Let's suppose you were having a very small dinner party (just a few couples) and people have asked what they can bring. You decide to ask someone to bring a salad. Would you tell them what kind of salad to bring? I might ask them to bring a lettuce salad, but I'd go no further than that. Or I'd tell them what else we were having and assume they'd bring something complementary.
I was asked to bring "a spinach or arugula winter salad with cranberries, walnuts and a citrus dressing." Not even "something like" that. It was very specific. I am bringing a baby greens salad with dried cranberries, fresh raspberries, pecans and a cranberry vinegarette. Do you think I'll be turned away?
Am I the only one that thinks this is a bit odd to be this specific?
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8 comments:
You're asking me????? JK
I would never tell someone a specific salad to bring. Like you, I would tell them what I was having and let them go with it.
I would be specific as far as making sure they knew I wanted a dinner salad as opposed to having them show up with a pasta salad or potato.
I do not think you will be turned away. She will just curse you when you leave.
I might be demoted to "red wine" next time. Or maybe I should've really screwed it up so next time she'll say "nothing!"
I have heard of people sending out very specific requests, yes. I think mostly it's to avoid duplications & incompatabilities. With a big pinch of control freak and a dash of rude.
My MIL always asks me to bring the jello salad just to be sure I don't make anything creative, or (gawd forbid) spicy.
*snort* A jello salad...that really is the assignment you give someone to assure blandness, isn't it?
Well, the salad passed muster. The other guests even went as far as to mightily compliment it.
Chocolate red wine? Not as delicious as it sounds. Well, I mean it was good, but like for a shot, not a glass of wine.
If someone offered to bring something, and I wanted them to bring a salad, I might tell them what we're having and suggest a lettuce salad, but I'd let them come up with their own idea after that. I think if you're going to be so specific as to request the exact salad, then you should make it yourself.
My dad always says "no" when people ask to bring things because he's a control freak about what goes together.
I have friends who hosted a Passover dinner and assigned items to each guest. My assignment was "vegetable" but since I could see the rest of the menu I was able to determine what would go along. I ended up bringing asparagus with garlic and balsamic dressing. I thought it was kind of funny at the time that my friend just doled out assignments but I have to say that it was nice not to have to fret about what I was bringing and whether it would "go."
I've gotten better about giving up my control freakishness (I always used to say no), and now I appreciate the help and know that some people really like making something to bring, or it least it makes them feel good to contribute. I often offer options. For example, I say "dessert or wine or beer would be nice." Then I can have a backup plan if they don't bring one of those things, or I check in with them later to see what they've decided on and adjust. I'm working on my issues. :-)
Jello salad *snort* The only jello "salad" I've ever made, and I don't think it even qualifies as a salad is to make regualr jello, cut it into cubes and mix it up with whipped jello of the same flavour.
As for the request I would differentiate between green salad and say, potato salad or fruit salad.
Jello salad is a fine US midwestern staple/tradition for all potluck gatherings involving people over 50 yrs old. Canned and/or fresh fruit, cut in bite sized pieces. Cover with jello, let set. Done! The saddest & most common version is one can of mixed fruit cocktail congealed into green or red jello.
I have always been tempted to bring her a nice tomato aspic with shrimp, avocado & horseradish. Technically that is a gelled salad. But I don't like tomato aspic.
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