Please Help - Need recipe ideas!

Okay, I need some easy 'make ahead' recipes for an upcoming visit from my in-laws.
My biggest problem = my MIL is allergic to poultry, dairy, citrus and some other things...so, WHAT do I do??

Any ideas are welcomed....so far, I'm planning on possibly making the Pork Chop Bake (that is posted separately), Salisbury Steak w/Onions, London Broil (maybe), and Pasta (not sure yet). I wonder if Pot Roast or homemade soup might be better ideas.

Re: Please Help - Need recipe ideas!

How about some pasta with a little bit of olive oil?
You could also add some chopped up tomatoes or a little bit of broccoli.

Re: Please Help - Need recipe ideas!

I can relate, Claud...I just had out-of-town relatives in for an extended visit. Between food allergies, picky eaters and limited time to cook after work, it was quite a challenge to make everyone happy.

Soup is a great idea. With a salad and fresh bread, it makes a filling dinner and then you have leftovers for lunch. I found a great lentil soup recipe on the Ciao Italia website:

Lentil Soup

Since most of my guests were originally from NYC, we had pizza one night and deli one night...foods they crave from home.

Hope this gives you some ideas!!

Re: Please Help - Need recipe ideas!

Shelly, you are a doll! Thanks for that recipe...it's easy enough and I think it will work out great! I'm going to make Lentil Soup with Salad and Italian bread for one of our meals.

We probably won't do pizza b/c of the dairy allergy (no cheese!), but Deli is a MUST for lunch time.

Re: Please Help - Need recipe ideas!

I've made Jambalaya the day before, and it gets even more flavorful overnight. You can make it as spicey or not as you like. (have the recipe at home)

What about a shrimp stir fry? Or pepper steak with onions and green peppers these can usually be put together on a few minutes.

Pasta Primavera in a wine sauce?

Re: Please Help - Need recipe ideas!

You're welcome! Glad I could help!!

Take a look at the other recipes on the Ciao Italia website...there are lots of good ideas there.

Deli was a huge hit-we served pastrami, pickles, round knishes, onion rye, Juniors cheesecake, seltzer, Dr. Browns soda. My aunt and uncles insist they can't get real deli outside of NYC...they were so excited.

Re: Please Help - Need recipe ideas!

Okay, my in-laws arrive tomorrow afternoon, and here's my update so far:

I made the Lentil Soup last night. I will serve this for one meal with a nice salad and loaf of French bread.

Seond dinner - I will be making a Pot Roast with potatoes, carrots and onions, and red cabbage.

The third night, I am making spaghetti with bacon and tomatoe sauce (simple recipe). Also serving salad and dinner rolls.

For desserts -

I already made Cranberry Orange Coconut cookies (macaroon-like) and an Apple Pie.

I am also making a Chocolate Turtle Cheescake Pie.

I still have to buy sodas, snacks/chips and fresh cold cuts for lunches - but, DH will do this for me tomorrow.

Wish me luck - my plan is to spend as little time in the kitchen as possible so that we can actually go out and do something!

Re: Please Help - Need recipe ideas!

Everything sounds wonderful and delicious. They will be very happy.

Re: Please Help - Need recipe ideas!

good luck claud...remember bbq for a backup..you can marinate and keep in fridge and then just throw on the grill

Re: Please Help - Need recipe ideas!

Erica - I WISH!!!

We don't OWN a grill Buying one has just been a low priority since we moved into the house.

Re: Please Help - Need recipe ideas!

How about a nice stew. Prep everything ahead of time and throw it in a pot to simmer. I have had good luck with making stew ahead and reheating. I do it all through ski season.

Stuffed Peppers are quick easy and yummy too.

Let me know if you need a recipe for either.

If you plan out your menus you might be able to get some if the prep work done all at one time.

Does she cook? I was real lucky with my MIL's visit. She cooked for us! At first I was a little put off by it (for about 10 min.) Then I realized its what she loves to do - cook for her Son! She is a great cook too

Re: Please Help - Need recipe ideas!

claud...i thought of another one last night...


fried rice and roast pork...super easy...

1-2 pork chops...fry up
2 cups rice cooked
10 slices or so bacon cooked
6 eggs scrambled
(peas if you want...I don't like them though)

mix together with soy sauce

Re: Please Help - Need recipe ideas!

Erica - you're such a sweetheart! However, my MIL is deathly allergic to eggs, so I cannot make that - BUT, thank you so much for trying!!

I am doing great! My lentil soup was delicious (no leftovers) and I made a Waldorf salad with it! Dessert was the Chocolate Turtle Cheesecake pie - which was also delicious! Prep for dinner was super simple, since the soup was made since the other night...I just had to heat it and add some pastina.

Tomorrow, we are letting them take us out for dinner

Sunday nite, I am making a Pot Roast - everything in one pan, super simple...red bliss potatoes, onions, carrots and green beans. I will also make some egg noodles and red cabbage.

Monday nite - simple spaghetti...I'll probably make the sauce tomorrow morning, so it's out of the way.

ETA - Fran MIL would NEVER even offer to cook in MY kitchen! She is not even good in her OWN kitchen! LOL! She is not a good cook, and Jeff prefers my cooking to hers ANY day! But, thanks for the really good laugh, hon!

Re: Please Help - Need recipe ideas!

I am glad the soup was good Claud and that the desserts are a hit. (when should we all arrive for cake and coffee )

Your menu sounds great and well planned out.

My MIL has only cooked one meal for me and I see her every 6-8 weeks in MA. Sometimes she offers to put on some Voilia (bag of stuff that you buy in the freezer section of your store) and I tell DH that he had better figure out a way of NOT having me eat that stuff quick! I cannot image her even offering to do much more than make tea in my kitchen and that is okay with me. But she does bake well so I guess that is a plus.