Mumsnet Talk

I have friends coming for lunch this week and I'm completely stuck for ideas...

My quandary: 1 is vegetarian, would prefer us all to eat the same or for hers just to be a minor variation! 2 don't like fish, 1 doesn't like anything remotely spicy, 3 don't like blue cheese, 1 hates lamb.

So, broccoli & Stilton soup no good, paella no good, homemade falafel in pittas with houmous etc no good (too spicy, 1 doesn't eat houmous!), homemade fish & chips no good. Help!!!

I was thinking chicken Caesar salad (with salmon fillet for the vegetarian) with homemade dressing but 1 doesn't eat dressing so it's actually pretty dry & boring!

I really don't have a clue what to make!

Quiche? Or ceasar salad and tell your friends to get some grown up tastes?

Christ, what an annoying bunch

Beans on toast?

A non blue cheese, non spicy vegetarian dish.

Butternut squash stuffed with red pepper and feta?
Roast veg lasagne
A warm salad
Roast veg and quinoa salad with pesto

Go to a library and check out Hugh F-W's Veg book - loads of ideas in there

Really nice (homemade?) bread, selection of cheeses and meats, mackerel pate, olives etc salad. Then everyone can help themselves to what they do like and nothing has to be excluded.

How about mushroom risotto if you want to do something hot? With a red onion, cherry tomato and mozzarella salad. Some humous, dips and tortillas and you're done!

Or any/all of the above with some stuffed peppers - cook some rice, fry up some onions, courgettes, mushrooms, whatever you've got in the veggie drawer. Boil the peppers for a few mins then take the top of the peppers and fill with the rice + veg mixture. Stick in the oven with cheese on top for those who like cheese.

Butternut risotto or mushroom risotto?

How about fajitas with different fillings?
Spicy chicken, mild pork or chicken and then a vegetable one aswell.
All share salad,salsa cheese Guacamole etc

Surely salmon would not be okay for the vegetarian as it is fish?

Id second veggie fajitas you can get a really mild sauce in the old el paso range and have chilies/ spicy salsa on the side for those who like spice

In Hugh f-w's veg book there is great recipe for macaroni peas, easy and delicious with salad and crusty bread.

I have some of these - love 'em dearly, but what a pain! I have done similar to Lakota with mixed platters - hummus included. Also have done a potato gratin, (layers of potatoes slow baked in oven with cream, sometimes leeks) and then green beans, green salad etc.

Oh yeah and some meat in a separate pan

Fussy buggers, how about, like it or lump it? helpful

For lunch I would do a selection of salads and breads. As long as each salad has a different dressing and 'main protein' you should be able to accomodate everyone.

Fresh bread and homemade carrot and coriander soup, or leek and potato soup

Nice cake for after!

Is it just me but if I was invited for lunch with the exception of allergies or vegetarianism I wouldn't tell my host what I will or won't eat, I would just eat it.

Mcdonalds? they do vege option. tada!

Homity pie. Basically a pastry case filled with onions spuds and cheese.
iPod won't copy links. The hairy bikers ruin theirs with spinach.

It's really simple and looks really good against a colourful salad.

Veg lasagne with garlic bread and salad

Mm, I like the sound of all of these! Can I come? I'm a model guest and happy to eat anything!

And you offered to cook for that lot?

Another one for butternut squash risotto <drool>

watercress lasagne? most meat eaters don't even realise they've had a vege lasagne. DP always raves about my meaty lasagnes, it's only been 10 years...

Wow, impressive replies for such a late hour, have never frequented Recipes before!

Yep, definitely fussy buggers. Forgot to add that 3 are also on diet . I know them well (and love them dearly!) so they haven't specified dietary requirements, I just know them!

The veggie eats fish, so yes not a real veggie.

I've done the antipasti type sharing salads/houmous/etc before and 2 hardly ate anything. Seriously, not even olives/feta/pesto. 1 doesn't even like rice!! I on the other hand eat everything and anything

Had thought about risotto but a lot of hands on stirring involved before serving, would prefer to have everything ready... Oh and of course it has rice in it [bangs head against wall]

I could do homemade bread (with shiny new Kitchenaid mixer, swoon), I like the sound of the Homity pie (or homemade quiches) and could rustle up a couple of salads, guess I could make broccoli & Stilton soup with only a little bit of Stilton to perk it up? Oh I don't know!! Or think I have a gammon in the freezer, that with salads etc and salmon for the pseudo veggie.

I wish I hadn't offered to cook!

Thanks for all suggestions

Bread. Nice soup - carrot and coriander? Cheddar and cauliflower? No need to do one with stilton. Cheese and grapes and chutney.

Seriously, if they are that fussy they should be grateful for whatever you decide to serve them!!