DD bringing a super-strict Vegan friend for tea tonight

[maddiemookins16mum]

Hi all, DD (17) is bringing a pal home for tea (dinner, supper - delete as appropriate 🤣). We are big meat eaters but would never dream of having meat on this occasion. My normally very level headed DD is very keen for ‘us’ to get it ‘right’. So here’s the menu.
Vegan sausage hotpot (browned off Heck vegan chipolatas - made of pea protein so the pack says), I’ve added onions, carrots, tinned toms, garlic, herbs and veggie stock.
Cauliflower cheese
Roast potatoes (they are Aunt Bessies though, as we’re all at work/college until 5-6pm and I’ve no real spuds.
Other veg (peas and broccoli probably).
Pudding - mince pies and custard (Alpro plant based).
Does this sound ok?

I make my own mincemeat and the recipe has suet in. I use the vegetable one. Why do mince pies these days not have it in?

Bet you the people giving out about plant milks being referred to as such have no problem with toad in the hole. Or bubble and squeak. Or ladyfingers.

It's funny how the "but that's not what it REALLY is" never references those foods...

Why do mince pies these days not have it in?

I think they do have vegetable suet in them, just not beef suet.

I used to make my own mince pies but found out the Greggs ones are vegan do I bought those last Xmas instead. They were really nice do will be doing the same this year, not sure when they start selling them, probably soon though.

Derxa
But it's not mislabelling. Milk does not just mean cows' or goats' milk.

'Milk of' has been/still is widely used to describe a smooth liquid. For instance, many cosmetic products mention 'milk of roses'. For example , from Jane Austen's era : drtumbletys.com/product/1811-milk-of-roses-by-lbcc-historical/

Traditionally, 'tiger's milk' is this www.miamiculinarytours.com/what-is-leche-de-tigre/

It''s also a rather coy name in Latin American Spanish for Viagra (source as above).

'Milking' is also the accepted biological term to describe the actions of ants on aphids. They collect honeydew, not animal proteins, sugars and fat in solution:
www.mcgill.ca/oss/article/did-you-know/farmer-ants-and-their-aphid-herds

It's funny how the "but that's not what it REALLY is" never references those foods...

This. I wonder why that is.... 🤔

@AosSi

Bet you the people giving out about plant milks being referred to as such have no problem with toad in the hole. Or bubble and squeak. Or ladyfingers.

It's funny how the "but that's not what it REALLY is" never references those foods...

...or spotted dick! All of these are recipes for traditional dishes. Plant 'milks' are created in a factory. Milk from cows, sheep and goats are not.

[quote scottishnames]Derxa
But it's not mislabelling. Milk does not just mean cows' or goats' milk.

'Milk of' has been/still is widely used to describe a smooth liquid. For instance, many cosmetic products mention 'milk of roses'. For example , from Jane Austen's era : drtumbletys.com/product/1811-milk-of-roses-by-lbcc-historical/

Traditionally, 'tiger's milk' is this www.miamiculinarytours.com/what-is-leche-de-tigre/

It''s also a rather coy name in Latin American Spanish for Viagra (source as above).

'Milking' is also the accepted biological term to describe the actions of ants on aphids. They collect honeydew, not animal proteins, sugars and fat in solution:
www.mcgill.ca/oss/article/did-you-know/farmer-ants-and-their-aphid-herds[/quote]
Fair enough

...or spotted dick! All of these are recipes for traditional dishes. Plant 'milks' are created in a factory. Milk from cows, sheep and goats are not.

...and? Who gives a shit whether plant milks are made in a factory or not? I honestly can't see why you care.

Actually, referring to plant milks as entirely man made shows cultural ignorance. Ever had horchata? That's been around for over 1,000 years. Spotted dick etc are no more 'correct' than any of the plant milks used throughout history.

Btw, I can't say I recommend anyone rush out and try horchata bur it's certainly a very traditional and historical food.

derxa Yes, I do have a reference:

thepastisaforeignpantry.com/2020/07/16/leche-lumbarde-15th-century/

Aso, the Oxford English Dictionary, (the massive, definitive one) gives cows' etc milk as the first meaning of the word, but, as the second, gives:
" milky juice or latex present in the stems or other parts of various plants, which exudes when the plant is cut, and is often acrid, irritant, or toxic. Also: spec. the drinkable watery liquid found in the hollow space inside the fruit of the coconut."

PLUS (as the fifth - 'milk' has many meanings):

"A culinary, pharmaceutical, cosmetic, or other preparation resembling milk, esp. in colour. Usually with the principal ingredient or use specified by a preceding or following word."
The first reference for this in English is dated 1399.

You can consult the OED here online, and through your local library/academic institution. www.oed.com/

@GirlWithAGuitar greggs had their sweet mince pies in today!

PotteringAlong

Thank you! I’ll pop in and get some tomorrow.

We had Dutch friends & they introduced me to grated nutmeg on cauliflower its simple but really nice - or you could do a simple white sauce with nutmeg
can I come to tea?
(if you have another visit I can dig out my spiced red cabbage! it would really go with vegan sausages)

doh! recipe for spicy red cabbage - digging out old red cabbage wouldn't be so nice!

@iklboogiemaninthecloset

This is gorgeous

RED DRAGON PIE

Thanks for sorting out our dinner tonight!

Am I the only person who likes vegan cheese?? I mean I wouldn't cut a chunk and eat it on its own, but love it on toast, pizza etc!

Vegan cheese really is awful. Luckily my dairy free DS doesn’t seem to mind! Couldn’t eat it myself. Hope the meal goes well OP.

@SVRT19674

Ah how times have changed...i was taught when you are invited to someone´s house you eat what is offered, no pursuing personal fads...now everyone bends over backwards to accommodate people who wouldn´t dream of accommodating you...

Excellent. I'm glad people nowadays want to cook food their guests will love.

I think it is lovely how you have included her diet choices and made them your own for the evening. I know it's a life style choice, but for your DD it is nice to bring a friend home knowing her parents will support the friendship & the life style choices of that friend.

I say this as a meat eating carnivore! i just, personally, feel It provides a really inclusive family environment. I want my kids & their friends to have that relationship with me when they are older.

I would check aunt bessies are not made with butter or animal fat.

Am I the only person who likes vegan cheese??

I don’t mind it but I wasn’t a big fan of cheese before I was vegan.
I do like Papa Johns vegan pizza if we have a takeaway and occasionally have Dr Oetker Vegan pizza, both really nice.

Sounds lovely, I imagine she'll be made up you went to the effort to accommodate her.

@DameMargaretofChalfont

Don't mince pies have suet in them??

Most shop bought are veggie, loads are vegan such as Asda. Not deliberately vegan, just chemicals are cheaper than butter!

@Q123R - you're welcome! DH's auntie made it once and I begged her for the recipe. It's so tasty & filling.