Look at a comment I typed out earlier today on Elisabeth's blog:
Seriously, me of ten hours ago. "It's been a pretty chill holiday season for me." GTFOH.
I was doing well until I got a text message from my SIL with assignments to bring things to the holiday meal.
T&D: Salad/veggies
VEGGIES? VEGGIES?
Look, I bring a salad and it's a giant pain in the ass. It always involves a trip to Costco and hours in the kitchen the night before and then I have to bring the big serving bowl and multiple coolers and IT'S A THING. And I do it because it's food I will eat and if I won't eat anything else there, at least I know there will be a delicious salad.
But now I have to bring MORE STUFF. Veggies? Ain't nobody going to eat crudités at this shindig. Corn is already spoken for. Green bean casserole is disgusting.
WHAT AM I GOING TO BRING?
Cut to my surface level chill (sorry I lied on your blog, Elisabeth) being absolutely destroyed.
Okay, blog friends. In this, my time of holiday-induced panicking, what do you think I should bring? NOTES: Whatever we make has to be transported 2.5 hours to Iowa. If it's cold, we can throw it into a cooler. I don't know if we'll have access to an oven there, but there are microwaves if necessary. Also, this is a midwestern gathering, so please remember that this family considered strawberry pretzel Jello salad as a "salad." There will be 23 people there, although let's say a good half of them won't touch a vegetable, so 12-13. It should be gluten-free, but that is probably not a consideration with most vegetable sides.
Please help me so I can go back to my zen state.
Honestly I would still bring veggie tray. Probably arranged in the shape of a tree with radishes for little ornament bulbs along with grape
ReplyDeletetomatoes and maybe some parsley here and there. You could make the tree from bleached broccoli and cucumber. Bring the veggies washed and trimmed in your cooler and assemble there. Kids could help make the tree and might be more likely to eat the result. Dill dip and GF pretzels to go with?
Sarah, we live in VERY different worlds. If a child has touched food, neither my husband nor I will eat it. LOL. That is why these potluck situations are so very hard for us. I watch those children rub their eyes/pick their noses and then stir the brownie batter. No, thank you!
DeleteI KNOW that it's good for kids to help in the kitchen for so many reasons and I respect parents that do it. That is GREAT PARENTING. But I'm not going to eat it.
BLANCHED broc. Not bleached. Heavens.
ReplyDeleteGo back to chill! Bring the salad you'll eat. Bring a simpler salad that you'll eat that doesn't involve hours. And then count it as veggies too because IT IS vegetables. Sending love. I'm chilling this xmas too (trying to).
ReplyDeleteOh, I don't mind spending the hours on the salad because the salad is GOOD and basically the only thing I'll eat at dinner.
DeleteOh no. Last minute requests like this shoot my angst and anxiety through the roof. I hope you are back to your chilled state VERY soon.
ReplyDeleteLike Sarah, my first thought was a veggie tray. It has something for everyone! I love her idea of setting it up in the shape of a tree. There are tons of simple how-to videos on this on YouTube and it's festive and might make people more likely to put some veggies on their plate.
I know this family. We have had veggie trays at other family holidays and NOTHING GETS EATEN. And there's no way I'm taking home the veggies that PEOPLE HAVE PRESUMABLY TOUCHED AND BREATHED ON in the potluck setting if they don't eat them. I'm not bringing a veggie tray!
DeleteWait...the request is "salad/veggies" The way that I interpret the "/ "is salad OR veggies. Like you said, this tribe isn't going to be binging on carrot sticks.
ReplyDeleteOption (1): assume that it's salad OR veggies and bring what you normally bring.
Option (2): ask SIL
Option (3): bring your normal salad and pick up a veggie tray from Costco
In the meantime, return to your zen state and enjoy the holiday!
Okay, I'm looking at this text like I'm examining the Zapruder film.
DeleteD and R: Ham, corn, fluff, and potatoes
M and S: fruit, kid drinks, beer
T and R: Pies/dessert
M and T: fancy potatoes
T and D: Salad/veggies
K and M: vegetarian chili and rolls
I think I'm leaning towards there is no and, so I can just bring the salad. How come some people got / and others didn't?
I'm going to have to text my SIL, aren't I? Damn it. Why couldn't she just write salad?
I 100% agree: A salad you’ll eat and a veggie tray! I would even dare to say a small veggie tray because usually there are only a few key people who hang by that if there’s green bean casserole and the like. Especially if you have such a ride and have to chill what you bring. PS: I also appreciate your reference to the midwestern dessert-ish salads but am glad you didn’t get asked for that too.
ReplyDeleteI REFUSE to bring a veggie tray. It would just go to waste. If someone hadn't already taken corn, I would have made a corn casserole. Maybe I will anyway. (No, I won't.)
DeleteVeggie tray for sure. Also, don't you have tweenagers in your family? Bring the veggies either a) prepared (COSTCO, if you're going there anyway), or b) kind of prepped (seriously, spend the money on the baby carrots and/or prepped carrots/celery, grape tomatoes, sliced radishes, mini peppers, etc. to save your sanity) and tap the tweens to do the tree if you want to go that route. Premade dip.
ReplyDeleteNo children are touching food that I plan to eat. I'm starting to realize that my food neuroses are deep...
DeleteI interpreted it as salad OR veggies as well! Especially if things like corn or green bean casserole are already spoken for. If you really wanted to you could roast some veggies and serve them cold with a dressing that will travel well. Or hell, take a giant bag of frozen peas and boil some up when you get there. Truly though I bet she was just thinking one or the other. Come on! It's a 2 1/2 hour drive, you can transport TWO things.
ReplyDeleteLOL. Imagine if I just served boiled peas. IMAGINE.
DeleteI'm reading as salad OR veggies as well, Engie. If you're taking a whole other veggie tray, things that travel and keep well (if people won't eat them) like celery, baby carrots, grape tomatoes, snap peas can go home with you and go into your regular salads or stews, if necessary.
ReplyDeleteRECLAIM YOUR CHILL, GWORL!
So no one will eat a vegetable in a veggie tray based on many past holidays with this family. I would NOT take them home after they've been in a potluck situation (too much possibility of cross-contamination/people touching or breathing on them), so it would be SUCH A WASTE.
DeleteI love Sarah's suggestion of doing a veggie tray in the shape of a tree! BUT, if that seems like too much, I think everyone's suggestion of a prepped veggie tray from Costco is good. I know you said no one will eat crudities, but maybe they will if there's a delicious dipping sauce. And you can always say (in your defense, if necessary) "You told me to bring veggies so I brought veggies!" No matter what you do, it won't make or break the gathering.
ReplyDeleteI think I'm just going to bring the salad. It's what I do! I don't want extra responsibility!
DeleteI would either interpret it as a salad OR veggies, or since there are veggies ON the salad, just make a salad, and call it a day. If there are already green beans and whatnot, you will have enough greens. Also, could you not ask your SIL to clarify, or let her know happily that you are looking forward to seeing her and your salad is all ready to go and see if she replies?
ReplyDeleteNo one has been assigned green bean casserole - I just think it's gross. I could bring a green bean salad, I guess. Keep it cold and just make it a day or two before...
DeleteThat slash definitely means OR. Bring your salad, period. There's always way too much food at these things anyway. Or, bring a bottle of sparkling cider or wine and laughingly say, "This counts as a veg for me!"
ReplyDeleteYES!! You're right. There's always too much food. Why be wasteful? You've convinced me, Nance. I'm just going to bring a salad and say my job is done.
DeleteI vote salad only! However, as it's the Midwest, a bottle of ranch dressing, a bag of baby carrots, and maybe sone pre-cut celery would fit right in!
ReplyDeleteYes! I'm just going to do a salad. I've been swayed.
DeleteI'm on the "or" train too. Because if they wanted a vegetable as a side dish, wouldn't they say "side"? Veggies seems rather like it should be a pile of raw vegetables.
ReplyDeleteOh, good point. If they wanted another veggie side, they should have been more specific.
DeleteMy goodness! It's enough of a deal for our family of five, just across town.
ReplyDeleteIt's work to produce food, no matter how big the size of the gathering.
DeleteI interpret that as salad or veggies. The dash implies you could bring either. If it said salad and veggies, I would bring a veggie tray (salad + veggies is my assignment for Thanksgiving). Just stick w/ what you usually bring!
ReplyDeleteDone. I'm just going to bring the salad and move on.
DeleteI say bring your favorite salad so you can actually eat something. If SIL or anyone else calls you out on "Where are the extra veggies? Our family gathering is now ruined because there are no extra veggies for everyone to stare at!" you can claim that you misunderstood or that you HAD veggies, but got attacked by a veggie crazy bear.
ReplyDeleteAll kidding aside, I wish you a return of Zen and that you can enjoy the dinner. ❤️
I'm zen again. Just the salad as usual!
DeleteOK, I had to log in to my laptop that allows me to comment on blogspot blogs to tell you how much I LOVED reading all of these comments saying 'bring a veggie tray' and you saying, "I AM NOT BRINGING A FRIKKIN VEGGIE TRAY" and in reality I know your replies weren't there for a lot of the earlier commenters, but I'm enjoying thinking that no, they were trying to convince you to let go of all of your concerns about kid hands and cross contamination and just BRING A VEGGIE TRAY. Thank you for an excellent laugh.
ReplyDeleteI agree that the / means your choice, and am glad to have come to this party late enough to see that you are bringing your salad and moving on. Before I dove in to the comments, I was going to admit that I enjoy the Green Giant peas in a light butter sauce that you microwave. But just ignore that.
I obviously was not clear enough in my reasons for no veggie tray in the post itself. Bad writing! Clearly our family is weird in the lack of the vegetable tray.
DeleteWait...people like peas? Are you serious? Even I wouldn't eat those! But maybe some cheese-sauced broccoli...
Go back to being chill. Just bring the salad (technically it IS veggies). And yes, green bean casserole IS disgusting.
ReplyDeleteThere are green bean casserole defenders out there and I do not wish to yuck their yum, but it honestly smells so bad that it detracts from the rest of the food!
DeleteIt seems like you're settled on just salad but if you feel compelled to bring a 2nd thing...what about some kebabs? You can do them with veggies (or fruit), either raw or roasted (not very christmas-y but who doesn't love roasted pineapple?). And then set the whole kebabs out on a tray. The kebab stick gives people something to grab onto and ensures people won't be picking at them.
ReplyDeleteRaises hand...pineapple has a weird texture in every form. I do not care for it. Sorry! Kebabs are a good idea, though. Someone else has been assigned fruit, but maybe kebabs would be a good way to go to prevent so many fingers from touching all the food? Good call. I'll think on it!
DeleteWhat if you just bring a big bag of baby carrots and call it a day.
ReplyDeleteLOLOLOL. YES! Just a bowl of ranch on the side and it would be perfect.
DeleteI agree that the '/' meant or. The other people didn't get the or, because they had beer and juice boxes and no one has time for a gathering with beer OR juice boxes. Right? Ha. Sorry I'm so tardy, but I had to come see what was up. In case you are ever interested, I make a sweet and sour green bean casserole and it's delicious. I've yet to meet someone who didn't like it. It's French style green beans and bacon and it has sugar - veggies with sugar, genius.
ReplyDeleteSorry, Ernie, but I'm going to pass on your bacon-filled casserole. I appreciate that there are people trying to make the traditional green bean casserole better, though!
DeleteNot saying this is the healthiest dish in the world, but I make a great Fritos corn salad that is always a big hit at potlucks (that's where I got the recipe, so that tracks). Not much more than Chili Cheese Fritos, canned corn, diced red onion, diced bell pepper, and mayo. Would be real easy to transport, too. (Being Midwesterners, I'm guessing they won't be too hesitant to dig right in.)
ReplyDeleteOh, Fritos corn salad is perfect for this sort of thing! I'll keep it in mind for the next time!
DeleteAs I am late the whole issue has been solved some way or another and I will most likely read about it in a few minutes.
ReplyDeleteHowever I want to say that hading out tasks so close prior to the meeting is not acceptable. You need to prepare and plan your time. I might have just said I am sorry I can only bring the salad the rest is too short notices as I don't have time to do more.
A week out isn't enough time? Huh. That's how we do it in our family!
Delete