AIBU to ask what I should make a vegetarian coming for dinner?

[mammyoftwo]

posts from vegetarians especially welcome; what do you always get served? what should i avoid? any recommendations what I should make?

tia mn

But still, no one is actually a carnivore, if they eat meat they are omnivores so can also eat veggie meals.

Can't believe how many people suggested pasta. If I went to someone's for dinner and they served pasta I would be very disappointed. It is what we eat when we are all out of other food, or need a cheap easy meal, it's not dinner party food!

I don't agree over. Yes, there are plenty of boring everyday pasta dishes but there are some delicious ones that are definitely suitable for dinner parties.

My DH is a veggie (and an awkward one at that!). I'd suggest avoiding risotto - people/restaurants always seem to want to give veggies risotto (mushroom risotto a lot of the time!) and DH thinks it's bland and boring!

If we're doing a meal together we'll quite often have the same basic meal, but I'll have something like a piece of steak and he'll have tofu or falafel, so that could be an option. Vegetarian curry is very popular with him. Also a lot of Thai vegetarian dishes can be nice for veggies and meat eaters alike.

Maybe ask your veggie guest beforehand - DH always appreciates that because it means he can warn them that he doesn't like mushrooms, but will eat eggs, cheese etc.

Funniest attempt ever at getting a takeaway with DH was at the McDonalds drive thru (no expense spared that night!). When asked what their vegetarian option he was told "we have a chicken burger". DH's face was a picture. His response was "do you have anything without flesh?"

What about a nut roast with roasted vegetables and a tomato sauce. You could do a choice of meatloaf, with the same sauce and sides, for the meat eaters.

Another Jamie one but he has an awesome cannelloni with mashed up broccoli and cauliflower (you can use frozen in fact its softer so better) Sounds bogging but it's ace

I make this alongside a regular lasagne for the carnivores, with loads of salad and garlic bread

loving the falafel idea!

was trying to avoid person feeling awkward re different/special food by not asking in advance re food preferances etc

I'd substitute whatever meat you're serving with mixed beans - kidney, flageolet, borlotti and chickpeas. Chilli, bolog, lasagne, cottage pie, fajitas/enchiladas etc. Or fried/grilled halloumi and couscous. Or baked butternut squash. Or fresh filled pasta and tomato/basil sauce. Oh yum!

I love veggie food but you can't beat a medium rare fillet steak and mash! And garlic butter.

You could open a can of peas, .. Does anyone remember that? It was from an 80s sitcom, the one with Penny and Vincent?

This www.jamieoliver.com/recipes/vegetables-recipes/veggie-chilli/# recipe is a favourite in our non veggie household at the moment. I roast butternut squash too and add it in too.

was trying to avoid person feeling awkward re different/special food by not asking in advance re food preferances etc

I think that's a nice thought, but you can probably do it non-awkwardly. Again, that's a plus point of asking them to pick between two options - it's not 'what on earth do I feed you?!', it's 'here's a couple of the many vegetarian things I could make. Which do you prefer the sound of?'

I'd make fajitas maybe?
Guacamole, sour cream, cheese, rice and a big bowl of spicy veg. Plus maybe tortilla chips to dip?

I discovered an awesome recipe the other day which is not only easy, but tastes amazing and its rare that I as a hardened carnivore will admit that.

Roasted Vegetable and Puy Lentils

2-3 sweet peppers
1 pack baby courgettes
4 cloves garlic
2-3 red onions

65g puy lentils per person
1 lemon
sundried tomatoes
Halloumi Cheese (optional)

Quarter the onions, Halve the courgettes and deseed and cut the peppers in half length ways
Drizzle a little olive oil and thyme on them and roast for 25 minutes at about 170C

Rinse the lentils and then boil in about 2-3 times the depth of veggie stock for 20-25 minutes, until the lentils are cooked

Squirt a little lemon juice and on the cooked lentils and add the finely sliced sun dried tomatoes.

Serve the roasted vegetables on top of the lentils

If you're cooking for a non vegan fry a little halloumi cheese and place on top.

serve with a nice glass of red wine

Salca do a veggie pesto, often found in the free from section and I'm told that it tastes identical to their non-dairy free pesto.

Curry or chilli/mexican dishes generally are my two favourites and you can do a few different dishes that complement both a meat and veggie version.

Everyone is different, but DH says that he'd think it was nice if a host asked beforehand what sort of vegetarian food he likes. He'd prefer being given a couple of options rather than just being asked what he likes.

There's also different types of vegetarians as well - DH is vegetarian because he just doesn't like the taste/texture of meat, so will eat eggs and cheese (and chicken flavoured crisps!!), but other vegetarians/vegans won't touch any animal products. So worth checking just on the basis.