Guest who is fasting coming for dinner

[learieonthewildmoor]

My brother-in-law’s mother is coming for Easter dinner tomorrow night. She is fasting for Orthodox Christian Easter; so won’t eat meat, dairy or olive oil.

Every year I make vegetarian dishes made with vegetable oil for her, which she recoils from in horror and doesn’t eat. She then eats the lamb and the halloumi salad and the pumpkin roasted in olive oil, and makes comments about how bad she feels about breaking her fast, and what a shame it is there was no food for her.

If I skip making the vegetarian dishes this year, am I being a bad host?

Every year I make vegetarian dishes made with vegetable oil for her, which she recoils from in horror and doesn’t eat

Why does she recoil in horror? What does she say?

Why do you keep making her stuff when you know she won’t eat it?

And why do you keep inviting her?

Do not accommodate this horrible, rude woman in any way, shape or form ever again.

Better yet, tell SIL and BIL that she is not invited and that you understand if they are not able to come for lunch/dinner as they have visitors.

Meh, I don't think she sounds horrible. If OP didn't go to trouble to make her special food I'd say she's highly entertaining. Please do update us what she eats tomorrow.

For the first time EVER, she came and was perfectly well behaved! Not fasting, no carry on!
She was deeply suspicious of the freekah in the salad but her son handled her (“it tastes like rice, mum”) and she ate everything with no complaint. It was the least stressful meal we’ve ever had!

My husband has only got his sister here. I have never kicked up because the woman lives for drama, and although she is really annoying I have always made her a good story to tell to my family. After the first time, when she showed up uninvited, my family love her. They’ll be disappointed tomorrow!

For those asking how she recoils in horror: I put the field mushrooms roasted in the oven with basil, passata and fresh tomatoes on the table and she looks horrified and says “I don’t eat mushrooms!” yet I have seen her tucking in to one at a bbq. One year she said she didn’t eat rice, making it a bit tricky to eat the yemista she makes all the time.
Does my head in.

They were 45 minutes late so I had a mojito on my own and I was almost relaxed when they arrived. Maybe after Christmas when I didn’t leap around fixing alternatives for her, she’s decided not to try it on anymore?
Happy Easter to everyone.

Ace!

Great update. Glad you had a lovely meal.

Fantastic. I love a happy ending!

Hurrah! Happy Easter.

I had a mojito on my own and I was almost relaxed when they arrived

www.theguardian.com/politics/2019/apr/20/diane-abbott-apologises-for-drinking-mojito-on-public-transport

It wasn't you, was it? May I call you Diane? :o

Any way, result, OP.

She's being a dick.

Directly ask her what she wants to eat. Say that every year the food you make isn't right for her so you would like some clear direction from her as to what to make. Maybe even suggests she brings something herself?

If I was doing a temporary diet that was so restrictive I would let the host know, and I would offer to bring my own food. If they said no, they would make something for me, then I'd just eat it even if it wasn't that nice and I'd be grateful that they had catered to my difficult request and just focus on enjoying spending time with my family and friends.

Nicely handled OP

She reads MN clearly.

Haha!

I think you are on the right lines if you carry on just carry on cooking what you want for yourselves, and don't make anything special for her.

Perhaps she recoils because she thinks you are trying to 'make her' eat something different.

Don’t invite anyone for Easter and go out.