DH friend for dinner...can I serve ready-made food?

[FlirtyThirty]

Hmmm...this is tricky. DH has a female friend who I sort of tolerate rather than like. (He had a brief fling with her whilst seeing a previous girlfriend which I can't quite get past, even though I have no worries at all about his fidelity now!). Anyway, she is coming for dinner tonight. I love to cook and really enjoy making nice things when we have guests over, but to be honest I really can't be bothered making the effort for this girl. I know that sounds awful. I'll be perfectly pleasant to her, I just can't be arsed organising a home-made dinner. So...I was thinking, would it be awful to serve something yummy (but ready-made) from Tesco?

M&S ready meals might be acceptable? Maybe very high fat

I wouldn't want an ex fling over for dinner.

I dont think it would be awful in the sense of the food- some ready prepared stuff eg M & S Finest etc can be lovely. But if your DH knows you love cooking etc will he not remark upon it? I think (and this is just me) if it was me I would be MORE tempted to cook something dazzlingly brilliant just to show off.

No you have to cook something.

I would definitely be more tempted to show off than serve up some ready made stuff.

My point would be to show her I am the best wife/partner in the world, she could never fill my shoes as I am that fabulous, so don't even try sister.

If I were to do readymade I would at least go the the COOK shop and get something from there.

Oh God. I thought that might be the response. I know you're right really... Hmmm...off to trawl my vegetarian cookery books as she doesn't eat meat or fish...

this is one where's i'd ask dh to aort out the food, tbh

this is one where's i'd ask dh to sort out the food, tbh

oranges - If I left it to DH we'd all go hungry! Not even I would inflict that on the poor girl...

Oh I couldn't be arsed, ready made definitely. Even if I liked her

well then ask him to get a takeaway. he invited her and you are not bothered.

Tell him to bring home a takeaway. His guest - and nice of you to have her over.

Pasta Arrabiata with black olives
Parmesan to grate
salad
nice bread + olive oil

quick and easy

And she's picky to boot... If you want a recipe for a delicious oven cooked risotto (no slaving over the stove for you) let me know. A rocket salad with parmesan shavings and chiabatta (Rocket and frozen chiab) delicious from LIDL. Dont go spending to much money on the tr her .

I agree with other posters- this is an opportunity to show how fabulous you are in the kitchen and not give her any room for any kind of reproach along the lines of "doesnt feed her husband properly...readymade food" wouldnt be true at all but why give her the ammunition?

Get down to M&S - meal for £10 back this weekend!

This is an opportunity to add extra chilli to her portion

I never rarely cook for DH so he would faint if he walked in and I had actually prepared a meal.

Here it is. Everyone should try this recipe, easy and delicious if you like risotto. DH hates mushrooms so we substitute, peas, asparagus etc.

Ingredients
25g/1oz dried mushrooms, such as porcini or a mixture of types
400ml/14fl oz boiling water
2 tbsp olive oil
1 small onion, peeled and chopped
2 garlic cloves, peeled and crushed
salt and freshly ground black pepper
350g/12oz risotto rice, such as carnaroli or arborio
1 tsp fresh thyme leaves, chopped
750ml/1¼ pints hot vegetable
(or chicken) stock
125ml/4fl oz white wine
75g/3oz parmesan cheese, grated
1 tsp fresh thyme leaves

Method

1. Preheat the oven to 180C/350F/Gas 4.
2. Place the dried mushrooms in a bowl, add the boiling water to the bowl and leave to soak for ten minutes. Meanwhile, heat the olive oil in a medium sized ovenproof saucepan or casserole dish and cook the onion and garlic for a few minutes until soft and a little golden. Season with salt and freshly ground black pepper.
3. Drain the excess liquid from the mushrooms into a clean bowl. Chop the mushrooms, and add them to the garlic and onions along with the rice, chopped thyme and mushroom-soaking liquid. Pour the stock and the wine into the pan and bring the mixture to the boil. Season to taste with salt and freshly ground black pepper.
4. Cover with the mixture with a lid and place it in the oven. Cook for 15-20 minutes, or until the rice has just cooked and all the liquid has been absorbed.
5. Stir in 50g/2oz of the grated parmesan.
6. To serve, sprinkle with the remaining parmesan and thyme leaves.

god do you really think a woman thinks - I would have had an affair with this guy but his wife iis a fab cook so i won't?

"I assumed you'd be on another diet so I've just prepared this slice of melon with Parma ham and salad. I hope you like it."

LOL at Swedes

I quite like that I don't cook, it makes me feel like he must really like me to put up with it! He loves cooking. I tolerate cleaning.

No oranges I dont think anyone thinks in such black and white terms. But I also know that we all like to make the best of ourselves (be it geting dressed up, cleaning the house) before anyone comes round for dinner- and even more so if theres somethign of a history with DH.

To me, not cooking (if I can cook) in these circumstances would be the equivalent of answering the door in my trackie bottoms with no make up on.

But that is purely my opinion, not suggesting OP takes my advice or anyhting.

Loving some fo these replies! Laughed out loud at serving her extra chilli or parma ham!

Salleroo thanks for the recipe - have saved it to try!

Combustiblelemon - Am thinking a pasta dish is a good option actually...can do somethign quick and easy but with a tasty sauce and all I need to get then is some nice chiabatta and salad! Perfect.

Oh, and she doesn't know I'm pregnant yet so that should be something to get the diner-table conversation going...

Quick and easy dessert ideas anyone...?!

Someone has to say eton mess, but I'd say poached pears with alcohol pimped mascapone.