Travelled to friend's house for dinner, just strawberries for desert - AIBU to think it's low effort?

[Carefreebie]

On the weekend my partner and I travelled to a friend's house for dinner. The journey was over an hour by train.

The main course was sausages with nice sides (potato salad, tomato salad, another salad). That was nice.

But desert was just strawberries with some pouring cream.

We had a nice time, but AIBU to feel that the desert was very low effort and unexciting, and should have been more exciting than strawberries given the journey?

When my friend came to mine, I did a 3-course meal, feeling I should make a big effort because of her long journey.

Why spoilt? You mean sausages and potato are spoiling someone.
I do think it's low effort when someone makes effort to visit you from far. When they do, OP shows the appreciation for the efforts they make for the visit by making effort in food department.
Op, next time provide them low effort meals too. Because if their company alone is so special when you visit them, yours should also be.

Did you go to see your friend or for a meal? I always do a 2 course meal when my friends come but tbh when I am visiting even if it's a long drive, as long as we are fed , I couldn't care if it's sandwiches or whatever, and water , we visit for the company....

God, you’d hate me then! Sometimes I do a fruit salad with a mix of tinned fruit cocktail 🙄 and fresh strawberries and grapes served with ice cream when we have guests. It’s low effort, kids will eat it (ds doesn’t generally like pudding) and my diabetic MIL approves.

I used to serve strawberries with cream and some shop bought meringue so that people could do their own Eton mess. No one complained and there were never any leftover strawberries either so it can't be they bad!

Guessing that it was hot over the weekend, therefore he host just didn't want to turn all the hobs and the oven on. Sounds sensible to me.

Sausages are also processed. How about cooking a bit?

Strawberries as a light snack or small desert is lovely, I'd have maybe included a meringue if it was me but its not the end of the world surely?

😂 what is mumsnet’s obsession with class.
Cheesecake isn’t classy and the super posh always serve fish pie?

So. Obsessed.

I don't see what is wrong with the meal. It sounds like an ideal summer meal (and I say that as someone who does not eat strawberries). I would much rather a simple meal and spend the time chatting with a relaxed friend rather sitting while my friend is stressing out in the kitchen making something fancy. Very little clean up afterwards too so more time with friends.

I’d LOVE a ‘Triffel’ !! 😂

How about socialising with the people you have invited over to spend time with you?

Strawberries are a perfect and classy summertime pudding. There is only a shortish season and they epitomise a British summer. I would have been delighted to be given them. I'm not sure what your issue really is apart from possibly wanting some obvious sign of graft. Many people I know buy tarts or similar for pudding which is equally low effort ( more so as no hulling required).

You’re a right bellend aren’t you.

As long as there was bucket loads of cream (and sugar) I'd be well satisfied with strawberries and cream. It's not the effort, it's the result that counts.

😂😂😂

Brilliant!! Sums it up nicely!!

Ironically, you summed it up in your last sentence. It should be the company that matters. You sound very preoccupied with food (and also like you don't travel much, if you think an hour on the train is 'far').

I don’t think it’s unfair not to be rapturous over the classic unprocessed elegance of strawberries and cream (I’d find it unexciting too, but I am half Middle Eastern so inherently vulgar by the standards of 1920s aristocrats), but the attitude towards your friends for making a simple dessert IS unfair and is something I’d reflect on.

Are you someone's MIL by any chance?

The only time strawberries would be problem is if you have an allergy. I don't have cream so I would have my strawberries with Cointreau. As long as there is plenty of both I am happy.

What was your expectation OP?

My own glass and spoon, and it's grand!

Sausages are also processed. How about cooking a bit?

How about not judging other women on their culinary prowess or apparent lack thereof? Y'know, it being 2024 and all that.

Well, off the back of this thread I just picked up some strawberries and cream for my pudding tonight! Thanks OP 👍

I do think it's low effort when someone makes effort to visit you from far.

An hour isn't that far. Regardless, you should go see friends for their company, surely, and not for the food.

😂thanks for the giggle. Yes the company is literally special, it's the only reason I go to see friends in fact. If I wanted posh grub, I'd book a restaurant.

Clearly, you've spent so long in a kitchen rustling up something spectacular that you forgot to make any friends, is there a recipe for a personality you could try?