Every Sunday we have dinner with my in-laws. This week they let it be known that their feelings are hurt that we do not have them over. (So dramatic!! FIL is allergic to cats and everytime he is over he is so hopped up on allergy pills you think he is going to fall asleep. I honestly thought we were doing the right thing in not asking them over often because of how his allergies are, especially since we've added another cat to the mix. And, we never have anyone over for dinner until last week when we hosted my family for Thanksgiving...grrr...sidetrack/rant over) So, they will be coming over for a Saturday dinner in 2 weeks and I need help planning a menu.

MIL is a picky eater, I say she hates flavor. So I need something with pretty mild spice. She is also anti red meat. Sophie (a family friend, my DH's honorary little sis, she is 13) is coming also and she hates seafood, which of course is the one thing MIL LOVES.

FIL makes a roast chicken every week, so I'd like to shy away from chicken dishes. 

Any ideas??? I am a pretty confident cook. I make dinner almost every night, I do not shy away from new recipes.

Hmmm, I'm sorry that you are having to deal with the "behavior", but I completely agree with you, as believe it or not, I am highly allergic to long-haired dogs and cats; I actually think it is just the dander stuff that they have, but I have to watch whose home I go to as well.

Let's go and see what we can find for you so that you will be the "star" of the night, which you are already are...but we are going to have you wowing them!!!

How about doing a Spanish tapas evening?? MIL would be happy with seafood dishes and Sophie could have the other choices.

That is a GREAT idea @Canooknic! Especially because I get "the eye" from MIL whenever I cook anything that is "too heavy" or "too fatty". 

@Becca, I never realized how common pet allergies were until recently! I thought I was saving him from certain misery. Is there anything that makes it better? I am of course going to vacuum before they come over and the cats will be put upstairs. But I have a feeling there probably isn't much I can do.

I haven't cooked all of these recipes, but this is where I have taken most of mine from (they are from UK cooking shows)

I have an amazing meatball recipe, that comes with a vegetarian variation, but I can't find it !!! I'll keep looking.....

I too love the idea of the tapas - maybe even set it up as a tapas bar?  : )  

Regarding allergies, I never realized just how bad allergies are for many more people than I would ever expected.  I don't think there is much to make it better, other than having your FIL have allergy shots.  I had them when I was younger so my allergies are not too bad, but whenever I leave someone's house who has the allergens that bother me, I wash my hands before I leave and as soon as I get home, I take off the clothes I had on and put them in our hamper to be washed. 

I can't wait to hear what you decide on for dinner. 

Also, for vaccuming, it is better to do it the day before and the day of use a soft damp cloth and go over everything. I am allergic to SOME cats and dogs, bu I own one of each. I think that if your cats can be bathed it helps. I love bathing my cat. My dog is short hair and I have no issues with her at all.

Recipe:

I love baked HAKE/Cod/Schrod with lemmon pepper and a gentle buttery rice pilaf with fresh steamed broccolli and fresh baked dinner rolls with seasoned dipping oil.

Very easy and simple yet elegant.