What do you cook when you have fussy guests for dinner?

[TedOnTheBed]

Have a family we are friends with coming for dinner on Friday night, they are all very fussy so I am struggling to think of something suitable to cook. They don’t have any allergies but two of my dc do so that eliminates things they would normal eat like waffles, nuggets etc.

Children or adults? I have one medium (normal?) fussy child and one very fussy child. I accept that if they go somewhere else and don't eat then they will come home hungry and I'll offer toast and fruit.

So I would say, serve what you like (not ott exotic) and have bread on the side and fruit for dessert.

I hate the term fussy eater. I understand it is annoying the friend who changes their dietary preferences constantly or says they can’t eat something and then inhales a dessert with that in.

I’ve been told I’m “fussy” for me it’s a sensory issue. I’m a “super taster” so certain foods, for example cheese, just taste horrible. Spicy food literally makes my mouth burn and nose rub. I’m not doing it to annoy anyone.

Just ask the “fussy eater” for a list of things they like. It can be really stressful when you have issues with food and the best hosts are the ones who just don’t make an issue of it,

Roast chicken dinner.

I’m a bit fussy and one of my children is too. But I go to friend’s for dinner and if I really don’t like what I’m given I just try my best to eat the things I like and leave the rest. Id rather the host served something they liked than try to cater for me!

Pasta bolognese

Go buffet style. Far easier than filling plates and watching them push food around.

You will never please fussy eaters.
They will be rehearsing the script now.
One will have become vegan two days ago.Another will be starting a gluten free diet.

I’m vegan and don’t think it’s being fussy. I just don’t animal products but will pretty much eat anything vegan at someone else’s house.

There was a great thread about fussy eating that sadly got deleted. There was many different reasons for the 'fussiness' and some people wanted no fuss made when eating out, whilst others appreciated people asking. There was also a massive range of what people would and wouldn't eat, you need to ask them. Many of the suggestions made on here I wouldn't eat.

The fussy guests a la Sweeney Todd.

Nothing.
I don’t invite fussy eaters.

Whatever you serve put it all in the middle for everyone to help themselves.

I'm a big fan of 'mixed grill' in this situation (where a whole family prefers simple foods) Basically sausages, thin steaks, chops, chicken breast fillets, chips, onion rings, mushrooms and rocket salad all on platters with peas or baked beans as required.
Those with simpler taste can have sausage or chicken with chips and peas. Those with broader tastes can have more meats, salad, mushrooms etc.
Ice cream for dessert.

@ODFOx

Whatever you serve put it all in the middle for everyone to help themselves. I'm a big fan of 'mixed grill' in this situation (where a whole family prefers simple foods) Basically sausages, thin steaks, chops, chicken breast fillets, chips, onion rings, mushrooms and rocket salad all on platters with peas or baked beans as required. Those with simpler taste can have sausage or chicken with chips and peas. Those with broader tastes can have more meats, salad, mushrooms etc. Ice cream for dessert.

What a fantastic idea, this caters to many and can also be easily tweaked for vegetarians etc.

When can I come for tea?

So sorry one of dc became unwell and I totally forgot I started this thread. The parents aren’t as bad as the kids and will eat bits of salad stuff and one will eat broccoli and carrots at a push. The children are on another level all together they WILL eat battered nuggets, waffles, fish fingers, plain dry bread and plain pasta, however they will eat any pudding as long as it isn’t fruit based so no fruit pies or crumbles but everything is a yes!
One of mine has a wheat allergy and these kids won’t eat the free from options of nuggets as they are breaded not battered and my other kid has a fish allergy so apart from dry bread and water I don’t know wtf to feed them. They literally don’t eat anything else they have no sauces, butters or gravy either and don’t eat potato unless it’s in the shape of a waffle.

In saying that they probably wouldn’t eat the wheat free bread so dry bread and water is off the menu to. I am starting to think we should go out to eat so it is no longer my problem to worry about.

Do pasta. Plain pasta for the kids and then pasta dish for everyone else. Have salad for the side (but leave it separate) Don't make it more complicated then it needs to be.

They won't eat jacket potatoes? Because that's easy, just do beans, a big bowl of grated cheese, a bowl of coleslaw, and a bowl of salad. Or is that a no?

I have a long list of things I won’t can’t eat. I’ll
Share it in the hopes you will feel better about your friends!

No:
Meat
Dairy
Pasta/bread/rice/potatoes/grains
Tomatoes (allergy)
Sugar/sweeteners
Food from a packet

Amazingly I can usually find something to eat fairly easily when out and about and we usually do a bring a dish thing with friends so there’s always something I can eat.

Make nuggets for them and then an ordinary meal for the rest of your family and their parents

I’d do a big bowl of plain pasta then do two different sauces served separately, side salad which they can pick the bits out of they like, grated cheese for the table etc. Gluten free pasta for your child

@TedOnTheBed

So sorry one of dc became unwell and I totally forgot I started this thread. The parents aren’t as bad as the kids and will eat bits of salad stuff and one will eat broccoli and carrots at a push. The children are on another level all together they WILL eat battered nuggets, waffles, fish fingers, plain dry bread and plain pasta, however they will eat any pudding as long as it isn’t fruit based so no fruit pies or crumbles but everything is a yes! One of mine has a wheat allergy and these kids won’t eat the free from options of nuggets as they are breaded not battered and my other kid has a fish allergy so apart from dry bread and water I don’t know wtf to feed them. They literally don’t eat anything else they have no sauces, butters or gravy either and don’t eat potato unless it’s in the shape of a waffle.

Baked potato with various toppings.

I don't see the point in having guests if you are serving deep fried frozen junk.

Burgers and yours have no/gf bun?

I wouldn't invite them for dinner. I might invite them round and Chuck them the local take away menu!

One of mine has a wheat allergy and these kids won’t eat the free from options of nuggets as they are breaded not battered and my other kid has a fish allergy so apart from dry bread and water I don’t know wtf to feed them. They literally don’t eat anything else they have no sauces, butters or gravy either and don’t eat potato unless it’s in the shape of a waffle.

Allergy trumps fussiness. Unless you regularly prepare and eat food your child is allergic to (I'm guessing you don't!) then there is no need to do so just because you have guests.

Take the allergen free version of the meal you know they'll eat. Cook that. Serve it separately. If the DC are that fussy then it's the parents job to make sure they've eaten something before they come.

If everyone can and will eat pasta I'd do a big bowl of plain pasta (and separate GF pasta for your DC) and separate servings of sauce, cheese and garlic bread. Fussy ones can then at least eat some plain pasta whilst everyone else gets a decent meal.

I am starting to think we should go out to eat so it is no longer my problem to worry about.

Do this, OP.