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Conference turris::cooks

Title:How to Make them Goodies
Notice:Please Don't Start New Notes for Old Topics! Check 5.*
Moderator:FUTURE::DDESMAISONSec.com::winalski
Created:Tue Feb 18 1986
Last Modified:Thu Jun 05 1997
Last Successful Update:Fri Jun 06 1997
Number of topics:4127
Total number of notes:31160

3219.0. "MENU: Meals for visiting in-laws" by VLSI::NEWSTED () Wed Sep 11 1991 14:38

   My in-laws are visiting in two weeks and I'm thinking about creating
   a special meal for them. It will just be the four of us, my husband,
   his, parents and I.  They are from Michigan and are coming a long way
    for a rather breif visit, and we don't see'em all that much so I
    want to make it nice.  It's hard to decide what to serve because
    they are real 'meat and potatoes' type eaters. The do have good
    appetites, but their taste is very conservative and plain! (I mean
    these people never had anything on their salad, save mayo thinned
    with a little milk till they met me!) We usually do see them on
    hollidays, so i'd like to get away from the traditional Roast beef,
    turkey or baked ham idea.  I made a beautiful lazagne last time
    they were out and it didn't go over all that well -- there was lots
    leftover! So, i would tend to lean away from the traditional italian
    dishes too. Where does that leave us?  I need some suggestions for
    dishes that can be prepared conservatively -- and by that I mean
    using moderation with spices/sauces --- and at the same time remain
    'elegant'....
    
     Can anyone help by making a suggestion or sharing similar experiences?
    
     some of my thoughts were: chicken cordon blue (boring though)
                               veal saltimbocca 
                               grilled something or other?
                               yea, i could do steak, corn on cob and
                               potatoes but....
    
       thanks!
                                                   
         
    
T.RTitleUserPersonal
Name
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3219.1quick but goodMRCSSE::JACOBSONWed Sep 11 1991 15:4617
    Some dishes that I have made for meat and potatoe eaters are:
    
    stuffed flank steak
    roast leg of lamb
    chicken kiev
    chicken marsala
    ckicken picata
    grilled salmon or swordfish
    
    for a potatoe course
    -twice baked potatoes
    -oven baked potatoes with herbs
    -grilled potatoes
    -rice pilaf (if they eat rice)
    
    Good luck!!!!! I know its difficult feeding people who like very plain
    food.
3219.2Twice balked potatoesEMDS::KENNEDYWed Sep 11 1991 17:111
    I would be interested in the recipe for twice baked potatoes please!!
3219.3Keep it simple.CSCOAC::ANDERSON_MDwell in possibilityWed Sep 11 1991 17:4216
    
    My in-laws are the same way, and they frequently make menu requests
    (which get politely ignored) before they come.  
    
    What's nice and elegant for us is at best unusual and bizarre for them. 
    
    They're happiest with roast chicken, --oh, okay, I smear it with a 
    little rosemary, garlic and lemon, but that's it--creamed potatoes, 
    a hot vegetable and a green salad with everything chopped into small
    dice.  They request Catalina dressing for the salad and milk to drink.
    
    If I really want to please them, I do something like angel biscuits 
    and warm homemade applesauce.  
    
    
    Mike
3219.4-^-v~->>NOVA::FISHERRdb/VMS DinosaurThu Sep 12 1991 07:287
re:-< Twice balked potatoes >-
    
    Didn't Louis Tiant do that?  :-) oh, that was baseballs!
    
    You can find twice-baked spuds in 1344.13, sub note 3
    
    ed
3219.5Some ideasTNPUBS::STEINHARTThu Sep 12 1991 12:3123
    How about marinating the meat and grilling it with an interesting sauce
    on the side?   For instance, flank steak marinated in red wine vinegar,
    olive oil, garlic, and rosemary.   You could serve it with a beef gravy
    made to your taste, or maybe a tart cranberry relish, since its autumn
    (for you).
    
    Another option - cooking individual portions in packages of aluminum
    foil.  Those you eat can have sauces cooked with them, those for your
    in-laws can be cooked plain.  For example, salmon with mayo and mustard
    for you, salmon with just butter for them.
    
    For appetizers, how about an antipasto platter.  Include some things
    you know they'd eat, such as American cheese, celery stalks, cherry
    tomatos, and salami.  For you, there is a wide range of marinated
    Italian vegetables in jars, special cheeses, stuffed artichoke hearts
    (in quarters), etc.
    
    You can cook a roast chicken with a special stuffing for you, and
    mashed potatos for everybody.
    
    Best of luck for an enjoyable visit,
    (hope the food doesn't becomae an issue)
    Laura
3219.6YANKEE POT ROAST AND TRIMMINGSHYEND::PALMThu Sep 12 1991 14:3018
	What my father-in-law would have enjoyed (he passed away just
	last year this time):

	Pot roast

	Homemade made mashed potatoes

	Lots of gravy

	Carrots

	Green veg or salad

	and homemade apple pie with ice cream

	Very plain but good stuff

Enjoy your visit.
3219.7see 1926.1LUDWIG::ETHOMPSONI&#039;m the NRAThu Sep 12 1991 18:562
    The wife made the recipe a cuple of times for pot lucks we went to and
     were will liked.
3219.8Try PorkEXPRES::FENDELANDERFri Sep 13 1991 00:442
    How about crown roast pork, roasted potatoes and a veggie????
    
3219.9Best on a cool nightEMDS::PETERSONFri Sep 13 1991 11:273
    
    How about a "Traditional New England Boiled Dinner"?  It is the time of
    year for it too!
3219.10Had to join in -:)HOCUS::FCOLLINSFri Sep 13 1991 13:003
    How about a meat loaf with baked potatoes and peas.
    
           Flo
3219.11Relax while it cooks!CGHUB::OBRIENYabba Dabba DOOFri Sep 13 1991 18:107
    Do a "bag" dinner.  Use the Reynolds bag, dump your meat, red potatos,
    red onions, mushrooms, and lots of carrots with a beef boullion (sp)
    cube, and cup of water.  Do a loaf of crusty bread and a garden salad. 
    This way here you can enjoy your company, you only have one pan to
    clean, your mother-in-law won't feel obligated to help you "do the
    dishes".  Apple Pie or Apple Crisp for dessert.
    
3219.12thanks!VLSI::NEWSTEDMon Sep 16 1991 10:5714
                 
    
        Wow! all these ideas are great.  I will have three meals to
    prepare,  one or two lunches and breakfast as well.  You've given
    me a number of excellant choices!
    
    Many Thanks!
    
     I'm sure the in-laws will enjoy their stay! Now, off to the NH
    notes for suggestions on where we might take them Saturday in
    the Peterborough area!  thanks again.
    
     Nancy Newsted
    
3219.13UPBEAT::JFERGUSONJudy Ferguson-SPS Business SupportMon Sep 16 1991 13:299
    Now is a good time for lobster, if you think they might like it. 
    Something that looks a lot fancier than it really is -- cornish hens. 
    I seem to remember a recipe in this file with some wonderful stuffings.
    The cranberry harvest is in so that would be appropriate to the season
    and the region.  Apple pie, dumplings or crisp are good too and in
    season as well.
    
    Best luck,
    Judy