New relatives from India to visit. Any advice would be much appreciated.

[Whateverist]

My nephew (wife's brother's son) married a very nice India born young woman from Hyderabad.  We were invited to the wedding but begged out as I was still teaching and anal like that.  Her parents are in medicine, I believe he has or had a government position monitoring infectious diseases.  Anyhow, their daughter Lisa and Martin (the nephew) came out to visit us in the summer after their wedding so that we could show them around the state a little and celebrate their wedding.  She said her dad would love my garden and I encouraged her to encourage him to come visit.  So now he is coming this Sunday.

I've been busy the past few days sprucing up the garden.  Ostensibly they're coming for tea in the garden but they said not to go to a lot of bother as they don't eat much anyhow.  Hmm.  Code for "you probably wouldn't serve anything we'd eat" or literally what they said?  I'd like to find some things to serve with tea which might tempt them.  I just don't know what that would be.  I'll be sure to serve chai as well as black tea and we can always make them a coffee or expresso.  But what would go well with that from an Indian perspective.  

I can't think of any regular posters who have mentioned an indian connection but, if you're out there, please do give me your ideas.  Thanks.

[account_inactive]

Google Indian food and tea.

Make it.

[Joods]

Do you have an Indian restaurant there? Perhaps you can call and order some appetizers?

I wish I could help you more but that's all I have.

[ScienceAf]

My nephew (wife's brother's son) married a very nice India born young woman from Hyderabad.  We were invited to the wedding but begged out as I was still teaching and anal like that.  Her parents are in medicine, I believe he has or had a government position monitoring infectious diseases.  Anyhow, their daughter Lisa and Martin (the nephew) came out to visit us in the summer after their wedding so that we could show them around the state a little and celebrate their wedding.  She said her dad would love my garden and I encouraged her to encourage him to come visit.  So now he is coming this Sunday.

I've been busy the past few days sprucing up the garden.  Ostensibly they're coming for tea in the garden but they said not to go to a lot of bother as they don't eat much anyhow.  Hmm.  Code for "you probably wouldn't serve anything we'd eat" or literally what they said?  I'd like to find some things to serve with tea which might tempt them.  I just don't know what that would be.  I'll be sure to serve chai as well as black tea and we can always make them a coffee or expresso.  But what would go well with that from an Indian perspective.  

I can't think of any regular posters who have mentioned an indian connection but, if you're out there, please do give me your ideas.  Thanks.

Ah,  jeez, I've lived with desi people my whole life.

Remember there are subtle differences between, Pakistanis, Indians, and Bengali. Learn the differences and it'll help. A lot. It's hard to explain.

Make them some herbal tea (cha).
Chicken tikkia masala goes good with it too.

Make some Naan or buy it from somewhere.

Get some rusk cake, that's good too.

Make sure to put a little bit of sugar or splenda.
Most of the ones I know like spledna even though it's unhealthy.

[Aoi Magi]

If it's the bride's dad, and from India, rest assured he'd be diabetic and will avoid sugar and spicy food. I'd advise against trying to mimc their cuisine or serving americanized indian food. They are coming in your home, your culture, so treat them how you'd treat a neighbor or local friend. that way both you and they'll be able to feel comfortable.

[SteelCurtain]

Serve ubiquitous foods: breads, sweets, grains.

Don't try and make Indian food. If I visited new family in India, I wouldn't want them to make Hot Dogs and Mac and Cheese.

Serve something simple and not too adventurous. Find out if they have any food restrictions.

Tea and scones or fruit tarts would be a suggestion.

[Little lunch]

I like to stick a couple of incense sticks in the ground around the garden when I have visitors.
Nag Champa is my favourite.

[account_inactive]

I like to stick a couple of incense sticks in the ground around the garden when I have visitors.
Nag Champa is my favourite.

Hippie!

[Minimalist]

Burgers and fries?

No?

[Whateverist]

Funny and thanks! I messaged my new niece for guidance and she said

Dad and Mom both enjoy black tea and chai. I honestly wouldn't worry too much about the snacks -- both Mom and Dad are difficult. Dad pretty much only eats vegetarian Indian food and French Fries, and Mom is avoiding carbohydrates for health reasons.

So looks like most of you were right to some degree or other (Min eerily so). I think Steel is right not to risk butchering an indian recipe. But I do make a pretty nice veggie sandwich with grated carrot with raisins on bread with ginger chutney on one side and garlic hummus on the other. I think I'll risk it. Could work. We have a lot of indian food and markets in Berkeley so I'll see if I can find some Rusk cake since I'm curious to try it myself. Finish it off with some cut up watermelon and possibly other fruit. Scones is a solid, traditional choice which I'll go with. And while I'm looking for some rusk cake I'll see if I can find a little Nag Champa and burn it somewhere in the garden just to see if they notice.

Thanks you all!