# Help Me Feed 8 Picky People Once Per Week **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [July 31, 2017, 3:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-feed-8-picky-people-once-per-week/792509 "2017-07-31T15:33:30Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Shoeless](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/shoeless/32/7099_2.png) [@Shoeless](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shoeless)\ **Post date:** [July 31, 2017, 6:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-feed-8-picky-people-once-per-week/792509/21 "2017-07-31T18:41:14Z")
I think you were on the right track with the chicken chili, but just make it vegetarian chili instead. I have a stepson who is allergic to poultry, one vegan stepdaughter (and her family), and the other stepdaughter refused to eat beef when the mad cow scare was a thing. One year for Christmas dinner, instead of trying to make a bunch of different things that would make everyone happy, I just said “screw it” and made a big pot of vegetarian chili. I left the meat out of my usual chili recipe, added a can of black beans and great northern beans, and some frozen corn. ---
**Author:** ![running\_coach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/running_coach/32/15836_2.png) [@running\_coach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/running_coach)\ **Post date:** [July 31, 2017, 6:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-feed-8-picky-people-once-per-week/792509/22 "2017-07-31T18:49:06Z")
> [@silenus](#): > > Don’t push it! 1 - It’s Alabama. 2 - It’s white. 2.5 - It’s chicken. Chicken is meant to be fried, dipped, shredded or smoked, not bathed in mayonnaise. > > Back to the OP - turkey meatballs in a sauce are always\*\* hovered up\*\* at any gathering I’ve taken them to. Mix red currant jelly and mustard 1:1 for a simple sauce. i knew meatballs should be light and tender but WOW! ---
**Author:** ![Zsofia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/7bcc69/32.png) [@Zsofia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zsofia)\ **Post date:** [July 31, 2017, 7:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-feed-8-picky-people-once-per-week/792509/23 "2017-07-31T19:01:48Z")
Taco night, one pot of beef and one pot of beans, make your own. ---
**Author:** ![Periwinkle](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/bbe5ce/32.png) [@Periwinkle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Periwinkle)\ **Post date:** [July 31, 2017, 7:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-feed-8-picky-people-once-per-week/792509/24 "2017-07-31T19:43:57Z")
I have seen recipes for vegetable lasagna with bechamel rather than tomato sauce, maybe that would work. I suggest adding a big pan of cornbread or corn muffins to the vegetarian chili which has been suggested. Spicy black bean soup would also be good, and you could use your Instant Pot for that (or the chili). I think salmon patties made from canned salmon are so good, and would make a good burger alternative. ---
**Author:** ![Broomstick](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/broomstick/32/246_2.png) [@Broomstick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Broomstick)\ **Post date:** [July 31, 2017, 8:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-feed-8-picky-people-once-per-week/792509/25 "2017-07-31T20:05:03Z")
> [@jz78817](#): > > probably a silly question, but are tomatillos a problem along with tomatoes? I don’t know what the specific allergen(s) are in tomatoes. That’s going to vary with the allergic person. Allergies are all individualistic like that, so it’s always a good idea to ask. ---
**Author:** ![jz78817](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jz78817/32/1028_2.png) [@jz78817](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jz78817)\ **Post date:** [July 31, 2017, 8:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-feed-8-picky-people-once-per-week/792509/26 "2017-07-31T20:18:01Z")
> [@Broomstick](#): > > That’s going to vary with the allergic person. Allergies are all individualistic like that, so it’s always a good idea to ask. yeah, some further reading tells me that people allergic to tomatoes tend to have issues with other nightshades too. Probably best not to risk it. ---
**Author:** ![Max\_Torque](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e9bcb4/32.png) [@Max\_Torque](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Max_Torque)\ **Post date:** [July 31, 2017, 8:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-feed-8-picky-people-once-per-week/792509/27 "2017-07-31T20:30:51Z")
I wish I had a recipe for this, but I don’t; I just kind of throw it together in a hot skillet in amounts that seem about right, and it comes out really tasty. Anyway, Quick Shrimp: you’ll need some shelled shrimp. Uncooked or precooked, tail-on or tail-off, doesn’t matter, just make sure they’re shelled. Melt some butter in a skillet over medium-high heat. When the butter’s all melted and starting to bubble, put in your shrimp. Keep it moving, it cooks fast. When they’re about halfway done, put in some lemon juice and a spice blend. My favorite is Paul Prudhomme’s Seafood Magic. Keep tossing the shrimp around until they’re fully cooked. Serve with whatever side you can get your family to agree on. ---
**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Post date:** [July 31, 2017, 11:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-feed-8-picky-people-once-per-week/792509/28 "2017-07-31T23:19:52Z")
I can definitely feel for you: My DM is a diabetic vegetarian. But at least he’s the only one with restrictions, so anything he comes up with will work for the rest of us, too. We often do the assemble-your-own sandwiches thing. And when I see “no dairy”, my first thought is Chinese. Which also makes it easy to avoid tomato. I love me some Indian food, but most of the best of it includes dairy and/or tomato. ---
**Author:** ![purplehearingaid](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/7bcc69/32.png) [@purplehearingaid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/purplehearingaid)\ **Post date:** [July 31, 2017, 11:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-feed-8-picky-people-once-per-week/792509/29 "2017-07-31T23:25:16Z")
I would made it a pot luck meal and have everyone bring their own dish . ---
**Author:** ![wonky](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wonky/32/393_2.png) [@wonky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wonky)\ **Post date:** [July 31, 2017, 11:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-feed-8-picky-people-once-per-week/792509/30 "2017-07-31T23:29:07Z")
I have an amazing recipe for brussels sprouts and tofu (don’t laugh! It’s amazing!) but it might be hard to scale up. (But it’s amazing!) ---
**Author:** ![Maggie\_the\_Ocelot](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/df705f/32.png) [@Maggie\_the\_Ocelot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Maggie_the_Ocelot)\ **Post date:** [July 31, 2017, 11:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-feed-8-picky-people-once-per-week/792509/31 "2017-07-31T23:30:24Z")
What I’ve done with my weekly group (gathering to watch Doctor Who, not to game, but same difference: We have it on a rota, with some flexibility. Before we break for the week, I remind everyone who’s next - “Rowland, you have food next week, ya?” and he’ll confirm, then I remind them again the morning of. As I said, there’s some flexibility - “Hey, money’s gonna be tight that week, can I switch with you Janna?” “I’m not going to be there, who can I swap weeks with?” This system means that 1) all the expense and labor is not mine - I still provide sodas & snacks, but I don’t have to feed 4-8 people all the time 2) We have more diversity in food, since different people have access to different places to eat/recipes they can do and very importantly 3) Everyone is invested in it, not just me - after a while I was starting to feel very taken for granted, and with the burden split it means a shared responsibility. Plus some folks really liked to show off their cooking skills! Sure, a lot of the time it’s just who’s picking up takeout. But it’s a lot more fair. ---
**Author:** ![Periwinkle](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/bbe5ce/32.png) [@Periwinkle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Periwinkle)\ **Post date:** [August 1, 2017, 12:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-feed-8-picky-people-once-per-week/792509/32 "2017-08-01T00:40:52Z")
> [@Periwinkle](#): > > I have seen recipes for vegetable lasagna with bechamel rather than tomato sauce, maybe that would work. > > I suggest adding a big pan of cornbread or corn muffins to the vegetarian chili which has been suggested. Spicy black bean soup would also be good, and you could use your Instant Pot for that (or the chili). > > I think salmon patties made from canned salmon are so good, and would make a good burger alternative. Whoops, I looked at this thread again and realized I forgot the “no dairy” when I suggested vegetable lasagna using bechamel. I looked for vegan recipes for vegetable lasagna and there are some out there that might work. ---
**Author:** ![Ukulele\_Ike](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/df788c/32.png) [@Ukulele\_Ike](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ukulele_Ike)\ **Post date:** [August 1, 2017, 12:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-feed-8-picky-people-once-per-week/792509/33 "2017-08-01T00:48:43Z")
N’Awlins red beans and rice, with grilled andouille or kielbasa on the side for the serious carnivores. Or the hillbilly special…a big pot of soup beans (pintos simmered with some sidemeat, onion and garlic) and a huge cornbread, butter and chopped raw onion (or scallions) on the side. This has happily fed thousands of fiddlers and banjo pickers Down South for over a hundred years. ---
**Author:** ![Tara57](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/4bbf92/32.png) [@Tara57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tara57)\ **Post date:** [August 1, 2017, 12:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-feed-8-picky-people-once-per-week/792509/34 "2017-08-01T00:51:46Z")
Minestrone, all sorts of vegetable or seafood soups. Serve with bread, garlic bread, cornbread, crackers, etc. Jambalaya Sausage with peppers and onions Gumbo with sausage, shrimp, or both. Eggs are a nice addition to gumbo, too. ---
**Author:** ![Ukulele\_Ike](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/df788c/32.png) [@Ukulele\_Ike](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ukulele_Ike)\ **Post date:** [August 1, 2017, 12:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-feed-8-picky-people-once-per-week/792509/35 "2017-08-01T00:53:35Z")
Oooo, that DOES sound good. Do you poach the eggs in the gumbo, or what? ---
**Author:** ![Tara57](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/4bbf92/32.png) [@Tara57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tara57)\ **Post date:** [August 1, 2017, 1:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-feed-8-picky-people-once-per-week/792509/36 "2017-08-01T01:04:57Z")
When I have had eggs in gumbo, they were boiled, then peeled and added. Poaching in the gumbo sounds good, too. ---
**Author:** ![CairoCarol](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cairocarol/32/3825_2.png) [@CairoCarol](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CairoCarol)\ **Post date:** [August 1, 2017, 1:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-feed-8-picky-people-once-per-week/792509/37 "2017-08-01T01:10:08Z")
> [@chaika](#): > > An Indian buffet? There are a lot of tasty (and easy) vegetarian dishes out there, e.g. chickpea curry. That would get around the no chicken/no beef issue. Sounds great, just be sure to substitute corn or canola oil for the ghee, due to the “no dairy” restriction. ---
**Author:** ![Grrr](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/grrr/32/146_2.png) [@Grrr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Grrr)\ **Post date:** [August 1, 2017, 1:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-feed-8-picky-people-once-per-week/792509/38 "2017-08-01T01:41:24Z")
I make a simple egg roll that’s just spicy breakfast sausage with shredded cabbage. After I fry’em up, I throw them in the crock pot (on warm) to keep them warm. That way people at the party can eat them at their leisure. (Not that they ever last long. They’re quite popular.) ---
**Author:** ![Broomstick](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/broomstick/32/246_2.png) [@Broomstick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Broomstick)\ **Post date:** [August 1, 2017, 2:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-feed-8-picky-people-once-per-week/792509/39 "2017-08-01T02:14:34Z")
> [@jsgoddess](#): > > I have an amazing recipe for brussels sprouts and tofu (don’t laugh! It’s amazing!) but it might be hard to scale up. (But it’s amazing!) Please post - I’m always looking for new vegee dishes and tofu is one of the few legume-based foods I’m allowed. ---
**Author:** ![TruCelt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/trucelt/32/523_2.png) [@TruCelt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TruCelt)\ **Post date:** [August 1, 2017, 2:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-feed-8-picky-people-once-per-week/792509/40 "2017-08-01T02:15:29Z")
Rice with stir fried veggies and tofu or shrimp. You can use the really cheap, tiny salad shrimps to get the flavor without the investment. I also once did a salad with chicken-fried tofu on top instead of fried chicken. It was utterly delicious and I couldn’t stop filching the tofu bites. I just cut it into about 2 inch rectangles, dredged them in my usual flour/egg/flour (I add milk but you don’t need to) with various herbs and seasonings tossed in with the flour. Then fried them like chicken. I need to make that again soon. Speaking of which, a [Salad Nicoise](http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/food-network-kitchen/classic-nicoise-salad-recipe-2127613) is beautiful, filling, and cheapish as well. I usually serve it over baby spinach for extra nutrition. And I do a very simple dressing - equal parts EVOO and lemon juice. I love the baked potato bar idea. Anything that you can just put out the options for saves you time and makes everybody happy. Tacos, fajitas, spaghetti with a couple of sauces . … Do the tomato and dairy avoidance intersect? If not, a marinara and an Alfredo would do 'ya. Almost any vegetable can be lightly coated with olive oil and the seasonings of your choice, then roasted in the oven. This will always make you look like a genius in the kitchen. Cauliflower is especially good this way. Sometimes I cut it into smaller pieces and layer it over a green lentil dish done with similar spices. (Moroccan, Greek, Italian, curry, just about any profile works well.) Can people allergic to chicken eat turkey? A marinated turkey breast is a great go-to for large groups. Ask MamaZappa for her recipe. Does no dairy mean no eggs? If not, a couple of different [Frittatas](http://www.epicurious.com/expert-advice/ultimate-easy-frittata-recipe-article) are easy, cheap, quick, and customizable. Beat the eggs gently with some salt and let them sit for about ten minutes before you start. This will prevent them from getting watery or blowing up and then falling flat. A nice potato/ham hash makes a great accompaniment, or just some good bread with olive oil and fresh pepper to dip in. Fresh grated parmesan can be placed beside the serving station in a bowl and really sets it off nicely for those who indulge. I do a million different combos of green lentils and quinoa. Just boil them in equal amounts, then oil a lasagna pan and make them the bottom layer. It’s a nutritious canvas over which you can spread just about anything. One that goes over nicely is just those two things, mixed with a bag of frozen fire roasted mixed veg and a healthy sprinkle of the nutsonline [Syrian Spice Mix.](https://nuts.com/cookingbaking/herbsspices/syrian.html) Everything is better with that stuff in it! OK, that’s enough. Can you tell I love to cook for people? 😃 [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-feed-8-picky-people-once-per-week/792509.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-feed-8-picky-people-once-per-week/792509.md?page=3)