Critique my Sunday dinner menu for my finicky MIL

[Anonymous]

My MIL is staying with us for a week starting Sunday, and my husband and I are cooking dinner for her on Sunday night. She lives on the Upper East Side of Manhattan and is...fussy. Her sister, who lives nearby, is also eating with us, so this will surely be an amazing night for me. Not. Anyway...

I'm doing a pasta puttanesca with lobster (she loves lobster)
Caesar salad
Garlic bread
Coconut cake

[Anonymous]

There’s nothing to critique. That sounds really good. If she’s fussy, then that’s her own issue.

[Anonymous]

It sounds delicious but it's very carby which may be a no-no for a fussy middle age lady.

[Anonymous]

Add a steamed vegetable on the side. Broccoli, asparagus, green beans, etc.

[Anonymous]

Maybe add a plainer veg?

[Anonymous]

I wouldn't do pasta puttanesca with lobster and caesar salad, too anchovy-heavy. A sauteed green vegetable like asparagus, plus a green salad with a nice vinaigrette dressing would be my sides. I'd skip the garlic bread as puttanesca is carby and strong flavored too. You could do a nice pea and mint soup as a first course if you want one.

[Anonymous]

I live lobster too but never when it’s mixed in dishes and sauces. You may want to check if she’s okay with lobster in an Italian pasta dish.

[Anonymous]

I too would swap out the Caesar salad for steamed asparagus or a simple mixed green salad with spring veggies (snap peas, radish, etc...) to lighten it up. Alternatively, you can serve Caesar salad first then have steamed asparagus with lemon with the pasta.

If she's finicky in a watches-her-weight way, swap out the coconut cake for coconut gelato, lemon sorbets, and sliced strawberries.

[Anonymous]

I’d do a drink with cheese, meat and grapes before. I’d do martini if that’s her thing.

I’d have a Cabernet and a Pinot Grigio for dinner.

You should serve cab but many older people can’t drink red.

You need decaf with the cake.

[Anonymous]

What do you mean your MiL is "picky"? It's hard to know if your dinner will be a hit if you don't tell us what her tastes are.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Add a steamed vegetable on the side. Broccoli, asparagus, green beans, etc.

Pasta is a complete dish. It doesn't need a side dish of steamed vegetables.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Add a steamed vegetable on the side. Broccoli, asparagus, green beans, etc.

Pasta is a complete dish. It doesn't need a side dish of steamed vegetables.

Then just serve pasta and call it a day in your home. Or offer vegetables to break up the richness and heaviness for those who like a more balanced meal.

[Anonymous]

Do your best. If she wants to fuss let her do so. Barring medical needs adults picky eaters don’t get catered to in my home.

[Anonymous]

Have you considered buying some trader jobs entrees and passing them off as your own creations? That is my picky eater hack. They love all the salt and fats added to those foods and I don’t struggle to make something time consuming only for it to be Pooh Pooh Ed.

Just be certain to hide the wrappers.

[Anonymous]

You should have DH cook solo. It will get rave reviews!