This is always a problem for the young housewife. There are, of course, cases, that parents and young people have known each other for a long time or even lived together and then it will be easy - each visit is treated as family, offering anything, and even reheating something from dinner. However, there are more official relationships and then the daughter-in-law should come forward with a well-thought-out party. Especially in the first stage of getting to know each other the fact, what and how it will pass, may affect further relations. And although more and more often we “put it between fairy tales” stories about bad mother-in-law, it is worth keeping a bit of caution here. It is hardly surprising, with the older one, the experienced woman will observe with redoubled attention, how the young people arranged themselves, is it clean, if everything is arranged and scrubbed as it should be, and finally whether the son also married a good housewife, and not only with the beautiful lady magister. Unfortunately, the vast majority of parents do not often remember about the career achievements of their daughter-in-law. Is that a complaint? I think, That is not the place where you should look for the answer to this question.
The experiences of several generations of daughter-in-law suggest, to awaiting the visit of the in-laws, prepare for it carefully: clean the apartment, put it neatly in kitchen and clothes cupboards (so, It is important!), prepare a perfectly starched tablecloth, cleaned cutlery, high-gloss polished glass. Create a festive mood: flowers, Candles won't hurt either, if music, it is discreet and as quiet as possible. The only emphasis of the home atmosphere should be the clothes of the young hostess - without any formal accents, i.e.. Top, a sweater or a loose evening dress, long with thicker material.
What can i get you?
We make it dependent on the time of day. I exclude e.g.. Christmas breakfast and festive dinner, because they will be covered in later chapters. So that leaves afternoon tea and dinner. Afternoon tea is a very good option, allows you to show a lot of fantasy and does not require special culinary talents. I strongly advise against serving ready meals on a similar occasion, even cakes. Unfortunately, you have to show your own skills and that will be what counts on this day. This must be remembered. This time will not be lost.
Before the planned party, it is worth asking your husband, what mom likes, what about the father, so that this does not happen, like at a friend's:
- I do not know, what mom likes, we know each other for a short time…
- I eat everything my baby, especially now in these times, I just don't eat squash…
- My God, I just made a squash…
Sometimes it's not just a matter of taste, the elderly may be on a diet, may not eat fried or smoked food. It is better to avoid such surprises. The exceptions are in-laws, welcoming a super dish on the table, for which the recipe was brought by young people from foreign journeys. It will be wiser, if they "flash” her in the circle of friends-peers.
There is one more delicate moment - whether the party for the in-laws is going to be expensive, or rather modest, as a proof, that we run the house sparingly and with a pencil in hand. Here, unfortunately, one has to be guided by the character traits of the elders of the state. Some people praise the economy, others may feel slightly offended, that they were given “just anything”. Most generally speaking, it is worth following the principle: visiting in-laws should be more elegant, because they are or will be rarely, in-laws living in the same town can be hosted much more modestly. But I can't guarantee it, that it will always come true.
Now we come to the details.
For such an occasion, afternoon tea can consist of a very small snack, e.g. a few crackers or bagels with a tasty paste and fruit juice, then something small for warmth, it should always be a plain dish, such as potatoes, rice, pasta, so rather a type of hot appetizer. For example: stuffed potatoes, pizza or casserole served with white or red wine, depending on the type of food. Finally, a light cake with tea or coffee.
For supper: cold appetizer, fish or hen in jelly, hot dish and dessert. A warm dish cannot be difficult to digest, therefore, I would advise against all fried foods, with the exception of e.g.. beef tenderloin. For the same reasons, I do not recommend the roasted duck, however, water trout with potatoes and green salad will be very suitable for such an occasion.
When it comes to cakes, all kinds of fruit pies and cakes are highly recommended, e.g. tarts, which should be baked a few hours before the planned party, but necessarily on the same day. Pastries "yesterday” they are usually less tasty. Cakes I strongly advise against, as too heavy and too solemn for this type of meeting.