What the hell do I cook for my new in-laws?
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Anonymous
This is a strange situation...just a warning 
DH and I are newlyweds and are visiting his parents for the week. I would absolutely love to cook dinner for them and DH's sister and brother-in-law. I have no idea what to make for the following reasons: 1. DH and I are vegetarians. We don't eat fish. 2. Everyone in his family is a carnivore. Meat, meat and more meat. 3. DH's family is Italian and LOVE italian food, which is great but...... 4. DH's sister is married to a Vietnamese man who can't digest cheese, hates Italian food and loves light vegetable/rice dishes. Wonderful, but..... 5. DH's family is picky as hell and won't eat Asian dishes. 5. MIL and SIL are on Weight Watchers. What the hell do I make for dinner? I don't mind cooking meat for them and just omitting it in DH's and my portion. I'm stumped. |
Anonymous
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Just an idea - when I have guests that have different needs like this, I often serve these “Stack Ups.” Everyone can choose what they want. It is kind of like a “burrito bowl” in that everyone can assemble their dinner with the items they want. I lay them out in this order (guests “stack up” the items they want - like tacos):
Fritos Rice Ground beef seasoned with taco seasoning Cheese Lettuce Tomatoes Black olives Coconut (yes, it sounds crazy, but it works) Pecans (yes, these too) Salsa Sour cream Add any items your family likes with tacos/burritos like black beans, green chiles, etc. |
Anonymous
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When you have a lot of people with different needs - cook in components. This way everyone can skip what they don't like.
Roast a chicken -- find a good recipe (look for ones with lemon and garlic) Pasta with garlic and oil and toasted pine nuts and parsley. Maybe even toss some broccoli in there. Some kind of green vegetable and a large salad. I'd also observe how they cook for each other first. |
Anonymous
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I would grill some chicken for the meat eaters - it goes with anything and is diet friendly. Then go with sides - many of the veggie dishes you regularly make could be good.
salads of any kind quinoa or couscous Eggplant parm (w/o cheese on some) Fajitas - veggie and some beef or chicken I'm wondering if they will even want you to cook though. I know my MIL won't let anyone use her kitchen - including her BIL who owns a restaurant! |
Anonymous
This is my thought, too. It's odd even for me to have guests cook in my kitchen--unless they're helping me to cook. Why not just offer to help MIL? Or why not take them out to eat, letting everyone make their own choices off the menu? When they visit you in your home, you can cook for them. (So getting ideas, as you're doing here, is a great idea!) |
Anonymous
| Do they eat together often, at home instead of at a restaurant? With such different preferences, a restaurant might be best , although I'm not sure what restaurant would be best, TBH. |
Anonymous
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1. Risotto
2. Any kind of pasta with vegetables and olive oil base, maybe sausage and broccoli, bacon and cauliflower, etc. 3. Seriously, I'm an Italian married to a Vietnamese DH and yes, even lactose intolerant Asians can eat parmagiano! |
Anonymous
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OP here. I'm beginning to think a restaurant is our best bet. There are just too many different dietary needs/restrictions.
They can all just decide for themselves. |
Anonymous
He DESPISES any type of cheese....even Parmesan! I would absolutely love for him to cook a delicious Vietnamese meal. His own wife won't even try it. Thank goodness DH is a more adventurous eater than his family! |
Anonymous
| Make "pasta" from zucchini, yellow squash, carrots, etc using a spiral cutter or a veggie peeler. Quick sauté it with onions and fresh parsley. Let people add their own toppings as they please. |
Anonymous
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A little something to please everyone...
Risotto or paella with vegetables. Have freshly grated parmesan on the side for the latter. Substitute chicken stock with water or veggie stock: http://www.epicurious.com/recipes/food/views/Mushroom-Risotto-231798 http://www.epicurious.com/recipes/food/views/Vegetable-Paella-1892 Grilled eggplant (use Asian eggplant): http://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2012/07/29/magazine/eggplant-recipes.html?_r=0#Simple_Grilled_Eggplant Green salad that's neither Italian or Asian (skip the cheese in this): http://www.southernliving.com/food/entertaining/cool-summer-salads I agree with PPs to have some sort of meat available for meat eaters. You can also pick up something cooked, it you'd rather not cook it. Have a platter of watermelon, crudities with non-dairy dips like humus. |
Anonymous
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I agree with the taco bar. Beef, beans, veggies, tortillas, taco shells, guac, sour cream, cheese. Everyone build their own. I do this often with my picky in laws.
Then serve margaritas 
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Anonymous
| I would not want any good intentioned person in my kitchen unless they were doing dishes or helping me clean up. Please make sure to ask before you do this. |
Anonymous
OP, I think you are getting a little too ambitious in the interest of pleasing your ILs, and it just may backfire. Ask DH: How do they normally do meals when he visits? Can you and he offer to take them to a favorite restaurant, or would that be unusual? With all those weird food habits, I might consider showing up with flowers or booze, but whatever you do, talk with DH first about what would or would not be appreciated. |
Anonymous
Don't invade their kitchen unless they invite you to cook. No vegetarian lectures. You are the guest. Take everyone out to dinner. No knick knack or picture frame [are knickknacks]gifts-food, flowers, alcohol only. |