Oh and I do a lot of customizing meals- pasta with regular sauce or something special (roasted red peppers) with lots of add ons like chicken or shrimp for those who want it.

My in-laws eat very plainly and my kids are picky (and one has dietary restrictions). I used to cook every meal but it’s really nice to have some breaks. I’d either ask your husband to cook one meal at least or say in the AM I am planning on Silver Diner tonight! Here’s the menu- if you don’t see something you like we can also go to (specific name of another American restaurant with menu available). My husband’s father really like silver diner - surely there’s at least one restaurant you can go to?

I’d also make lunch simple- everyone makes sandwiches or eats cheese, crackers and fruit. Have a nice selection of those things and you can supplement any meal. My picky eater loves super strong cheese, maybe that would appease your kids too after all the bland food?

Anonymous wrote:MY FIL is coming to visit from Texas and his tastes are very old-school, mid-century American: meat main dish, separate potato side, and separate vegetable side. No all-in-one dishes, no casseroles, no ethnic foods, no exotic vegetables, etc. He does occasionally eat spaghetti, but only with red sauce. This is totally different from the way I normally cook, so coming up with a menu plan for that week will be challenging!

It's 2023. The US is a nation of immigrants. He needs to celebrate diversity and widen his palate.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Ham and Cheese Sliders on soft Hawaiian rolls
Meatball subs
Pasta salad
Raw veggies and dip
Steak and cheese sandwiches
Fruit salad

I would not eat four of these things. I eat almost as plainly as OP’s in-laws.

NP. Then tell your hosts that you are a picky, childish eater and you will provide your own food and prepare your own meals so as not to be a burden. All that you ask is for them to ensure that any restaurants you visit have a kids menu, hopefully with pictures of the food. That way, you’ll have paper and crayons on which to write a thank you note.

This is what I come to DCUM for: a concise and snarky rejoinder. 👏

I aim to please!

This is my go-to meatloaf recipe; for your in-laws, I suggest skipping the bacon entirely and making the glaze as a sauce to serve on the side.

https://frugalhausfrau.com/2015/04/19/cooks-illustrated-meatloaf-a-favorite/

Anonymous wrote:MY FIL is coming to visit from Texas and his tastes are very old-school, mid-century American: meat main dish, separate potato side, and separate vegetable side. No all-in-one dishes, no casseroles, no ethnic foods, no exotic vegetables, etc. He does occasionally eat spaghetti, but only with red sauce. This is totally different from the way I normally cook, so coming up with a menu plan for that week will be challenging!

My trick is to browse the Pioneer Woman website for “Marlboro Man” favorites (cringeworthy and stupid, I know). And google things like “favorite Midwestern dinner recipes.”

MY FIL is coming to visit from Texas and his tastes are very old-school, mid-century American: meat main dish, separate potato side, and separate vegetable side. No all-in-one dishes, no casseroles, no ethnic foods, no exotic vegetables, etc. He does occasionally eat spaghetti, but only with red sauce. This is totally different from the way I normally cook, so coming up with a menu plan for that week will be challenging!

So I have no problem accommodating food restrictions..you’re a vegetarian, allergic to shellfish, can’t eat gluten, can’t eat dairy, or on a low salt cardiac diet no problem. I won’t accommodate no flavor. My house is not Cracker Barrel or Country Buffet. When we visit you we eat overcooked, dry unseasoned Turkey, soupy mashed potatoes, sweet potatoes hidden under two feet of marshmallow goop and beans cooked to the consistency of mush. We smile and don’t complain.

If you come to my house, we cook with technique and flavor. If you don’t like it, McDonalds is down the road and I bought a loaf of white wonder bread and boiled ham slices (deli turkey is too woke for them). Overtime, they have learned to expand their preferences and actually like some of it. I don’t particularly care but I’m not playing games.

Some things that are good to feed a crowd of folks with a more plain palate:

Chicken and rice soup - you can start with a rotisserie chicken and it takes a lot of the work out of it. Serve with bread and butter.

Baked pasta with broccoli and sausage. Tomato sauce can be acidic so usually I just do a white sauce and ricotta or mozzarella cheese

Chicken divan

Roast turkey with peas and mashed potatoes

Pulled pork sandwiches with macaroni and cheese

Meatballs. Serve tomato sauce on the side and also have plain bread and garlic bread available to make meatball sandwiches

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I have picky inlaws as well, limited palate and disordered eating (actually disordered), one vegetarian, and one of my kids is very picky. I just made a list for an upcoming visit. We have some stressful family stuff going on, so everything has to be pretty simple - I'm not trying to impress.

Roasted chicken and roasted tomato and eggplant with white beans.
Salmon with lentil salad.
Veggie and bean enchiladas with rice. Plain tortillas and cheese for those who can't handle enchilada sauce.
Crockpot bbq chicken, bbq tofu, and cucumber salad.
Baked pasta with roasted broccoli.
One night of take out and go out one night.

It's not perfect, won't please everyone. I'll throw in some leafy greens on the side. If someone wants to just eat rice, bread, or greens, whatever.

What qualifies as actual disordered eating?

She has an actual diagnosed active eating disorder. Not a judgement on my part (other than the obsessive talking about being fat and skinny and ugly around my kids) but a fact that I need to keep in mind.

Anonymous wrote:I have picky inlaws as well, limited palate and disordered eating (actually disordered), one vegetarian, and one of my kids is very picky. I just made a list for an upcoming visit. We have some stressful family stuff going on, so everything has to be pretty simple - I'm not trying to impress.

Roasted chicken and roasted tomato and eggplant with white beans.
Salmon with lentil salad.
Veggie and bean enchiladas with rice. Plain tortillas and cheese for those who can't handle enchilada sauce.
Crockpot bbq chicken, bbq tofu, and cucumber salad.
Baked pasta with roasted broccoli.
One night of take out and go out one night.

It's not perfect, won't please everyone. I'll throw in some leafy greens on the side. If someone wants to just eat rice, bread, or greens, whatever.

What qualifies as actual disordered eating?

Sounds like my in laws. The problem is most of the things they will eat are not really summer foods because they are heavy. But my most helpful discovery is that my in laws and DH will eat familiar foods that have lots of sugar. Even garlicky foods can be tweaked to be more sugar heavy and they will often eat it.

Pick up fried chicken and sides from grocery store. Served with salad if they will eat it (mine will not.)

Meatloaf and mashed potatoes. Green beans boiled to death. Maybe boiled corn on the cob with butter. Add sliced almonds or candied almonds out of the bag to green beans or salad if they like those.

Beef marinated in sugary bottled teriyaki marinade with extra honey and/or sugar added during marinating. If they won’t eat rice I guess serve with whatever starch they will eat. “Teriyaki” noodles?

Pork glazed with brown sugar, orange marmalade. Leftovers can be pan fried and eaten for breakfast with eggs or put on sweet rolls for sandwiches.

Ribs covered in sweet brown sugar bbq sauce from the supermarket. Taste and add more sugar if they like. This will also help with the caramelization. Serve with coleslaw and boiled corn.

Thanksgiving food.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Ham and Cheese Sliders on soft Hawaiian rolls
Meatball subs
Pasta salad
Raw veggies and dip
Steak and cheese sandwiches
Fruit salad

I would not eat four of these things. I eat almost as plainly as OP’s in-laws.

NP. Then tell your hosts that you are a picky, childish eater and you will provide your own food and prepare your own meals so as not to be a burden. All that you ask is for them to ensure that any restaurants you visit have a kids menu, hopefully with pictures of the food. That way, you’ll have paper and crayons on which to write a thank you note.

This is what I come to DCUM for: a concise and snarky rejoinder. 👏

You come to DCUM for a troll responding to a troll responding to a troll post meant to mock people with different food preferences? Clap, clap.

NP That comment and the Yale comment were pretty hilarious TBF

* good way for women supporting each other women survive