Vegetarian menu, good for veggies and omnies?

[ILikeyourHairyHands]

I entertain a lot, and frequently entertain vegetarians but as I'm generally entertaining majority carnivores I'll make a menu centred around meat with a veggie dish as an adjunct and sides for all.

This weekend the demographic has tipped over to the vegetarian so I thought I'd go completely vegetarian with the menu, so as a vegie or an omnie, would you be happy to eat this?

I was going to do an antipasti-style strater platter of grilled augergines, olives, chicory with blue cheese and walnuts, honeyed balsimic figs with burrata, panzanella (with homemade sourdough), and a homemade foccacia.

Then a purple-sprouting broccoli and leek tart with tallegio roast potatoes, garlic mushrooms and a green salad.

Puddings are poached pears with fudge sauce and creme fraiche, and a blackberry and pistachio parfait

It sounds quite balanced to me but I'd appreciate any comments!

That sounds amazing, your friends are lucky 😊 I love veggie food but find it easier to think of/prepare dishes with meat and fish purely because that's what I'm used to so I love when people make it for me. You certainly wouldn't miss meat with your menu.

That sounds lovely providing your veggie guests will eat figs (due to the wasps)

They're not vegans Student, so should be cool with fig pollination, (I think even vegans are cool with fig pollination aren't they as it's the wasps' life-cycle and doesn't exploit them in any way, in fact it probably helps them, it's a symbiotic relationship).

My heart always sinks when I see poached pears as dessert.

I'm offering you a parfait too Miss, I always offer a pair o' puds.

Because I like creamy or fruity puddings but I know lots of people hate one or the other. I never cook chocolate puddings though as I hate them and never cook things I really don't like as I can't really judge them.

I do give chocolate with coffee and liqueurs after though.

Are they all ok with nuts? Sounds fine if they are. Nothing wrong with a poached pear, although I would prefer ice cream with it (but I’m not posh )

They are all Ok with nuts! I'm making some vanilla ice cream for the parfait Toj, so I will make double and offer some with the pears.

Sounds delicious as a committed omnivore.

It sounds absolutely lovely. I'm very jealous! You've inspired me to get my Hugh F-W veggie cook book back out.

Sounds amazing. I'm really hungry and jealous now!

That sounds utterly delicious! May well copy it!Go you xx

I might choose vegetables for the tart that are easier on the tummy, maybe even make it vegetable-free, but otherwise I would be happy with that meal. Watching the chosen vegetables is always an issue in our group’s menus because we’ve got ibs, diverticulitis, onion sensitivity to the point they must be avoided completely, and some condition I don’t remember the name, but he has a whole list of vegetables from his doctor that are off limits.

That sounds delicious!!!

Depending on how strict the vegetarians are you may want to leave out the taleggio cheese as it's got animal rennet in

That sounds terrible, you need to cancel your friends and bring it round to mine for me to taste how terrible it all is.

Ah, does it Icecream?, I would have checked before I bought it, looks like fontina might be a good sub, thanks for the heads-up.

I've cooked for them all before Purple, no intolerances or allergies, but I'll be mindful of that in future, thanks.

Sounds delicious, can I come?

I’m on my way!

The food sounds great but two fruit-based puddings really doesn't appeal to me, but appreciate I may be in the minority. I really dislike pears, and I also dislike nuts of any kind, so I'll raid the chocolates offered with dessert if that's okay

That's absolutely fine Ginger, you can have some home-made vanilla ice cream with the toffee sauce from the pears too if you like!

Sounds amazing and carefully thought through! Have you got a recipe for the tart? 😋

I wouldn't like that as a fussy non veggie.

I'm a meat eater but you have just described pretty much my ideal menu. I wish I were one of your friends! Sounds fabulous. Have a great time.