Dinner for Boyfriend's Parents?!
Dinner for Boyfriend's Parents?
I plan on having my boyfriends parents over for dinner in a couple days.
I'm from San Diego, and they're from South Dakota. I thought it would be fun to make my favorite local dish - Fish Tacos, Rice, and Beans.
I know they're not used to spicier food, let alone Mexican food. I wanted to give them a little taste of San Diego, do you think that's ok?
Thanks! :)
Answers:
I think that's a great idea. It sounds like you're good at making this dish, so it should be pretty easy for you. But you're also having a little concern over whether they would like the spices. Let them spice their own to taste. And if you're concerned that they won't like the fish, brown up and season some hamburger and let them have their old boring tacos.
To round it off, prepare a simple green salad, and if they don't like one of the other dishes, they can fill up on salad.
Not all mid-westerners are strictly meat-and-potatoes folk. Offering something a little different from the norm will give you an idea of their range of interests and experience.
You should really ask. The idea of fish tacos might not sound too good to them.
I think that's a good idea. But you may want to have something else to offer them that is not so spicy. This way they can try a little taste of San Diego and not feel bad if they don't care for it.
I would stick with something basic. Don't try to impress them with a new dish, because if they don't like it, then that will be all they remember about the visit.
Make something simple like comfort food...like a meatloaf and mashed potatoes...or a simple pasta dish.
It will be less work for you so you can spend more time with them and it won't the focal point of the evening.
Well plan dinner early as if they don't like your meal you could always go out so they could have something to eat... If there open minded and they like you I would think they would try hard to like your meal..... :)
I would choose something more along the lines of comfort food, Baked Ziti is easy and delsicious, you could make that with a green salad and some garlic bread or breadsticks. That way, the food is yummy, but the focus is off the food, so you can focus on getting to know his parents, and them getting to know you.
Once you have learned theri tastes, then would be an appropriate time to try more creative dishes!
Have fun!
Absolutely perfect decision
Make the fish for tacos and prepare the shells, but let them stuff their own. That way, if they're uncomfortable with the idea of fish tacos (I went to school in Eastern Washington, quite a lot of the Midwest is uncomfortable with Mexican food) they can eat the seasoned fish as a dish without the taco shells. Just keep the spices in the mild range.
I think that is great!! that way they will get to know you and what you like. You should try offering them milder sauces.
Fish Tacos sound absolutely disgusting. What if they're allergic? I think you should ask them what foods they enjoy. Don't get the first meeting off on the wrong foot.
cool yaaa
Your boyfriend is probably the best gauge for his parents' likes and dislikes. As for me, I'd go for something simple for that first meeting. (I'm guessing this is a first meeting since you aren't really sure of what they like.) Maybe something like a chicken & pasta dish. Or, serve the spicy rice and beans w/a mildly seasoned piece of chicken breast. Maybe pair it with bottle of light, crisp wine. Reisling is nice. For dessert, impress his mom with a chocolate fondue and coffee. Fondues are very easy...cut the fruit and pound cake ahead of time and it only takes a few minutes to make the choc dipping sauce (ghiradelli baking choc & a little cream). You can find fondue pots for about $10.
That's just me. Either way, have a great time with his family. It's more important that you be yourself. Good luck and have fun!
save yourself the hassle take them out to eat .that way if you hate them you don't have to slave away all day cooking and all night cleaning.have fun!
I am assuming this is a first meeting. Why not call yourself telling them you are looking forward to meeting them? The subject of dinner will come up and you can mention that you would like to prepare some local dishes for them to try.
Perhaps plan a small sampling of local dishes. Make enough of each dish to give everyone a small taste. Serve fruit and salad with your meal. The fruit will help get rid of the spicy taste if they don't like it.
You have not said whether or not this is their first visit to San Diego. If it is you might want to make a more "safe" dish as they will probably be nervous.
Good Luck with dinner!!
Go to Culinary Chef at http://www.culinarychef.com for recipes and special occasions menus.
Many people don't like fish. I would not have fish anything unless I was sure they liked fish.
Yes, just make sure they like white fish and select a light white fish like tilapia. And go easy on the spices - let them add more if they wish.
I think they will like the thoughtfulness of your dinner plans!
ask ur bf about it,......
if u want to impresss them u need to play safe.
make something they alike and also something thats your local fav.....
Tacos are a really easy way to allow people to make their own food to their own tastes if done correctly! I would grill up some steak or chicken, and some fish as well as just plain refried beans and let them stuff their own tacos.
Also put the limes, cliantro, tomotoes, olives on the side as well incase of allergies.
Also a salsa bar in the center of the table is a great, it allows them to pick their heat level, and different flavors.
I would make a mild avocado salsa or gaucamole, a hot salsa and a mild tomatoe salsa.
:) You don't want to make something too simple that would make them feel like they are from another country instead of south dakota. :) And if your boyfriend is great and open minded I'm sure he will be too!
keep it easy keep it simple...... many people don't care fer fish so u might want to ask.... first meal i cooked fer my hubbies mom was a food she hated.... lol not good lol
Can't go wrong with a roasted chicken, potatoes or pasta, and a green veggie...... really impress them and somehow get a pheasant to roast!!
I think offering them a taste of Sand Diego is a nice gesture, but be prepared to have a more bland meal available...just in case!!
Try these...they are tasty and very low in the spice factor.
Chicken Parmesan
Serves 6
1/3 Cup Parmesan cheese, grated
1/4 Tsp Italian Seasoning, crushed
6 (4 oz) Chicken Breast, boneless, skinless
1 Tbsp Unsalted Butter
1/2 Cup White Onion, diced
1 Tbsp All-Purpose Flour
1/2 Cup 2% Milk
1 (1 oz packet) Ranch Flavored Salad Dressing Mix
6 Slices Mozzarella Cheese
1/2 (10 oz pkg.) Spinach, frozen, thawed, drained
1 Tbsp Pimiento, chopped
Instructions:
Preheat the oven to 350oF
In a small mixing bowl combine cheese, ranch salad dressing mix, and Italian seasoning. Roll chicken pieces in cheese mixture to coat lightly; set remaining cheese mixture aside. Arrange the pieces in an 8x8x2-inch baking dish. In a small saucepan cook onion in hot margarine until tender.
Stir in flour; add milk all at once. Cook and stir till bubbly; stir in drained spinach and pimiento. Place a slice of cheese and spoon the spinach mixture over the chicken; sprinkle with remaining cheese mixture. Bake, uncovered, for 30-35 minutes or until tender.
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Chicken Pasta Alfredo
Serves 6
6 Qts Water
12 oz Fettuccine Pasta
2 Tbsp Peanut Oil
6 (4 oz) Chicken Breast, boneless, skinless
2 (10-3/4 oz can) Cream of Mushroom Soup
1 (20 oz bag) Frozen Broccoli Florets
3/4 Cup Parmesan Cheese, grated
Instructions:
Heat a large pot of water, over high heat. When water comes to a boil add the pasta and boil for 8-10 minutes. Drain; reserving 2 cups pasta water. Cut the chicken into strips (1/4''x1''); set aside.
In a large frying pan, over medium-high heat, add the oil and chicken pieces stirring frequently until golden brown.
In a medium saucepan, over medium heat, add the chicken pieces, sauce, 1/4 cup reserved pasta water, stirring frequently. Add the remaining pasta water into the saucepan and bring just to a boil, then add the broccoli. Cook for 1-2 minutes. Remove from heat.
Divide the cooked pasta evenly between serving dishes and top with chicken and broccoli mixture.
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Crab Quiche
Serves 6
1 (8 oz pkg.) Louis Kemp Crab Delights, flaked
3/4 Cup Mexican Style Cheddar Cheese, shredded
1/2 (8 oz pkg.) Cream Cheese, cut into 1/4'' cubes
1/4 Cup Green Onions, sliced
1/2 Tsp Salt
1/2 Tsp Basil
1/2 Cup Heart Healthy Bisquick
1 Cup 1% Milk ''Skim''
1/2 Cup Eggbeaters
3 SecondsNonstick Cooking Spray
Instructions:
Preheat the oven to 350oF
Mix the crab delights, shredded cheese, cream cheese, onions, salt, and basil in a medium bowl.
Coat a 9-inch pie plate with nonstick cooking spray and spread the crab mixture into the bottom.
Beat the remaining ingredients until smooth. Pour over the crab mixture and bake for about 40-45 minutes.
Serve immediately.
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Strawberry Shake
Serves 2
1 Cup Frozen Strawberries, thawed
2 Tbsp Honey
1 Cup Cold 2%Milk
1 Cup Plain Yogurt
2 Tbsp Sugar Substitute (recommended: Splenda)
2 Whole Strawberries, garnish
Instructions:
Puree the strawberries and honey in a blender or food processor. Add milk, sweetener and yogurt; blend until smooth.
Pour into glasses; garnish each with a whole strawberry
good idea but try not to make too hot, they will not enjoy it.... have a nice evening
Hell ya go for it
and if they don't like it FAX ME the left over fish tacos
beware of algeries. not every ones body does well with spices, fish, or beans. make suer your bathroom is clean!
ask your boo, he has eaten with thoes folks all his life. this way it can still be a suprise for them when they get to your place.
They'll think you're wacked with the fish tacos.
South Dakota huh? Hmmmm.....How about Meat Loaf?
taco salad beans rice pie tea
That's a good idea to call them, tell them you are looking forward to seeing them, and ask about allergies, food and spice preferences. Tell them you wanted to try to give them a taste of local dishes after you ask about the other things.
Girl, they are from South Dakota, they will be impressed with anything fresh, if they can't handle mexican, try any california cuisine. My first visit to california was in the first week of June, and I was 11. Black cherries, strawberries, avocados, citrus fruit, plums, I ate and ate fresh fruit. In Illinois, in June, strawberries were the only locally grown fruit that was ripe. After a hard Illinois winter, I thought I had died and gone to heaven. My relatives had a ranch, they grew citrus fruit then. I climbed a grapefruit tree and got the biggest one I could reach, my parents ate it in the car on the way home.
If time allows, take them to a farmer's market, and let them go crazy.