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?
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 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.
Wait...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!
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.
ReplyDeleteVeggie 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.
ReplyDeleteI 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.
ReplyDeleteI'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!
I 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 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?
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ReplyDeleteThat 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!"
ReplyDeleteI 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!
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