HELP PLEASE!!! MIL calling for first time at 9pm!

*flutterby*

This is the first time MIL has ever been to my house as she lives in Kent, my bf is working till half 8 so she is calling to exchange pressies etc at 9pm tonight and then making her way back down south.

What do I make to eat at that time??? I got bf to ask if they would want anything to eat and she said yes...

All the usual dilema's of am I looking after her son properly after he has been working all day etc...

All fast responses greatly appreciated as will go shopping as soon as I've decided... Money not object on this one occasion!

Am I right in thinking not to cook anything too heavy?

Was thinking some kind of pasta, maybe Spag Bol cos then I can put it in the middle of the table and they can decide how much they want etc and serve it with a green salad and garlic bread... Any better suggestions?

Please help! Thanks

COOLTRIKERCHICK

hi... flutterby..... dont panic... be yourself....dont go over board....

if this was me.. i would just put diff.. salad things on the table..... with boiled new pots... coleslaw etc...... and selection of diff meats....and some home made cakes and some home made bread rolls etc.....

as at 9pm in the night... you dont really want anything too heavy to eat.....

plus they can just pick and choose what they want..... and then the left overs can be used up tomorrow....


let us know what you decide.... as it might give us some ideas for future.....events....

Bossyboots

Definitely not spag bol! Just think of the embarrassment if MIL drops it on your tablecloth or has difficulty managing the spaghetti.

I agree with CTC's suggestions. Less chance of a mishap and much lighter for that time of night.

If you want to do pasta, then pick a shape and sauce that is easy to manhandle.

Personally, if I am eating in public I never choose spaghetti or taglietelli.

angchris

i agree with the above, a buffet style evening nibbles always goes down well. a plate of a few nice cold meats maybe wow new mil with a gorgeous homemade quiche still warm, some nice crusty bread and butter, homemade potato salad etc and a cheese platter should be ample. no need to go over the top to impress mil but a few really nice homemade things should impress her rather than a table full of cheapo bought things. just make something you would like to eat if you were invited out. at least with a buffet style meal there is no panic to serve it up and it can be eaten at leisure rather than you being busy in the kitchen the whole time they are visiting which really bugs me as i go to see the person not to have them dashing backwards and forwards cooking. oh and best of luck as its always nerve racking meeting the in laws for the first time!

*flutterby*

Thanks so much for replying with your ideas... HUGELY appreciated!

In an ideal world I would have loved to have wowed her with all your home made suggestions but I'm not that well trained yet!

I love cooking but lack confidence in trying most things...

I did a buffet style thing when SIL came with her bf on boxing day who still lives with her mum so didn't want it getting back that I can't cook at all or maybe offering left overs etc... I was so proud I took a photo of it and everyone laughed at me... All I'd really done is open the M&S packets but it was all displayed really nicely

Myself personally, wouldn't at all fancy a cold buffet at 9pm...

I spoke to my ex's mum (of all people) and she some suggested lamb shanks that they had recently... So, slow roasted lamb shanks with a redcurrent and rosemary 'jus' (care of M&S) rosemary roasted potatoes, minted carrots and fine green beans it is with profiterolls and hot choc sauce for desert

*fingers crossed* and thanks again for all your help...

I keep reading the OS board and slowly one step at a time it's changing me... There's a lot less waste than there used to be and I love going to the fridge now and working out what to do with stuff to use it up etc!

Linda32

Hope it all goes well. Its not very nice at first, I know, but eventually you learn that its your house and they are guests.

I ought to add, that although I'm not married, I've had a "mother-in-law" for 14 years, so eventually it gets easier