Inviting an Indian and Jewish couple over for dinner

[Anonymous]

Funny, because I was just in NYC, and passed a restaurant called "Shalom Bombay." (Kosher Indian!)

[Anonymous]

FYI India is a large and populous country, not a religion or ideology. You may want to find out more about them to find out what their specific ideologies are like. What country they may originally come from doesn't really tell you anything at all.

[Anonymous]

Odds are that neither couple is that strict, or they wouldn't have accepted an invitation to eat in your home. So avoid pork, shellfish, and possibly beef, which kind of leaves you with some veggie dish and chicken. Don't put any kind of dairy directly on the meat. If the Jewish couple is strict, they won't eat your meat anyway because it's not kosher meat.

[Anonymous]

I would just do a veggie option and a chicken option. Avoid shellfish and pork as the Jewish couple may not eat them, even if they aren't strict; avoid beef -- not that it would bother the Indian couple but more a sign of respect. I agree that it is likely that these people aren't strict kosher etc. bc folks who are kosher/halal etc. don't accept invites to dinner at friends' homes unless they are also kosher/halal; it's not just about buying that type of meat but doing all the other dietary/kitchen restrictions which would be hard or impossible for an outsider to do. Just keep it simple and enjoy it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I think you are over thinking this! The Indians live in America, know they are going to a non-Indian house and will not be offended by what you serve. If you confirm they are vegetarian, just offer an option. Believe me, people with dietary restrictions ate used to making do! I say this as an Indian born in America to immigrant parents, one of whom is a strict vegetarian.
And definitely confirm restrictions with both families before you assume what they are!

+1

[Anonymous]

I recommend asking them, instead of listening to a bunch of internet strangers guessing.

BTW if you make a good gluten-free marinade or glazing sauce, grilled eggplant is pretty yummy.

And I'm pretty sure everyone likes watermelon. Watermelon, mint, and a crumbly cheese (like feta) is a great salad.

[Anonymous]

Agree to stick to chicken and veggies so you don't have to worry. Maybe marinate the chicken (in gluten free marinade) and do kebobs on the grill and also hearty veggie kebobs that can serve as the main course for the vegetarians and as a side to the chicken. You can also have grilled corn on the cob too.

[Anonymous]

Damn. I wouldn't hang out with such high maintenance people.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I would just do a veggie option and a chicken option. Avoid shellfish and pork as the Jewish couple may not eat them, even if they aren't strict; avoid beef -- not that it would bother the Indian couple but more a sign of respect. I agree that it is likely that these people aren't strict kosher etc. bc folks who are kosher/halal etc. don't accept invites to dinner at friends' homes unless they are also kosher/halal; it's not just about buying that type of meat but doing all the other dietary/kitchen restrictions which would be hard or impossible for an outsider to do. Just keep it simple and enjoy it.

+1. And have plenty of sides and dessert.

[Anonymous]

It makes me sad to think that when my husband and I come over for dinner we are simply thought of as a generic "Jewish couple" and a list of difficult nutritional demands rather than as individuals, perhaps friends. I wonder if all OP's guests are categorized in this way.

[Anonymous]

I think you need to ask what the dietary restrictions are rather than assuming. I have Jewish relatives and Indian in-laws and none of them keep kosher or are vegetarian, but everyone's on some special health-related diet. So just ask.

BTW - the strict no-roots Hindus aren't going to eat out of your kitchen anyways, so if they accepted the invitation, you've probably got just vanilla vegetarians if any at all.

[Anonymous]

I am Jewish, but also live in a highly Indian area:
Do chicken, grilled
Potatoes, roasted
A nice salad
Grilled asparagus
Some bread
Grilled pineapple or peaches for dessert with caramel sauce...

[Anonymous]

There are Jews in India too!

Anonymous wrote:Funny, because I was just in NYC, and passed a restaurant called "Shalom Bombay." (Kosher Indian!)

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I have had great success with Jews and Chinese. I don't usually mix Indians and Jews but I guess it can be done. The trick is to make sure the caterers have any dietary restrictions in advance.

I guess when you really get down to brass tacks, people are just people, and everyone worships the same Jesus, though we may call him Mohammed or Jaine or whatever.

You talk about Jews as if they are from another world. This is unbelievable!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It makes me sad to think that when my husband and I come over for dinner we are simply thought of as a generic "Jewish couple" and a list of difficult nutritional demands rather than as individuals, perhaps friends. I wonder if all OP's guests are categorized in this way.

I agree. It makes me sick. Is OP Catholic by any chance? I grew up as a Jew in a very Catholic neighborhood and felt this was the attitude toward Jews by Catholics in my neighborhood. That was confirmed when I once went over to a neighbor's house and she referred to my family as " you people."