What to cook for lunch for DP's parents?

[reu2]

Okay, so this is a bit petty. Kind of wanting to cook nothing at all and tell them to go to McDonald's on the way, kinda want to cook a 7 course Michelin star lunch- can't decide 🤭😂

DP's parents are a bit impossible. Not just with me and DP but it's a family wide thing. Everything I cook for them, they'll sit there and say something along the lines of "that roast dinner was good, but next time try coating roast potatoes in something or other" or "I couldn't finish because the soup was too rich, ask (DP's sister) for her recipe, it's much nicer"

And they say it all with a smile on their face, like it's just normal to say things like that 😂 I think it's rude, but after 5 years of knowing them I've gotten used to it.

I do think I'm a good cook and everyone who I've cooked for seems to enjoy, apart from them! I feel like I'm in front of Gordon Ramsay every time I make them dinner🤣

Anyway, cut a long story short, can someone give me some good ideas for what to cook for lunch. I know it shouldn't bother me but it does! Also, I rarely cook lunch for people so my mind has gone blank!

Thanks 😊

If whatever you are going to cook isnt going to be good enough, then cook what you like and serve it up with a side of fuck off.

A simple frittata with a large bowl of salad and new potatoes.

Simple but looks effective and it's very little effort on your part - who could complain about that.

The meats and cheese I fear will be met with distain as they are sure to know a superior deli or farm shop that sources much better fayre.

@averythinline DP invited them over, and was asked about having lunch together so he told them we'd put something on. Totally innocent but wish he hadn't 😫 he can cook simple things, just gets totally frustrated doing it and it makes him really stressed out. He does the majority of the cleaning and washing so I know it's not even a case of him being lazy or anything, he just struggles so bad- I'd feel too mean making him do it. Before me he would eat ready made things or buy shop bought ready made things. Maybe I should try and help him with his cooking skills a bit more to try and raise his confidence!

@UncleShady sounds perfect 🤣

@Spied ooooh I never even thought about frittata! Good shout! I do have the fear about them recommending the worlds best farm shop deli to me 🤣 no doubt it will happen!

I’d probably go with a big puff pastry tart. Maybe asparagus and Parmesan, or leek and bacon, simple, quick and the ingredients do the talking.
Couple of salads but keep effort to a minimum, or just buy from a deli.
Any word of criticism answer with “I’ll mention that to SIl, it’s her recipe”.

I would cook a couple of spatchcocked chickens and serve with salad leaves, new potatoes (or potato salad), coleslaw etc. Maybe some bread and olives to start. Very simple but delicious

@AtleastitsnotMonday sounds fab, thank you!

@okiedokieme I love spatchcock chickens!! I could eat that now! Lots of fab suggestions, so Glad I asked! Thank you 😊

Make a quiche, or buy one from a farm shop. Serve with salsa and coleslaw

Salad even

Teaching DP is a good idea... my DS works better from simple recipes so stuff like Jamie Oliver .. learning to chop well is key .. get a decent knife
We got DS this when younger we all still use it it's great...

We also use Marcella Hazan classic Italian very bossy recipes but don't go wrong..

uk.knivesandtools.eu/en/pt/-opinel-kitchen-knife-and-finger-protector-le-petit-chef.htm?gclid=EAIaIQobChMIx6vTwKDP6gIVSoBQBh3uVwtmEAQYDSABEgJ8IPD_BwE

Take time .. so maybe not for now...

I would just buy quiche salad from M&S and drink lots wine...

If you’re going to get criticised I’d at least take off the pressure of cooking - give them quiche , salad , fresh bread and a selection of shop bought cold salad dishes .

that only works though if you aren’t hiding in the kitchen cooking to avoid them :-)

If one hundred per cent be having him cook. If he finds it stressful then maybe he shouldn't agree to hosting lunch if he has no intention of cooking. I think it's pretty rude of him to not check that you are willing to cooking for people he knows are rude to you before agreeing to it.

I find cooking stressful, for our household I'm fine, but extended family, no. I mess shit up and get nervous and I don't relax and my family aren't rude rude. We either go out somewhere or my husband cooks but he'd be mad if I agreed to something where he had to the cooking without so much as checking with him first.

I'd tell them that as they obviously don't enjoy the food you cook/provide for them, as there's always a criticism, perhaps this time they could bring a packed lunch leaving you and your partner to enjoy your cooking.

@averythinline ahh that knife looks fab!! I think part of what stresses me out is watching him! The very real thought of him slipping up with a knife makes me shudder! I'm going to buy one, and start helping him learn more! thanks so much x

@Sunnyhopefulness hiding in the kitchen cooking is totally my get out of jail free card 😂 but no you're right, no point in putting effort in. Something simple will do!

@TheseShoesAreMadeForRunning yeah it's a little annoying but I don't think there's any malice behind it! As discussed with a previous poster, my DP has dyspraxia so struggles to cook, but we'll be practicing together from now on so hopefully next time (if there is one 🤣) DP can take over 😊

@Knittedfairies their faces would be a picture! Literally something I would pay to see 🤣

A little bit passive aggressive but I’d get your oh to phone/text them and ask ‘is there anything in particular you’d like for your lunch, as you’ve not enjoyed anything reu2 has made for you so far so she’s worried about getting it wrong’. So you’ll know what they’re expecting and you get to point out that their rude comments don’t go unnoticed

This may sound crazy but my inlaws, who are super fussy, really enjoy Old El Paso crispy chicken fajitas.

We stir fry loads of sliced red pepper and red onion to pad the wraps out, provide a big bowl of green leaf salad, a bottle of chilli sauce for those of us who want it spicy and a tub of sour cream and chive dip and tomato salsa. Dead easy, and a lovely sharing meal. Top tip is to get a spare pack of wraps as there arent enough in a pack.

I'd contact them and say 'I wanted to check exactly what you'd like to eat for lunch when you come as I know you've not been impressed by my cooking so far! I'm too old and ugly to guess anymore!'

I'd go for what Justabitofbanter said.

Your DH does the call, asks and takes any flak. He could also be prepared to say "we're thinking of a meat and cheese board with salads and bread does that suit?"

Let us know what you do and how it goes!

My MIL was like this. Used to take ages to make a birthday cake with toddlers running around my feet and she'd barely pass comment. One day I bought a cake and she nearly fell over herself praising it. Didn't cook for her again after similar incidences and remarks.

Buy something ready made, put it in a nice dish and let it wash over you. You'll never please her so don't waste your time and money. If not that, stick baked potatoes in the oven and do a few plates of ham, salad, shop coleslaw, humous etc.

Or ... a delicious salad beautifully arranged, but at the bottom of the plate spell out 'fuck off' in alphabet spagetti!

Actually I've had a better idea , I'm on a roll now as this really reminds me of my MIL. Buy a raclette grill so they cook their own food, then if they criticise anything you can suggest they didn't cook it properly. Plus you can use with friends another day.

Your DP asked them he needs to sort. He doesn't have to cook, he could go to Waitrose/Tesco wherever and buy a couple of quiches, a bag of salad a pot of coleslaw and serve it up. You are making a big deal out of this where there doesn't need to be one, no way would I be cooking for them.

Keep it simple with as little effort as possible from you.

Charcuterie & cheeses platter from M&S, or one their sandwich platters. Large bowl of strawberries & jug of cream for pudding.

If you feel you have to make something, Salade Niçoise or Chicken Caesar salad. Hand round a selection of Mangums for pudding!

If they criticise anything just say that you’re sorry they didn’t enjoy the meal, but they will never have to eat another morsel at your home again! Honestly, why should you put up with rude obnoxious people at your table?

I gave a very picky friend an Iceland Gino D’Campo marguerita pizza and added rocket and shaved Parmesan. She raved about it and I chuckled. I also mixed elderflower with fizzy water, ice cubes and mint in a glass jug. I looked like I had gone to massive effort.