In-laws are coming, help me feed them!!!

[jaybirdsmommy]

OK, my 2 sisters-in-law and 1 brother-in-law are coming for a week. Need cheap ideas that will feed 7 people (2 of which eat like bottomless pits) for a week without breaking the bank. Money is very, very tight right now.

Oh, and one has celiac. I won't be cooking for her specifically but will try to fix things she can eat with some alterations without having to cook a completely different meal (ie gluten free spaghetti sauce that she can add to her own gluten free noodles, lots of salads and veggies, etc). This rules out sandwiches, pizza, and other easy things.

Ideas I have so far: chili, hamburgers/hotdogs on grill, spaghetti, and we'll probably do a mini thanksgiving. Maybe baked potatos one night as well or possibly pair that with the chili since one of my kids won't eat it.


Any help is appreciated, I'm drawing a complete and total blank on this. At least they will do most of the cooking, I just have to come up with a plan or we'll eat hotdogs all week.

 

[zoemurr]

OK, my 2 sisters-in-law and 1 brother-in-law are coming for a week. Need cheap ideas that will feed 7 people (2 of which eat like bottomless pits) for a week without breaking the bank. Money is very, very tight right now.

Oh, and one has celiac. I won't be cooking for her specifically but will try to fix things she can eat with some alterations without having to cook a completely different meal (ie gluten free spaghetti sauce that she can add to her own gluten free noodles, lots of salads and veggies, etc). This rules out sandwiches, pizza, and other easy things.

Ideas I have so far: chili, hamburgers/hotdogs on grill, spaghetti, and we'll probably do a mini thanksgiving. Maybe baked potatos one night as well or possibly pair that with the chili since one of my kids won't eat it.


Any help is appreciated, I'm drawing a complete and total blank on this. At least they will do most of the cooking, I just have to come up with a plan or we'll eat hotdogs all week.

I would probably do a "cold" night.. nice rolls, cold cuts and potato salad, tacos are a stand-by here, breakfast for dinner would be cheap and easy..

 

[Rose23]

Johnny Marzetti and salad -
http://allrecipes.com/recipe/johnny-marzetti-v

Hamburger Helper - Beef Pasta

Fish Fry - some fish can be expensive so you may want to look towards catfish or a trout.

Green Bean Casserole

Taco and Taco Salad Night - combine this with salsa and chips

NOTE: If you are already going to do a mini-Thanksgiving and have a turkey, utilize the left over turkey and make turkey noodle soup.

 

[jaybirdsmommy]

I would probably do a "cold" night.. nice rolls, cold cuts and potato salad, tacos are a stand-by here, breakfast for dinner would be cheap and easy..

Thank you!!! Breakfast is a great idea, we do that about once a week anyway. Maybe a yummy breakfast casserole with BACON!!!!!!!!

Tacos have worked well with this group in the past, also. Don't know why I didn't think of them sooner.

Unfortunately, sandwiches are out, too much potential for cross contamination. Sister in law won't eat condiments / lunch meat unless they are purchased by and specifically labelled for her. Can't afford to buy an extra set. I'm really hoping they'll offer to do some grocery shopping, but not expecting it.

 

[TheRustyScupper]

. . . Need cheap ideas that will feed 7 people (2 of which eat like bottomless pits) for a week without breaking the bank . . .

. . . Bounty or Dinty Moore Canned Beef Stew
. . . Sloppy Joe's and Chips
. . . Frozen Pizza
. . . Hot Dogs on the Grill, with Potato Salad
. . . Stouffer's Frozen Lasagna
. . . Jimmy Dean Frozen Breakfast Meals

NOTE: Of course, you can MAKE them go to restaurants. Just serve oatmeal
for breakfast and baloney for lunches. If they don't leave, at least they are
really cheap meals.

 

[jaybirdsmommy]

. . .
NOTE: Of course, you can MAKE them go to restaurants. Just serve oatmeal
for breakfast and baloney for lunches. If they don't leave, at least they are
really cheap meals.

I like the way you think. So tempted......unfortunately, for my husband and kids sake I will keep the peace. But still, sooooooooooo tempted.

 

[msmama]

What about a roast of some kind (whatever is cheap, whole chicken, pork, beef, maybe even ham) with veggies.

Rice and beans? Super cheap!

 

[powellrj]

My DDIL is celiac and has been for over 25 years so she is really good at knowing what she can eat and will just eat around most meals so that makes it easier for me! I would go with a large piece of meat like a ham and a turkey and go from there. Both are really cheap this time of year and you can make several meals off of each. Bake a ham one night and then you have left overs for sandwiches the next day and a few other meals like ham loaf, ham and scalloped potatoes and a breakfast casserole. The same with the turkey. Have a thanksgiving type meal then go with turkey soup, turkey sandwiches, turkey manhattans. You could do pork roast one night and then have pulled pork, pork hash and maybe even stir fry. None of these meals cost much for a crowd and almost everyone can eat them.

 

[ready123go]

. . . Bounty or Dinty Moore Canned Beef Stew
. . . Sloppy Joe's and Chips
. . . Frozen Pizza
. . . Hot Dogs on the Grill, with Potato Salad
. . . Stouffer's Frozen Lasagna
. . . Jimmy Dean Frozen Breakfast Meals

NOTE: Of course, you can MAKE them go to restaurants. Just serve oatmeal
for breakfast and baloney for lunches. If they don't leave, at least they are
really cheap meals.

A celiac here - most of these things are no-nos for us. Careful - unless specifically labeled.

As far as breakfast for dinner (brinner - ha) many stores carry Pamela's pancake mix - very good brand, can't tell the difference between it and 'regular' pancake mix and not too expensive. Bacon is a good idea, sausage is almost always a problem.

Also, many stores carry GF oatmeal - not much more than regular in price.

Check Amazon too.

If you do turkey - don't do stuffing! The drippings (basting) would have wheat/gluten in them.

 

[wiigirl]

I would probably do a "cold" night.. nice rolls, cold cuts and potato salad, tacos are a stand-by here, breakfast for dinner would be cheap and easy..

 

[jaybirdsmommy]

A celiac here - most of these things are no-nos for us. Careful - unless specifically labeled.

As far as breakfast for dinner (brinner - ha) many stores carry Pamela's pancake mix - very good brand, can't tell the difference between it and 'regular' pancake mix and not too expensive. Bacon is a good idea, sausage is almost always a problem.

Also, many stores carry GF oatmeal - not much more than regular in price.

Check Amazon too.

If you do turkey - don't do stuffing! The drippings (basting) would have wheat/gluten in them.

Yes, I know those are no-nos. I typically don't cook for her, she would prefer to do it herself and I totally understand that. I'm mainly trying to avoid having to cook two separate meals at the same time in my little tiny kitchen.

What I usually do when she's here is what a previous poster suggested and start with a main dish that she can take from and fix her own. For example, what we've done in the past with tacos is have her brown the meat, then take her serving and season it separately. I then season the rest as I normally would. Add to gluten free taco shells with veggies and cheese and she's good to go with no worries about the kids cross-contaminating something by accident (she gets hers first).

I was planning on doing the turkey towards the end of the week, but now I"m thinking I may do it earlier so we can have leftovers (no stuffing, although I do make a mean gluten free cornbread dressing with Bob's Red Mill gluten free cornbread, she won't eat it).

Thanks everyone for the great ideas!

 

[jaybirdsmommy]

My DDIL is celiac and has been for over 25 years so she is really good at knowing what she can eat and will just eat around most meals so that makes it easier for me! I would go with a large piece of meat like a ham and a turkey and go from there. Both are really cheap this time of year and you can make several meals off of each. Bake a ham one night and then you have left overs for sandwiches the next day and a few other meals like ham loaf, ham and scalloped potatoes and a breakfast casserole. The same with the turkey. Have a thanksgiving type meal then go with turkey soup, turkey sandwiches, turkey manhattans. You could do pork roast one night and then have pulled pork, pork hash and maybe even stir fry. None of these meals cost much for a crowd and almost everyone can eat them.

Great ideas, thank you!! I need to see what ham is on sale for this week.

 

[kelconic]

Gluten free and yummy taco salad:

Ground beef or turkey seasoned with onion,garlic,lawry's seasoned salt, whatever you like. Add a can of kidney beans and toss with romaine lettuce, chopped tomatoes, chopped green onions, shredded cheddar, crushed fritos, and a little Catalina dressing (not too much) all mixed together.

 

[disney ambassador]

Ham and Potato casserole.

one small onion diced
1tbsp oil
4-6 potatoes, diced and cooked
corn
ham, diced
grated cheese


In a casserole dish, microwave the onion and oil for one minute.
Add the other ingredients (except cheese) and mix. Top with cheese Microwave on high 5 plus minutes.

You may have to double the amount to feed 7. For the corn, ham and cheese, just put as much of each as you would like.

 

[canwegosoon]

My DDIL is celiac and has been for over 25 years so she is really good at knowing what she can eat and will just eat around most meals so that makes it easier for me! I would go with a large piece of meat like a ham and a turkey and go from there. Both are really cheap this time of year and you can make several meals off of each. Bake a ham one night and then you have left overs for sandwiches the next day and a few other meals like ham loaf, ham and scalloped potatoes and a breakfast casserole. The same with the turkey. Have a thanksgiving type meal then go with turkey soup, turkey sandwiches, turkey manhattans. You could do pork roast one night and then have pulled pork, pork hash and maybe even stir fry. None of these meals cost much for a crowd and almost everyone can eat them.

This is what I do when I have company- you usually only end up cooking every other night- get the sales flyer and go based on what is affordable. I like eye or bottom round, and pork tenderloin(just got a ton of these at Aldi- like a dollar a pound because they were expiring soon). Roaster chicken is also fairly inexpensive. Just salads or veg- keep it simple(you can add rolls for like 40 cents a can from ALdi) and that is good. Second night)planned leftovers) are your stretch night- print off a few recipes you like

 

[ceecee]

Baked Ziti with garlic bread. No meat and super cheap. Maybe you could find qluten free pasta and sauce?

 

[ready123go]

Yes, I know those are no-nos. I typically don't cook for her, she would prefer to do it herself and I totally understand that. I'm mainly trying to avoid having to cook two separate meals at the same time in my little tiny kitchen.

What I usually do when she's here is what a previous poster suggested and start with a main dish that she can take from and fix her own. For example, what we've done in the past with tacos is have her brown the meat, then take her serving and season it separately. I then season the rest as I normally would. Add to gluten free taco shells with veggies and cheese and she's good to go with no worries about the kids cross-contaminating something by accident (she gets hers first).

I was planning on doing the turkey towards the end of the week, but now I"m thinking I may do it earlier so we can have leftovers (no stuffing, although I do make a mean gluten free cornbread dressing with Bob's Red Mill gluten free cornbread, she won't eat it).

Thanks everyone for the great ideas!

YUM! When's dinner?

 

[APiratesLifeForMe2]

Celiac here too! When I visit my in-laws I always offer to bring my own Gfree ingredients since I have my preferred bread, pasta, etc and it's more pricey. Doesn't sound like she offered so a bummer there!

I also think the Taco idea is great
Pot Roast - just use the meat, beef stock and veggies
Shepherds pie from cooking light- http://www.myrecipes.com/recipe/shepherds-pie-10000001036179/ I also add carrots and peas to mine.
Pulled Pork BBQ - I buy Byron's Pork BBQ at Sam's club pre-cooked but frozen. Only 3grams of fat per serving and very good.
Fried rice with veggies

Tuna or chicken salad for lunch?
For sandwiches - Hillshire farms is pretty inexpensive and gluten free if you just needed deli meat for everyone. If she chooses not to eat mayo or mustard let that be her own problem. She could use iceberg lettuce and make a wrap if you don't want to buy Gfree bread. Or she could make a chef's salad with the lettuce, deli meat and cheese.

If you need a dessert idea we make Paula Deen's peanut butter cookie recipe (only uses peanut butter, sugar, egg and vanilla). Add hershey kisses if you like that touch.

 

[gingerninja13]

I would do:

*Cottage pie with loads of veggies
*Curry and rice
*Pot roast/ casserole
*Roast dinner
*A pasta bake with wheat free pasta and homemade tomato sauce
*Fish with garlic mash and ratatouille
*Tomato and bean stew with cheese scones for those who can have or use
gluten free flour.
*Minced beef hot pot

feeling hungry now

 

[swilshire]

This is family. I would explain that money is tight and suggest that the families rotate days planning the meals, buying the groceries, preparing the food and cleaning up. If some of them have more money than others, they may suggest treating the group to a restaurant meal on the days they are in charge.

I can't imagine staying for a week without offering to chip in on groceries. Unless, of course, your family visits them for a week and they cover everything while you're there. That might change my suggestion above.

Sheila