Earn some serious brownie points
Nothing is more terrifying than hearing your S.O. mutter the phrase “My parents are coming over for dinner next week.” After the casual bout of panic sweats, and possibly a small whimper, take some deep breaths because we got you. This is your recipe for success. Trust us. You will be so well prepared, by the time dessert hits the table, they will be reaching for that elusive stamp of approval!

Plan Ahead
- Decide on a menu a few days in advance. Do your shopping no more than 3 days before the meal.
- Have your S.O. pick out a playlist. If the conversation starts to slow down, you can ask them about their favorite concert they went to. Who knows, they may have rocked out to some trippy Pink Floyd back in the day.
- Clean. Your. House. We mean CLEAN. You don't want the mother-in-law counting dust bunnies.
- Cloth napkins, fresh flowers, and matching silverware go a long way when setting the table. Leave the college-grade serveware behind. We're #adulting now (or at least pretending to).
Meal Inspiration
Nice summer day: A flank steak with chimichurri sauce and fresh summer veggies, grilled to perfection. YUM! This style of cooking allows for small talk and yard games for those competitive dads. Dust off the ol’ lawn darts, folks!
Sophistication: Two words. Beef. Bourguignon. Loaded with red wine and cooked low and slow, this complex tasting dish can be made the day before. Pairs well with pearl onions, Yukon gold potato mash, and a pat on the back.
Ambitious: A beef tenderloin is hard to mess up. Try a slow-roasted whole tenderloin with a gorgonzola sauce and a vegetable medley and you have yourself a winner. Grab your meat thermometer and sit back and watch magic happen.
Check out these other tips for cooking for the in-laws.