"No seafood, nothing spicy" dinner ideas

[Anonymous]

My best friend from HS moved back to town and I am inviting her and her husband for dinner tomorrow. I checked ahead to ask if there were any issues with spicy food or salmon, as these are my go-to dinners when I have people over because they are no-fuss and they're usually well-received:

https://food52.com/recipes/68405-harissa-chicken-with-leeks-potatoes-and-yogurt
https://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/giada-de-laurentiis/pan-seared-salmon-with-summer-succotash-2686277

Now I am at a bit of a loss. I've known her 40 years so she and I can be very honest with each other and so I appreciate her telling me. She has stomach issues that keep her from spicy food, and has never liked seafood apparently.

She said she would be fine if I made the salmon and gave her a grilled chicken breast instead (I asked her, she didn't request) but I feel like I'd be making her feel bad if I did something "special" for her. She said her husband would be "overjoyed" as salmon is one of his favorites.

Should I just pivot to something else?

[Anonymous]

This is a no brainer. Make chicken and salmon and allow people to choose.

[Anonymous]

Yes, make something else. Chicken parm with spaghetti and a big salad?

[Anonymous]

Baked ziti with a salad and garlic bread fits her needs perfectly.

[Anonymous]

Pork tenderloin with herbs! It’s sooo easy but still delicious and guest-worthy. Her husband can have salmon another time.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Baked ziti with a salad and garlic bread fits her needs perfectly.

NP. I can’t tell if you’re Baked Ziti poster or Constantly-Mocks-Baked-Ziti-Poster poster, but either way I want baked ziti now.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Yes, make something else. Chicken parm with spaghetti and a big salad?

I would check before offering Parmesan cheese.

Roast chicken / roast duck / roast beef.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:This is a no brainer. Make chicken and salmon and allow people to choose.

+1 we grill salmon, easy to add some chicken as well.

[Anonymous]

She doesn't like seafood. Drop the seafood.

Her stomach doesn't handle spicy food well. Drop the spicy food.

Just because you have go to meals you're comfortable making doesn't mean that you're taking care of the needs of your guests. You know you're not. Pivot completely.

I agree a simple pasta dish and salad and garlic bread would probably work well for these guests.

[Anonymous]

Make something German. We love bratwursts with crispy oven potatoes every now and then.

[Anonymous]

I'd make the salmon dish and grill some chicken breasts - serve the succotash in one bowl, and the salmon and chicken on a platter and people can pick and choose what they want. It won't seem like you made her something special this way, just offering choices.

[Anonymous]

Roast chicken or pot roast with mashed potatoes. A nice veggie like some roasted green beans. Maybe a green salad with vinaiggrette. I always pick up something from Heidelberg for desert -- expensive, but easy and good.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Roast chicken or pot roast with mashed potatoes. A nice veggie like some roasted green beans. Maybe a green salad with vinaiggrette. I always pick up something from Heidelberg for desert -- expensive, but easy and good.

Dessert is so good we want more - that’s why there are two S’s in the word dessert.

[Anonymous]

Do you have a grill?

Grill salmon and grill chicken.

Make the succotash type thing.

Have a green salad that's a little heartier: mixed greens, a soft cheese, nuts, avocado, something sweet like berries.

Garlic bread or bruschetta or both.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Baked ziti with a salad and garlic bread fits her needs perfectly.

Not if she can’t eat spicy food. Garlic is one of those ingredients that can send sensitive stomachs into pain, depending on how it’s prepared.