Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Baked salmon. So easy. Side of simple vegetable or salad, baguette, fruit.

They only eat fried fish from Long John Silvers. No, I am not joking.

DP. Okay, then buy some frozen breaded fish sticks that you bake.

Has anyone mentioned roasting an oven-stuffer chicken? I think your inlaws might like that.

And now you also know that perhaps you can have dinner out at Red Lobster. Because if they like Long John Silvers then they will like the more upscale Red Lobster. Put the Olive Garden and Cracker Barrel on the dinner out list, too. All 3 are fine restaurants that have a customer base with tastes that are very similar to your inlaws. Flame away shrieking, know-it-all "foodies."

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This is a trashy meal I make sometimes that your ILs might enjoy -

Chicken Parm Sliders
https://www.instrupix.com/easy-chicken-parmesan-sliders/

Serve with a bagged salad and boxed wine. I’m not joking.

They will love this! Thanks.

Awesome! I’ll report back if I think of more ideas!

Anonymous wrote:This is a trashy meal I make sometimes that your ILs might enjoy -

Chicken Parm Sliders
https://www.instrupix.com/easy-chicken-parmesan-sliders/

Serve with a bagged salad and boxed wine. I’m not joking.

They will love this! Thanks.

Anonymous wrote:Baked salmon. So easy. Side of simple vegetable or salad, baguette, fruit.

They only eat fried fish from Long John Silvers. No, I am not joking.

This is a trashy meal I make sometimes that your ILs might enjoy -

Chicken Parm Sliders
https://www.instrupix.com/easy-chicken-parmesan-sliders/

Serve with a bagged salad and boxed wine. I’m not joking.

Baked salmon. So easy. Side of simple vegetable or salad, baguette, fruit.

Huge +1 to the idea for baked ziti/lasagna with garlic bread and salad. I wouldn’t normally make this in the summer but OP is just trying to survive

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Taco bar, this is what I do with my picky in laws

Grilled chicken, black beans
Tortillas and taco shells
Diced tomatoes and salsa
Shredded cheese, sour cream, guacamole

Everyone puts together their own plates

They don’t eat tacos! Too exotic!

Don't call it tacos 😂 say it's a "wrap"

You could also get a bunch of sandwich fixings and use a panini press if you have one to make it fancier.

Btw my in laws are the same--no spice, only vegetable they eat is iceberg lettuce. My kids aren't negatively influenced by it; they are still as adventurous as ever.

Pizza and salad? You can do veggies for those that don’t like salad.
Salmon? Potatoes and whatever veggies you like with it
Baked ziti or similar pasta dish
I wouldn’t be making separate meals personally

Roast pork tenderloin with two sides--mac and cheese is a good one, as is any steamed vegetable that you think they would enjoy, such as peas, green beans, those frozen bags of mixed carrots and peas.

They would probably love those instant mashed potatoes that you just add water to: https://idahoan.com/products/idahoan-original-mashed-potatoes-13-75oz/

and Stovetop Stuffing: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stove_Top_stuffing

and Suddenly Salad (instant pasta salad): https://www.suddenlysalad.com

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I’ll make the kids separate meals since ILs don’t eat spice and like really plain food and my kids do not.

I think it's great that you are being thoughtful about your in laws.

I would also think about what this communicates to your kids. Your IL's limited diet is likely because their exposure was limited. You don't want the same thing for your kids.

I'd think about putting one meal on the table, with things you think your IL's might and might not eat and things your kids might and might not eat, rather than two separate meals.

Things like

Roast chicken with potatoes and carrots and onions, and some spicy condiments on the side.

Steak with a few vegetables, one cooked with familiar spices for the kids.

Baked ravioli, with a salad with a choice of dressings.

Definitely all 3 of these. My additions for dinner:

-ham, like a Honey Baked Ham or a spiral ham from your regular grocery store, with scalloped potatoes, corn and a salad

-lasagna (already suggested by someone else) with garlic bread and a salad

-barbecued chicken made on your grill with grilled corn on the cob and potato salad or coleslaw

-spaghetti and meatballs with Texas toast and baby glazed carrots

-Maryland Crab Cakes (for a "special" meal) with tartar sauce, roasted potatoes and watermelon salad

For lunch I would do sandwiches, mostly make your own with a big spread of options, soup and/or salad. For breakfast, I would have an array of cereals, including oatmeal, and different muffins and pastries each day. Set up the breakfast array before you go to sleep so if they get up early then they can pull stuff out of the fridge and serve themselves. Make sure they know how to use the coffee maker so there is no problem with that. Also, ask your husband if they have any special treat type foods that they would appreciate. My FIL loves peanut M&Ms, and my late MIL loved those little Andes mints. I always stocked those when they visited and put some in the welcome basket of other things in their room so they could have a little treat if they wanted one.

Also, keep in mind that what you're doing with the pre-planning is essentially what you should be doing for ANY guest. I know they are your inlaws and DCUM has some thing against them, but they raised the man you love so they must be pretty good people. You're on the right track by trying to ensure that they will be happy and comfortable while they are visiting. I hope all goes well!

Anonymous wrote:Pizza!

That will definitely be one of the meals!

Anonymous wrote:Taco bar, this is what I do with my picky in laws

Grilled chicken, black beans
Tortillas and taco shells
Diced tomatoes and salsa
Shredded cheese, sour cream, guacamole

Everyone puts together their own plates

They don’t eat tacos! Too exotic!

Anonymous wrote:I’ll make the kids separate meals since ILs don’t eat spice and like really plain food and my kids do not.

I think it's great that you are being thoughtful about your in laws.

I would also think about what this communicates to your kids. Your IL's limited diet is likely because their exposure was limited. You don't want the same thing for your kids.

I'd think about putting one meal on the table, with things you think your IL's might and might not eat and things your kids might and might not eat, rather than two separate meals.

Things like

Roast chicken with potatoes and carrots and onions, and some spicy condiments on the side.

Steak with a few vegetables, one cooked with familiar spices for the kids.

Baked ravioli, with a salad with a choice of dressings.

Pizza!