IABU but WTF?

[Famalam13]

OK so I know IABU as the thought behind this is very kind.

FIL and his DW are coming to visit this weekend. They have offered to make a lasagna (the DW is Italian) and have sent a list of ingredients for us to buy. This includes 8 balls of mozzarella, an entire block of cheddar, 8 boxes of lasagna sheets and 750g of mince (plus a lot of tomato). This will make two trays.

I don't eat meat so will have to sort out something for myself and DS is 8mo so will eat hardly any. DH is on SW so will have a tiny portion.

Surely that amount of lasagna for 3 people is insane?! Also am a bit put out that I have been ignored, feeling a bit sidelined in my own house.

She might be picking vegetables up fresh for the veggie one maybe?

I'd not buy any of it. I'm completely lactose intolerant and cannot eat lasagne at all (and vegan cheese is MINGING).

I would actually put an entire block of cheddar in one 'normal' sized lasagne - it can never be too cheesy IMO.

With that list of ingredients they could make around 8 lasagnes lol. Perhaps the could make some tomato and mozarella ones

Can they make my favourites that are meat free? Aubergine Parmigiana and spaghetti, olive oil, garlic and chilli

Wish DH hadn't said anything now. Would have enjoyed posting pics of the monstrosity in here

My friend's partner (Italian and an amazing cook) once made us lasagne. I had eaten half of it before I even realised that it didn't have the bechemel sauce in it.

He said that he often cooks it this way as it is healthier. Still has the meat in it.

Slightly concerned that if this is normal for them that they are on track for a coronary!

Generally I think a meal without meat is wasted calories but I make an exception for veggie lasagne, it's delicious.
750g of meat is not very much for 2 big trays of lasagne.

Blimey it sounds like a Masterchief* episode when they go to the local school or bus dept to do lunch for 40!! One box of lasagne sheets makes a pretty hefty lasagne in this house (could feed 6/8).

You'd literally feed 4 with 300 grams of mince, 2 tins of tims, a large onion, 8 sheets of lasagne, 4oz of cheese and a large ball of mozzarella.

• We call it Masterchief in this house.

If I'm travelling to somewhere I wouldn't find it at all awkward to ask my friend to pick something up so I can cook for them when I arrive and not have to run around looking for a supermarket after travelling all day. I may drop them cash or maybe I'd sort it out during the visit. Or maybe my friends appreciate i've spent a fortune on travel and are happy to get in scran for a special feed. That said, me and my crew are all hospitality professionals of one sort or another, and always excited to eat each others food and help out in the kitchen!
A lot of people love by feeding (if you know what I mean) and maybe they wanted to treat you. Perhaps that level of ingredients was for one cheesy one and one meat one.
Please consider asking the lady to help you cook, she is probably feeling very rebuffed now! You might be feeling miffed but remember generous gestures sometimes don't translate well.

I know it's not happening now and your DH is cooking but I have 2 questions-

1. Were they going to bring the "trays"? It's unlikely that you would have had a dish big enough but presumably they didn't give any dimensions.

1. They offered macaroni cheese as an alternative. I thought that was a British/American dish not an Italian one. Is she a bona fide 100% grew up in Italy Italian or an Italian American? The latter often like big portions...

8 boxes of lasagne sheets?!?! That's truly insane.

Yes, id ask what size dish they are planning to use for this. For the family, i make lasagna in a roasting tin and don't use half the amount specified here.

Omg that sounded like good lasagne! I don't really like the mince I just like the pasta and sauce

Seeing as lasagne doesn't have mozzarella or cheddar in it, don't buy them and tell them you only like the authentic version!

Do they normally cook? This has all the trappings of a list by someone who really, really doesn't, and has no clue how much food they will really need. There is also, as PPs have said, a bit mismatch between the amount of pasta and cheese and the amount of filling. Unless they are going to make a lasagne that resembles a paperback book, 8 packets of pasta is too much for 750g filling even with added tomatoes!

Surely it's only kind if they make it at home & bring it with them?

Or at least buy the ingredients!

8 boxes of lasagne but only 750g of mince. That sounds a really even balance

I think she sent you the recipe for catering a huge party.
Too funny I would have liked to see what she ended up making when she got there.

On track for a coronary?

If they eat like that every day amazed Sea World hasn't headhunted them.

They must mean 8 sheets, surely. Although fuck knows what they planning to do with 8 balls of mozerella

That is a lot especially if there are non meat eaters, cant they make some spinach cannelloni for you

My Italian DH just said BOAK - that's not an Italian recipe. There is neither mozzarella nor cheddar in it.

Definitely buy Quorn mince. Why on earth would you buy meat mince if you don't eat meat? Quorn mince is delicious and I have fed it in a lasagne to sworn carnivores who didn't notice the difference!