help with menu

[jazzyjas]

I need some help. I am having my 92 year old grandmother over for a luncheon next Friday. I have never cooked for my grandmother (and suffice to say don't really know her likes and dislikes). My mother says she is tired of the food at the retirement community where she lives and anything would be fine but I'm baffled. (Already I am overwhelmed by the idea of cleaning and fixing up the place for my grandmother who has never seen my house.) Can any of you help me out with some ideas?
Thank you!!!

Jas

[jazzcat]

I'm not responding with ideas but I just wanted to say I think you're doing such a nice thing for her. I'm sure what ever you do will be greatly appreciated. 92 that's wonderful!

[This message has been edited by jazzcat (edited 05-14-2001).]

[newsomz]

I'm sure she would love something like a nice chicken salad. Also, the orange tea cake that everyone has been raving about for dessert along with some tea would be nice, too. That's probably what I would put together along with some fruit salad. Good luck and I'm sure she'll enjoy it.

carrie

[Grace]

I don't really have any specific ideas either, just a general suggestion that whatever you serve be extra flavorful (unless she really likes bland food - some people do). Most older people have lost quite a bit of their taste ability, and my grandparents who are 88 and 92 put so much garlic on their food that even Gail wouldn't eat it (Gail is our resident garlic loving BB'er!) - because they can't taste it otherwise! My Grandma was the best cook ever in the whole world (by anyone's account, not just a biased granddaughter!), and she never used to season food like that. Only in the last 10 - 15 years has she started that. Anyway, just a thought/suggestion.

Here's one other idea - my grandparents live in a retirement facility (they love it), and are served almost every day by the same server. Maybe you could call them and ask to speak to that person - they would probably be happy to tell you what your Grandma's favorite things are!

I second the sentiment that you are doing a wonderful thing for her, regardless of what you serve or how your house looks. She will undoubtedly enjoy spending time with you, and will probably be overjoyed no matter what you put out. Good luck and have fun!

[This message has been edited by Grace (edited 05-14-2001).]

[This message has been edited by Grace (edited 05-14-2001).]

[Vanessa]

I second the idea of finding out what your grandmother likes either from the server at her community or yor mom or why not call her and ask her. That way you can call and express to her how you are looking fwd to a girls luncheon. My best memories are time spent with my grandparents. Don't worry about cleaning and cooking. The thing your grandma will cheerish is spending quality time with her granddaughter.
Find out if she likes tea or coffee and you can make her scones or some nice quick bread, a light lunch....Ask her what she likes and has not enjoyed in a while then make it and surprise her.
Pull out some cute placemats put some flowers in a vase, some pretty china and make it a special luncheon. You will be amazed how much fun it can be. Take the time to ask her about the past her dreams how she met her hubby etc.In a retirement or nursing home its great when residents go in outing. If she can and the weather is nice take her for a walk enjoy an ice cream cone or after lunch take her for tea someplace.Time goes by so fast one has to enjoy the moment and cheerish it

[This message has been edited by Vanessa (edited 05-14-2001).]

[Chef Cindy]

Jas, you are so sweet to want to do this for your Grandmother and lucky to have had her around for so long.
My Grandmother and I were the best Of friends but we lost her way too early at 62. Enjoy the time you have together.
Does your Grandma have any health issues? You may want to consider them when planning your menu. Also I have found that most seniors don't like a lot of texture in their food and prefer pieces cut in smaller sizes for example in a fruit salad.
Vanessa had a nice idea and I think it would be fairly easy to do. What do you think of a luncheon that is like an afternoon tea? Have finger sandwiches, maybe a nice soup and fancy cookies for dessert. Set the table real pretty with flowers and nice napkins. Let you imagination go wild. I have a friend who has a Tea Room and the majority of the ladies who make reservations are retired. If this idea sounds good to you, I will be happy to help you get some ideas.

[SusanL]

Jas, what a wonderful time you will have with her!! You are a very special person!
My MIL, now deceased, was older and she loved going places for meals, especially our house. Once, we decided to take her to a very expensive Italian restaurant, she asked the waiter if they served chicken salad, she didn't see it on the menu!! Unfortunately, they couldn't accomodate her, so she ate a small house salad. My reason for sharing this is that her tastes and appetite were limited, so I second Grace's suggestion to find out from her facitility any of her preferences. How delighted she will be when she sees that you have prepared her favorites!!
Please let us know how it goes, make it simple so that you enjoy your time together, not worried about the food and clean house!

[Karen from VA]

My parents lived in good health in a retirement community until they died within a week of each other at ages 99 and 93. Their greatest joy was when we brought to them or took them out for pepperoni pizza, barbequed ribs, or crispy fried chicken. Not that I'm suggesting that for lunch, but they loved anything with A LOT of flavor. Although the food at their complex was good, it tended to be rather bland. I think I would call your grandmother and ask her if there's anything she's especially hungry for or that would taste good to her--or maybe your mother could ask her if that seems more appropriate. I would guess that if you asked her directly, she would probably say, "Oh, anything would be just fine. Don't fuss."

Don't worry about your house--just pick up things that are lying around--she won't notice anything else. What she will appreciate is being invited to your house and knowing you care enough to do something special for her.

My first thought would be a chicken & pasta salad (one of the recipes with grapes, pineapple and/or oranges in it). Maybe leave out any almonds or other nuts that may be in the recipe. Then some really terrific banana, date, or zucchini bread, a couple of kinds of muffins, or even some wonderful cinnamon rolls. For dessert, just some really good ice cream with sugar cookies or maybe molasses/ginger cookies. Then just sit around the table and ask her questions about how she and your grandfather met, her early married years, how she used to cook, what stories she remembers about when your mom was a little girl. Give her a hug, hold her hand. I promise that your luncheon will be as rewarding for you as it will be for your grandmother.

Karen


[This message has been edited by Karen from VA (edited 05-15-2001).]

[funnybone]

What a wonderful thing for you to do. My grandmothers are in their late 80's and cannot eat solids, so you are lucky you can feed your grandmother something substantial.

I don't know her likes and dislikes, but I wouldn't feed her anything that may be difficult to eat (not spaghetti and not lobster - lol). My thought was a simple chicken breast recipe and some vegetables, a spring salad, - something simple. Depending on what she has eaten at the retirement home, you wouldn't want to throw off her digestion with something spicy or heavy.

In the end, whatever you serve, I am sure she cares more about seeing you than what you prepare!!! Share this special time together and don't fret too much.

[jazzyjas]

Thanks for all of the encouragement. I don't know why this is so stressful (well my family is sometimes over critical) but the house should be fairly clean as I am hosting supper club that week and having my father and his wife over for my father's 69th birthday. Let's just hope the weather is nice as I am hoping to host all of these events on the back deck (the best part of this hovel I bought). Gosh looking at the week -- it better be an easy week at work is all I can say.
The orange tea cake is a definite possibility and maybe chicken salad or ...a risotto or what do people eat for lunch?
She will be staying with my mother for the preceeding week and they will probably make all the old standbys that she craves -- I just want to impress her as it will be the first time she has been to my house and also the first time I have cooked for her (I am the youngest grandchild).

jas

[sneezles]

jazzyjas,
Isn't it amazing how stressed we become over family...I did for the longest time and now they can take me as I am or not! Your grandmother couldn't possibly be as critical as you imagine. My mother maybe but I gave that up for Lent 10 years ago...
I have posted this chicken salad a few times but then I love it so here it is for you!

* Exported from MasterCook *

Chicken and Grape Salad

Recipe By :
Serving Size : 4 Preparation Time :0:00
Categories :

Amount Measure Ingredient -- Preparation Method
-------- ------------ --------------------------------
2 cups cooked breast meat -- diced
4 celery stalks -- diced
1/2 cup slivered almonds -- toasted
1/4 cup each, red and green seedless grapes -- cut in half
1 teaspoon fresh lemon juice
Mayonnaise
salt and pepper -- to taste
romaine lettuce leaves
1 bunch spinach leaves
2 carrots -- thinly sliced
1 cucumber -- using the tines of a fork, run it the length of the cucumber all around the peel. Slice thinly, crosswise
4 green onions -- diced
1/2 cup jicama -- sliced into thin sticks
4 jumbo pasta shells -- cooked
chilled cooked asparagus
1 cup alfalfa sprouts
Herb Dressing
1 1/3 cups oil
1/4 cup white wine vinegar or white balsamic
vinegar
2 tablespoons chives -- minced
2 tablespoons parsley -- minced
3 garlic cloves -- minced
1 teaspoon dried basil -- crumbled
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon dry mustard
1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
1/2 teaspoon dried tarragon
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground pepper
dash cayenne pepper

Combine chicken, celery, almonds, grapes, jicama and lemon juice in small bowl. Add enough mayonnaise to moisten and mix well. Season to taste with salt and pepper.

Cover and refrigerate until ready to use.

Combine all ingredients for Herb Dressing in jar with tight-fitting lid. Refrigerate until ready to use. Shake well before using.

Line individual plates with romaine and spinach leaves. Arrange carrot, cucumber, sprouts and green onions around edges.

Fill pasta shell with chicken mixture and place in middle of salad. Top with asparagus.

Serve dressing on the side.

[jazzyjas]

Well, I spoke to my mother (who has more food aversions that she refuses to admit then anyone I know) who is also coming to lunch. She liked the idea of chicken salad but will not eat cold pasta (so I guess I can't serve it in a stuffed shell like in sneezles recipe -- and I liked that idea). She also said that my grand mother really likes avacados (and likely doesn't ever get them.
Here is what I have decided
chicken salad
tabouli
some kind of avacado salad (any recipes out there?)
orange tea cake
lemonade or ice tea to drink

Any other suggestions? You all are so much help

jas

[Leanne]

An avaocado salad that I get served by my great-aunt (who is 96!!!!) is sliced avacodo, & wedges of pink grapefruit lined up pretty on a salad plate with a poppyseed dressing over the top. It's really good - although I'm sure alot of it has to do with the dressing. The smoothness of the avacado is nice with the tartness of the pink grapefruit. (Be sure to remove all of the white skin membrane from the grapefruit.)

The only other salady avacado thing I can think of is a half an avacado with a scoop of shrimp salad in the middle where the pit was. Also very yummy - maybe you can do the same with the chicken salad?