Christmas Dinner Stuck on Limited Options

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Serve them a Tofurky and be done with it.

Not gluten-free.
https://theglutenfreebar.com/blogs/gluten-free-food-list/is-tofurky-gluten-free

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Tell them to either stay home or bring dishes. Seriously, screw them. Serve what you want and if they don’t like it, let them eat cake.

But cake has gluten.

[Anonymous]

Guests have no business telling the host what to cook, especially at Christmas when they’re ruling out the most popular main courses at this time of year. That’s obnoxious. I would be tempted to say something like “I don’t really trust myself to make gluten or nut free dishes, and I don’t want to imperil your health, so why don’t you get something from a local restaurant that specializes in this type of cooking and we all can share.” Of course, if they have celiac disease or a true nut allergy, this does not apply. If you want to be mean, you could serve lamb chops; the smell alone would probably make them gag.

[Anonymous]

Roasted Potatoes, chicken, salmon, salad. There are so many things you can make.

[Anonymous]

It depends on whether they are vegan or not.

If not, I would have roast chicken. Masked or roasted potatoes, steamed carrots, brussel sprouts, baked sweet potatoes, green beans...

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Tell them to either stay home or bring dishes. Seriously, screw them. Serve what you want and if they don’t like it, let them eat cake.

But cake has gluten.

Crab cake.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We have guests coming for Christmas and have given us the following parameters on what WE are to serve (!). They will be staying with us so they won't be able to go home and eat if they don't like the meal. I am at my wits end... I have some ideas for sides but not the main meal. I am an ok cook and can follow a recipe.
- No ham, turkey, roast
- Main meal cannot have pasta/gluten
- Must have a few gluten free and nut free options

We can’t help if we don’t know if they are vegetarian/vegan/not adventurous eaters. No point in killing yourself making dishes with black beans and Brussels sprouts if they will eat neither.

[Anonymous]

They actually told you what you can and can’t cook vs what they cannot eat? Who are these people, and why didn’t you rescind their invitation? I really think this needs to be in one of the relationship forums rather than here, but I’d make turkey, ham or my usual beef tenderloin, plus a few gluten and nut-free sides so the domineering ingrates won’t go hungry.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:They actually told you what you can and can’t cook vs what they cannot eat? Who are these people, and why didn’t you rescind their invitation? I really think this needs to be in one of the relationship forums rather than here, but I’d make turkey, ham or my usual beef tenderloin, plus a few gluten and nut-free sides so the domineering ingrates won’t go hungry.

Its BIL and SIL and they act like their presence is their present.

[Anonymous]

Gluten free meatballs served over polenta, roasted green beans, green salad. LOTS of wine!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:They actually told you what you can and can’t cook vs what they cannot eat? Who are these people, and why didn’t you rescind their invitation? I really think this needs to be in one of the relationship forums rather than here, but I’d make turkey, ham or my usual beef tenderloin, plus a few gluten and nut-free sides so the domineering ingrates won’t go hungry.

Its BIL and SIL and they act like their presence is their present.

Perhaps one mini beef wellington for you, and they (that includes your DH) can figure it out themselves. If you are feeling generous, you could provide them a mystery box of ingredients that fit their parameters.

[Anonymous]

I would say what your family would like to eat with and it it does not fit with their requirements suggest they bring a dish...

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:They actually told you what you can and can’t cook vs what they cannot eat? Who are these people, and why didn’t you rescind their invitation? I really think this needs to be in one of the relationship forums rather than here, but I’d make turkey, ham or my usual beef tenderloin, plus a few gluten and nut-free sides so the domineering ingrates won’t go hungry.

Its BIL and SIL and they act like their presence is their present.

Well, you can just act like the platter of iceberg lettuce topped with straight-from-the-box tofu you set out is your present to them. Make what your immediate family and other guests like and just make sure there are a few things on the table they can eat. Or ask them to bring their own entree.

[Anonymous]

Wow, they should really bring their own food! Could you do shrimp scampi? Pork tenderloin? (The pre-marinated ones are extra easy and quite tasty.) Coq au vin?

For sides, roast vegetables, salad. Maybe a salad bar so they can avoid whatever it is they think is intolerable but others can enjoy. Fruit salad with yogurt dressing? A rice dish—maybe fruited or French onion style. Sautéed mushrooms? Stand-along vegetables like asparagus and broccoli.

Is the gluten person an actual celiac or just impressionable? If it’s the latter, I’d ignore the gluten restriction; what they don’t know won’t hurt them!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Oh man, those are some annoying guests. Hopefully this is the last year you have to put up with this. You are a better person than I am.
Salmon. I think with those parameters i would do a side of salmon.
Big fancy salad
Roast potatoes
Some sort of delicious pasta side. So that you can laugh silently when they all dig in.

This is basically my normal holiday spread.