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Original poster

Self catering holiday with a veggie for a week

268 replies

Lorey · 07/10/2024 14:35

Later in the year I have an air BnB booked in the lakes. DB will be bringing his new gf who is a veggie. We will be taking it in turns to make dinner. Whenever db and his gf come to stay with us for the weekend we make veggie food - not hard for a weekend with curries, pastas etc.

i can see how on a couple of nights we could cater for both ie we have burgers and the gf will have a halloumi burger. Or we’ll cook chicken separately and add to creamy pesto pasta for meat eaters in a separate pan

I’m just curious how your family would go about it. I reckon our meals will be mostly veggie including brekkie. Bit annoying. But thinking about it if I were the veggie I would say you guys crack on with non veggie meals and where I can’t easily be catered for I will sort myself out. As opposed to impacting everyone else for an entire week

what do you guys do?

OP posts:
Lissyy · 07/10/2024 15:21

Lorey · 07/10/2024 15:00

I’m sure we’ll get takeaway one night and eat out another. Tends to be the go to format when dh and gf have stayed with us over the bh for example.

I like the girl. But just got irrationally annoyed that some of my favs which are hard to substitute e.g. beef wellington are a no go just because of one person.

Edited

They are not a no go, you say we are making beef Wellington what can we make for you as we know you don't eat that.

But on a serious note, no one needs to be picky for a week. It's just a week.

WasteOfPaint · 07/10/2024 15:21

If you really want to make beef wellington, just buy a veggie wellington or pie from the supermarket for her?

Another2Cats · 07/10/2024 15:19

BitOutOfPractice · 07/10/2024 14:46

Can you really not manage a week without meat? I ask that as a confirmed carnivore.

Your comment just made me stop and think. I'm in my late 50s and can honestly not remember a day in my life where I did not either eat meat or fish in at least one meal.

I don't think that it's anything to do with being able to "manage" or not. It's about your likes and preferences.

I wouldn't expect to force my preferences onto other people and I don't expect others to force their preferences onto me.

I'm surprised by all the posters here saying "you must eat vegetarian for the week".

No, the OP certainly doesn't need to eat vegetarian for the week.

ThatTealViewer · 07/10/2024 15:17

Lorey · 07/10/2024 15:01

No. Like I said we often eat veggie for the entire weekend when db and gf come to stay.

A week seems a bit much. Especially on holiday

Show quote history

It’s actually not even the whole week, if you’re eating out on one day and getting a takeaway on another. It’s five days, during which you can easily have meat on the side.

Come on, now.

ThatTealViewer · 07/10/2024 15:16

Lorey · 07/10/2024 15:00

I’m sure we’ll get takeaway one night and eat out another. Tends to be the go to format when dh and gf have stayed with us over the bh for example.

I like the girl. But just got irrationally annoyed that some of my favs which are hard to substitute e.g. beef wellington are a no go just because of one person.

Edited

It’s for a week. Yes, you’re being irrational. YABU.

OnaBegonia · 07/10/2024 15:15

I'm veggie and DP eats meat, we more often than not eat separate meals, it's really not difficult

Pirri · 07/10/2024 15:14

DS is veggie. If he comes home for a weekend we all eat veggie because I don't want to cook different things. More than a weekend then I usually do both.
However he does sometimes come away on holiday with us and I would never cook anything on holiday, we always eat out.
Are you sure she knows you plan to cook and eat in for a week?

Fink · 07/10/2024 15:14

But presumably you weren't going to be making anything like a Beef Wellington anyway, which is of its nature an incredibly time-consuming dish. I agree that lots of things are nice and have beef in them: Wellington is one, also bolognese, casserole, barbecued brisket ... none of them are things you're going to spend your 1 week holiday making, assuming you don't want to spend the entire day cooking when it's your turn to cater!

If you really can't think of 2-3 vegetarian dishes you would all enjoy to make when it's your turn, or if you love meat so much that your holiday would be substantially less enjoyable by not having any for a week, then go ahead and cook something meaty and let the girlfriend know well in advance so she can make alternative arrangements. It's not a big deal. Suggesting that you're hard done by because Beef Wellington won't be possible is a bit odd though.

MeowCatPleaseMeowBack · 07/10/2024 15:13

I'd make vegetarian meals the default and if you really can't cope without meat or fish for a week, buy some and add it to the side.

Leopardprintlover101 · 07/10/2024 15:11

I would expect the vegetarian to sort their own meals out or for their partner to.

exprecis · 07/10/2024 15:11

We have a similar mix of dietary requirements - what we usually do on a week away is:

Eat out one night
Takeaway one night
2 nights one couple cooks
2 nights the other couple cooks
Last night is leftovers/empty the fridge night

On the nights we are cooking, everyone has to cater for everyone's dietary requirements but you don't have to eat exactly the same things - e.g. you could do a beef wellington and sides and get her a veggie pie or something.

What's not ok, in my opinion, is just leaving someone out.

Dawevi · 07/10/2024 15:10

There's so many dishes you can make and add meat to separately, or do different versions of easily:
Pasta and sauce
Fajitas
Burgers
Pies
Sausages (can be casserole, or pasta, or with potatoes)
Chilli
Curry
Casserole
"Meat" and veg - use Juicy Marbles for the veggie

Cheeseandbean · 07/10/2024 15:09

Have your beef wellington and buy a pre made veggie protein source and stick it in the oven at the same time .. side veg and potatoes can just be the same . Veggie for 35 years but feed a fussy family so 3/4 slightly different combinations most days - it will be fine honest !

nongnangning · 07/10/2024 15:06

What about trying some of these new "fake meat" burgers or similar as a talking point?

MrsTerryPratchett · 07/10/2024 15:06

Dotto · 07/10/2024 14:43

At present you have no idea what will actually happen, but it's clear you have been secretly resentful and value the eating of dead bodies more than this person.

Not sure what you're actually worried about TBH, just make your own bacon sandwiches in the morning if you like?

Do you honestly think this is the way to get OP to feel better and have the GF's needs met?

OP sounds nice, GF sounds nice, they both just want to eat what they want.

ChinaVase · 07/10/2024 15:04

I don’t think she’ll be expecting everyone to go veggie for a whole week just because she’s coming!

Readyoursign · 07/10/2024 15:02

Lorey · 07/10/2024 15:00

I’m sure we’ll get takeaway one night and eat out another. Tends to be the go to format when dh and gf have stayed with us over the bh for example.

I like the girl. But just got irrationally annoyed that some of my favs which are hard to substitute e.g. beef wellington are a no go just because of one person.

Edited

Make beef wellington and get a ready made vegetarian wellington from the supermarket or get a vegetarian ‘joint’ or similar for her.

Original poster
Lorey · 07/10/2024 15:01

Aussieland · 07/10/2024 15:00

Surely you don’t eat meat every day anyway?

No. Like I said we often eat veggie for the entire weekend when db and gf come to stay.

A week seems a bit much. Especially on holiday

OP posts:
Noseylittlemoo · 07/10/2024 15:01

I'm similar to @Icanthinkformyselfthanks . My husband eats meat but I don't. I do most of the cooking and cook things like aubergine parmigana, quiches, pies , bean chilli . All vegetarian. If he wants meat he will cook a chicken breast/sausage or have some charcuterie type meat with it. If we have a roast dinner I have a quorn roast, he has meat and all the vegetables/trimmings are the same. If we have a brunch we'll both have eggs and he'll cook bacon seperately.
I also used to cook for groups of ~ 20 ppl on holidays. We would do the same kind of thing - a vege pasta/risotto etc with meat served seperately. It only became complicated if you also had people with allergies eg dairy or gluten free.

Aussieland · 07/10/2024 15:00

Surely you don’t eat meat every day anyway?

Original poster
Lorey · 07/10/2024 15:00

I’m sure we’ll get takeaway one night and eat out another. Tends to be the go to format when dh and gf have stayed with us over the bh for example.

I like the girl. But just got irrationally annoyed that some of my favs which are hard to substitute e.g. beef wellington are a no go just because of one person.

OP posts:
DoreenonTill8 · 07/10/2024 14:55

BobbyBiscuits · 07/10/2024 14:50

Can she not cook? Surely you just cook things like meat and two veg, then she provides the substitute for the meat? If not then she can just eat the sides. Surely there's a supermarket within a short drive. I wouldn't let it bother you remotely tbh. It's meant to be a holiday. She knows she's the only vegetarian and unless she's a child she's responsible for feeding herself to an extent.
So just relax. Don't let cooking become a burden when you're meant to be enjoying yourself.
Plus the fact I presume you'll be eating out a lot of the time as well.

This, I never get the 'HOW CAN YOU NOT MANAGE A WEEK'... posts, why shouldn't op or other people get to eat what they enjoy on holiday?

Readyoursign · 07/10/2024 14:54

mills8 · 07/10/2024 14:52

I'm a vegetarian, have been for 15 years now and there is no way at all I would expect others to eat vegetarian for the week just for me, how bizarre for one persons choice to impact the rest of the group! I'd happily sort myself out with vegetarian alternatives. There are Quorn alternatives for the majority of meals that include meat anyway, can't see how it would be a big deal.

I eat meat/fish/dairy but I also eat lots of food vegetarian and vegan people can eat so it wouldn’t really be that the vegetarian was impacting me, it would be easy to do.

mills8 · 07/10/2024 14:52

I'm a vegetarian, have been for 15 years now and there is no way at all I would expect others to eat vegetarian for the week just for me, how bizarre for one persons choice to impact the rest of the group! I'd happily sort myself out with vegetarian alternatives. There are Quorn alternatives for the majority of meals that include meat anyway, can't see how it would be a big deal.

4405cd · 07/10/2024 14:50

PepeLePew · 07/10/2024 14:46

This is fine, surely?
Breakfast is usually vegetarian unless you're adding sausage or bacon in which case, add it for those who want it. Veggie options for those who don't.
Lunch could be soup, sandwiches, salads etc. Add meat to sandwich or salad if needed/wanted.
Dinners - one couple cooks four times, one cooks three. I assume the vegetarian will cook veggie food, and you'll happily eat that. So that leaves (at most) four meals for you to cook. You've given some good examples of how to manage it - burgers, pasta with a chicken addition. Pizzas one night with toppings? Fajitas with chicken as a side? That's four meals already even if you want all your meals to have a meat option.
And if you go out to eat, it's even easier (except for the poor vegetarian who will face a fake meat vegan option because now everywhere seems to cater to vegans and have forgotten vegetarians are usually very happy with cheese and egg).

It really isn't hard to cater for both. We are mainly vegetarian and just cook all the usual meals but without meat.