What to feed in-laws for lunch?

[VintedoreBay]

My in-laws are coming later this week to see their DGC (3 and 10m). I take the kids to a playgroup all morning every week on the day they'll be coming to visit and we will get home pretty much as in-laws arrive. DH arranged the visit with in-laws knowing all this and also he is conveniently away with work (ha!).

They'll be here for lunch and I've no idea what to cook for us all that's a bit better than beans on toast or scrambled eggs or cheese sandwiches (because they won't eat those options).

Last time I did slow cooked pulled pork so don't want to do that again, and before that I did Bolognese but got told mine was "ooh how very continental" because I shoved in extra veg (you know, for the kids!)

Any suggestions?! What do you serve your in-laws when they visit for lunch?

Something quick and simple please!!

Fresh bread rolls
Roast chicken
Quiche
Cut up fruit

Quiche, salad, coleslaw and potato salad and crusty bread.

Cheese, crackers and chutney put it all out on the table and everyone can help themselves and only take what they like! Easy, quick and simple

I’d be cooking whatever you had planned to cook for the kids. If they don’t like
it they won’t make a habit of coming when your DH not around. I’d be absolutely livid if my DH pulled this trick.

When grandparents come here to visit DD they bring lunch for all of us or we go out somehow child friendly (and they pay!) , because they want to actually be helpful not a pain in the arse.

I’d just do whatever you were going to do and apologise saying you haven’t got the car or he a chance to do a shop for a proper lunch.

Rotisserie chicken, salad and nice baguette / crispy bread.

Thanks for the ideas all 🙏

Gonna go with leek and potato soup with cheese scones on the side. Will make in the evening before when kids in bed.

Thanks!

Sounds good. What time should I get there? 😋

Pretty sure the poster meant for your DH to prepare an elaborate meal the previous weekend which can then cone out of the freezer for the actual visit. As it is, HE invites the guests whom YOU then entertain- and as this thread shows, he's even got you running around like a headless chicken trying to come up with the most acceptable meal! That is so not on.

Edited to say leek and potato soup freezes quite well 😏

I do, with the oven on a timer. I pretty much only do it for baked potatoes - it’s low risk in that if I’m cooking them low and slow, a bit of extra time if I’m late back is no big deal. Oven is an electric oven and the timer works fine (though I always have to double check how to do it and reset the oven clock so it works).

A thread full of women basically sorting stuff out for a man.

OP, if I were you I'd tell DH you're not wasting a nice peaceful afternoon on his parents. And that you and the kids will be out for lunch. And mean it.

You're right.

I'd get in touch with his parents and say that the weekday was no longer possible but that they were welcome to come on the weekend and their son would prepare a lovely lunch for you all.

Yes, this!!!

This thread is an AIBU or Relationships thread hiding in food/recipes IMO.

@VintedoreBay the absolute cheek of your DH saying he won't 'waste' a weekend on his own parents while you are expected to entertain (and cook for them!) on a day you are alone with two very young children. It's breathtaking arrogance. I would be furious, OP, and I'm surprised you're standing for it - and making homemade scones!

Did feminism never happen?

Hardly running around like a headless chicken 😂 Casual stroll to the kitchen cupboard more like! Thanks for your input.

@Lyingindaisies This thread is an AIBU or Relationships thread hiding in food/recipes IMO.

It's really not. I asked for lunch ideas, I received lunch ideas.

If it's a mid week lunch I'd do soup, nice bread, and set out cold meats and cheeses that they can make up a sandwich/roll. Maybe some cocktail sausages too. Do you think a full dinner is necessary?

If they only like bland "British" food...
Then maybe a cottage pie you can make in advance?

Throw some meat in a rub of some sort- make a salad, rice and or some sort of bread.

Last time the ILs came, it was chicken kebabs with rice and a Mediterranean salad

Or maybe whizz some garlic and onion with some mature cheddar in a food processor, fill some mushrooms with it, throw in the oven,
Serve with garlic mayonnaise and a side salad.

Pesto pasta... and you guessed it, salad?

@AlltheFs When grandparents come here to visit DD they bring lunch for all of us or we go out somehow child friendly (and they pay!) , because they want to actually be helpful not a pain in the arse.

That's nice for you.

These grandparents are elderly and in ill-health. We don't see them that often around their various medical appointments etc. We are very lucky they are still here to be in ours and their grandkids lives. And I like them, we all get on well. They are very good to us in whatever capacity they can manage, likewise.

Gentle reminder folks that there is always a bigger picture, make no assumptions and be kind on the interweb!

I shall take my leave from the thread now as I see it irks so many of you 😂

Rotisserie chicken from supermarket with bread, butter, salad ?

r they expecting a full meal ?

my in laws wouldn’t expect anything tbf they would prob offer to bring something in or go to a cafe or something. They defo wouldn’t expect me to cook for them with 2 small children, I understand I’m very lucky with them tho !

@VintedoreBay if the grandparents are so elderly why wouldn’t your DH want to spend some time with them whilst he can

Sounds very formal, what about breads you bake up, they only take 15 mins, then have a range of nice fillings (tuna/egg/cheese/salami)

Tell them that you're out all morning and ask them to pick up something for you all or offer to meet them at a local pub / Cafe for lunch.

Exactly!

@VintedoreBay your update doesn't really tally with your DH not wanting to waste a weekend on them (or it does, but makes that statement even worse).

Beans on toast, if that's not good enough direct them to just eat!