Catering for a vegetarian?!

[Magenta3]

My brother's gf is a vegetarian. We're having everyone over next weekend for a get together. My family eats a lot of meat and I feel a bit unsure of what to cook her, and if I'm being honest I don't see why we should change our catering for one person.

I asked my brother to bring along some of their own food for her (he eats meat so will be fine, it's literally only for her) and he seemed annoyed at me. He obliged but I could tell he wasn't happy. When we've been to theirs she doesn't cook meat for us so it feels one sided. She jokes she'd probably poison us as she doesn't know how to cook meat but realistically she doesn't want to cook it, so why should we for her?

Nah not me, never liked bacon butties even when I was a meat eater, never did understand the way people drool over them

An omnivore

YAB incredibly unreasonable. Hopefully she can educate you on the health and environment benefits of reducing meat

Agree.
A past ‘called herself vegetarian’ flat mate used to rush to the kitchen for one when our other flat mates were making them.
I was there opening all the windows and doors.

I agree the 70s called wanting their attitude back.

I've nothing to add to the thread other than I think It's important to note that parmesan isn't vegetarian-others have said it but not much, on this thread. You can buy parmesan equivalents in most supermarkets.

I find it difficult to believe that the OP's cookery knowledge doesn't extend to 'I'm making a chicken curry, so I'll buy some Quorn pieces for DBs girlfriend' or even chickpeas or something instead. It couldn't get much simpler.
@AGovernmentOfLawsAndNotMen I'm with you around bacon sandwiches, I've never missed bacon even slightly. AND I too had a 'vegetarian' housemate years ago who said she 'Well I eat a bit of fish and chicken but that's it and not often so I say I'm a vegetarian'. AND I saw her with a cottage pie ready meal once.

Cook the dinner for everyone else and give your DB's GF a pot noodle.

It's the perfect solution. Quick, easy, vegetarian and passive-aggressive all-in-one.

If you don't want the extravagance of a real pot noodle (about £1.30 RRP) you can get an own brand one
JUST ESSENTIALS by ASDA Curry Flavour Noodles - ASDA Groceries

One in the eye for the environment too! Comes in a nice plastic pot.

She could take it home as a reminder of the wonderful meal, and re-use it and treasure it.

@KirstinBlest If the host was a crap cook I'd be happier with a pot noodle! guilty pleasure

@Noodge , me too! Don't indulge very often but enjoy it when I do.

Make a roast.cook potatoes etc with no meat oils. Then she can have all the trimmings. That's what I do.

@BalloonSalesperson
my veggie kids at school had this problem at school ALL the time

Before you add the meat, portion out some sauce and add chickpeas or paneer. Easy peasy.

Way to go, you’ve successfully ensured she understands her place in the pecking order and feels unwelcome. Im not surprised your brother was annoyed, he should have told you where to go in support of his gf but I suppose he was probably quite embarrassed by you.
I doubt they’ll come if you invite them again.
I think you should apologise, invite them again and Google a veggy recipe. And you know why you should, just cause it’s kind 🤷🏼‍♀️

How to let someone know how unwelcome they are in one easy move, I’m glad I’m not you’re not related to me, childish and petty.

I think you’re being unfair.

When she had you for dinner she chooses to cook a vegetarian meal, opening you up to different meals like you would if you went to an asian or Nepalese household. But she’s one person, so it’s not hard to cook a non eat version of something.

Lasagne or chilli with quorn mince.
Curries etc made with lentils or chickpeas
Nibbles like pepper cucumber, carrot sticks etc
Olives
Bread sticks and dips like humous.
Lots of recipes online.
I have in laws who are vegan so these are what I'd usually serve.

Everyone over for a get together and you can't think of anything you can get that she can eat that ithers will probably eat too... you don't really like her do you, she's simply the brothers plus one and that's why she's invited... You're seriously saying that EVERYTHING on the menu is meat?

Houmous, dips, snacks, crisps, chips, sweet potato fries, quiche, chop suey rolls, cheese and onion pie, mash, rice, vegetables (all of them!! like literally any vegetables you can think of...), eggs - egg mayonnaise, pizza, pasta, spaghetti, soup, and the list goes on.... You're being very unreasonable and it's showing...
it's not like she's vegan... she's veggie! absolutely easy to cater for...

I am not a veggie but feel you’re using this as an excuse. vegetarian food is pretty easy to cater for and your salads and accompaniments would have been easy to make entirely veggie without impacting anyone else! A quick Google for different protein options would have given you lentils, beans or chickpeas to stir in a couple of salads for her to have had a balanced meal - and everyone else could have eaten them too.

If she’d been vegan I could understand if you’d been worried, but as veggie, she’s fine eating dairy and eggs, maybe even fish.

I think you’ve been difficult on purpose (maybe you don’t like her?) and used this as an excuse.

I fear for your colon OP, really I do.

At least half of your plate should be vegetables for any meal. Eating too much meat (esp red meat) increases your risk of cancer and all kinds of other horrible things. Plus the environment really can't take it.

You're not a lion. Learn how to cook veg-based dishes.

I take it you don't like her?

It’s rude isn’t it? My outlaws and SIL do this to me every time we are ever invited there. I’ve taken to not wanting to go. Clearly cannot be arsed, therefore I choose to not go.

“When we've been to theirs she doesn't cook meat for us so it feels one sided. She jokes she'd probably poison us as she doesn't know how to cook meat but realistically she doesn't want to cook it, so why should we for her?”

What you’ve actually written there is that she doesn’t want to cook meat, so why should you cook meat for her? What I guess you meant is that she doesn’t want to cook meat for you, so why should you not cook meat for her. Even that thought doesn’t make much sense.

When you go to her house, she serves you food that your dietary requirements allow you to eat. You can do the same for her, it’s not one sided at all. Why not cook one meal for all of you, without meat.

Unless of course you eat nothing but meat? If that’s so I think you should consider branching out a bit for health reasons. Perhaps start with a bit of toast, or a small piece of fruit. You’ll be learning how to boil pasta and add tomato sauce in no time!

Do you just not like her? I expect your brother felt annoyed because it looks a bit unwelcoming. Mostly people with any particular dietary requirements are happy to not eat the whole meal on occasion, or to bring something with them, but coming from you to your brother’s girlfriend it looks a bit like you don’t like her enough to bother.