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Hot weather lunch ideas for picky eater

Posted: Oct 4, 2014

We live in a very hot environment and have no air conditioning, so it gets extremely hot in our house. I'm trying to get some lunch ideas that don't involve turning the stove or oven on at all, but my husband is extremely picky and I am not creative at all when it comes to food. I've done lunchmeat/cold cuts, but he will only eat that every once in a while or else he says I'm giving him gout. He doesn't like chicken salad or egg salad or anything like that. No seafood and no mushrooms because he is allergic. He won't eat any kind of salad for a meal. He doesn't like vegetables other than potatoes and corn. Pretty much nothing green. I'm at a loss. I'm a horrible cook and absolutely despise cooking, and this is a constant source of fighting (not just the lunch, mealtime in general). Personally, if someone is making me food, I would eat whatever they put in front of me whether I liked it or not and would just be happy I didn't have to prepare it, but I guess that's just me. If anyone has any ideas, they would be greatly appreciated. ;

Let him fix his own food. - nm

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NM

Winning answer hands down! - not a doormat

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x

finger foods - mom of picky eater

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Get pretty finger foods that are whole foods: Cherry tomatoes, fresh fruit cut up but a nice variety (we eat with our eyes as well as our mouths), celery sticks and carrot sticks with ranch dressing or make your own dressing, celery with peanut butter. Small finger sandwiches cut up. Sometimes it's the presentation that makes all the difference. Salads and fruit would be best in your hot climate. Egg salad and tuna salad are great on celery or whole-grain crackers (Breton).

If he can't give you any ideas on what he wants - He can make it himself!

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Quit enabling him and allowing him to treat you badly. Like you said, if someone were to cook for you, you would eat without complaining and be glad you didn't have to cook. If you follow this advice, please come back and let us know how it's going. I'd be interested if he suddenly became less picky.

I've tried it already - OP

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He just doesn't eat and then is even more of a jerk because he's starving.

Did you read original post? Or just the subject line? - nm

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x

Yes, I read it all. What's your point??? - Nm

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Xxxxx

He doesnt like green things (celery) and he doesnt like egg - or tuna salad or ANY salads. nm

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x

he doesn't like green eggs - and ham? nm

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x

That's right, that's right, Sam I am. - nm

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x

I read it, too. He is not "picky," he is just - childish and manipulative.

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The problem isn't that he is picky ... it is that he is manipulative and controlling, and he is controlling you with his food whims, and you can't see it.

This is dysfunctional, destructive, mean behavior.

First of all, why is this man hanging around the house all day waiting for you to make his food?

And why are you making it possible for him to be that lazy?

Why are YOU at home all day waiting to MAKE his food?

Either stand up for yourself and tell him to make his own darned food, and stick to it, or get some counseling. Stop being a doormat mommy to a lazy adult male. If you are afraid of him, get counseling and a divorce.

You're right. - OP

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He is all those things and then some. He's home all day because he is disabled and doesn't work. I'm not really home waiting to cook for him, but I do work at home.

And you're right that I should leave him, but that's a whole other topic.

Here's the answer that got it ALL RIGHT - oldster

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There is NOTHING in your reply that is wrong. You hit it right in every way.

could you deal with one day a week with the oven on - and cook a whole lot on tht day

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You can get chicken roasters pretty inexpensively - throw those in the oven with some potatoes and onions and carrots and you've got roast chicken that can be heated in the microwave, eaten cold, made into sandwiches, etc.

Same goes for an actual beef roast or pork loin.

Pork chops are great "leftover" or cold foot and I personally think they are finger food, what with that handy bone to use for a handle. Cook a bunch of those and they can easily be taken for lunch.

Does he like eggs? You could cook up a bunch of bacon or sausage and make egg "muffins" in those big muffin tins. A couple of those with some hash browns would be a great meal.

What about burritos? Will he eat refried beans? Take a can of refried beans, about a pound of browned hamburger, a can of Ro-Tel tomatoes, seasoning of your choice (I like Morton's season salt and pepper)and mix it all up in a pan after you brown the ground beef. Sauteeing some onions with the ground beef is good too or just onion powder works as well. I throw cheese in there when it's still hot so the cheese melts into the mixture. I call it burrito filling but it works as a sort of nacho filling, too. He could take some of that in a bowl and eat it with chips or you can wrap it up in a couple of tortillas and he's got burritos that take about a minute to nuke and they're pretty tasty, at least I think so.

He's pretty much nixed all of the actual cold food ideas I can think of, so if you can handle the stove and oven being on one day, then cook like a fiend that one day and do some stuff like I've mentioned. If he doesn't like any of those options, then quite frankly, in my world, he would be on his own and he can do his own shopping and own meal planning.

Thanks for the ideas nm - OP

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x

Slow cooker - and some other ideas. sm

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While I do agree with what others have posted about letting him make his own meals or at least giving you suggestions, that was not your question. I would suggest going to the library or checking online for slow cooker books/recipes. It does not heat up the kitchen (or you can take it outside), and many recipes make large batches of things that can be portioned out and frozen for another day, in a different type of meal. For example, 1 large roast beef makes a roast beef meal, pulled beef sandwiches, fajitas, and cubed for something else. This works for most cuts of meat and certain veggies. If just the 2 of you, you can even cook 2 meals in 2 cooking bags in the cooker.

While at it, also see if any George Foreman Grill recipes look appealing. That is another thing that could be used outside.

Finally, look for recipes that are specific to potatoes and corn. It amazes me how creative bloggers can get with ingredients.

p.s. If you have not killed anyone with your cooking, then I do not consider you a horrible cook. : )

Thanks - OP

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I actually just bought a slow cooker. I have to find some recipes for it.

Thanks for your p.s. It made me smile. I haven't killed anyone yet!

Why pander to this momma's boy? - sm

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Did your wedding vows include being a slave to this guy? This is 2014, not 1954. June and Ward Cleaver passed away long ago. I'd tell your husband to take a flying leap.

Buy A Grill - see msg

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Buy a grill and let one of you figure it out. Since you're in a hot box anyway, cooking outdoors is not a stretch. In fact, cooking outdoors is fun, and you don't need to be a chef to do it. A little salt & pepper go a long way, and if you bring out the garlic powder you're a hero. Just sprinkle it on his favorite foods. You can make a meatloaf in a baking dish in the grill.

He sounds like a big pain in the butt, actually, and he expects you to be a chef when you're clearly not. I say let him figure it out. He's not a 2-year-old with no brains or skills.

This isn't a June Cleaver/Ward Cleaver thing. It's got nothing to do with how things used to be. It's a situation where the husband is a pest and wants someone else to fix it.

Thanks for the ideas - OP

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We do have a little outside charcoal grill. I never thought of making anything other than the usual stuff you make on a grill like burgers and hot dogs, but I guess you could put a baking dish on there.

Thanks!

A possible solution. sm - just me2

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Have you thought about a window air conditioning unit, or a portable air conditioning unit that you can move around the house? They can be purchased used, and are quite inexpensive especially if purchased used.

A new window unit can be purchased for less that $200.00, and used way lower than that, and from personal experience with window units they add very little to the electric bill.

We can't have an AC in our rental - OP

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Electricity is included in our rent, so unfortunately, we can't have an air conditioner.

Thanks for the idea though.

Potato salad, macaroni salad? - Cluny (nm)

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/

Can you use a microwave? - sm

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I live in a hot climate, too. I'm really a terrible cook, but I can make quesadillas in the microwave. I also heat up beans and tortillas/taco shells separately in the microwave for bean burritos and tacos. There are also some pre-made microwave meals that are not too bad. Sounds like you're in a difficult situation. Good luck!

get a new husband, - hire a chef...

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tell him '1952 called...'

(I thought of reversing the order of my suggestions, but decided against it.)

cold meatloaf sandwiches (sm) - cluny

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You can bake a meatloaf, freeze it, and thaw it out for those hot days.

Picky Eater - How about

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breakfast foods. A bowl of oatmeal. Eggs and bacon. French toast. Bacon sandwiches. He has to like some of that kind of food and that is quick to make.

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