What one-pot buffet dish can I make for extremely fussy guests

[unconditional83]

Got family coming over and there are 8 of them. They are all very conservative / unhealthy in what they usually eat, and so I've no idea what to make. It will need to be buffet style / lap food due to lack of space.

Was thinking of making one pot of something hot with salads. But every time I think of something I feel like they won't like it. We eat very healthy and fresh food often spicy and lots of plants. They usually eat really bland and UHP stuff, basically the very worst of "British" food and the reason NHS is on its knees but don't get me started freezer food, virtually no veg, and for special occasions Christmas they have things like Iceland "party food", crisps, pork pies etc.

What can I make that's healthy and tasty which they don't turn their nose up. I don't want to buy the crappy UHP they would choose as I don't ever eat that stuff and nor do my DC, but at the same time I want to make something everyone enjoys.

Why are most people suggesting salads? I'm sure that's PPs' idea of a nice lunch but it sounds like these people probably wouldn't eat it.

36 Pot Noodles 🍜 🐰 and a huge 🎂🐰

A big pot of chilli with different serving options, could have some nachos, some rice, pita bread and sour cream, maybe even some wedges or chips

The NHS is on its knees because it is chronically underfunded. People who struggle with their weight have an equal right to access treatment. What a snobby nasty post. Why bother hosting at all as you are obviously looking down your nose at them.

Should be easy enough: macaroni cheese and salads (hold the side dish of contempt)

It's a mystery. 36 hours since the OP started the thread, over 350 replies, some of them hers clarifying further how limited the guests' diet is, and still people are replying to the thread title without even reading the OP.

Presumably because OP specifically said in her post that she was looking for something hot to serve alongside salad, and because having a salad will give OP and her immediate family a light, fresh vegetable-filled option even if the rest of the food is less healthy that she'd usually serve.

It’s a shame that not eating UPFs can’t make one less judgemental…

I would generally go for a British classic like shepherd's pie, done really well I have never had a guest be other than very enthusiastic .

I agree with the tone 100% coming off as nasty and judgemental. Sometimes “iceland crap” is all some can afford or have sensory issues or lead too busy lives or even a simple lack of cooking skills and knowledge.
We eat relatively healthy becasue we can afford to but those days before pay day or after getting home late from work with limited mental energy is more “right what’s in the freezer” always having frozen veg on hand so the mum guilt doesnt set too bad😅

you can make your own chicken nuggets with breast or thighs and dip into egg wash then breadcrumbs or crushed cornflakes. Same with making own sausage rolls.

pasta dishes are also always a good shout and i agree with the macaroni style food, you can make mac and cheese with a cauliflower base. Things like breadsticks and dips on a veg platter etc too.

Jacket potatoes with different toppings you add yourself. A giant cheese and onion flan served warm. I make the pastry with low fat margarine. Flan is like quiche but made with milk.

A big tray of oven cooked chicken thighs and sausages, new potatoes and coleslaw.
And a small bowl of salad for you!

I mean, I don’t think the judgement of your guests was needed in your post tbh, comes off as very ‘holier than thou’.

Home made chicken kebab like the marinated fillets on a skewer in a potato and oven cooked.
Home made goujons
Pitta bread
Skin on chips / wedges from some nice potatoes
Pulled pork
Home made burgers
Home made chicken kievs
sald for yourself & dc
Make a salad

I think trying to force your own eating habits onto others is just rude. You shouldn't have invited them if that's your plan. It won't kill you to have "unhealthy" food on your table to accommodate them for one meal. You don't have to eat it. I have lots of guests who don't like "healthy food". I just give them what I know they like.

You should just call them and cancel. Tell them what you wrote here and I'm sure they will find somewhere/something else to eat.

Your self-obsessed superiority comes through loud and clear.

Ime very fussy eaters like this don't eat cheese, pasta, pizza, rice or anything with a hint of spice, but they do eat roast chicken, potatoes, peas and carrots. Beans, tomatoes eggs and bacon are variable but they often eat specific brands of plain sausages, sausage rolls and might even eat an onion ring. . They would eat plain crisps, drink cola and Cadbury chocolate.

I lived with an eater like this for many years, no fish, cheese, spicy, garlic, etcetera. He did eat most meats though which alot of fussy tuprs don't.

I believe it's to do with your early introductions to food, so I don't take it personally as its probably not something they can control.

Hello!
we get posh sausages from the posh butcher, with lids French bread and roast potatoes and coleslaw/ tomatoes etc as token veg or fancier salad. No one ever eats the salad, including me.
And good ice cream or bananas with chocolate in and baked.
alawys suorised as people say how nice it is months later!

Some ideas that give them food that looks familiar, but meets your "healthy eating" wishes.

Homemade oven baked chicken nuggets and healthy yoghurt dressing Coleslaw

Nuggets: Chicken tenders or sliced chicken breast, seasoned crumb coating, bake in oven. Lots of recipes on the Interweb

Healthy coleslaw: Green cabbage, Red cabbage, carrot, small amount of red onion. Greek Yogurt based dressing. Ditto recipes on Interweb.

Plus maybe, homemade sausage rolls. Simple to make using Readymade all-butter puff and good quality supermarket sausage. Jamie & Tom Kerridge have great recipes online

It occurs to me that OP can solve this problem by temporarily suspending her healthy eating principles in the interest of family harmony and going to Iceland for this one meal.

If the family are otherwise nice people who you want to be around then this doesn't seem like a huge sacrifice to make. Nobody is going to get serious long-term health complications from eating a single beige meal, and the family would apparently be doing that anyway.

So I'm wondering if this is really only about the food.

Chicken wings, nachos (with lots of cheese and dips) build your own burgers, loaded fries but do it so you load your own fries. All finger food, less washing up and covers most bases for picky eaters.

Just order a takeaway if that's what they like and have a day off

Spaghetti bolognaise, salad and garlic bread. Surely no-one would refuse to eat that?

😀😀
Did you read the brief?

“One pot of something hot with salad” wasn’t it? For fussy eaters?