shady lane's Profile

I think your guests should provide you with ideas on what they can eat, because they will have a better idea of what works for them than we can guess on your description. I have oral allergy syndrome which means some raw fruits make my lips and throat swell - I always let people know in advance if they're cooking for me to avoid any issues.

In answer to your question though, I would make a meat dish, a vegetable dish, and a vegetable-free grain side dish. The non-veggie eater has the meat with grains, the veggie has the veggies with grains, and you eat all three.

Using a dishwasher is not even close to "over-sanitizing."

One can pretty easily say "I don't have a dishwasher" without suggesting that anyone who does is a lazy germaphobe. Then again, are these people complaining about this post mailing a written letter to a friend who is posting this online for them? Because apparently technology is bad even if it provides efficiency gains!

I don't like it when bread isn't part of the meal, sorry. If I've cooked rice or pasta with sauce and then a family member grabs some bread to mop up what's left on the plate. that reads to me like someone who didn't like the pasta or rice.

If I'm serving the meal with bread than obviously the point is to mop up and use the bread to eat.

I think the need to get every last bit of sauce from plate to mouth is a bit gluttonous, but that's just my personal opinion. I wouldn't stop someone else from doing it.

Someone's been watching Top Chef: Just Desserts!

Mr Lane is from Turkey and something I fell in love with over there - randomly - is pasta with yogurt. They just mix yogurt into a tomato meat sauce. It adds creaminess similar to adding cheese Italian-style, but it's a lot lighter and more refreshing in the warm weather.

For vegetarians, you can do this without the lamb - green beans cooked with tomatoes is also very common and I think we ate it at every meal!

Cap'n Crunch chicken is my brother's #1 dinner request from me when I visit. It is absolutely delicious and still works even if the cereal is a little stale. We never eat Cap'n Crunch so normally if I buy a box for the chicken, it will sit around for awhile until the next time. Still yum though!

@keyshanks bagels are traditionally boiled...steamed bagels are just bread with a hole in it and done because it's cheaper and faster. You need to find a new bagel shop!

@irry will try - thanks!

I have an immersion blender with food processor, whisk and beaker attachments, which has allowed me to permanently retire the old blender. It doesn't blend too much at a time, but I'm only cooking for two of us so it's perfect.

Wow I can't believe the comments here!

I have personally never asked anyone to come to a party of mine and bring food, but I've been asked to bring food to barbecues and it would never have crossed my mind to be offended. It's the easiest way to make sure you don't overbuy, and additionally everyone can ensure they get exactly what they want by bringing it along. BBQs are about friends and fun, and a pack of beer and a tray of hamburgers costs less than going out to eat anyway!