Is my husband right to be embarrassed when I serve soup for lunch to guests

[MusicLass]

This is a bit of a long-running joke in our house, but underpinned by genuine feelings…

i like making soups from scratch (E.g vegetable, lentil, minestrone) and try to make them tasty, nutritious and filling. For some visitors I make soups for lunch or dinner, for the same reasons above, plus I can make them in advance and just reheat giving me more time to be attentive to guests. I also either bake or buy nice bread and butter to go with the soup. Something for pudding would be offered too.

DH gets embarrassed when I serve soup to guests, saying it’s not proper food and it’s not being hospitable. He would expect a pasta or rice dish round someone’s house, or meat.

He happily eats soup when it’s just us as a family.

AIBU to serve soup to guests? Or is he right? Generally he is more sensitive about social etiquette than me. He’s also from a Mediterranean culture, which could be a factor here.

Thanks for reading and helping us to settle this!

This

I've two "dinner" soups - one a seafood chowder and the other is a duck noodle broth. They are both incredibly filling which is why I don't consider them starters.

But if I had guests, I probably would serve those as a lunch option and do something different for dinner.

OP put lunch or dinner in the main question. Soup is ok for lunch but it's a starter for dinner. Also, DH is Mediterranean and has different traditions - so he should cook if he's unhappy about lunch. As for dinner, OP should remember people expect a substantial meal, not just soup, however nice hearty or with homemade bread.

Can I come for lunch please?

I'll preface this by mentioning that my wife is Asian. Why is that important? Because there are no simple meals when she prepares them. In her culture, having at least five dishes for a meal is standard practice, and seven or more is common when having guests. Also, in her culture, starch (rice or noodles) is considered the main course. Proteins and veggies are just sides.

Anyway, to answer your question, I would consider what you prepare acceptable for lunch if it were like Olive Garden, with unlimited soup, salad, and bread or breadsticks. I would not consider that acceptable for dinner unless a protein was included and a dessert offering.

I make 90% of the soups in our home because I make them more like stew. Heavy on root veggies and protein. I still wouldn't serve that alone to guests. I would have a salad or other cold dish as a starter and something for dessert.

If your husband isn't comfortable with what you prepare, he can make the additions he wants. If he can't cook, he needs to accept what you prepare or stop inviting guests. He can instead arrange a lunch or dinner out. That way, you are relieved of that chore and get to spend equal time socializing.

I've made a heart minestrone for dinner when family are visiting. Handy to make in advance and no issue reheating when you're not sure what time they are arriving. Probably wouldn't do it as a main course for friends unless I was certain they would like it.

I suppose the Mediterranean part of his heritage means that he'd either have more courses (Italian) or more dishes in the course ( e.g. meze or tapas plates). He could always add an open sandwich or garlic bread with or without cheese, not much trouble if it keeps the peace.

Only LMC people serve soup at luncheon. Soup can only be served as a course at a formal dinner or when dining alone at an informal supper.
Pasta and rice are nursery food and unsuitable for serious adult consumption.

Glad you've got it sorted.
I get round this issue with my DH by adding a bit less stock and cutting the vegetables larger and calling it stew!

He has a pair of hands? Get him to cook a nice pasta dish for guests.

Wtf?! Are the Italians aware pasta is nursery food?

I hate soup, but soup for lunch is totally normal, especially with nice bread. I wouldn't personally serve for dinner but not sure why either.

A poor economy and degraded culture, most people too poor to afford anything better.

Are you talking about soup? If so, it depends on the soup! Some is absolutely lovely and very filling. I used to make it sometimes, don't bother now I'm on my own.

My mums and dads soup is literally a roast blended… potatoes, loads of veg, meat and stuffing…. It’s lush…. No idea how someone can say it’s NOTHING like a
roast when it literally is a roast 😂
Id challenge anyone to fit in a pudding after
That's just just a pureed meal that I used to make for the baby.
I'd rather eat as a roast than as baby food. What's the point in blending it?

ZOMBIE THREAD that has been ressurected with goady posts.

that sounds absolutely delicious - I’m currently trying to reduce my cholesterol through diet but I’m going to save this recipe to try over Christmas. Thank you!