When preparing food to bring to a holiday dinner...

[ronandannette]

For starters, despite what @ronandannette may believe , I wouldn’t bring ANYTHING without clearing it with the hostess first.
I’ll ask if the hosts need anything. If the answer is yes, they can request something or I’ll make a suggestion, and then follow their requests.

Yeah, I hate potlucks and would never host an event like that, but even I acknowledge lots of families do their holidays that way. In those arrangements, I stand with the people who lean towards bringing either something a little novel, or something specifically for themselves, if they have dietary restrictions of their own. This of course presumes the basics (like turkey, stuffing and potatoes, etc.) everybody is expecting are already being provided.

 

[TipsyTraveler]

Yeah, I hate potlucks and would never host an event like that, but even I acknowledge lots of families do their holidays that way. In those arrangements, I stand with the people who lean towards bringing either something a little novel, or something specifically for themselves, if they have dietary restrictions of their own. This of course presumes the basics (like turkey, stuffing and potatoes, etc.) everybody is expecting are already being provided.

Potluck haters unite!

 

[china mom]

I am checking back in and have read all of the responses. I will add some information for clarification:

There are no food allergies except for the one brother who can't have caffeine; since there is caffeine in chocolate, he doesn't eat chocolate.

We always check with the hosts about side dishes so that there won't be duplication. We are simply disagreeing on what apps to bring.

My in-laws are not adventurous eaters at all - except my FIL. This is why DH doesn't like to try to introduce anything new. I do not feel that stuffed mushroom caps are so exotic that they won't try them.

DH is the cook and we will not be allowed in the door if he does not show up with our strawberry soup (recipe obtained from WDW 1900 Park Faire). The soup consists of heavy cream, Cool Whip (sugar), frozen strawberries (sugar), and a couple of cups of... sugar.

His other popular annual offering is the little sausages, wrapped in bacon, and then covered in brown sugar before baking.

We also usually bring a hot dip that you dish out with bread or crackers and at least one other person brings another hot app. I usually put a token cracker or two on my plate and then eat the dip with a fork and then toss the crackers. Trust me when I say that hot dip without the crackers is a very sad experience but this is my life so I do it.

My feeling is that with so many bringing something, there will be no one forlornly looking at the food and thinking that there is nothing to nibble on pre-dinner - except me, that is. This is why I am telling DH that we should bring something that I can eat too and maybe they will love them and they will become a regularly demanded item and maybe we will bring them home as leftovers. Either way, there will be plenty of options for everyone.

 

[Moliphino]

Since they're something you'll enjoy and you don't mind if anyone else eats them or not, I'd say bring them. I don't eat mushrooms, but I certainly wouldn't be bothered by their mere presence on the table.

 

[TipsyTraveler]

I am checking back in and have read all of the responses. I will add some information for clarification:

There are no food allergies except for the one brother who can't have caffeine; since there is caffeine in chocolate, he doesn't eat chocolate.

We always check with the hosts about side dishes so that there won't be duplication. We are simply disagreeing on what apps to bring.

My in-laws are not adventurous eaters at all - except my FIL. This is why DH doesn't like to try to introduce anything new. I do not feel that stuffed mushroom caps are so exotic that they won't try them.

DH is the cook and we will not be allowed in the door if he does not show up with our strawberry soup (recipe obtained from WDW 1900 Park Faire). The soup consists of heavy cream, Cool Whip (sugar), frozen strawberries (sugar), and a couple of cups of... sugar.

Excuse me while I .

His other popular annual offering is the little sausages, wrapped in bacon, and then covered in brown sugar before baking.

We also usually bring a hot dip that you dish out with bread or crackers and at least one other person brings another hot app. I usually put a token cracker or two on my plate and then eat the dip with a fork and then toss the crackers. Trust me when I say that hot dip without the crackers is a very sad experience but this is my life so I do it.

Sweet mercy, bring some raw veggies with you for dipping.

My feeling is that with so many bringing something, there will be no one forlornly looking at the food and thinking that there is nothing to nibble on pre-dinner - except me, that is. This is why I am telling DH that we should bring something that I can eat too and maybe they will love them and they will become a regularly demanded item and maybe we will bring them home as leftovers. Either way, there will be plenty of options for everyone.

I don’t understand your husband’s concern. You’re bringing multiple dishes — at least one of them can be something that you can eat and will enjoy. Let him make whatever he wants to bring and you do the same. Tell him the sausage shrooms are a bonus dish.

I’m also trying to understand a world where mushrooms are considered exotic, but that’s another issue entirely.

 

[TwoMisfits]

I am checking back in and have read all of the responses. I will add some information for clarification:

There are no food allergies except for the one brother who can't have caffeine; since there is caffeine in chocolate, he doesn't eat chocolate.

We always check with the hosts about side dishes so that there won't be duplication. We are simply disagreeing on what apps to bring.

My in-laws are not adventurous eaters at all - except my FIL. This is why DH doesn't like to try to introduce anything new. I do not feel that stuffed mushroom caps are so exotic that they won't try them.

DH is the cook and we will not be allowed in the door if he does not show up with our strawberry soup (recipe obtained from WDW 1900 Park Faire). The soup consists of heavy cream, Cool Whip (sugar), frozen strawberries (sugar), and a couple of cups of... sugar.

His other popular annual offering is the little sausages, wrapped in bacon, and then covered in brown sugar before baking.

We also usually bring a hot dip that you dish out with bread or crackers and at least one other person brings another hot app. I usually put a token cracker or two on my plate and then eat the dip with a fork and then toss the crackers. Trust me when I say that hot dip without the crackers is a very sad experience but this is my life so I do it.

My feeling is that with so many bringing something, there will be no one forlornly looking at the food and thinking that there is nothing to nibble on pre-dinner - except me, that is. This is why I am telling DH that we should bring something that I can eat too and maybe they will love them and they will become a regularly demanded item and maybe we will bring them home as leftovers. Either way, there will be plenty of options for everyone.

Dang, so your other brought dishes, you already can't eat in full...then yes, totally bring the mushrooms...

And tell the spouse to wrap some smokies with bacon and DON'T put sugar on a few of them for you...I just made bacon wrapped plantains yesterday and left a few without bacon...it's not hard! He could think of you himself.

 

[tinkerbellandpeterpan]

I am checking back in and have read all of the responses. I will add some information for clarification:

There are no food allergies except for the one brother who can't have caffeine; since there is caffeine in chocolate, he doesn't eat chocolate.

We always check with the hosts about side dishes so that there won't be duplication. We are simply disagreeing on what apps to bring.

My in-laws are not adventurous eaters at all - except my FIL. This is why DH doesn't like to try to introduce anything new. I do not feel that stuffed mushroom caps are so exotic that they won't try them.

DH is the cook and we will not be allowed in the door if he does not show up with our strawberry soup (recipe obtained from WDW 1900 Park Faire). The soup consists of heavy cream, Cool Whip (sugar), frozen strawberries (sugar), and a couple of cups of... sugar.

His other popular annual offering is the little sausages, wrapped in bacon, and then covered in brown sugar before baking.

We also usually bring a hot dip that you dish out with bread or crackers and at least one other person brings another hot app. I usually put a token cracker or two on my plate and then eat the dip with a fork and then toss the crackers. Trust me when I say that hot dip without the crackers is a very sad experience but this is my life so I do it.

My feeling is that with so many bringing something, there will be no one forlornly looking at the food and thinking that there is nothing to nibble on pre-dinner - except me, that is. This is why I am telling DH that we should bring something that I can eat too and maybe they will love them and they will become a regularly demanded item and maybe we will bring them home as leftovers. Either way, there will be plenty of options for everyone.

Bring the mushrooms. That's ridiculous. You should have something you can eat. No one else has to eat them so why do they care?

 

[unrequited23]

Who else is planning on making sausage stuffed mushroom this weekend after reading this thread besides me?

 

[TippyThomas]

Who else is planning on making sausage stuffed mushroom this weekend after reading this thread besides me?

I want to but I'm still hoping someone will share a tried and true recipe. I'm not much of a cook so I need good directions.

 

[cayennews]

I am the person who decides what to bring because I am the one who does the shopping and cooking. I try to make something that I think most people would enjoy, but if not, more for me!

 

[fla4fun]

Well, with the exception of our annual family reunion pot luck, dishes were assigned to people so that the expense and effort would be evenly spread around. Most of the time we spent holidays at home so it wasn’t an issue.

For the family reunion, we always brought a meat dish, two sides and a dessert. Most of the time it was the same four things. Mom knew what we would eat, and that we weren’t big on eating food prepared by others, so she made sure they were things we liked. I don’t recall anyone having any allergies or food preferences at the gathering though.

I would take allergies and other medical issues into consideration. That could mean avoiding an ingredient or simply notifying the person affected that it was in the dish. I would not necessarily take personal preferences into account, as no dish is going to be liked by everyone.