Husband only cooks what he likes and turns our kids against new foods

[Anonymous]

OP:
I’m curious, can you give a specific example of a DH meal versus one of your “Ew” ones?

Is it like meatloaf, plain potatoes and peas

Vs

Baked lemon dill salmon with rice pilaf and roasted broccoli?

Is it the ingredient itself that is “Ew” (like salmon?) or is it spices or herbs (eg dill) or is it mixing different ingredients together so picky eaters cannot pick stuff out (eg pilaf)?

[Anonymous]

(I already posted that you need to give up complaining, so here are some constructive ideas that have helped us with our own family dinners)
When I was in a rut a few years ago I collected promo coupons for several of those meal delivery services and had the kids make them with me. We cooked and critiqued them, and ended up with some new things in our rotation. If your dh doesn't want to cook them, then set aside time on the weekend to do them with the kids.
I also got a farmshare box, and committed to cooking and eating it all -- I'm not sure your family is there.
Can you and DH sign up for a cooking class somewhere, bring a bottle of wine, and have fun learning some new techniques and tasting new things together?

[Anonymous]

maybe you can plan a weekly menu including recipes so that you are both happy. i don't usually cook seafood, as i don't like it. he can get seafood out, and he does. other than that, we have a wide variety.

i don't think she should have to cook just because he won't cook a nice variety., especially since he is home in time to cook.

[Anonymous]

I don't expect the husband's palate to broaden, but he can teach better manners: if you don't like something, just don't eat it. That's all. No critique, no cajoling just to try X many bites, just pass the dish, say "No thank you" when offered, or leave it on your plate.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I am about to lose it. My husband cooks dinner most nights mainly because I work until 7pm. It makes sense for him to cook.
However: Any time I suggest a deviation from our rotation, he balks. For instance, meatless Monday. Nope, not a "mea;" without meat. Seared fish. Nope.
Basically it's a seasoned chicken, pork, or beef dish every night with mushy broccoli or sweet potatoes (the only veggies he likes).
I will grocery shop and try to buy other things and they rot in the fridge b/c he won't cook with them. I will suggest recipes and he'll find reasons why he can't make it.
Or he'll just grimace.

Finally I decided I'd just cook dinner ahead of time and freeze it. I made a few items. He critiqued each thing or else said why it was gross (cream sauce! cheese! olives...on and on). Then announces it at the table so our little kids also say "Ewwww".

WWYD!?!?!?! I am so beyond annoyed here.

You are lucky, actually. My SIL will only eat: ham; roast beef; chicken tenders, mashed potatoes and fries. Maybe a little barbecue a couple of times a year. She will not prepare or feed their kids vegetables. If my brother wants to eat anything else, he must prepare it himself and eat alone.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I am about to lose it. My husband cooks dinner most nights mainly because I work until 7pm. It makes sense for him to cook.
However: Any time I suggest a deviation from our rotation, he balks. For instance, meatless Monday. Nope, not a "mea;" without meat. Seared fish. Nope.
Basically it's a seasoned chicken, pork, or beef dish every night with mushy broccoli or sweet potatoes (the only veggies he likes).
I will grocery shop and try to buy other things and they rot in the fridge b/c he won't cook with them. I will suggest recipes and he'll find reasons why he can't make it.
Or he'll just grimace.

Finally I decided I'd just cook dinner ahead of time and freeze it. I made a few items. He critiqued each thing or else said why it was gross (cream sauce! cheese! olives...on and on). Then announces it at the table so our little kids also say "Ewwww".

WWYD!?!?!?! I am so beyond annoyed here.

You are lucky, actually. My SIL will only eat: ham; roast beef; chicken tenders, mashed potatoes and fries. Maybe a little barbecue a couple of times a year. She will not prepare or feed their kids vegetables. If my brother wants to eat anything else, he must prepare it himself and eat alone.

How do you end up with someone like this? That sounds like borderline child abuse. Your brother should prepare meals for himself and the children and she should eat alone. Maybe not pc, but that is trashy.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I am about to lose it. My husband cooks dinner most nights mainly because I work until 7pm. It makes sense for him to cook.
However: Any time I suggest a deviation from our rotation, he balks. For instance, meatless Monday. Nope, not a "mea;" without meat. Seared fish. Nope.
Basically it's a seasoned chicken, pork, or beef dish every night with mushy broccoli or sweet potatoes (the only veggies he likes).
I will grocery shop and try to buy other things and they rot in the fridge b/c he won't cook with them. I will suggest recipes and he'll find reasons why he can't make it.
Or he'll just grimace.

Finally I decided I'd just cook dinner ahead of time and freeze it. I made a few items. He critiqued each thing or else said why it was gross (cream sauce! cheese! olives...on and on). Then announces it at the table so our little kids also say "Ewwww".

WWYD!?!?!?! I am so beyond annoyed here.

You are lucky, actually. My SIL will only eat: ham; roast beef; chicken tenders, mashed potatoes and fries. Maybe a little barbecue a couple of times a year. She will not prepare or feed their kids vegetables. If my brother wants to eat anything else, he must prepare it himself and eat alone.

How do you end up with someone like this? That sounds like borderline child abuse. Your brother should prepare meals for himself and the children and she should eat alone. Maybe not pc, but that is trashy.

Here is my issue with this and OP - you knew this adult was picky when you got married. A HUGE tip off is a person ordering chicken fingers when there are 25 other things on the menu. I don’t think I have EVER ordered chicken fingers if there is anything else to eat.

So now, OP, you are stuck. You and your DH need to come to an agreement. You don’t criticize his cooking, and he doesn’t criticize yours. He cooks M-F which makes sense, and you cook what you want on the weekends. No complaining.

[Anonymous]

It’s hard to criticize the cook but in the other hand it’s easy to fall into a rut and eat spaghetti every night.
It’s not cool to limit the kids palate to 3 things. Or to say ewwww to every vegetable. You need a calm and sane discussion with DH.

[Anonymous]

Don’t criticize what he makes just like you don’t want him to criticize what he makes. This is like kindness and appreciation 101 and it sounds like it needs to go both ways.

[Anonymous]

^^ what you make

[Anonymous]

OP sucks. Imagine complaing about someone cooking you dinner. I hope he smashes her best friend.

[Anonymous]

OP -- how did you handle dinner prior to kids? Did he eat your food then? Was he still doing the protein and broccoli/sweet potato thing then, too? Were you always eating out or getting takeout? It sounds like he (and the kids?) are perfectly happy with what he makes, but that you find it too limiting. Perhaps you can make some additional items over the weekend that can supplement what he makes and sort of serve it like a buffet. That way, the kids can try some new stuff and you can have some variety. Perhaps some sort of simple vegetable gratin like a ratatouille or potato gratin (it doesn't need to have cream and cheese). Build-your own meals as others have suggested are a good idea- tacos, fajitas, chili (green or red), warm hummus with assorted toppings (spiced ground beef, cucumbers, tomatoes, peppers, served with pita).

You have to have a talk with him about yucking your food, or any food, in front of the kids. It really does put those ideas in their head before they have a chance to try things and see if they like them.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I am about to lose it. My husband cooks dinner most nights mainly because I work until 7pm. It makes sense for him to cook.
However: Any time I suggest a deviation from our rotation, he balks. For instance, meatless Monday. Nope, not a "mea;" without meat. Seared fish. Nope.
Basically it's a seasoned chicken, pork, or beef dish every night with mushy broccoli or sweet potatoes (the only veggies he likes).
I will grocery shop and try to buy other things and they rot in the fridge b/c he won't cook with them. I will suggest recipes and he'll find reasons why he can't make it.
Or he'll just grimace.

Finally I decided I'd just cook dinner ahead of time and freeze it. I made a few items. He critiqued each thing or else said why it was gross (cream sauce! cheese! olives...on and on). Then announces it at the table so our little kids also say "Ewwww".

WWYD!?!?!?! I am so beyond annoyed here.

You are lucky, actually. My SIL will only eat: ham; roast beef; chicken tenders, mashed potatoes and fries. Maybe a little barbecue a couple of times a year. She will not prepare or feed their kids vegetables. If my brother wants to eat anything else, he must prepare it himself and eat alone.

How do you end up with someone like this? That sounds like borderline child abuse. Your brother should prepare meals for himself and the children and she should eat alone. Maybe not pc, but that is trashy.

Yes, it is abuse, but the choice is divorce and possibly not being the one to end up with the kids. As the aunt, I don't think this rises to the level of bring in CPS, but it is pretty hard on my brother.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I am about to lose it. My husband cooks dinner most nights mainly because I work until 7pm. It makes sense for him to cook.
However: Any time I suggest a deviation from our rotation, he balks. For instance, meatless Monday. Nope, not a "mea;" without meat. Seared fish. Nope.
Basically it's a seasoned chicken, pork, or beef dish every night with mushy broccoli or sweet potatoes (the only veggies he likes).
I will grocery shop and try to buy other things and they rot in the fridge b/c he won't cook with them. I will suggest recipes and he'll find reasons why he can't make it.
Or he'll just grimace.

Finally I decided I'd just cook dinner ahead of time and freeze it. I made a few items. He critiqued each thing or else said why it was gross (cream sauce! cheese! olives...on and on). Then announces it at the table so our little kids also say "Ewwww".

WWYD!?!?!?! I am so beyond annoyed here.

You are lucky, actually. My SIL will only eat: ham; roast beef; chicken tenders, mashed potatoes and fries. Maybe a little barbecue a couple of times a year. She will not prepare or feed their kids vegetables. If my brother wants to eat anything else, he must prepare it himself and eat alone.

How do you end up with someone like this? That sounds like borderline child abuse. Your brother should prepare meals for himself and the children and she should eat alone. Maybe not pc, but that is trashy.

Here is my issue with this and OP - you knew this adult was picky when you got married. A HUGE tip off is a person ordering chicken fingers when there are 25 other things on the menu. I don’t think I have EVER ordered chicken fingers if there is anything else to eat.

So now, OP, you are stuck. You and your DH need to come to an agreement. You don’t criticize his cooking, and he doesn’t criticize yours. He cooks M-F which makes sense, and you cook what you want on the weekends. No complaining.

I don't think my brother really thought it through when they were dating. It was just a quirk when they were young and eating out a lot, and he could order what he wanted. Now, after years, it really gets to him.