Vegetarians invited themselves for Christmas- got beef ordered!

[EdenFlower]

So, my vegetarian relatives and asked if they can join us for Christmas? I have it planned- joint of beef on order, I've perfected my roast potatoes and like them cooked in beef dripping, likewise the yorkshire pudding, my sprout recipe is cooked with pancetta, starter is parma ham and figs...and so on! Grrr! Now everything will need to adapted to be veggie because I'm not doing two versions of everything. It was already adapted to be gluten free for MIL but now two more special diet guests is a push.

Would it be rude to ask them to bring their own veggie options with them- nut roast and vegetarian gravy or whatever it is they eat?

@starfishmummy

I really don’t get how picking up a nut roast and ready made gravy from sainsburys is a massive deal.

It's not the picking them up that would bother me itnowuld be trying to find room in my already crowded oven to cook something that might need a different temperature to anything else I am doing and to serve it up properly cooked and still warm alongside my main course.

Wouldn’t it be exactly the same if the guests brought something?

Not if they brought a salad.

@Pumperthepumper A traditional British roast dinner is cooked with animal fats. Olive oil is a fairly new ingredient because we don't grow olives in the uk. @YouJustFoldItIn 's Christmas lunch sounds pretty typical of what a lot of people's dinners will consist of. Most people don't cook this sort of meal often- it's a once a year Christmas meal.

@hotmeatymilk

Not if they brought a salad.

Who brings a salad as a Christmas dinner main?

[quote EdenFlower]**@Pumperthepumper* A traditional British roast dinner is cooked with animal fats. Olive oil is a fairly new ingredient because we don't grow olives in the uk. @YouJustFoldItIn* 's Christmas lunch sounds pretty typical of what a lot of people's dinners will consist of. Most people don't cook this sort of meal often- it's a once a year Christmas meal.[/quote]
It’s easily bought now though, I’m surprised it’s seen as that niche

When you say beef dripping for potatoes (is that right?) what is it do you buy a tub?

I suppose it must be one of those mn massive salad nutters they might bring one for Christmas dinner.

Who brings a salad as a Christmas dinner main?
Vegetarians, I expect.

Someone is on the wind up,

[quote EdenFlower]@Pumperthepumper* A traditional British roast dinner is cooked with animal fats. Olive oil is a fairly new ingredient because we don't grow olives in the uk. *@YouJustFoldItIn 's Christmas lunch sounds pretty typical of what a lot of people's dinners will consist of. Most people don't cook this sort of meal often- it's a once a year Christmas meal.[/quote]
But even when @YouJustFoldItIn cooks in olive oil, they add meat flavouring to it.

Thanks, @TatianaBis!

Ignore Pumperthepumper, @YouJustFoldItIn. She's just being goady for goady's sake now. Presumably she refuses to serve gravy with her roasts to avoid the endless taste of meat ruining her subtle seasoning I have visions of her slapping the gravy boat out of a guest's hand because they dared to pour it on her delicately flavoured roast potatoes.

@chesirecat99

Thanks, *@TatianaBis*!

Ignore Pumperthepumper, @YouJustFoldItIn. She's just being goady for goady's sake now. Presumably she refuses to serve gravy with her roasts to avoid the endless taste of meat ruining her subtle seasoning I have visions of her slapping the gravy boat out of a guest's hand because they dared to pour it on her delicately flavoured roast potatoes.

I’m not a vegetarian. I’m just someone who knows how to cook.

Would it be rude?

Absolutely not? Most houses have their own set ideas for a Christmas dinner traditional or otherwise so if you invite yourself there (or even are invited) and can't or won't eat that it makes sense to bring your own. (Vegan due to allergies here so always have to bring my own anyway but happily cater for any of DH/DCs needs or wants too if we are going anywhere, Dd1 has some Sensory issues )

I'm not saying olive oil is niche, I use it all the time, however it's not traditional in a British roast dinner. Beef dripping can be bought in a block or sometimes a jar. Traditionally it would be obtained from the roast beef- after the beef joint is cooked, the fat is used to roast the potatoes in and a little in the bottom of the yorkshire pudding tin.

Get them some pre cooked stuff from m and s and just put it in the oven. Makes it easy. X

@EdenFlower

I'm not saying olive oil is niche, I use it all the time, however it's not traditional in a British roast dinner. Beef dripping can be bought in a block or sometimes a jar. Traditionally it would be obtained from the roast beef- after the beef joint is cooked, the fat is used to roast the potatoes in and a little in the bottom of the yorkshire pudding tin.

Do you do the roast beef first then potatoes after if second eat

We’ve always done roast potatoes in olive oil, they’re pretty good too

@Backtomyoldname

We’re vegan. When we go to my Mum’s at Christmas we take much of our own food. Its easier. It also helped as my Mum got older as found coping with her own food harder never mind mass catering.

I’m sure your relations don’t mean to be awkward - maybe thing more family time and past the fairly minor menu problems?

If they were Jewish, Muslim, had severe allergy problems, had ibs etc would you have the same somewhat abrasive manner about them coming over fora celebratory family meal?

The OP seems more worried about asking them rather than being abrasive - which is strange, as if they know her well enough to invite themselves she can presumably talk to them.

Also it's funny that you mention all of those dietary requirements because I had almost that exact combination once. Except it was harder because it was a Sikh, not Jews and Sikhs can't eat halal meat grin

So and way not eat

@chesirecat99

Thanks, *@TatianaBis*!

Ignore Pumperthepumper, @YouJustFoldItIn. She's just being goady for goady's sake now. Presumably she refuses to serve gravy with her roasts to avoid the endless taste of meat ruining her subtle seasoning I have visions of her slapping the gravy boat out of a guest's hand because they dared to pour it on her delicately flavoured roast potatoes.

She does this on several other threads too When several posters notice the same person doing something...

@EdenFlower

Surely if you are a vegetarian and you are visiting relatives who you know usually cook a traditional roast on Christmas day then you don't expect the host to provide two options just for you?

If your hosting its on you to do the cooking and cater for all. Surely the roasts and Yorkshire's can be done without beef fat just once. Brussels can easily be split into two pots, one with meat one without.

Look beef dripping roasties are delicious but for this meal some guests are vegetarian. To make things pleasant for everyone and create less work just do olive oil roast potatoes, they are still tasty and crispy (and actually many chefs would argue you get a better crisp)

Just do sprouts with chestnuts rather than pancetta, do yorkshires with oil/butter. Have the beef dripping roast potatoes another day. Have figs with goats cheese/halloumi whatever. the majority of components of a roast are vegetarian or easy to make vegetarian, its not a requirement that roast potatos are made with animal fat

@TractorAndHeadphones I don’t recognise your username - which threads specifically do I do what? Ask what the fascination with meat flavourings are?

@CarrotSticks19

Look beef dripping roasties are delicious but for this meal some guests are vegetarian. To make things pleasant for everyone and create less work just do olive oil roast potatoes, they are still tasty and crispy (and actually many chefs would argue you get a better crisp)

Just do sprouts with chestnuts rather than pancetta, do yorkshires with oil/butter. Have the beef dripping roast potatoes another day. Have figs with goats cheese/halloumi whatever. the majority of components of a roast are vegetarian or easy to make vegetarian, its not a requirement that roast potatos are made with animal fat

I’ve not tried beef dripping potatoes but I agree with this. I’m glad some chefs would argue that re olive oil actually

@MarshaBradyo I tend to buy beef dripping in a jar rather than use the fat from the meat- the meat cut I buy is often too lean to generate much fat in reality.

I often do olive oil roasties when it's not christmas as a healthier alternative and they turn out fine but like to be traditional at Christmas. Keep meaning to try goose fat one day.

Dripping cooked chips are the best chips!

TractorAndHeadphones Of course! And thank you!

No it isn’t. You don’t need meat residue in every side dish.

Nobody needs anything, do they? Beyond what's required to provide a very basic level of sustenance, it's not about what we 'need' it's about what we enjoy.

You carry on doing what you 'need' to do and I'll carry on doing what I like.

@YouJustFoldItIn

TractorAndHeadphones Of course! And thank you!

No it isn’t. You don’t need meat residue in every side dish.

Nobody needs anything, do they? Beyond what's required to provide a very basic level of sustenance, it's not about what we 'need' it's about what we enjoy.

You carry on doing what you 'need' to do and I'll carry on doing what I like.

You do that! I’m not eating your Christmas meal, I’m delighted to say, so I hope you enjoy it!