The SO and I are having a couple over to my place for dinner and I’m having trouble deciding on a menu…
- I eat sea food, but no other meats.
- The man likes meat.
- She used to be a professional caterer.
- She’s going to be about 4 months pregnant.
She seems to think that after the first trimester she can eat as much shellfish as she wants - I don’t know anything about it and the SO seems to think that the heavy metals could be an issue and doesn’t want to contribute to the baby having a third arm or something.
Therefore, my usual standby of paella seems to be out.
I was thinking about doing dual fondus - cheese for she and I, beef for the boys (they can share the cheese if they want, she can have some beef if she’s intersted).
However, cheese fondu is made with emmenthaler and gruyere, typically. Does anyone know if those cheeses are safe for pregnant ladies? If not, should I substitute a different cheese? Should I make something else entirely?
Thoughts, SVP. Thanks! 
Does seafood include regular fish? If so, it’d be simple to do a salmon or similar, and also a small roast joint, giving everybody their choice.
And don’t be desperate to impress (and this is advice from a restaurant owner) - they know how difficult it is, and how the challenge is to present something simply but well.
Hmmmmm…amend that to “…advice I was given by a restaurant owner…”, and it’s more accurate 
…
It seems like all my friends have been pregnant in the past few years, so I’ve learned more about it that I ever wanted. Hard, aged cheeses from pasteurized milk are ok, but soft cheeses (like brie) are less OK. Emmenthaler and gruyere are both aged, and if you’re in America made from pasteurized milk. Fondue away!
I’d avoid any bottom-feeding or scavenger seafood because their bacteria counts are often a bit too high for the comfort a very conservative Ob. If you decide to go with fish, cook it thoroughly.
I don’t really eat fish, unless it’s raw, which is totally out for her. Sadly, the thought of a baked salmon makes me gag a little, so despite that being a seemingly excellent idea, it won’t fly in Alice’s wonko food world.
I’m no slouch in the kitchen, so it’s not that I’m worried that about impressing them - I suppose because she and I have talked cooking quite a bit, she knows that I can probably do better than a macaroni cassarole. 
I’m warming up to the idea of fondu - perhaps I could have a third with prawns and scallops, although I don’t know if those are pregnant lady safe either.
Damn her and her stupid fetus! Kidding! Kidding! It’s just making menu planning a bit of a bitch.
!!! :eek: 
!!!
Why?
Anyway, how about a selection of Indian dishes, which can include plenty of vegetarian options?
Look on the bright side - you can look forward to her returning the favour in a few months, with Placenta Pie…
Have a breakfast-dinner! Waffles are yummy, easy to make, and can be quite fancy with a variety of toppings. And you could have eggs, too, and fresh fruit. Ooh! Ooh! Or make some homemade applesauce, nice and chunky, with fresh-grated nutmeg. Add real whipped cream, and that’s great on waffles.
I dunno why exactly. If you’ve ever read the Edible Woman by Margaret Atwood you would probably understand it a little - there are some foods that I just can’t put in my face and baked fish is one of them.
Regarding Indian food - good idea except…
The SO is Indian - there’s no way I’m pitting my Indian food up against his mom’s! 
:eek:
Regarding turning Chez Alice into an IHOP - uh, maybe not.
I think the Festival of Fondu is the way I’m going to go - now I just need suggestions for yummy dipping sauces.
Nope, I don’t fully understand…not have much of a clue (unless she’s equivalent to Germaine Greer)…but my WAG is that you should embrace post-Atwoodianism with a nice chunk of fish…
Ahhhh…good point. The restraunteur I mentioned earlier is half Malaysian, so I wouldn’t try to cook a curry in front of him either.