need ideas

[Steph58873]

I'm trying to make some different things for my boyfriend. Unfortunately, there are a lot of things he doesn't like. He doesn't like mashed potatoes, tomatoes, tomato sauce. Vegetables. I am slowly changing his mind on some of these, making him try things. But I am running out of side dishes. He's not a big fan of rice.

I don't have a problem making him either chicken, pork chop, steak, etc for the main dish, but then I'm stuck to a couple of sides. Either fries, buttered noodles -- that's about it. What are some good sides? Also, if someone has a good recipe for cheese sauce so I can get him to eat brocolli that would be amazing!

any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

[Biblecat2]

Fruit, either canned or fresh cut up, mac and cheese? Ask him to cook for you too and see what he makes. :)

[lyngraphics]

Does he like other types of potatoes?

Slice up some potatoes and either stick them on the grill (on some tin foil) or add a bit of olive oil to a pan and add some spices and such.
You could also add a baked potato as a side. Add some Ranch dressing to his and see if he likes it.
Grilled corn on the cob.
You could add some cheese to the rice for something different, or make rice-a-roni. Is he just not into plain rice?

My husband will eat pretty much whatever I cook, so I am not used to cooking for a picky eater. Of course after 10 years I know the few things he would prefer not to eat!
However, have him try some of the things... recently hubby told be he didn't like my salads with all the "stuff" in it (apples, nuts). Then I made him a plain one and he ended up finishing mine off! :aha

[His Bride]

Sweet potato fries are delicious. You can find them in the frozen food section. I like to drizzle a bit of olive oil on them before popping them into the oven.

[icebear]

potatoes, tomatoes and most vegetables. boy is he gonna be hard to cook for! wow... :heh

does he like sweet foods? salty foods? pasta? is he used to listless canned veggies or boiled frozen veggies?

i have known a number of people who swore they hated things like peas, broccoli, carrots, green beans- until they were served to them prepared in a way they'd never had before- ie. gently steamed and lightly buttered. these usually had moms who boiled the daylights out of the veggies and dumped the water down the drain, leaving mushy green masses devoid of flavor.

incidentally, steaming veggies is the easiest way to serve them. :D



does he like salads?


does he like cole slaw? that's a manly salad.

[Steph58873]

He does not like salads, and I've gotten him to eat some veggies. I'm big on 'cooking from scratch' and only buy pre-made stuff to pack in his lunches. I spoil the man rotten and cook him dinner every night and pack his lunch before I leave. All he has to do is put two ice packs in and take it to work ;)

I've made him fried rice before, he'll eat it but it's not his favorite. I got him to eat the peas and carrots in that. Cheese in rice? Never tried it but I will!

he likes savory foods more than sweet. I have to buy a veggie steamer. I don't like to boil them as personally I like them to be a little crisp and have (gasp!) flavor. I really need to make him pasta because a meat entree every night gets expensive. I have not found a recipe for alfredo sauce that I can make though. I'm still looking.

[His Bride]

I have a question and I hope you don't take it the wrong way. This man is your boyfriend, right? Does he ever do any of the cooking? If he is that picky, let him do the cooking and you can add things that you would like to eat to the meal. Also, is he unable to make his own lunches?

Seriously, you do spoil him rotten. I hope he appreciates what he has and spoils you just as much! You sure do deserve it!

[Steph58873]

He CAN pack his own lunches and cook his own meals and such, but it's something I enjoy doing for him. He's currently broke, so he's working two jobs. He has his own house that desperatly needs large repairs - rewire the house, dig a new well, has no heat -- things of that nature. His furnace went last week and he bought a water heater.

So he has to be at job #1 at 5:30 in the morning. He would never get up early enough to pack his lunch but throwing a bunch of stuff in a cooler with an ice pack is doable and a lot less expensive. He calls me from job # 2 when he is leaving and that gives me 45 minutes to get him dinner. He normally gets home around 9:30 or 10 at night. I have his dinner ready, say goodnight and go home. This is the only time we really get to spend together.

This situation is somewhat temporary. I am very proud that I have a man who works that hard. I support him completly. He is very good to me and spoiles me as well.

[His Bride]

He CAN pack his own lunches and cook his own meals and such, but it's something I enjoy doing for him. He's currently broke, so he's working two jobs. He has his own house that desperatly needs large repairs - rewire the house, dig a new well, has no heat -- things of that nature. His furnace went last week and he bought a water heater.

So he has to be at job #1 at 5:30 in the morning. He would never get up early enough to pack his lunch but throwing a bunch of stuff in a cooler with an ice pack is doable and a lot less expensive. He calls me from job # 2 when he is leaving and that gives me 45 minutes to get him dinner. He normally gets home around 9:30 or 10 at night. I have his dinner ready, say goodnight and go home. This is the only time we really get to spend together.

This situation is somewhat temporary. I am very proud that I have a man who works that hard. I support him completly. He is very good to me and spoiles me as well.

I repeat, I think you are a wonderful lady! And I am happier to hear that he spoils you too!!!! God bless! I hope you find all the new ideas that you are looking for.

[Marie_M]

Also, if someone has a good recipe for cheese sauce so I can get him to eat brocolli that would be amazing!

Here's my cheese sauce recipe:

1/2 cup milk
1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
Pinch of salt
2 cups shredded mild Cheddar cheese

Warm milk, Dijon mustard, garlic powder, nutmeg, pepper, and salt over medium heat; add cheese and whisk continuously until cheese is fully melted.

Serve over broccoli, cauliflower, carrots, asparagus, etc.