Menu help!

[SuzySunshine]

So my in-laws are coming tomorrow and leaving Monday so we'll have 3 dinners plus breakfasts and lunches to prepare.

MIL has a digestive issue so this is what she eats (or doesn't):

As far as any current dietary restrictions, I primarily avoid sugar and foods that turn to sugar. This would include most desserts, bread, pasta, potatoes, beans and corn, pizza crust, beer (yeast) and alcohol other than wine. I'm good with most fresh fruits and vegetables (raw and cooked), salads, meat, chicken, eggs, fish and nuts. Occasionally some bacon or sausage. I do eat dark chocolate every day! No rice, yes cheese.

So here is the tentative plan:

Friday - Rib eyes (IL's are bringing the steaks and the wine), what to serve with them?

Saturday - Beer can chicken, grilled veggies like red onion, tomatoes and squash, salad & bread

Sunday - ???

Breakfasts: Bagels, eggs, pancakes, waffles, fresh fruit (bananas & strawberries), yogurt

Lunches/snacks: sandwiches, chips, salsa, ???

I'd like to cook in the house as little as possible since its so hot.

HELP!

[MrsK]

I'd do veggies with the Ribeyes. Maybe grilled fish and veggies on Sunday? For breakfasts, I'd stay away from bagles, pankakes, and waffles -- doesn't sound like it's on her list. Stick with omlets (you can do an egg bake), fresh fruit, yogurt, etc. As for lunches, how about salads?

I'd grill some potatoes or corn with the steak for everyone else. Maybe a green salad and a fruit salad as well?

Sunday...kebabs? A grocery store here has pre-made lamb gyro patties. She could make a gyro minus the pita -- put it on lettuce, some tomato, feta, olives, hummus.

Bummer about the no rice. My mom is gluten-free and rice, rice crackers, etc help. I just re-read what you posted. I had suggested potatoes and grilled corn on the cob. Can't do that either!

Have you seen the Blue Diamond nut crackers? They are pretty good. If she can have nuts, I imagine she can eat those. Then you could have cheese and crackers.

[SuzySunshine]

The bagels and waffles aren't for her - we kind of like to spoil FIL when he visits b/c he doesn't get this kind of stuff at home. So basically I end up cooking for 2 different meals at each meal because even though she always says "make whatever I'll eat what I can" that doesn't sit well with me. At dinner I can usually make everyone happy.

Unfortunately I'm not eating fish, its the one food that makes me gag during pregnancy.

[Pollyanna]

For Sunday I would do either chili or pulled pork in the crock pot. Bake (or buy) some corn bread (mil can just not eat this), toss a salad and you're good to go.

[Tenacious_D]

Is she on some type of atkins diet? If so, I can try and copy some recipes from our south beach diet book. Just let me know and I can do them this evening.

[SuzySunshine]

Its not a diet, its medically necessary. I don't really want to make complex recipes, I want to throw things on the grill and make it easy.

I made this White Bean Salad with Mint and Red Onion a few weeks ago and they really liked it. I doubled the beans (2 cans) but kept everything else the same. I think it would have too strong with the onion and vinegar otherwise.

http://www.finecooking.com/recipes/m...ean-salad.aspx

This might work too.
http://www.finecooking.com/recipes/c...ley-salad.aspx

[DCJenn]

Cheri-

Can you do shrimp? Do shrimp basted in a pesto on the grill with a side of tomatos/mozzerella/basil/olive oil. If you want more veggies, grill some eggplant that's also been basted in the pesto.

Jenn

I made this White Bean Salad with Mint and Red Onion a few weeks ago and they really liked it. I doubled the beans (2 cans) but kept everything else the same. I think it would have too strong with the onion and vinegar otherwise.

http://www.finecooking.com/recipes/m...ean-salad.aspx

This might work too.
http://www.finecooking.com/recipes/c...ley-salad.aspx

Dang...just re-read and saw no beans. This is tough Cheri!

[TulipsAndSunscreen]

I would go with a fritata for breakfast. You could actually eat it both days because it saves nicely.

Could you do a Mexican salad on Sunday? Basically that would be black beans, corn, avocados, tons of veggies, grilled chicken with salsa. We usually pile this on lettuce and eat it like a salad. For those who can, you add chips for crunch.

[DCJenn]

No beans or corn.

What a PITA! (and especially for her!)

I'd stick with leafy greens and stuff on the grill- and if she can do fruit, grill some fruit for dessert.

Jenn

[Meenah]

Well, I think I would let her help with the cooking. If I were visiting my kids with those limitations I would offer to do the cooking. Ask her to give you a grocery list and then she can help with the meal preparation.