"Gloria P" > wrote in message
...
>
> We only THINK we are doing our kids a favor when we make special
> meals for each one. When they get out in the real world it makes
> them a nuisance to deal with.
>

That's what my sister is doing to her 8 year old twins. Mostly out of
survival because she has raised them mostly alone, and they were so hard to
feed as young babies so she got used to giving them whatever they'd eat.
That went on until recently and now that they're older she insists that they
try something new to eat when they go out or to someone's house. It's
painful to watch, though. You'd think they're being asked to eat poison.

On Sat, 27 Dec 2008 19:24:44 +0000 (UTC),
(Steve Pope) wrote:

>These days many people are vegan so as to reduce carbon
>emissions and (at least in their thinking) save the planet.
>It's like any other "self imposed" form of energy conservation.

.....if they are growing and harvesting their own food....which I
seriously doubt. There probably were move immisions expelled just
in harvest and transportation to the loverly snooty food emporium
featuring all organic produce.

Steve Pope wrote:
> Dave Smith > wrote:
>
>> Steve Pope wrote:
>
>
>>> Do you also reject diners who drive up in a Prius or riding on
>>> a bicycle? Must they all have to drive a truck?
>
>> I'm sorry. Was there supposed to be a witty and meaningful comment
>> there that I missed?
>
>> I said that I don't cater to their self imposed diets.
>
> These days many people are vegan so as to reduce carbon
> emissions and (at least in their thinking) save the planet.
> It's like any other "self imposed" form of energy conservation.

Sure. I will buy that when they give up their cars, give up their
electronic toys and turn down their furnaces and air conditioners, and
buy only locally produced produce.


> I think it'd be reasonable to differentiate between "picky
> eaters" and those who are choosing to do something good by
> consuming fewer resources.

From what I see, it is primarily a fad diet adopted by young women who,
BTW ate the single largest group of vegans. In the US, 80% of vegans are
under 35 and 785 of vegans are female.


Sorry, but I stopped catering to vegans a few years ago when my nephew
showed up late for Christmas dinner and had brought along his vegan
daughter, My wife had to run around at the last minute to find something
for her to eat while the girl pored over the ingredients of everything
to make sure there was no meat products. A year nd a half later I sat
across from her at a buffet meal and was amazed at the amount of roast
beef, ham, chicken, shrimp and fish on her plate. As far as I am
concerned, most of them are following a fad.

Steve Pope wrote:
> Dave Smith wrote:
>
> >I'm with Sheldon on this one. I don't cater to picky eaters. Nor do I
> >cater those with self imposed diets, like vegans.
>
> Do you also reject diners who drive up in a Prius or riding on
> a bicycle? �Must they all have to drive a truck?

How does the vehicle they choose place any imposition on the host?
I wouldn't invite you simply because your extremely low level of
intelligence can't possibly add anything meaningful to the
conversation.

Dave Smith wrote:


> From what I see, it is primarily a fad diet adopted by young women who,
> BTW ate the single largest group of vegans. In the US, 80% of vegans are
> under 35 and 785 of vegans are female.

From what I've seen among high school girls, adopting a vegan diet
appears to be a convenient cover for an eating disorder. It gives you
the perfect excuse to reject nearly everything found on the average
dinner table. "I'm not anorexic, I'm vegan".

Steve Pope wrote:
> Dave Smith > wrote:
>
>> I'm with Sheldon on this one. I don't cater to picky eaters. Nor do I
>> cater those with self imposed diets, like vegans.
>
> Do you also reject diners who drive up in a Prius or riding on
> a bicycle? Must they all have to drive a truck?
>
> Steve


I'm not Dave, but I'd say let them drive what they want as long as they
don't bring it in the house, to the dining table...

gloria p

On Dec 27, 2:24�pm, (Steve Pope) wrote:
> Dave Smith > wrote:
>
> >Steve Pope wrote:
> >> Dave Smith > wrote:
> >>> I'm with Sheldon on this one. I don't cater to picky eaters. Nor do I
> >>> cater those with self imposed diets, like vegans.
> >> Do you also reject diners who drive up in a Prius or riding on
> >> a bicycle? �Must they all have to drive a truck?
> > I'm sorry. Was there supposed to be a witty and meaningful comment
> > there that I missed?
> > I said that I don't cater to their self imposed diets.
>
> These days many people are vegan so as to reduce carbon
> emissions and (at least in their thinking) save the planet.
> It's like any other "self imposed" form of energy conservation.
>
> I think it'd be reasonable to differentiate between "picky
> eaters" and those who are choosing to do something good by
> consuming fewer resources.

They can be as vegan as they want, in their own house. There is no
such thing as vegetarian/vegan anyway... they all make up their own
rules as they go along... same as those who claim to keep kosher, they
all adhere to a self imposed level of kasruth. People who choose to
live by their own personal standards are fine, just don't in any way
impose those constantly fluctuating *lunatic* standards on me. I've
known many who have claimed to be vegetarian... yeah, they just began
that week and stopped the next week and then become vegetarian again
the very next time you invite them. And then there are those who say
they eat no meat, but then I catch them eating chicken and fish, oh,
that's not meat they claim, they mean red meat. Duhhhhuh And I can't
count how many jews claim to keep kosher but they'll happily eat
Chinese food out... they just eat their shrimp and pork way over in
the next town hoping no one will recognize them. Arguing all these
weird eating styles is as idiotic as arguing religion... yoose wanna
pray to a carrot, fine by me, but do it in your own house.... me, I'm
gonna pray to a porterhouse, and don't yoose dare make any comments,
yoose don't like it... don't eat any... more for me! LOL

Cheryl wrote:
>
> "Gloria P" > wrote in message
> ...
>>
>> We only THINK we are doing our kids a favor when we make special
>> meals for each one. When they get out in the real world it makes
>> them a nuisance to deal with.
>>
>
> That's what my sister is doing to her 8 year old twins. Mostly out of
> survival because she has raised them mostly alone, and they were so hard
> to feed as young babies so she got used to giving them whatever they'd
> eat. That went on until recently and now that they're older she insists
> that they try something new to eat when they go out or to someone's
> house. It's painful to watch, though. You'd think they're being asked
> to eat poison.

The lesson she missed teaching is "Taste it. If you don 't like it you
don't have to eat it, but if you make a scene, you're in trouble. And
what's on the table is what there is to eat for the meal."

I had a cousin about 5 years younger than I who lived on peanut butter
and jelly, sometimes 3 meals a day, from early childhood until he was
about 18. When pressured to eat what the family was eating, he'd reply:
"My eyes don't like it."

He fell in love, went to his future inlaws' house for dinner
occasionally, and forgot that pbj was the only food fit to eat. He
began to eat quite a wide variety of foods.

He was the youngest of six kids and I'm assuming my aunt, who was a good
cook, had her hands full and was too busy to worry about his diet.

gloria p

"Dave Smith" > wrote in message
>
> Sorry, but I stopped catering to vegans a few years ago when my nephew
> showed up late for Christmas dinner and had brought along his vegan
> daughter, My wife had to run around at the last minute to find something
> for her to eat while the girl pored over the ingredients of everything to
> make sure there was no meat products. A year nd a half later I sat across
> from her at a buffet meal and was amazed at the amount of roast beef, ham,
> chicken, shrimp and fish on her plate. As far as I am concerned, most of
> them are following a fad.

I'd have handed her a jar of peanut butter, but my wife probably would have
done as yours did.

We have one friend who is vegetarian. When he comes for dinner we have fish.
Not a big deal since we eat fish on occasion any way. He'd never stop
anyone from enjoying a steak while sitting next to him, nor does he expect
any special efforts. Unlike the vegan crazies, Rich is more motivated by
health benefits rather that saving animals. Once a year he'll chomp a steak
too.

Making minor concessions is not a big deal, but I'm not going to plan a
family or friends meal around one vegan.

Steve Pope wrote:

> These days many people are vegan so as to reduce carbon
> emissions and (at least in their thinking) save the planet.
> It's like any other "self imposed" form of energy conservation.
>
> I think it'd be reasonable to differentiate between "picky
> eaters" and those who are choosing to do something good by
> consuming fewer resources.
>
> Steve

And if that is the case, one meal prepared by a hostess for them as a
guest won't kill 'em. IMO.
Now, cranking up special meals in addition to the meal served to the
others just so THEY can be catered to is additionally hypocritical as
they've caused an increased consumption of resources and effort. Going
hungry would be more honorable.

On Fri, 26 Dec 2008 19:56:16 -0800 (PST), tintalle >
>
>I'd love some suggestions, what can i make that's easy to feed a small
>crowd? I'm thinking a nice thick chili might do the trick (i'll make
>a small dish of it veggie for me).

Chili is a good idea.

You could also consider:

a chicken casserole, fruit salad, green salad, bread

ham, mac and cheese, green salad, fruit salad, biscuits

baked potato bar -- butter, sour cream, broccoli, cheese, sauteed
mushrooms, taco meat, chili, bacon

taco bar -- beans, cheese, salsa, lettuce, chicken, beef, peppers,
tortillas, chips

Tara

Ed Pawlowski wrote:
> "Dave Smith" > wrote in message
>> Sorry, but I stopped catering to vegans a few years ago when my nephew
>> showed up late for Christmas dinner and had brought along his vegan
>> daughter, My wife had to run around at the last minute to find something
>> for her to eat while the girl pored over the ingredients of everything to
>> make sure there was no meat products. A year nd a half later I sat across
>> from her at a buffet meal and was amazed at the amount of roast beef, ham,
>> chicken, shrimp and fish on her plate. As far as I am concerned, most of
>> them are following a fad.
>
> I'd have handed her a jar of peanut butter, but my wife probably would have
> done as yours did.
>
> We have one friend who is vegetarian. When he comes for dinner we have fish.
> Not a big deal since we eat fish on occasion any way. He'd never stop
> anyone from enjoying a steak while sitting next to him, nor does he expect
> any special efforts. Unlike the vegan crazies, Rich is more motivated by
> health benefits rather that saving animals. Once a year he'll chomp a steak
> too.


I have no problems making reasonable allowances. If we had a fish eating
veggie we would have fish. No problem. But I am not a vegan so I am not
making a vegan meal for everyone, and am not making a special (full and
complete) meal for a vegan, especially when it's a fad diet ASFIAC.

> Making minor concessions is not a big deal, but I'm not going to plan a
> family or friends meal around one vegan.

We like lamb, and when we have a roast to share we invite people who we
know like lamb. I don't cook fish when I know that my guests don't like
it. Maybe we are selfish, but when we have something that we like and
want to share it we invite those we know who like it. We don't do
vegetarian.

Gloria P wrote:

>
> The lesson she missed teaching is "Taste it. If you don 't like it you
> don't have to eat it, but if you make a scene, you're in trouble. And
> what's on the table is what there is to eat for the meal."
>
> I had a cousin about 5 years younger than I who lived on peanut butter
> and jelly, sometimes 3 meals a day, from early childhood until he was
> about 18. When pressured to eat what the family was eating, he'd reply:
> "My eyes don't like it."
>
> He fell in love, went to his future inlaws' house for dinner
> occasionally, and forgot that pbj was the only food fit to eat. He
> began to eat quite a wide variety of foods.
>
> He was the youngest of six kids and I'm assuming my aunt, who was a good
> cook, had her hands full and was too busy to worry about his diet.

My daughter's boyfriend grew up with a fairly limited range of foods.
His mom had a few favorite very basic dishes and rarely varied the menu
much - a regime pretty much designed to create picky eaters.

Since he met my daughter he has been served green pork chili, quiche,
rare ribeye steak, chicken piccatta, chicken marinated in buttermilk and
spices, dredged in rice flour and fried crisp (my thanks to whoever
posted the recipe for spicy thai fried chicken, which was where I got
the idea for the rice flour), teriyaki pork tenderloin and shrimp and
has eaten them all with evident relish. I have to say, I'm impressed.
Either he's more adventuresome than I'd have given him credit for, or
he's one hell of an actor.

Dave Smith > wrote:

>Steve Pope wrote:

>> These days many people are vegan so as to reduce carbon
>> emissions and (at least in their thinking) save the planet.
>> It's like any other "self imposed" form of energy conservation.

>Sure. I will buy that when they give up their cars, give up their
>electronic toys and turn down their furnaces and air conditioners, and
>buy only locally produced produce.

Understood, but you may be underestimating the carbon impact
of a meat-heavy diet.

It's instructive, although imperfect, to go through an on-line
energy consumption audit, and play with variables such as whether
one is vegan. It can make a significant difference, although
it'll be under one ton of carbon per year.

Steve

Kathleen wrote:

> My daughter's boyfriend grew up with a fairly limited range of foods. His
> mom had a few favorite very basic dishes and rarely varied the menu much -
> a regime pretty much designed to create picky eaters.

My mother's cooking repertoire was pretty limited too, but rather than
making me picky it made me curious about foods I hadn't tried.


> Since he met my daughter he has been served green pork chili, quiche, rare
> ribeye steak, chicken piccatta, chicken marinated in buttermilk and
> spices, dredged in rice flour and fried crisp (my thanks to whoever posted
> the recipe for spicy thai fried chicken, which was where I got the idea
> for the rice flour), teriyaki pork tenderloin and shrimp and has eaten
> them all with evident relish. I have to say, I'm impressed. Either he's
> more adventuresome than I'd have given him credit for, or he's one hell of
> an actor.

Well, from your postings here, I'd guess that you're one hell of a cook!

Bob

"The Ranger" > wrote in message
...
On Dec 27, 6:39 am, "Nancy Young" > wrote:
[snip]
> What I don't get is their assumption that they are so important
> that people must kowtow to their wishes. All those other people
> should bend over backwards to accomodate them. Huh? It's
> not as if it's a religious thing, I can understand that. [..]

Exactly! It's all about "power" and the power play and the importance
of seeing others accommodate their "needs." When the requests are not
met, they pull the attention-spotlight onto themselves with more
outrageous actions.

In the case of Twiticus, the FLB simply told him to go wherever he
wished -- by himself; he was not welcome to join them after his second
childish outburst.

The Ranger

--------

Anecdotal evidence suggests to me that the pickiest of eaters I know are
also some of the most overweight. I've always wondered if there is a
correlation.

HH

On Dec 28, 1:03*am, Sheldon > wrote:

>*When I grew up there were no
> choices, we all ate what was placed in front of us and we were
> required to clean our plates, we couldn't pick and choose, everything
> was required to be eaten and without complaint... no one was forced to
> eat and no negative comments were tolerated.. *you could go to your
> room without but the same dish was served the next day, ice cold from
> the fridge, and the following days as well, didn't take long to
> acquire a broad palate... only exceptions were for illness.

I don't remember you growing up but it appears we had the same
parents.

Barb
s/y Arabella
www.salinglinks.com

On Sat, 27 Dec 2008 16:31:16 -0500, "Ed Pawlowski" >
shouted from the highest rooftop:

>
>"Dave Smith" > wrote in message
>>
>> Sorry, but I stopped catering to vegans a few years ago when my nephew
>> showed up late for Christmas dinner and had brought along his vegan
>> daughter, My wife had to run around at the last minute to find something
>> for her to eat while the girl pored over the ingredients of everything to
>> make sure there was no meat products. A year nd a half later I sat across
>> from her at a buffet meal and was amazed at the amount of roast beef, ham,
>> chicken, shrimp and fish on her plate. As far as I am concerned, most of
>> them are following a fad.
>
>I'd have handed her a jar of peanut butter, but my wife probably would have
>done as yours did.
>
>We have one friend who is vegetarian. When he comes for dinner we have fish.
>Not a big deal since we eat fish on occasion any way. He'd never stop
>anyone from enjoying a steak while sitting next to him, nor does he expect
>any special efforts. Unlike the vegan crazies, Rich is more motivated by
>health benefits rather that saving animals. Once a year he'll chomp a steak
>too.
>
>Making minor concessions is not a big deal, but I'm not going to plan a
>family or friends meal around one vegan.

Although I was a vegan for a few years back in the early 70's, I
haven't been one since. But I still don't eat red meat as a rule.
Instead, I eat fish, shellfish and chicken. Fortunately, getting fresh
fish and shellfish is not a problem on the northeast coast of New
Zealand's North Island and what I can't catch or gather from local
beaches I can buy.

Bacon is "honorary lettuce" on occasion - like a full English
breakfast or a BLAT. And every once in a while I get a craving for a
small, lean eye-fillet steak seared blood-rare and enjoy it immensely.
But fresh tuna seared rare keeps that urge under control.

Our family is mixed. Our middle daughter doesn't eat red meat either.
But our son, youngest daughter and our middle daughter's partner do.
Quite a few of our extended family and friends also have mixed eating
preferences as far a red meat is concerned ... and my wife will sear
herself an rare eye fillet maybe once a week and enjoys doing roasts,
casseroles and spagbol for the kids when they come over. Otherwise,
she enjoys fish and chicken too.

Since food is such an important part of our lives, we already know
what most of our guests like long before we serve them, and planning
menus and cooking for them is part of the pleasure of having them
visit. If they're staying with us for a few days some of them will
insist on cooking a dinner or taking us out to our local restaurant -
Schnappa Rock in the Tutukaka Mariana: http://www.schnapparock.co.nz/

But if there's someone new in the equation, we simply ask if there are
any foods they can't or prefer not to eat - which is a good idea since
a surprising number of people are allergic to shellfish ... or the
peanuts in the hot, spicy sauce my wife makes for Indonesian Fried
Rice,.

OTOH I don't make a fuss if we go out to a meal where the hosts don't
know or don't ask about my preferences regarding red meat. I simply
don't overdo it and usually enjoy the meal and the change of diet.




--

una cerveza mas por favor ...

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ ~~~~~~~~~~~
Wax-up and drop-in of Surfing's Golden Years: <http://www.surfwriter.net>
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ ~~~~~~~~~~~

Spaghetti ? Good and inexpensive to feed that many people ..

Get some french bread and and get some real butter and garlic and mix
them and spread garlic butter on the bread and throw it in the oven .

ladysailor wrote:
> On Dec 28, 1:03 am, Sheldon > wrote:
>
>> When I grew up there were no
>> choices, we all ate what was placed in front of us and we were
>> required to clean our plates, we couldn't pick and choose, everything
>> was required to be eaten and without complaint... no one was forced
>> to eat and no negative comments were tolerated.. you could go to your
>> room without but the same dish was served the next day, ice cold from
>> the fridge, and the following days as well, didn't take long to
>> acquire a broad palate... only exceptions were for illness.
>
> I don't remember you growing up but it appears we had the same
> parents.

I thought the same damned thing. Liver is especially bad
served cold the next day. It was horrid enough the first day!

nancy

Kathleen wrote:

> Since he met my daughter he has been served green pork chili, quiche,
> rare ribeye steak, chicken piccatta, chicken marinated in buttermilk and
> spices, dredged in rice flour and fried crisp (my thanks to whoever
> posted the recipe for spicy thai fried chicken, which was where I got
> the idea for the rice flour), teriyaki pork tenderloin and shrimp and
> has eaten them all with evident relish. I have to say, I'm impressed.
> Either he's more adventuresome than I'd have given him credit for, or
> he's one hell of an actor.
>

I think the boyfriend-girlfriend factor helps.
I was 14 when I went alone cross country to Washington State (from
Washington, DC) via train to visit a school friend. Her dad ran an FBI
office and knew neat tricks so it was a fun trip all around, LOL. She
set me up on a little date with her own boyfriend's friend and the boys
wanted to impress us with a steak dinner (at 14, we imagined ourselves
so worldly!) I recall ordering the steak and mushrooms, when in fact I'd
never gone out of my way to eat mushrooms before. But they *sounded* so
sophisticated with that steak I had to have them, right? They were
great. Who knew? I certainly wouldn't have let on that I never ate them
before though.

On Dec 28, 9:18*am, "Nancy Young" > wrote:
>
> I thought the same damned thing. *

LOL Wonder if it has anything to do with why we are here on rfc.

> Liver is especially bad served cold the next day. *It was horrid enough the first day!


I lucked out, My dad didn't like liver so it was never served. Whew!

Barb
s/y Arabella
www.sailinglinks.com

On Sat, 27 Dec 2008 18:19:40 -0500, Goomba >
wrote:

>Kathleen wrote:
>
>> Since he met my daughter he has been served green pork chili, quiche,
>> rare ribeye steak, chicken piccatta, chicken marinated in buttermilk and
>> spices, dredged in rice flour and fried crisp (my thanks to whoever
>> posted the recipe for spicy thai fried chicken, which was where I got
>> the idea for the rice flour), teriyaki pork tenderloin and shrimp and
>> has eaten them all with evident relish. I have to say, I'm impressed.
>> Either he's more adventuresome than I'd have given him credit for, or
>> he's one hell of an actor.
>>
>
>I think the boyfriend-girlfriend factor helps.

I think it does too.

When I was engaged way back when, I went to dinner at my fiance's
parent's house. Acorn squash was served. Now I had grown up with a
squash loving mother, but I wouldn't eat it at home, and wouldn't
cook it myself. I had convinced myself that I hated squash, although
I had never really tried much of it, even when my mother fixed sauteed
squash with onions..which has an enticing aroma.

I didn't want to make a complete fool of myself and disgrace my
fiance, so I ate the squash. I fell in love with it. After that, I
cooked it myself,and now it is one of my favorite vegetables. Summer
squash, winter squash...I like them all.

Christine

ladysailor wrote:
> On Dec 28, 1:03 am, Sheldon > wrote:
>
>> When I grew up there were no
>> choices, we all ate what was placed in front of us and we were
>> required to clean our plates, we couldn't pick and choose, everything
>> was required to be eaten and without complaint... no one was forced to
>> eat and no negative comments were tolerated.. you could go to your
>> room without but the same dish was served the next day, ice cold from
>> the fridge, and the following days as well, didn't take long to
>> acquire a broad palate... only exceptions were for illness.
>
> I don't remember you growing up but it appears we had the same
> parents.
>
> Barb
> s/y Arabella
> www.salinglinks.com

I guess my folks were draconian. If you didn't empty your plate, you sat
there until bed time, and you still had to eat it the next day. It's not
easy to talk a dog into eating stuff like steamed cauliflower :-{

On Sat, 27 Dec 2008 16:29:12 -0700, Christine Dabney
> wrote:

>When I was engaged way back when, I went to dinner at my fiance's
>parent's house. Acorn squash was served. Now I had grown up with a
>squash loving mother, but I wouldn't eat it at home, and wouldn't
>cook it myself. I had convinced myself that I hated squash, although
>I had never really tried much of it, even when my mother fixed sauteed
>squash with onions..which has an enticing aroma.
>
>I didn't want to make a complete fool of myself and disgrace my
>fiance, so I ate the squash. I fell in love with it. After that, I
>cooked it myself,and now it is one of my favorite vegetables. Summer
>squash, winter squash...I like them all.

You are NOT preaching to the choir where squash and I are concerned.
Since I've learned to love properly cooked broccoli, brussels sprouts,
asparagus, and a few other things since leaving home, maybe it's time
to give squash a fair chance.

Can you (or anyone else) suggest some preparation tactics or recipes
that would help someone like me out? I do love spaghetti squash with
butter, but that's because (to me) it tastes like tender-crisp
carrots, if that information helps any. And I love that Butternut
Squash soup with tarragon in it.

This group helped me to enjoy split pea soup. Maybe squash, too ...

Carol

On Sat, 27 Dec 2008 18:33:25 -0600, Damsel in dis Dress
> wrote:


>
>Can you (or anyone else) suggest some preparation tactics or recipes
>that would help someone like me out?

Hmm..I will have to think about this one for a bit, to see what might
do the trick...

Maybe others will come up with some great ideas. I sure would like
them as well..as I am always looking for great squash recipes.

Christine

On Sat, 27 Dec 2008 18:55:32 -0500, Bob Muncie >
wrote:

>ladysailor wrote:
>> On Dec 28, 1:03 am, Sheldon > wrote:
>>
>>> When I grew up there were no
>>> choices, we all ate what was placed in front of us and we were
>>> required to clean our plates, we couldn't pick and choose, everything
>>> was required to be eaten and without complaint... no one was forced to
>>> eat and no negative comments were tolerated.. you could go to your
>>> room without but the same dish was served the next day, ice cold from
>>> the fridge, and the following days as well, didn't take long to
>>> acquire a broad palate... only exceptions were for illness.
>>
>> I don't remember you growing up but it appears we had the same
>> parents.
>>
>> Barb
>
>I guess my folks were draconian. If you didn't empty your plate, you sat
>there until bed time, and you still had to eat it the next day. It's not
>easy to talk a dog into eating stuff like steamed cauliflower :-{

Mom and Dad made us sit at the table until the food was gone, too, but
that didn't mean we ate it. We had an old, ceramic-on-metal table
with hollow legs. When our parents left the kitchen to watch TV while
we kids sat staring at the hated parsnips, etc., we would stuff the
food down the holes at the tops of the legs. Eventually, the maggots
ratted us out.

We also had a dog who really loved Mom and Dad's rule, and their
eventual absence from the kitchen. The only part of beef stew I liked
when I was young was the potatoes. I gave Taffy my plate, and she
happily gobbled up the beef and the gravy. Unfortunately for me,
Taffy didn't like carrots. Guess who had to eat those same carrots
when Mom found the plate on the floor?

On one other occasion, I stupidly announced that I'd rather eat dog
food than what was being served. Need I say more?

I'm still a picky eater by RFC standards, but I've come a long way.

Carol

On Sat, 27 Dec 2008 17:36:05 -0700, Christine Dabney
> wrote:

>On Sat, 27 Dec 2008 18:33:25 -0600, Damsel in dis Dress
> wrote:
>
>
>>
>>Can you (or anyone else) suggest some preparation tactics or recipes
>>that would help someone like me out?
>
>Hmm..I will have to think about this one for a bit, to see what might
>do the trick...
>
>Maybe others will come up with some great ideas. I sure would like
>them as well..as I am always looking for great squash recipes.
>
I have a small casserole in the oven right now with butternut squash
in it. I quartered and seeded it and zapped it a few minutes in the
microwave till it was soft enough to scrape it out of the skin. Then
I mashed it with some salt, powdered chipotle, butter and fresh orange
juice.

It's roasting along side some root vegetables at 325F.

I have no guarantee that it'll turn out okay, but it might.

The bigass T-bone I'm going to sear in a skillet and finish in the
oven and the pan sauce (wine, demiglace, French mustard) I'll make as
the steak rests will most likely distract me from the squash, anyway.
--

modom

Damsel in dis Dress wrote:

> Can you (or anyone else) suggest some preparation tactics or recipes
> that would help someone like me out? I do love spaghetti squash with
> butter, but that's because (to me) it tastes like tender-crisp
> carrots, if that information helps any. And I love that Butternut
> Squash soup with tarragon in it.
>
> This group helped me to enjoy split pea soup. Maybe squash, too ...
>
> Carol

saute in butter: zucchini slices, sliced onions and granny smith or
golden delicious apple slices until all tender. A little salt and pepper
to taste. AMAZING combination.

On Sat, 27 Dec 2008 19:52:33 -0500, Goomba >
wrote:

>saute in butter: zucchini slices, sliced onions and granny smith or
>golden delicious apple slices until all tender. A little salt and pepper
>to taste. AMAZING combination.

Thank you!

I had forgotten that zucchini was squash! I love it cooked on the
grill. I especially like the yellow ones. Or do those have another
name?

Squash is so inexpensive in the fall, it seems a shame not to take
advantage of it. That came out wrong, didn't it? Or have I just been
hanging out with 20 year olds too long? Heehee!

Carol

On Sat, 27 Dec 2008 18:57:12 -0600, Damsel in dis Dress
> wrote:


>I had forgotten that zucchini was squash! I love it cooked on the
>grill. I especially like the yellow ones. Or do those have another
>name?

Sometimes they are called crookneck squash (depending on if the neck
is curved) or yellow straightneck squash. I think most often you will
find the yellow straightneck squash. But if you just hear/see the
name yellow squash, it usually refers to either one of those.

Oh. Just realized that you might be talking about the yellow zucchini?
I think those are called just called golden. They probably have
another trademark name, but I can't remember what it is now...

There are also the pattypan squash which also has another name which
is escaping me right now... Blame my migraine headache for my memory
loss right now... Those are also summer squash, like zucchini and
yellow squash. I think they are best when they are small, but I know
that I have seen recipes for ones that are stuffed. Those are usually
older and bigger.

One of the things I found is that if you can find younger (smaller)
summer squash, it really helps. The older ones have more seeds for
one thing.

I know you like the summer squash.. Now trying to think of winter
squash recipes...
>
>Squash is so inexpensive in the fall, it seems a shame not to take
>advantage of it.

Yes, it is worth taking advantage of, if you decide you like it.

Christine, getting dizzy writing...

Nancy Young wrote:
> ladysailor wrote:
>> On Dec 28, 1:03 am, Sheldon > wrote:
>>
>>> When I grew up there were no
>>> choices, we all ate what was placed in front of us and we were
>>> required to clean our plates, we couldn't pick and choose, everything
>>> was required to be eaten and without complaint... no one was forced
>>> to eat and no negative comments were tolerated.. you could go to your
>>> room without but the same dish was served the next day, ice cold from
>>> the fridge, and the following days as well, didn't take long to
>>> acquire a broad palate... only exceptions were for illness.
>>
>> I don't remember you growing up but it appears we had the same
>> parents.
>
> I thought the same damned thing. Liver is especially bad
> served cold the next day. It was horrid enough the first day!
>
> nancy


I would send a child away from the table without additional food,
but I would never serve the refused food cold for another meal.
That's a nasty power play. There are some foods that some folks
dislike and no amount of that kind of punishment will make them
change their taste.

gloria p

"tintalle" wrote

> Hubby and i purchased our first home just before the holidays. So
> Monday evening will be our first family gathering here, there will be
> about 10-12 in total.

Congrats! And fairly ambitious of a gathering for a first home opening ;-)

> I'm trying to figure out what to cook that will make everyone happy.

Keep in mind, 'friends' will be happy with anything.

> I have a smallish kitchen, so I'd like to be able to prep/make ahead
> at least some of the meal. My family is not into anything terribly
> fancy, they prefer simple things. I myself never cook fish, so that's

Go simple then. I wouldnt try to make a roast, not even potroast. Fish?
Precut Sashimi if any and i wouldnt bother since doesnt suit you.

> out, and I don't eat beef, so i rarely cook it. (Though i'm not
> opposed to a beef dish for everyone else... i can eat frozen veggie
> pizza if it comes to that!).
> I'd love some suggestions, what can i make that's easy to feed a small
> crowd? I'm thinking a nice thick chili might do the trick (i'll make
> a small dish of it veggie for me).

Grin, here's some ideas.

Get some bread, nice thin european type loaves (Italian or french, your
choice), these are the long ones that can be a mere 15 inches or may be 3ft.
May be as much as 4 inches across or may just be 2. Lots of types there.
Do just enough pre-slicing of the bread to make them fit whatever sort of
serving dish you have, and put a serrated knife down so they can slice them
further.

By this place a bottle of olive oil, a dish of parmesan cheese, and if you
can spring for it, some nice balsalmic vinegar. In a bowl by them, mix
roughly equal portions. This is a bread dip. Slice, dip, eat.

Near this to make it festive but still simple, should be some olives. These
can be simple manzanila (sp?) pimento ones. We like to open the jar and add
a few cloves of whole garlic about 3 days before eating. Put these in a
dish and a black pepper grinder (borrow one if you do not have one) with a
sprinkle of black pepper on them. This should be near the bread. If you
are flush, add other olive types around this. (Dont go broke, first house
payments loom!)

Not too far from this, locate a cheese tray. Just small cut to cubes or you
can leave a knife by it (for me, I'd want a cheese slicer too that makes
slivers). I have a small wood chopping block and would put the cheese on a
plate nest to it and let folks shift as needed in a 'crowd' that size. A
box of toothpicks here is not amiss.

Main meal: start with 6 cans of a progresso brand soup you find acceptable
which will take up one burner. If you have awkward seating, consider
serving in mugs they can just hold. While you heat this, they are nibbling
cheese and bread and olives ;-) Yes, you can make fancier ahead but this
will work at need.

Second course: Big (go all out!) ceasar salad with every veggie you can
think of and the best dressing you can find. GOOD croutons. If possible
have a side bar with a few other things like bacos (some of us like the
crunch better than real bacon), chopped hard boiled eggs (easy to do in
advance), sunflower seeds, walnut meats, etc. They can wander off to the
olives and parmesan elsewhere if space is a problem and will know where they
are already.

Primary meal: Vegetarian chili with a side bowl of premade meatballs you
just bake for about 15 mins in a cassarole dish or load in a crockpot and
have at the side. Us meatarians will add meatballs to our chili ;-) Get
the ones that say 'spicy' to match the chili idea. Warning, if using a
chafing dish or crockpot that they find before you hit this point, they
might find the toothpicks and decimate this meatball portion (grin, voice of
experience).

Alternative primary: If the above doesnt suit, spagetti and a vegetarian
sauce, with meatballs on the side. (get more bread if doing this one).

Finishing touches: Fresh fruit but sliced in advance as folks at parties
dont take well to just 'apples in the skin'. Think melon types, grapes,
things that you can slice and dont have seeds guests have to look for places
to deposit. This fits best with your simple theme, but no reason to not
also have a fancy jello mold or a cake there too!

Workable?

Damsel in dis Dress wrote:

> Can you (or anyone else) suggest some preparation tactics or recipes
> that would help someone like me out? I do love spaghetti squash with
> butter, but that's because (to me) it tastes like tender-crisp
> carrots, if that information helps any. And I love that Butternut
> Squash soup with tarragon in it.
>
> This group helped me to enjoy split pea soup. Maybe squash, too ...
>
> Carol


If you like the taste of carrots, you might like acorn squash. They are
hard to cut in half, so nuke it for a minute or two, then the knife will
slice right through it (lengthwise). Scoop out the seeds, place flesh
side down in a microwave safe container, add a tablespoon of water,
cover, and cook for 8-10 minutes. They are good with butter and maybe a
little brown sugar.

Becca

On Sat, 27 Dec 2008 18:11:11 -0700, Gloria P >
wrote:

>I would send a child away from the table without additional food,
>but I would never serve the refused food cold for another meal.
>That's a nasty power play. There are some foods that some folks
>dislike and no amount of that kind of punishment will make them
>change their taste.

I love you!

Carol

Gloria P wrote:
> Nancy Young wrote:
>> ladysailor wrote:
>>> On Dec 28, 1:03 am, Sheldon > wrote:
>>>
>>>> When I grew up there were no
>>>> choices, we all ate what was placed in front of us and we were
>>>> required to clean our plates, we couldn't pick and choose,
>>>> everything was required to be eaten and without complaint... no
>>>> one was forced to eat and no negative comments were tolerated..
>>>> you could go to your room without but the same dish was served the
>>>> next day, ice cold from the fridge, and the following days as
>>>> well, didn't take long to acquire a broad palate... only
>>>> exceptions were for illness.
>>>
>>> I don't remember you growing up but it appears we had the same
>>> parents.
>>
>> I thought the same damned thing. Liver is especially bad
>> served cold the next day. It was horrid enough the first day!

> I would send a child away from the table without additional food,
> but I would never serve the refused food cold for another meal.
> That's a nasty power play. There are some foods that some folks
> dislike and no amount of that kind of punishment will make them
> change their taste.

Even as a little kid, I didn't get it. It's not as if I was a picky
eater, just keep away from me with the liver. I certainly
wouldn't have starved, being that I ate my vegetables.

nancy

Gloria P wrote:
> Nancy Young wrote:
>> ladysailor wrote:
>>> On Dec 28, 1:03 am, Sheldon > wrote:
>>>
>>>> When I grew up there were no
>>>> choices, we all ate what was placed in front of us and we were
>>>> required to clean our plates, we couldn't pick and choose, everything
>>>> was required to be eaten and without complaint... no one was forced
>>>> to eat and no negative comments were tolerated.. you could go to your
>>>> room without but the same dish was served the next day, ice cold from
>>>> the fridge, and the following days as well, didn't take long to
>>>> acquire a broad palate... only exceptions were for illness.
>>>
>>> I don't remember you growing up but it appears we had the same
>>> parents.
>>
>> I thought the same damned thing. Liver is especially bad
>> served cold the next day. It was horrid enough the first day!
>>
>> nancy
>
>
> I would send a child away from the table without additional food,
> but I would never serve the refused food cold for another meal.
> That's a nasty power play. There are some foods that some folks
> dislike and no amount of that kind of punishment will make them
> change their taste.
>
> gloria p

That's what my mom did. Most memorable was the cold, lumpy Cream
of Wheat cereal.

--
Jean B.

"tintalle" wrote

>I'm picky in that i don't eat fish (or cook it), and i can't eat beef
>for medical reasons. The rest of the family are just well.. picky.
>My uncle wont eat anything spicy, my sister won't eat anything "bone
>in" , etc etc. That said, i can cook pretty much anything and be
>assured it will turn out well, i'm just not used to organizing for
>more than four or five at a time. So it will be an experience

I wouldnt worry. Sounds like it's mostly family there. Have fun!

On Sat, 27 Dec 2008 18:48:52 -0600, "modom (palindrome guy)"
> wrote:

>I have a small casserole in the oven right now with butternut squash
>in it. I quartered and seeded it and zapped it a few minutes in the
>microwave till it was soft enough to scrape it out of the skin. Then
>I mashed it with some salt, powdered chipotle, butter and fresh orange
>juice.
>
>It's roasting along side some root vegetables at 325F.
>
>I have no guarantee that it'll turn out okay, but it might.

This is a new way of making it for you? I do like the way you
seasoned it. I'll give it a try. Thanks!

>The bigass T-bone I'm going to sear in a skillet and finish in the
>oven and the pan sauce (wine, demiglace, French mustard) I'll make as
>the steak rests will most likely distract me from the squash, anyway.

*******!

Carol, who WANTS that steak

On Sat, 27 Dec 2008 19:20:32 -0600, Becca >
wrote:

>If you like the taste of carrots, you might like acorn squash. They are
>hard to cut in half, so nuke it for a minute or two, then the knife will
>slice right through it (lengthwise). Scoop out the seeds, place flesh
>side down in a microwave safe container, add a tablespoon of water,
>cover, and cook for 8-10 minutes. They are good with butter and maybe a
>little brown sugar.

Okay, I'm convinced. Acorn squash will be my first attempt. When you
meet with success early on, it's easier to move forward.

Thanks,
Carol