. As it cooks lift the spoon occasionally to see how the custard sheets off the spoon. As it gets thicker it will start to sheet into two streams instead of one. Also, another sign as starts to thicken up, is to lift the spoon and drag your finger across the back of the spoon. If the custard is thick enough it will retain the mark of your finger. Another test you can do is to freeze a plate and put a dollop of the custard on the plate to cool and put in the freezer to cool it down quickly to see how thick it gets. These are some of the same tests you do when making jellies and jams.

Good recovery!

I'm sure once you try it, you'll never go back to the boxed pudding mixes again! At least now you know how to get the right consistency for next time, it does take some elbow grease while whipping, but the end result is usually worth it! Now I'm craving choc. cream pie!

Nice save elizabeth786! Cover it with some whipped cream and some chocolate shavings and it will be absolutely beautiful!

If you didn't heat the mixture until it bubbled then it wasn't hot enough for the cornstarch to be activated. it has to be somewhat thick (yes pudding-like) when you place it in the pie shell.