Christmas Dinner Stuck on Limited Options

[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.

I'd do salmon. Costco has salmon filets with an herb butter sauce. You pop 'em in the oven and voila. This also wouldn't be hard to make on your own. As to the rest, I'd include mashed potatoes and green beans as gluten and nut free. They'd have to figure out the rest on their own.

[Anonymous]

OP, you MUST update us on Christmas day on how your dinner goes!

[Anonymous]

OP, I suggest you just make the steaks. Make baked potatoes with lots off topping options. Salad and a side veggie that your family likes.

While I think the given restrictions are ridiculous and outrageous at the end of the day just make your life easier and go with the easy meal that you know they will eat. Life is too short to waste your own time trying to come up with something else.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Folks- this is not hard. Roast two chickens, potatoes, polenta, or rice. Add a vegetable and/or salad.

DP. Roast chicken in my house is a go-to midweek dinner. I would accommodate OP's picky in-laws with chicken, but treat the rest of the family to a festive meal.

Sure. I prefer chicken over turkey any day. Point was there’s a bunch of other proteins available. Gluten free is really not that hard anymore.

[Anonymous]

They are ridiculous. Buy a rotisserie chicken and reheat it. Make a rib roast or tenderloin or whatever you prefer. Two proteins that everyone can choose from.

Mashed potatoes or a nice rice dish. I love risotto but it's so labor intensive for a holiday meal. Add some sort of cooked vegetable dish of your choice plus a festive cold salad. Nice rolls.

Dessert is Christmas cookies and buy some that are gluten free. My traditional dessert is an apple crisp made with oats, you could sub out any flour for oat flour.

Huge caveat that if your nuclear family has a traditional must-have dish that includes pasta or roast meat or nuts (unless there is a legitimate allergy), serve it. If mac and cheese was on my Christmas menu every year, you can be darn sure it would be on my table.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP, I suggest you just make the steaks. Make baked potatoes with lots off topping options. Salad and a side veggie that your family likes.

While I think the given restrictions are ridiculous and outrageous at the end of the day just make your life easier and go with the easy meal that you know they will eat. Life is too short to waste your own time trying to come up with something else.

OP here, this is likely what we will do. I’m trying to handle the situation with humor… or I will lose my mind. 🤪

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP, I suggest you just make the steaks. Make baked potatoes with lots off topping options. Salad and a side veggie that your family likes.

While I think the given restrictions are ridiculous and outrageous at the end of the day just make your life easier and go with the easy meal that you know they will eat. Life is too short to waste your own time trying to come up with something else.

OP here, this is likely what we will do. I’m trying to handle the situation with humor… or I will lose my mind. 🤪

At least make the BIL work the grill.

[Anonymous]

I would serve whatever you want and make sure there are several side dishes available to them. Add a "main" meal type side dish with rice or quinoa beefed up with veggies for them.

[Anonymous]

Make a roast beef. When you take it out to rest, put some salmon in the oven for them.

Done!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Make a leg of lamb. It's within their parameters and fairly easy to make.

How do you make a leg of lamb that doesn't involve roasting it?

To be fair, OP here, I know I said "roast" but that's what they call a standing rib roast, etc. So roasting a lamb or veggies is ok lol.

I think they're trying to get us to grill steaks without just saying it. They "look down" on a traditional holiday meal for some reason. SIL has many dietary restrictions not due to health reasons... its more like preferences.

It's going to be barely 20 degrees on Xmas day. I would not grill.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Make a leg of lamb. It's within their parameters and fairly easy to make.

How do you make a leg of lamb that doesn't involve roasting it?

To be fair, OP here, I know I said "roast" but that's what they call a standing rib roast, etc. So roasting a lamb or veggies is ok lol.

I think they're trying to get us to grill steaks without just saying it. They "look down" on a traditional holiday meal for some reason. SIL has many dietary restrictions not due to health reasons... its more like preferences.

It's going to be barely 20 degrees on Xmas day. I would not grill.

I agree, which is why I suggested upthread to delegate the grilling to the picky BIL.
Yes, steaks can also be cooked on stovetop and finished in oven,, but it's a lot more work for the hostess.

[Anonymous]

I would make whatever your immediate family wants for dinner and pick up one trader joe veggie/allergen free frozen dinner and tell other family that is what have. If they want something else, they need to bring it. You are not a buffet restaurant!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Make a leg of lamb. It's within their parameters and fairly easy to make.

How do you make a leg of lamb that doesn't involve roasting it?

To be fair, OP here, I know I said "roast" but that's what they call a standing rib roast, etc. So roasting a lamb or veggies is ok lol.

I think they're trying to get us to grill steaks without just saying it. They "look down" on a traditional holiday meal for some reason. SIL has many dietary restrictions not due to health reasons... its more like preferences.

Probably too late, but would beef tenderloin work? You roast it, but it is essentially steak.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Make a leg of lamb. It's within their parameters and fairly easy to make.

How do you make a leg of lamb that doesn't involve roasting it?

To be fair, OP here, I know I said "roast" but that's what they call a standing rib roast, etc. So roasting a lamb or veggies is ok lol.

I think they're trying to get us to grill steaks without just saying it. They "look down" on a traditional holiday meal for some reason. SIL has many dietary restrictions not due to health reasons... its more like preferences.

Probably too late, but would beef tenderloin work? You roast it, but it is essentially steak.

As I explained to my kids today, prime rib is just steak that hasn’t been cut yet. I’d do the rib roast.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Make a leg of lamb. It's within their parameters and fairly easy to make.

How do you make a leg of lamb that doesn't involve roasting it?

To be fair, OP here, I know I said "roast" but that's what they call a standing rib roast, etc. So roasting a lamb or veggies is ok lol.

I think they're trying to get us to grill steaks without just saying it. They "look down" on a traditional holiday meal for some reason. SIL has many dietary restrictions not due to health reasons... its more like preferences.

Probably too late, but would beef tenderloin work? You roast it, but it is essentially steak.

As I explained to my kids today, prime rib is just steak that hasn’t been cut yet. I’d do the rib roast.

I hate rib roast. it's so pink and soft ugh.