I really liked this
teleflora
Complaint Box | Picky Eaters
By SUSAN GOLDBERG
P.C. Vey
Having friends over for dinner used to involve a minimal and fairly
unremarkable to-do list: There were groceries to buy, along with flowers
and a couple of bottles of semi-respectable wine. I would put out some
guest towels and a collection of fancy soaps that were off limits to
blood relatives, and then - voil�! - dinner was served. Preparing for a
dinner party these days is far more complex, thanks to a vast and
bewildering array of dietary needs that seem to have suddenly overtaken
everyone I know.
Complaint Box Steamed?
Dish out the peeves. Send your essays - no more than 500 words, please -
to: metrop...@nytimes.com.
An unscientific survey of family and friends turns up one acquaintance
who is kosher, two who are more like kosher-style, in addition to two
vegans, a smattering of lacto-vegetarians and a couple who cannot digest
gluten of any kind. Accommodations must be made for my mother-in-law,
who is lactose intolerant, and a friend who is dangerously and
inconveniently allergic to peanuts. I must know at least a dozen women
who have declared lifelong war on complex carbohydrates. And then there's
my daughter, a wispy and tender-hearted flower child who prefers not to
eat "anything with a face" (although she will sometimes make random and
completely unreasonable exceptions for hot dogs and pepperoni).
Just thinking about feeding this crowd makes me want to lie down in a
darkened room for several uninterrupted hours. The head chef at Beth
Israel Medical Center would be hard-pressed to meet the dietary needs of
this particular group.
Being a hostess also requires me to navigate the tricky political
ramifications of dinner, which means keeping the menu free of veal, foie
gras and a host of endangered sea creatures. There are, I have found, an
astonishing number people who are breezily neutral on the subject of Kim
Jong-il, but consider an entree of Chilean sea bass the moral equivalent
of grand-scale marine genocide.
Because of these restrictions, having a simple dinner with the people I
love now requires a nutritionist, an Excel spreadsheet and considerably
more patience and culinary skill than I possess.
The very last straw was a friend who called before her family came for
dinner and - without a hint of shame - presented me with a detailed list
of their food requirements: Her husband doesn't care for shrimp, her son
requires a pasta side dish with every meal, and none of them eat the
dark meat of chicken, which she dismissed savagely as "dreck."
I have had enough with people who want to have it their way, and I am
done catering to the quirks of food-obsessed numskulls. If you eat in my
home, I will grudgingly respect medically diagnosed allergies, since it
puts a pall on conversation when a guest goes into anaphylactic shock at
the dinner table. But beyond that, I expect you to eat what you can,
ignore the rest and not make trouble. On Thursday, 15 people are sitting
down to Thanksgiving dinner at my house, and with God as my witness, I
promise you this: There will be dark meat.
Susan Goldberg is a freelance writer and editor and a consultant on
college admission essays who lives in Mount Kisco, N.Y.
Copyright 2009 The New York Times Company
Polly Esther
However. I remember many times when our sons and grandsons managed to
devour everything on the table except the silver, lick their plates and
somehow leave every little green piece of chopped bell pepper untouched.
They didn't dare mention that they didn't like green things . . . and I
didn't have to kill them.
Thank you, Cindy, for the LOL. Polly
"teleflora" <wrote> November 20, 2009, 10:38 am
Ginger in CA
water only. Then all invited guests can bring their own food that fits
their requirements, and won't stress out the host/hostess.
Afterall, Thanksgiving is supposed to be a time for festive get-
togethers, not maneuvers in the kitchen!
Just a thought,
Ginger in CA
On Nov 26, 3:52 pm, "teleflora" <telefl...@hotmail.com> wrote:
> November 20, 2009, 10:38 am
> Complaint Box | Picky Eaters
> By SUSAN GOLDBERG
>
> P.C. Vey
>
> Having friends over for dinner used to involve a minimal and fairly
> unremarkable to-do list: There were groceries to buy, along with flowers
> and a couple of bottles of semi-respectable wine. I would put out some
> guest towels and a collection of fancy soaps that were off limits to
> blood relatives, and then - voilà! - dinner was served. Preparing for a
> dinner party these days is far more complex, thanks to a vast and
> bewildering array of dietary needs that seem to have suddenly overtaken
> everyone I know.
>
> Complaint Box Steamed?
> Dish out the peeves. Send your essays - no more than 500 words, please -
> to: metropoli...@nytimes.com.
teleflora
a huge meal that took 3 days to make and 2 days to clean up, I just told
everybody I wasn't cooking this year.
Joe & I had big ole Ribeyes and baked potatoes.
Oh and a pumpkin roll from the Walmarts.
It took an hour start to finish and that included clean up. Now I'm sewing.
I'm thinking of cancelling Christmas.
Cindy
"Polly Esther" <Poll...@cableone.net> wrote in message
news:7n8k8cF...@mid.individual.net...
Polly Esther
year I'm thinking Italian. You can make and freeze Lasagna and a chocolate
cake anytime. For a wonderful feast, all you'll need to do is bake the
lasagna, frost the cake and make a nice garden salad. ( I love that
expression. Anyone every create a parking lot salad?) Polly
"teleflora" <wrote> This may have been the perfect Thanksgiving. After about
30 years of cooking
> a huge meal that took 3 days to make and 2 days to clean up, I just told
> everybody I wasn't cooking this year.
>
> Joe & I had big ole Ribeyes and baked potatoes.
>
> Oh and a pumpkin roll from the Walmarts.
>
> It took an hour start to finish and that included clean up. Now I'm
> sewing.
>
> I'm thinking of cancelling Christmas.
>
> Cindy
>
> "Polly Esther" <wrote>> Our holiday feasts are much like Doc's, only 3 of
teleflora
Instead, I have to make Cappelletis, which means "little hats" in Italian.
It's the same kind of deal as Ravioli except they are shaped differently and
we cook ours in chicken broth. It's the only thing he ever wants for
Christmas. The caps will take a whole Sunday. It takes the better part of 2
days to make my chicken broth.
I can't avoid it. It's tradition.
Cindy
"Polly Esther" <Poll...@cableone.net> wrote in message
news:7n8s11F...@mid.individual.net...
Kate XXXXXX
> My Italian husband isn't wild about Lasagna. I could eat it every day.
> Instead, I have to make Cappelletis, which means "little hats" in Italian.
> It's the same kind of deal as Ravioli except they are shaped differently and
> we cook ours in chicken broth. It's the only thing he ever wants for
> Christmas. The caps will take a whole Sunday. It takes the better part of 2
> days to make my chicken broth.
>
> I can't avoid it. It's tradition.
We don't do Thanksgiving in the UK. Lamb is traditional at Easter, but
otherwise... Turkey really only became fashionable after Dickens and A
Christmas Carol.
We had venison for years, but I have also done Turkey. A roast dinner
is easy. The menfolk have ordered beef for this year. The only thing I
need to brush up on for that is my Yorkshire Pudding making skills.
The menu will be:
Smoked salmon and brown bread and butter
Roast beef with thick dark gravy
Yorkshire puddings
Roast potatoes
carrots and sprouts
Christmas pudding and cream
If my sister can come, I'll also roast some pheasants as she can eat
beef less than I can (I'm ok with a little, but better without), and
some lactose free cream. The Christmas puds are all gluten free anyway,
and so are the cakes. We all love almost all veg. Big Sis cannot choke
down green beans, and GMNT doesn't like cooked mushrooms or courgettes,
neither of which feature in Christmas dinner.
GMNT can be persuaded to make mince pies if we want them. I usually do
something like boiled ham for Christmas eve, with little new potatoes
and cabbage, and there will be left over ham and beef and so forth on
Boxing day, and a large field of salad. Or, if it's very cold, I'll
make Pig Pie, which is like shepherd's pie but made with the ham rather
than roast lamb.
We don't go mad for Christmas. The table is set and festive, we have
nice wine, we are all used to coping with the odd diets. Some of the
easiest cooking of the year, really. And no mad rush in the morning: we
have a leisurely breakfast while opening prezzies, and dinner is in the
evening. There will be willing hands to help prep veg and set tables,
and if Big Sis and Bro turn up, there will be five of us.
--
Kate XXXXXX R.C.T.Q Madame Chef des Trolls
Lady Catherine, Wardrobe Mistress of the Chocolate Buttons
http://www.katedicey.co.uk
Click on Kate's Pages and explore!
Sally Swindells
thought everyone would have had too much turkey in the run-up to
Christmas parties. There was a near riot!
I once did goose, and although its traditional, again all faces didn't
smile.
So turkey it is with all the trimmings - sage & onion stuffing, bread
sauce, roast potatoes, lots of veggies, and homemade Christmas pudding
but by popular demand, brandy sauce. The the mince pies appear and we
all go 'POP'! We have the boiled ham on Christmas Eve too - have you
tried Delia's recipe for boiling in CocaCola? It really is good. I don't
normally like Cocacola but you can't taste it - just makes the ham very
moist and sweet.
DH's sister always joins us, but DD is still not sure what she is doing
as her DH the pilot is likely to be stuck in Leipzig as apparently he
isn't told whether he is working over Christmas until the last minute
and all the flights and boats home are already fully booked so their
plans are very fluid at the moment (seems ironical that a pilot can't
get home). If she comes she will do her own meals as she is a vegan and
says she prefers to stick to things she knows she likes rather than have
people experiment on her. If DSinL makes it he eats anything! We will
see DS after Christmas as its his partner's turn to have her three
children for Christmas so they stay at home.
I can remember when DS was about 3 and went into the dining room ready
for Christmas Lunch and burst into tears. "I thought we were having
turkey". He was looking at the Grapefuit Starters, already in everyone's
place! Every Christmas he is reminded of this - after 32 years he now
expects it! How he could have missed the chaos in the kitchen I never
could understand.
Sally at the Seaside~~~~~~~~~~~~~uk
http://www.flickr.com/photos/sallyattheseaside/
Allison
have much patience with picky eaters. Fortunately my kids have learned
to eat everything served when they are a guest in someone else's house,
even if it's not their favorite. I figure that if someone has gone to
the time and effort to make a you nice meal you should show your
appreciation by eating it, not criticizing it.
No turkey this week but just wait until Christmas!!
Allison
Sandy
"teleflora" <tele...@hotmail.com> wrote:
> I have had enough with people who want to have it their way, and I am
> done catering to the quirks of food-obsessed numskulls. If you eat in my
> home, I will grudgingly respect medically diagnosed allergies, since it
> puts a pall on conversation when a guest goes into anaphylactic shock at
> the dinner table. But beyond that, I expect you to eat what you can,
> ignore the rest and not make trouble. On Thursday, 15 people are sitting
> down to Thanksgiving dinner at my house, and with God as my witness, I
> promise you this: There will be dark meat.
Amen!
--
Sandy in Henderson, near Las Vegas
sw.foster1 (at) gmail (dot) com (remove/change the obvious)
http://www.sandymike.net
Roberta
ordering a bird at the butcher and for fetching it on the day. (Every
man needs a hobby.)
Christmas Eve is no cooking, basically, just cold smoked salmon with
boiled potatoes and creamed spinach, white wine and a good baguette.
I'm always willing to make some sort of rice dish if we have special
needs diners. If they give me notice. But they have to put up with
viewing whatever the rest of us are eating.
Loved your grapefruit story, I sympathize!
Roberta in D, where it's sometimes hard to find a really good smoked
salmon
Dr. Zachary Smith
wrote:
> We don't do Thanksgiving in the UK.
That's ok - you probably don't do the 4th of July either...
We don't do Guy Fawkes Night.
Taria
eat. I tend to cater to folks, at least within reason. I'm ok
with that. If I am going to bother I might as well make folks
happy. (if possible, some folks it is impossible)
Did I mention I like to eat?
Taria
"Sandy" <inv...@invalid.invalid> wrote in message
news:invalid-F3FBA7...@news.supernews.com...
Dr. Zachary Smith
> Our holiday feasts are much like Doc's, only 3 of us and 1 eats Eukanuba.
He had his first Thanksgiving last night (but hey, what's he know -
he's a dog!)
He got a little taste of whatever wouldn't upset his tummy.
For desert we had ice cream - he had a frosty paws...
teleflora
"Taria" <ta...@verizon.net> wrote in message
news:hep1vu$q6q$1...@news.eternal-september.org...
>I like to cook and I like to feed people in addition to liking to
> eat. I tend to cater to folks, at least within reason. I'm ok
> with that. If I am going to bother I might as well make folks
> happy. (if possible, some folks it is impossible)
> Did I mention I like to eat?
> Taria
Yeah, me too and I am missing turkey sandwiches today.
Cindy
Michelle C.
Kate,
For years of wondered just exactly what Yorkshire Pudding is. Could you
clue me in?
Thanks!
Michelle in Nevada
Michelle C.
but I don't expect anyone to alter what she fixes when I go to another
person's house. First off, I can usually pick and choose and no one is
the wiser, and secondly for the two to three days of the year that I
might not be able to follow the diet like I do the other 362 days it
won't kill me.
As you said, allergies are different thing entirely.
Best regards,
Michelle in Nevada
Kate XXXXXX
> I'm with you Allison. I eat low carb in order to manage my diabetes,
> but I don't expect anyone to alter what she fixes when I go to another
> person's house. First off, I can usually pick and choose and no one is
> the wiser, and secondly for the two to three days of the year that I
> might not be able to follow the diet like I do the other 362 days it
> won't kill me.
> As you said, allergies are different thing entirely.
The trouble comes when I eat 'normally'. Even though I'm not actively
allergic to many things, I do react badly to some, and that can result
in weeks (or even months!) of pain and upset, and THAT sets off the
fibro - again! And some allergies do not manifest in the classic
histamine reaction, but are slower to come up and much slower to calm
down again afterwards.
You have no idea how much I HATE having to be picky.
With luck the 8 week clearance regime after Christmas will pinpoint the
greatest culprits and I will be able to avoid them.
Kate XXXXXX
> On Nov 27, 3:16 am, Kate XXXXXX <k...@diceyhome.free-online.co.uk>
> wrote:
>
>> We don't do Thanksgiving in the UK.
>
> That's ok - you probably don't do the 4th of July either...
Nope! Sorry!
> We don't do Guy Fawkes Night.
Guy Fawkes doesn't involve a feast, though potatoes baked in the embers
of the fire used to be traditional.
Lizzy Taylor
> Dr. Zachary Smith wrote:
>> On Nov 27, 3:16 am, Kate XXXXXX <k...@diceyhome.free-online.co.uk>
>> wrote:
>>
>>> We don't do Thanksgiving in the UK.
>>
>> That's ok - you probably don't do the 4th of July either...
>
> Nope! Sorry!
>
>> We don't do Guy Fawkes Night.
>
> Guy Fawkes doesn't involve a feast, though potatoes baked in the embers
> of the fire used to be traditional.
>
Fawkes Night/Bonfire Night.
Lizzy
Michelle C.
> Michelle C. wrote:
>> I'm with you Allison. I eat low carb in order to manage my diabetes,
>> but I don't expect anyone to alter what she fixes when I go to another
>> person's house. First off, I can usually pick and choose and no one
>> is the wiser, and secondly for the two to three days of the year that
>> I might not be able to follow the diet like I do the other 362 days it
> > won't kill me.
>
> > As you said, allergies are different thing entirely.
>
> The trouble comes when I eat 'normally'. Even though I'm not actively
> allergic to many things, I do react badly to some, and that can result
> in weeks (or even months!) of pain and upset, and THAT sets off the
> fibro - again! And some allergies do not manifest in the classic
> histamine reaction, but are slower to come up and much slower to calm
> down again afterwards.
>
> You have no idea how much I HATE having to be picky.
>
> With luck the 8 week clearance regime after Christmas will pinpoint the
> greatest culprits and I will be able to avoid them.
>
Kate, imo, your situation applies to the "allergy" category, although I
realize what you are talking about doesn't constitute an allergy in the
classic sense. If eating certain foods causes illness, then being
"picky" is totally understandable.
But I've been to people's houses where some of the guests (usually
relatives) were turning up their noses wanting to know what the "green
stuff" was in the casserole. Okay, so if a person doesn't like "green
stuff", then don't eat it, but there is no reason to act offended
because it made an appearance on the buffet table.
Michelle C.
What is Guy Fawkes Night?
NightMist
<michelle_of...@ATyahoo.com> wrote:
>Lizzy Taylor wrote:
>> Kate XXXXXX wrote:
>>> Dr. Zachary Smith wrote:
>>>> On Nov 27, 3:16 am, Kate XXXXXX <k...@diceyhome.free-online.co.uk>
>>>> wrote:
>>>>
>>>>> We don't do Thanksgiving in the UK.
>>>>
>>>> That's ok - you probably don't do the 4th of July either...
>>>
>>> Nope! Sorry!
>>>
>>>> We don't do Guy Fawkes Night.
>>>
>>> Guy Fawkes doesn't involve a feast, though potatoes baked in the
>>> embers of the fire used to be traditional.
>>>
>> Up our way in Lancashire "Black Peas" are very traditional for Guy
>> Fawkes Night/Bonfire Night.
>>
>
>What is Guy Fawkes Night?
>
I am a long time Alan Moore fan, so I looked it up long since. (G)
Among other things Mr. Moore wrote "V for Vendetta".
"Remember, remember the fifth of November,
The gunpowder treason and plot,
I see no reason
Why the gunpowder treason
Should ever be forgot."
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Guy_Fawkes_Night
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Guy_Fawkes
NightMist
--
Legolas is my house elf
Kate XXXXXX
The original type: one big one made in the roasting tin after taking the
roast out: http://www.bpic.co.uk/album_images/yorkshire_pudding.gif
The little sort that are more common now:
http://www.jksbar.com/1jjk/images/stories/food/roast_beef_yorkshire_pudding.jpg
The recipe:
http://thefoody.com/baking/yorkshirepudding.html (remember, and imperial
pint is 20 fl oz)
And what you can do with a giant Yorkshire pud if you are minded to be a
bit daft: http://www.yorkshirepudding.co.uk/
Kate XXXXXX
The celebration of a monumental failure, in classic English tradition.
Guy Fawkes and a bunch of Catholic discontents tried to blow up the
Houses of Parialment when the king was there (James vi & I), but were
betrayed and failed. They were all horribly put to death. We celebrate
each year with a bonfire topped with an effigy of Mr fawkes and lots of
firework, on November 5. For some background history:
http://www.bonfirenight.net/gunpowder.php
Us Scots also celebrate as the English failed yet again to get rid of a
Scots king (he was ours before we let them have him! ;) )
No feasts as such, but things like hot chestnuts, baked potatoes and
black peas are traditional accompaninemts, along with the drinking of
mulled wine and ale.
Kate XXXXXX
Well quite! :)
If it's a buffet, it's easy to do some vegetarian stuff, some coeliac
friendly things, and plenty that is lactose free, low fat, or all at
once! I tend to serve several simple dishes with lots of vegetables
and/or salads, fresh bread rolls, potatoes and rice, and let folk dig in
as they will. Things get labeled for clarity, and I tend to warn the
kids not to gobble up all the things made for people with special diets
before they have had their fill.
If it's a sit down meal, poached or baked whole salmon, new potatoes,
and a selection of fresh veg suits most people, and if I think there may
be fish haters, I might roast a chicken as well. It's very little extra
trouble to shove a bird in the oven and make gravy, after all.
Michelle C.
>>>
>>
>>
>> Kate, imo, your situation applies to the "allergy" category, although
>> I realize what you are talking about doesn't constitute an allergy in
>> the classic sense. If eating certain foods causes illness, then being
>> "picky" is totally understandable.
>>
>> But I've been to people's houses where some of the guests (usually
>> relatives) were turning up their noses wanting to know what the "green
>> stuff" was in the casserole. Okay, so if a person doesn't like "green
>> stuff", then don't eat it, but there is no reason to act offended
>> because it made an appearance on the buffet table.
>>
>> Best regards,
>> Michelle in Nevada
>
> Well quite! :)
>
> If it's a buffet, it's easy to do some vegetarian stuff, some coeliac
> friendly things, and plenty that is lactose free, low fat, or all at
> once! I tend to serve several simple dishes with lots of vegetables
> and/or salads, fresh bread rolls, potatoes and rice, and let folk dig in
> as they will. Things get labeled for clarity, and I tend to warn the
> kids not to gobble up all the things made for people with special diets
> before they have had their fill.
>
> If it's a sit down meal, poached or baked whole salmon, new potatoes,
> and a selection of fresh veg suits most people, and if I think there may
> be fish haters, I might roast a chicken as well. It's very little extra
> trouble to shove a bird in the oven and make gravy, after all.
>
Mmmmm! If it wasn't such a long jaunt, I'd invite myself for dinner at
your house. :-)
Michelle C.
How interesting! I figured Guy Fawkes was an important guy in English
history, but I supposed since he'd earned a celebration, he was a good
guy. In fact, quite the opposite!
Thanks for the explanation.
Michelle in Nevada
Michelle C.
Thanks for the interesting links! :-)
Michelle in Nevada
Michelle C.
Thanks Kate! I must admit, I got a kick out of the guys using a pudding
for a boat. :-)
Michelle in Nevada
Kate XXXXXX
> Mmmmm! If it wasn't such a long jaunt, I'd invite myself for dinner at
> your house. :-)
The more the merrier!
Kate XXXXXX
Classic case of being the idiot that got caught! :D
Kate XXXXXX
We also have cheese rolling races, bog snorkeling, and Morris Dancing...
Michelle C.
Hmmm. Kate, you're blowing the stereotypical idea of the Brits being
all stiff upper lip and all that. ;-) These all sound equally as
silly, entertaining and fascinating as the Yorkshire pudding boat. I
can tell, we're missing out here across the pond. I'll admit bog
snorkeling sounds particularly icky though! LOL!
Michelle in Nevada
Lizzy Taylor
Not to mention Black Pudding Throwing and Gurning.
And the Goodies doing Ecky-Thump.....
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TJxGi8bizEg
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SuP1eycaA6c
;-)
Lizzy
Kate XXXXXX
Michelle C.
Oh Lizzy, thanks for the reminder about The Goodies. I watched them in
high school and so enjoyed them! And yes, Benny Hill and Monty Python
too. :-)