Menu Help needed - boyfriend coming to visit (UPDATE PAGE 2)

[HeatherFeather]

OK - my boyfriend is coming to visit and I need to plan some menus that will please a picky kid, a low carber who will eat almost anything (me), and a hungry but picky male who loves carbs.

Some favorites I want to incorporate:
Boneless chicken
Sausage
Pizza
Broccoli
Cucumbers
Whole wheat anything
Chocolate
Kidney Beans, Black Beans, etc

Avoiding:
heavy cheese/dairy use (a little is ok, but sparing)
white bread
seafood (he won't eat anything but crabstick in sushi and cooked salmon in fishcakes)
pork chops
mushrooms
egg dishes (eggs can be an ingredient, but not the star)
BBQ sauce

I have some recipes in mind, but also need a few new ideas to work into my meals. I am used to eating lots of fish and veggies, and that isn't going to work unless I can make the same recipe with chicken.

[Kchurchill5]

First thing that comes to mind is individual pizzas. You can customize that with bbq and chicken. Or all veggie, you could even do fish for you. But keep a basic sauce and a little cheese just as a garnish. So you could make them meat heavy or light. Or even plain.

Make your own dough or buy it, you could easily make as many as you want and it is fun to get everyone involved. Sausage and chicken is also excellent on the pizzas as well.
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For a salad, blanched broccoli, cucumber (cauliflower if he will eat that) and a light yogurt vinegar dressing makes a nice creamy salad. Great for a side dish. I take the traditional mayo cauli and brocc salad and sub yogurt and sour cream or either one and add some fresh shredded carrots to make a nice salad and not too different from the original.

The cheese and tomato salad posted here on the photo album is really good, easy and healthy. NOT too much cheese.
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How about a black bean chili with sausage and chicken. Easy to prepare, healthy. It does have the starch with the beans, but lots of veggies too. It can be served over rice or with corn bread which is nice for everyone.
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My favorite, cucumber with a seasoned rice wine vinager. Any publix carries it. NO oil, add tomatoes, red peppers, or broccoli, cauli, or mushrooms (for you if you want). Easy, quick, healthy and satisfying. Just add some red pepper flakes and the Nakano vinegar (I use seasoned basil and oregano Nakano) and that is it. Add a broiled or pan sauteed chicken breast on top and it makes an easy dinner.
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Chicken breasts stuffed with broccoli and sausage and a little cheese. Baked and served with a light chicken gravy. Made with just broth and shallots and herbs. Very light. You could even add a little breading to the filling to make a light veggie stuffing or panko.
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How about a crock pot chicken stew with sausage, chicken, broccoli, onion, maybe mushrooms, peppers and a broth based sauce; a few of the regular seasonings and garlic. Simmered until tender. Serve over rice, buttered noodles or polenta.


Just a few ideas. I have recipes for most of these

[HeatherFeather]

I like the idea of stuffing the chicken with broccoli - he might like that. I am pretty sure he'd be ok with eating chicken every night - good thing everyone will eat chicken.

It is hard thinking of things to make - for some reason my mind keeps drawing a blank. I keep thinking of fish recipes to make and that just won't cut it this time

I will also need to make sure I have lots of chocolate goodies in the house. I am going to have a hard time not eating some myself though.

Thank you for the many ideas - a good start. Keep the ideas coming everyone!

[Kchurchill5]

Trust me ... can't help with chocolate. I like it. But I can live without it. Not a sweets person in NO way.

[Mary]

Picky/low carb/lots of carbs at the same table -- what fun!

We enjoy these:
http://www.recipezazz.com/recipe/salsa-chicken-thighs
(with boneless breasts over brown rice)

http://www.recipezazz.com/recipe/lemon- ... en-oregano

http://www.recipezazz.com/recipe/easy-b ... sa-chicken

http://www.recipezazz.com/recipe/oven-b ... nner-cooks

http://www.recipezazz.com/recipe/spicy- ... bbage-slaw

http://www.recipezazz.com/recipe/chickpeagarbanzo-salad

http://www.recipezazz.com/recipe/magical-bean-salad

http://www.recipezazz.com/recipe/pretzel-turtle-candy
(this one is fun for kids to make)

[HeatherFeather]

Picky/low carb/lots of carbs at the same table -- what fun!

We enjoy these:
http://www.recipezazz.com/recipe/salsa-chicken-thighs
(with boneless breasts over brown rice)

http://www.recipezazz.com/recipe/lemon- ... en-oregano

http://www.recipezazz.com/recipe/easy-b ... sa-chicken

http://www.recipezazz.com/recipe/oven-b ... nner-cooks

http://www.recipezazz.com/recipe/spicy- ... bbage-slaw

http://www.recipezazz.com/recipe/chickpeagarbanzo-salad

http://www.recipezazz.com/recipe/magical-bean-salad

http://www.recipezazz.com/recipe/pretzel-turtle-candy
(this one is fun for kids to make)

The lemon oregano chicken and the candies both look perfect. I also saved a recipe for peanut butter filled brownies to test out when he's here (he found the recipe for me actually).

So so far I have the lemon oregano chicken, stuffed chicken, and individual pizzas plus the pretzel candies and the brownies. He is not really big on salads, although dd loves salad. Still looking for more suggestions - thanks so far for the great ideas and links.

[Kchurchill5]

How about a crock pot chicken with mediterranean flavors.

Some artichokes, olives, onions. Browned first and just baked with a little broth. easy and healthy. Serve with spuds for him. You could have just a few triangles of pita if you wanted. You could do another veggie or even potatoes in with the chicken. Stew; but use whole chicken pieces to make is more rustic. Cut the breasts in 2-3 pieces (bone in), thighs bone in and drum sticks. It is cheap and easy. Maybe add a can of diced tomatoes for some sauce as well.
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How about a rattatouilli. You can serve chicken on the side.
Or baked pot pies. Lots of veggies, sausage and chicken, pie crust and rich and thick. Only 1 crust, so not too hard on the carbs. Served with salad for you.

[HeatherFeather]

Not sure if he eats artichokes or not, I know he has issues with anything spicy and isn't very fond of onions. He loves most green veggies and starchy veggies usually - the other stuff I am not so sure he will eat.

[Kchurchill5]

All I can say ... is you are very patient. WOW. I couldn't handle that. God bless you.

[Donna]

All I can say ... is you are very patient. WOW. I couldn't handle that. God bless you.

When I got married my husband was picky. I just made what I wanted and he has learned to like just about everything.