Vegan guests dilemma - what would you do?

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The DC could do with a bit of a distraction, so I've told them that I'll invite a few of our family friends over for a play and then they can stay for a casual supper and board games. The kids are thrilled, and I'm just about to text people.

The fridge and cupboards are still groaning with food from Christmas, so it's easy enough to sling a nice buffet on the table (massive cheeseboard, various canape things, quiche, potato salad, coleslaw, pates etc.) The issue is that I've just remembered that one of the families is vegan.

We're actually a vegetarian family, so it shouldn't be too hard, but now I'm looking at what they can actually eat, I don't think we can cater for them adequately. I mean, we've got a bag of salad, and I think the crisps are ok, and we've got olives - but that's not supper, is it? I've neither the fridge space, time, money (nor, honestly, the inclination) to go out and buy/make additional vegan stuff.

Choices are:

a) Leave vegan family out (feels mean)

b) invite vegan family but explain that we have limited vegan stuff in and they may want to bring something to supplement it (feels rude)

c) Invite vegan family and hope that they don't mind only eating crisps and olives (feels inhospitable)

What would you do?

I would do b. Be apologetic about it, explain it was off the cuff idea. Do you have garlic bread? Some basic brands are vegan! Wedges/ chips you could cook up? Pasta?

Can you manage some vegan fritters? There are tonnes of recipes online and if you've got some nice bread rolls then they're like a burger (do them round) or if no rolls, just serve them with salad.

Is it just the children rather than the whole family you are inviting? If it is just the children I would say in your text you would like them to stay to eat but you have nothing vegan in so if they would like to come could they bring something with them to eat?

Check your veggie stuff too.. you’d be surprised what is vegan.

B is the best of those options. Can you really not get a few extra bits? Bread and some vegan pate even?

Could you make a saucepan of vegan chilli and serve it with rice? We’re vegetarian and always have tins of lentils, tomatoes and kidney beans in the fridge, plus a bag of frozen soya mince to bulk it out. All that’s needed then is spices and herbs.

It’s so quick and easy to prepare and is my go-to for all of us, not just vegans.

Actually yes, do bowl of pasta and make vegan pasta salad to bulk it out.

Do you have pasta and tomato sauce? That's dead easy and quick, also super cheap. It feels rude not to invite them or to ask them to bring stuff.

I’d go with B

I'm a dairy free veggie, so practically vegan and I'd vote B. If you've any Linda McCartney stuff in that tends to be vegan.

B, especially as last minute, just be honest. Or the big chilli thing.

I’m vegan, and would always bring something with me to share, but that everyone would like (eg pasta salad/ fancy bread/selection of houmous) but would be perfectly happy with salad and crisps for a light dinner during the festive period.

Can you ask all the families to bring a dish of something with them (kind of like a potluck supper), then you are not just singling out the vegans, plus the other families might welcome a chance to get rid of some leftovers.

We have pasta, yes, and tins of tomatoes. I guess I could do a bowl of pasta and sauce. It's not very buffet friendly though.

I'm vegan - go with B!

If any of your canapé things are the Indian selection or spring rolls, they’re usually vegan too

B. I’m sure they’re in a similar boat where they’ve bought plenty in for Christmas and need some stuff used up.

Alternatively, make a similar request to the other families as well and put on a salad/buffet spread using everyone’s dishes?

What about rice salad? Cold rice, cucumber, pepper, tomato, oil and vinegar.

We have bread but I think that it's not vegan. I seem to remember that bagels are vegan - we might have a couple buried in the freezer somewhere.

I really don't want to ask everyone to bring stuff. I'd hate that hassle at short notice if someone were asking me, and I don't actually need loads of extra food!

Is there an Indian restaurant nearby who could deliver some vegan daal dishes or anything similar maybe?

I seem to remember that bagels are vegan - we might have a couple buried in the freezer somewhere.

OP, when all this is over you must read the children’s book “The Unexpecetd Banquet” by Norman Hunter.

I think you’ll relate

Oh, I've just checked, I think the pakoras are vegan!

Quite a lot of bread is vegan, things like milk rolls or brioche aren't, but normal bread is usually ok.

Most bread is vegan.