Help me understand fussy eaters!

stealther · 13-03-2006, 11:32 AM

I really don’t understand them. We have a party coming up at the end of the month and my other half made the mistake of asking our guests whether they like certain meals or not. Four out of the eight people attending have raised objections in one way or another.

So out of the following meals not one can be agreed upon.

Chilli
Spaghetti Bolognaise
Chicken Stew
Beef Casserole
Sausage & Mash
Chicken Curry

So that’s exhausted all our ideas based on what we have in our freezer.

I am just about ready to cancel the whole thing and name and shame them to the rest but I am not aloud to do this.

There are things that I don’t like but I will eat anything, I just maybe won’t enjoy it. Can’t understand why people can be so fussy.

So we have a vegetarian who doesn’t like meat or most vegetables so as far as I can tell lives on cheese and potatoes as long as its not mashed.

Then we have someone who wont eat Beef or mince because they don’t like the texture.

One who doesn’t like Sausages as if every sausage tastes the same, and finally the last one who doesn’t know whether he likes Casserole because hes not had it before!

Give me strength its called TRYING SOMETHING NEW.

I new the Veg was going to be a problem so we were prepared for this and would have used veggie sausages or quorn mince but to be stumped by every idea is a joke.

Anyway I feel that we should just decide on a meal not tell them and cook it. If they eat it great if not they go hungry. The other half says we cant do that. What do you think?

Bat-man · 13-03-2006, 11:39 AM

What about a buffet salad where guests can choose what they have?
The 'core' of the salad could be a choice of meat, cheese, egg or 'nothing'.

vizslaraner · 13-03-2006, 11:40 AM

How about a Gumbo. Loads of veggies, a few prawns, and a little chili powder just to spice it up a bit.

TameRacingDriver · 13-03-2006, 11:44 AM

I'm a pretty fussy eater (although TBH, most of the things you listed i probably would have eaten), but really, people arent in charge of what they like or dont like.

For example, a lot of people dont understand me not liking onion, but to me, eating it makes me feel physically sick.

Does that help you understand?

mason · 13-03-2006, 11:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bat-man

What about a buffet salad where guests can choose what they have?
The 'core' of the salad could be a choice of meat, cheese, egg or 'nothing'.

Thats what I would- maybe a little bit of everything?

Then they have the choice- and if the dont eat anything or someone grumbles then throw them out!!!

Ian J · 13-03-2006, 11:48 AM

I agree with Bat-man and a buffet would be the obvious answer. If you wanted to do a hot buffet you could do bowls of chilli, curry and bolognaise and serve with a choice of rice or baked potatoes or similar.

Personally I would do a cold buffet though as it's easier

mjn · 13-03-2006, 11:49 AM

If they're hungry, they'll eat it!

Mac Man · 13-03-2006, 11:49 AM

Get some new mates that aren't so damn fussy

What you've suggested above is about as mainstream as you get. It's not as if you're doing squid, sweetbreads, caviar or truffles is it. Jeeeez.

TBH honest I've never, ever asked friends what I should make them at a dinner party. I've only ever asked people I don't so know well whether are veggie or not.

I'd cook something and to hell with them. It's your house, you're cooking so the least they can do, as mum used to say, "is try some".

Honestly... some people...

stealther · 13-03-2006, 11:53 AM

I had the buffet idea as well, Was trying to do it without spending any money but looks like thats not going to happen.

pbirkett I dont understand because there are more than 1 type of onion it tastes different depending how you cook it or dont. The chances are you have eaten loads of things its in yet you claim it makes you physically sick to eat it.

Monty Burns · 13-03-2006, 11:55 AM

Pah!

Just drag out the pizza delivery menu's and tell em to get there cash out

DJT75 · 13-03-2006, 11:57 AM

I'll come, sounds like they'll be loads left over for me to scoff.....

stealther · 13-03-2006, 11:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ian J

I agree with Bat-man and a buffet would be the obvious answer. If you wanted to do a hot buffet you could do bowls of chilli, curry and bolognaise and serve with a choice of rice or baked potatoes or similar.

Personally I would do a cold buffet though as it's easier

The Hot buffet is not a bad idea as I have all the ingredients and like you say could just make some baked potatoes and some rice very easily.

colinwheeler · 13-03-2006, 12:25 PM

Fondue!!!!!!! Make one with plain cheese and one with cheese and bacon or something like that. They are dirt easy and quick to make and you can serve with salads and fruits. This should satisfy almost everybody.

Bat-man · 13-03-2006, 12:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by colinwheeler

Fondue!!!!!!! Make one with plain cheese and one with cheese and bacon or something like that.

What about the vegans?

mjn · 13-03-2006, 12:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bat-man

What about the vegans?

Carrot sandwiches.....?

colinwheeler · 13-03-2006, 12:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bat-man

What about the vegans?

hehe, hence the "almost everybody" in my post. There is vegan cheese available if you really want it!

Me personally I am afraid to say, I am not the most sensitive person when it comes to other people's eating habits. My friends say that where Christians got the antichrist, vegetarians and vegans got me.

richjthorpe · 13-03-2006, 12:39 PM

How about Pan fried Salmon in teriyaki sauce, crushed boiled new potatoes, mange tout and baby corns. Make a Chilli Salsa with a couple of chillis, bit of red onion, dijion mustard and balsamic vinegar.

I have a friend who loves his food but his fiance is a vegitarian who doesn't like tomotoes or aubergine (I think). They went to Lyon which is the gastro city of the world apparently but ended up eating in pizzerias because the vegeterian options in other restaurants kept having palma ham in them. The French don't do vegeterian.

Richie.

stealther · 13-03-2006, 12:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by richjthorpe

How about Pan fried Salmon in teriyaki sauce, crushed boiled new potatoes, mange tout and baby corns. Make a Chilli Salsa with a couple of chillis, bit of red onion, dijion mustard and balsamic vinegar.

Richie.

Now that sounds interesting def one for me and the mrs on our own tho

Fat Tony · 13-03-2006, 12:45 PM

You are too considerate!

Just tell 'em all to bring a dish each (enough to feed 4) & dump them on the table ... obviously ask a few to bring desserts, so you have that covererd too. That way, even the vege gets catered for!

JagoPlasma · 13-03-2006, 12:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bat-man

What about the vegans?

what about them? everyone knows they dont eat

your biggest problem here was giving them the choice. the thing is tho if they had any manners they would of said "oh il try anything" except vegitarians obviously.

im a bit of a fussy eater, not as much as i used to be. i have to say that its all my mums fault, she was an awful cook and put me off food for life! and she would never let me try anything always telling me "oh you wont like that"

anyway the last few years i have had to cook for myself (been a chef too) and have learned to like foods my mum always told me i wouldnt. but i still cant stand spicy food, hate it in my mouth and gives me the screaming squitz

people just dont like certain things, its natural. for instance i love marmite flavoured walkers crisps. i liked them so much i tried actual marmite the other week, god thats the most vile thing i've ever tasted. between a jar of that and a mouldy tin of spicy beans with toenails in it... id go for the latter

Ian J · 13-03-2006, 12:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by richjthorpe

How about Pan fried Salmon in teriyaki sauce, crushed boiled new potatoes, mange tout and baby corns. Make a Chilli Salsa with a couple of chillis, bit of red onion, dijion mustard and balsamic vinegar.

What a waste of a delicately flavoured salmon. Might as well just pour tomato ketchup over it.

Tom Tom · 13-03-2006, 12:52 PM

Jacket potatos,
Salad,
If you want hot do chilli, but as mentioned soome one doesn't like that
so Chicken pieces
cold cuts (ham, pies, beef etc) Deli counters can be quite reasonable.

Finger food is always good.

Tom Tom · 13-03-2006, 12:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ian J

What a waste of a delicately flavoured salmon. Might as well just pour tomato ketchup over it.

I am kinda fussy too.
I don't mind fish but never really liked salmon,
Hate lemons.
But normally i will try something.
I always said I hated cabbage but some friends made some cabbage rolls (mince in cabbage leaves) I tried it and.....I still hate cabbage.
On the flip side we had a friend who said they didn't like pineapple from when they were a kid. He liked it as his pallete has changed.

The only food that makes me feel sick when eating is Brussle Sprouts.
Everything I would just rather leave like Cucumber, cabbage, suede, cauliflour and broccoli.

It seems fussy but i do eat all the other stuff, and you can usually leave that on the side of your plate rather than get someone to change a menu for you.

Fat Tony · 13-03-2006, 12:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sean5302

Cue "Dad's Army" when they captured some Germans. Who wants fish and chips? Six with salt, 3 with vinegar 2 with salt and vinegar.

The commander doesn't want nasty, soggy chips. He wants his "crisp und nice."

Mainwaring's having none of it, so the commander puts his name in the book.

"And what is your name, boy?"

"Don't tell him, Pike" says Mainwaring.

One of the funniest moments in British comedy ...

richjthorpe · 13-03-2006, 1:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ian J

What a waste of a delicately flavoured salmon. Might as well just pour tomato ketchup over it.

Horses for Courses. When I did this I put the salsa in a ramakin on the side so that as much or as little could be used. Maybe drop the teriyaki sauce and put some fresh chopped parsley to garnish.

Richie.

richjthorpe · 13-03-2006, 1:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tom Tom

I am kinda fussy too.
I don't mind fish but never really liked salmon,
Hate lemons.
But normally i will try something.
I always said I hated cabbage but some friends made some cabbage rolls (mince in cabbage leaves) I tried it and.....I still hate cabbage.
On the flip side we had a friend who said they didn't like pineapple from when they were a kid. He liked it as his pallete has changed.

The only food that makes me feel sick when eating is Brussle Sprouts.
Everything I would just rather leave like Cucumber, cabbage, suede, cauliflour and broccoli.

It seems fussy but i do eat all the other stuff, and you can usually leave that on the side of your plate rather than get someone to change a menu for you.

Only thing I wont eat is Terry's Turkish Delight or Spinach. Don't like having Broccoli but eat it if it's served on the plate.

Richie.

JagoPlasma · 13-03-2006, 1:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ian J

What a waste of a delicately flavoured salmon. Might as well just pour tomato ketchup over it.

personal prefference. personally i think mustard kills a hotdog, where others would say a hotdog isnt a hotdog without it

Ian J · 13-03-2006, 1:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tom Tom

The only food that makes me feel sick when eating is Brussle Sprouts.
Everything I would just rather leave like Cucumber, cabbage, suede, cauliflour and broccoli.

Sprouts are something that people either like or don't like with very little middle ground but unfortunately many people don't help by over cooking it.

Most of the older generation developed a dislike of cabbage from school dinners where the preferred method of cooking was to put in a pan of boiling water several hours before it was ready.

Cabbage can be quite tasty if cooked properly so that it still has a bit of "bite" to it and the Greeks have a wonderful way of braising it in a vinegary tomato sauce that is quite delightful.

Those that don't like cauliflower might change their minds if they ever tried it fried and it also curries quite well too.

richjthorpe · 13-03-2006, 1:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ian J

Cabbage can be quite tasty....braising it in a....tomato sauce that is quite delightful.

Tomato Sauce with Cabbage ?! Is that served with a delicately flavoured salmon ?

shahedz · 13-03-2006, 1:22 PM

what fussy friends you have, i personally think its rude to be so fussy when someone has made the kind gesture of inviting you round for dinner, i would have catered for the vegetarian but said tough to the rest,

how about lasgane (lamb) and vegatable? various pizzas and pasta ? i think a buffet sounds like the best bet