Would you be offended....

[disykat]

I get asked to bring a Spinach Salad to Thanksgiving every year. I'm not crazy about it but the host loved it when I brought it so now it's tradition. I consider it a compliment and bring it along with another dish I want to bring. It never occured to me to be offended.

The same host doesn't like cranberries. I bring a cranberry dish for my choice. I figure that way we're both happy with the menu.

Seriously, does SIL know the OP hates Broccoli casserole? Everyone is making the assumption she said something like ".... has to bring broccoli casserole whether she wants to or not", when it seems to me maybe the SIL said "ask .... to bring that wonderful Broccoli casserole she made that time... That was so good!"

 

[mickeyfan2]

Organizing a menu to ones personal likes and dislikes and making someone prepare a dish they despise--does not a good hostess make.

Then the OP needs to call her MIL and talk to her about this.

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

Then the OP needs to call her MIL and talk to her about this.

Why? MIL doesn't seem to have a problem with mac and cheese.

 

[clh2]

FWIW, I am hosting DH's family on Saturday evening. I have specifically asked 2 of his brothers to bring specific dishes. One is the "orange jello" thing. That brother and SIL knows exactly what I mean. I don't know if they like it or not, but it is one thing I like to have if I have the whole gang over.

I've asked the other brother to bring 1 pan of his cheesy potatoes. (Not 2 pans like I normally ask - as I am making mashed potatoes too).

I don't have a problem asking for these BIL's to bring something, nor do they have a problem with the request. They understand that getting everything else ready for 15 guests is already a lot of work, plus the cleaning before and the clean-up afterwards. Oftentimes, someone else will just bring something else to pitch in. (I think that is how the orange jello thing started.) And, I know one SIL will bring cookies, so I don't even ask her. If for some reason she doesn't bake any, we've already got some.

So - sorry, I don't feel like you should be ticked off to be asked to bring something specific. But as a host, I wouldn't be offended if you brought something else in addition to the request.

 

[mickeyfan2]

Why? MIL doesn't seem to have a problem with mac and cheese.

To let MIL know that this is what she wants to bring but SIL won't let her. The event is at MILs house so she should have final say. If MIL says to bring what SIL said, then that is what I would do. She could bring both too.

 

[DisneyfeverTN]

I do think it was rude of SIL to tell your DH what to bring to a potluck. I would just make both dishes. That way the people that love your homemade mac and cheese (I love homemade mac and cheese!) can eat that. I understand why you don't want to make two dishes though. I just think that it would be nice of you to bring both. Your DH would probably appreciate your effort to make the event a pleasant one for everyone.

 

[mtemm]

I wouldn't be offended, personally. I would, however, feel just so bad that I seemed to have misplaced the recipe for the broccoli dish. gosh, I hope it turns up again sometime, but in the meantime I'd settle with making my mac n cheese.

eta, or I would go with the new broccoli dish that you like better.

 

[kasar]

If all I had to bring was one casserole dish to someone else's house I'd be psyched - it would be no problem to whip up another dish. I'm hosting full sit down dinner (roast, the works) plus trying to pull my house together for 25 people. Is it a lot of work? Yup. But we do it because it's Christmas, and it's family, and it's what we do. No worries - Make both.

Merry Christmas.

 

[LadyBears]

Am I being silly? Should I make the broccoli casserole? I just don't feel that I should make something that I don't like to make or eat. I am vegetarian, and what I make will more than likely be the only thing I will be able to eat.

To those who may have over looked this part...
It's not just a matter of being told to bring something she dispises. If she "does as she's told", she will have NOTHING to eat herself!!

Question for tinkerrn: If you bring the broccoli dish for her, what is she going to do for you so you have something to eat??

 

[Aimeedyan]

Since your food is going to be limited while there, I think your host was a little rude to tell you what to bring instead of letting you bring something you know you can eat. You know? As a host, I would have told you to bring something that is vegetarian so I would know that you'd have an additional dish to choose from.

I'd tell her that you don't care for broccoli cheese casserole and that you had already planned to bring mac and cheese. And bring it without guilt!

 

[N&B'smom]

Don't know if this has been posted but how about this!?!?! Just google some recipes!

Shelby (just double the recipe for a 9X13 inch pan)


Cheesey Macaroni with Broccoli

Ingredients:
8 ounces Elbow Macaroni
1 cup Broccoli florets fresh or frozen
4 tablespoons Butter
2 tablespoons Flour
2 cups Low-fat (1%) milk
1 cup Shredded sharp chedder cheese
1/2 cup Shredded Gruyere cheese
1/4 cup Grated Parmesan cheese
1/2 teaspoon Salt
1/4 teaspoon Cayenne pepper
1/4 cup Whole-wheat bread crumbs

Directions:

In a medium saucepan, cook macaroni according to package directions, until al dente, or still slightly firm. Drain well.

Fill another saucepan 3/4 full with water. Bring water to a boil, add broccoli, reduce heat to medium and cook until al dente; Drain and set aside.

Preheat oven to 375°. Grease an 8 x 8 inch glass baking dish.

In a medium saucepan, melt butter. Add flour, stirring 1 minute, until smooth. Gradually whisk in milk, stirring continually until thickened, about 3 minutes, remove from heat.

Reserve 1/2 cup cheddar cheese. Stir remaining cheddar, Gruyere, Parmesan, salt, and cayenne into sauce until cheeses melt. Add macaroni and broccoli to sauce. Pour into prepared baking dish.

Bake 15 minutes. Sprinkle top with reserved cheddar and bread crumbs. Bake 10 to 15 minutes, until bubbly.

This recipe for Cheesey Macaroni with Broccoli serves/makes 4

 

[ZPT1022]

What is with the getting the messages thirdhand and through the DH? I hate that. DH's sister HAD to be a bridesmaid in my wedding and so to keep the peace I asked her. She had complaints about everything but worst of all she couldn't just call me directly, NOOOO, she complained to her mom who called DH who told me. Honestly, in this situation I'd be tempted to pull an "ooops, DH forgot to tell me that- Sorry!" I'm also a vegetarian and so if I bring something it is often the only thing for me to eat so I know where you are coming from on that one. There's a running joke between DH and I that he takes me for a bean burrito on the way to Christmas Eve Dinner at my aunt's house. They think that they are making me a "vegetarian" meal. Manicotti, made with meat sauce. Ummm...... If I were you I would bring what you know you will eat- it's only fair and I highly doubt that there will be anyone else in that position and if there is, they should be planning to bring their own something to eat just like you are.

 

[kennancat]

I would probably do one of two things:

1) Tell DH to call SIL back and tell her you don't like broccoli, what else can you bring? (This is probably what I'd really do, because I only like broccoli when it's crisp-tender, not cooked to mush in a casserole)

2) Make it, but gourmet it up - start with a bechamel sauce (similar to what you probably do for your mac & cheese) use good, real, shredded cheese, and add the broccoli late so it still has some good crunch and flavor

 

[Tauwillow]

Has it occured to anyone that perhaps the SIL and her kids really LIKE the casserole the OP makes?

I know I've requested things made by relatives because they were yummy dishes that had a special touch when done by them.

It may be less of a comment on how they dont like the regular mac & cheese, and more about how much they enjoyed the broccoli caserole you made once before.

I, like others, would make both. Unless you phone her and let her know your position, anything else is passive aggressive in my book.

 

[KristinBelle]

Just bring what you want.

 

[disykat]

Has it occured to anyone that perhaps the SIL and her kids really LIKE the casserole the OP makes?

.

55 posts and only two of us have suggested it. Maybe we're missing something?

 

[3DisneyKids]

sorry--haven't read the whole thread. Has she ever tried your broc. casserole? If so, then it is a compliment. Otherwise, yeah, I think it is in poor taste to do that...if she just said "a vegetable side dish" that would fine, but I think her request is on the rude side. JMO.

 

[FormrCastMbr]

Hubby doesn't want to 'rock the boat' if ya know what I mean. he KNOWS how I feel about broccoli casserole. I just don't like the velvetta, broccoli, ritz cracker combo. No offense to those that do. I like velvetta, just not with broccoli.

I have a very good broccoli casserole recipe with I believe, minced onion, cheese and cream of mushroom soup...it sounds a little better than the velveeta one you posted...let know if you are interested in the recipe...

 

[grlpwrd]

I don't think she asked for the broccoli casserole because it tastes good. Just by bypassing you and asking your dh makes me think there are deeper issues than a broccoli casserole and homemade mac and cheese.

If it were me, I'd make both. Not only to please all who appreciate both dishes, but to make sure she knows she can't control you. Goodness gracious, you've been making homemade mac and cheese for years. It's a tradition - why change now?

 

[flying_babyb]

I would just make both. If she gives you crap about it say "Im a vegitarian and I wanted somthing with that I could eat. I dont eat brocclii." I am vegitarian myself AND HATE how no one thinks of me at the holidays. Ive been a vegitarn for years. Im usally limited to pattaos (milk), Buns (buttered) and cookies (milk). Im also lactose intolarnt so holdiays kinda suck.