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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

To ask what you’d cook for a vegan dinner party?

241 replies

Fueoe · 19/05/2026 12:29

Hosting a vegan dinner party for 6 people. One of them is allergic to all nuts.

I’m not a great cook and stressed. What should I make that seems impressive? Just a main and dessert

OP posts:
Thread gallery
18
poetryandwine · 20/05/2026 19:49

MummyWillow1 · 20/05/2026 15:08

Figs aren’t usually vegan.

Yes, thanks - you are the third person on this thread to inform me of this fact.

GargoylesofBeelzebub · 20/05/2026 23:31

StationJack · 20/05/2026 14:00

You are derailing the thread.

Chicken curry made with butternut squash instead of chicken is not going to be a balanced meal.

Use a VEGAN recipe.

Cookbooks on vegetables, and supposedly vegan-friendly dishes often aren't vegan. Many people don't know that things like oyster sauce, lard and anchovies are of animal origin.

Coconut isn't a true nut but I'd not risk it.

Edited

It’s one meal FFS. They’re not going to be nutritionally deficient after one meal.

And coconut is a fruit it is not a common allergen.

StationJack · 20/05/2026 23:52

@GargoylesofBeelzebub , If I knew someone had a nut allergy I wouldn't risk it. I'd check. Peanuts aren't nuts either.

It's not so much the nutritional aspect. it's the satiety. Chicken curry with no chicken in it is curry sauce.

TeaPot496 · 21/05/2026 00:40

I'm so fucking fed up of vegan food having scant protein, and / or being made unnecessarily spicy. In restaurants, food vans, takeaways. Unimaginative chefs having no clue unless they stick heat in it. I don't like it. Stick your chilli up your ass!

Probably well besides the point but I wanted somewhere to say it.

Do excuse me.

Ohpleeeease · 21/05/2026 09:28

TeaPot496 · 21/05/2026 00:40

I'm so fucking fed up of vegan food having scant protein, and / or being made unnecessarily spicy. In restaurants, food vans, takeaways. Unimaginative chefs having no clue unless they stick heat in it. I don't like it. Stick your chilli up your ass!

Probably well besides the point but I wanted somewhere to say it.

Do excuse me.

Edited

Couldn’t agree more.

And for vegetarians the obligatory slab of goat’s cheese which tastes like goats smell.

minipie · 21/05/2026 10:11

TeaPot496 · 21/05/2026 00:40

I'm so fucking fed up of vegan food having scant protein, and / or being made unnecessarily spicy. In restaurants, food vans, takeaways. Unimaginative chefs having no clue unless they stick heat in it. I don't like it. Stick your chilli up your ass!

Probably well besides the point but I wanted somewhere to say it.

Do excuse me.

Edited

If you are used to cooking vegan food or you are a trained cook or chef then yes, you should be able to come up with a nutritionally complete vegan meal with protein, and is tasty without reverting to spice.

OP on the other hand is not a vegan and not a trained chef. I hope her vegan friends will be pleased she is cooking something that meets their chosen requirements, even if it’s a bit samey or low on protein.

Recklessismymiddlename · 21/05/2026 10:20

A lot of Greek food is Lenten fasting so I’d have a look at some of those recipes. But some use honey and not olive oil. Yes I know try and make it make sense, I’ve tried for years and failed!!!!! But I could probably make up a lovely feast quite easily if I had to but I’d still stick to the lovely Ottolenghi I posted upthread as still my favourite and most glamorous dish I serve up. I’d serve with my Turkish salad of cherry tomatoes halved, green peppers, chopped walnuts, red onion, and pomegranate molasses if that’s all allowed. With jewelled rice.

StationJack · 21/05/2026 10:54

TeaPot496 · 21/05/2026 00:40

I'm so fucking fed up of vegan food having scant protein, and / or being made unnecessarily spicy. In restaurants, food vans, takeaways. Unimaginative chefs having no clue unless they stick heat in it. I don't like it. Stick your chilli up your ass!

Probably well besides the point but I wanted somewhere to say it.

Do excuse me.

Edited

And no more bloody butternut squash please. I'm bored of it. I don't even want to eat it at home.

I at random looked up a menu at a local restaurant and there was one vegan starter, one vege starter and a vegan main.
So far so good.
The vege starter looked great - has egg.

The vegan starter is beetroot-based and looks interesting. The main is veg risotto. Where's the protein?
The puddings are vegetarian, one vegan, and all sound tempting. The vegan pudding is rhubarb and apple crumble.

2 courses £27, 3 courses £33.

I appreciate that this isn't the same as cooking a meal for friends but they'll probably notice the lack of protein.

(I usually go to the pub, you know the one, main meal for £10.49, bean chilli and rice. The pub happens to be a nice one.)

Malinia · 21/05/2026 11:02

Sounds like a nice side but it's not really a main?

Helliephant · 21/05/2026 11:07

Also it would be great for places that do vegan options to have one option involving fake meat. Yeah I know lots of vegans find it disgusting and bad for you but equally many dont. Id quite like to be able to have a quorn spag bol or a what the cluck satay, instead its always "would you like another bean chilli" or a chickpea curry.
Its especially galling when often the vegan option is only a quid or so cheaper than the meat options ans they've literally just had to pay for pulses and grains

ViaBlue · 21/05/2026 11:27

I would make bean burgers..they aren't hard to make and provide decent protein..can be custamized(lettuce, cucumbers, sauces etc ) however your guests prefer...Psyllium husk is a great egg replacement for "binding" the burger so it doesn't fall appart. I would have chips on a side and a salad and I would add some hemp hearts or hemp seeds into the salat- those are an EXCELLENT source of complete protein.

Recklessismymiddlename · 21/05/2026 11:36

This can be adapted to be made vegan and is delicious

www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/roasted-hispi-cabbage-garlic-chilli-crumb

StationJack · 21/05/2026 11:43

Its especially galling when often the vegan option is only a quid or so cheaper than the meat options and they've literally just had to pay for pulses and grains
The menu I mentioned was the same price for meat eaters and vegans.

The meat options are: Mussels or chicken starter, followed by lamb, chicken, salmon or mussels main.
Same puddings.
Not very imaginative given the repetition but it looks a lot more substantial.

OneBusyFinch · 21/05/2026 12:07

ViaBlue · 21/05/2026 11:27

I would make bean burgers..they aren't hard to make and provide decent protein..can be custamized(lettuce, cucumbers, sauces etc ) however your guests prefer...Psyllium husk is a great egg replacement for "binding" the burger so it doesn't fall appart. I would have chips on a side and a salad and I would add some hemp hearts or hemp seeds into the salat- those are an EXCELLENT source of complete protein.

would you mind sharing your recipe @ViaBlue ?

MummyWillow1 · Yesterday 18:48

TeaPot496 · 21/05/2026 00:40

I'm so fucking fed up of vegan food having scant protein, and / or being made unnecessarily spicy. In restaurants, food vans, takeaways. Unimaginative chefs having no clue unless they stick heat in it. I don't like it. Stick your chilli up your ass!

Probably well besides the point but I wanted somewhere to say it.

Do excuse me.

Edited

Yes, or full of nuts. Cashew nuts are NOT cheese.

FinallyHere · Yesterday 18:55

The vegans. Simples.

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