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?

To go back to the original question - given that they have invited themselves I think it is perfectly fine to point out to them that on Christmas Day you will be making a traditional roast dinner with potatoes done in dripping etc. and that you have neither time nor hob space nor oven space to do that AND a vegetarian alternative - so could they please bring their vegetarian alternatives and you will microwave them through?

You need to put the onus back onto them to make it happen. You did not invite them, you had plans, those plans are being adhered to.

TBH I think it's a bit cheeky of the to invite themselves without offering up-front their solution to make it possible.

If you do want to make a Christmas main for them, I can recommend Parsnip, cranberry & chestnut loaf - make it on 23rd or 24th, stick it in the fridge. On 25th find a corner of oven space for it. If they want gravy, roasties etc., suggest they bring those.

You are very generous, EdenFlower! I would have asked them to bring their own nutroast (or whatever) and adapted a couple of the vegetable dishes. I'm happy to cook for vegans and vegetarians on an ordinary day, but not when hosting Christmas dinner.

Sorry, but I’m with the OP. If wanting to make gravy from the actual meat I’ve literally just cooked with (rather than granules) makes me a snob, then I’m an unmitigated snob. Fine by me.

Some people are so chippy.

It really isn't being a 'snob' to not like Bisto gravy. It is just it's really easy to make proper gravy and it is nicer and not processed. Why name call?

Bisto is vile and has MSG in. I don’t care if that makes me a snob.

LOL at all the like-minded folk.

@LoveGrooveDanceParty

Sorry, but I’m with the OP. If wanting to make gravy from the actual meat I’ve literally just cooked with (rather than granules) makes me a snob, then I’m an unmitigated snob. Fine by me.

Some people are so chippy.

Who is saying the op can’t do that? She just needs to make up some bisto for her veggie guests. That’s always been fine for me as the veggie guest.

Thanks for the recipe ideas- I've already decided I will cook potatoes in vegetable oil. I like the idea of that parsnip and chestnut loaf especially @WhereYouLeftIt.

So much drama. Like on so many threads, I just end up thinking, how do people cope with actual issues if this causes such a problem?

Decide if you’re willing to cook something, buy something or want them to bring their own. All options are fine. Then do that.

@DottyHarmer, I don't give a flying fig if you think it is rude of me to say yuk about beetroot wellington.
Guess what, not everyone likes beetroot and as a main item on a dish,where's the protein?

[quote ILoveShula]@DottyHarmer, I don't give a flying fig if you think it is rude of me to say yuk about beetroot wellington.
Guess what, not everyone likes beetroot and as a main item on a dish,where's the protein?[/quote]
Where’s the protein? Not every dish needs to be nutritionally balanced, especially on Christmas Day of all days.

Beetroot is a bit marmite. I love it. It is excellent in a tarte tatin if you like it.

Calm down, dear.

I’m veggie and wouldn’t mind being asked to bring my own main so no, YANBU

@EdenFlower

Thanks for the recipe ideas- I've already decided I will cook potatoes in vegetable oil. I like the idea of that parsnip and chestnut loaf especially *@WhereYouLeftIt*.

Do you mean olive oil or vegetable oil?

@DottyHarmer

Calm down, dear.

Did you mean to sound so rude?

Not sure if anyone has already suggested it but the bbc good food website has very good vegetarian recipes - their magazines have always been very good if there is a Christmas themed one this year

No suggestions but your current menu sounds delicious! Totally missing the point of the tread really 😂

@MarshaBradyoNot sure yet-What do you recommend? I really don't like the taste of Rapeseed oil but also want them to be crispy- I find olive oil is better for slower roasted potatoes, it's a bit' sticky' for my liking for roasties. Maybe Rapeseed with plenty of salt and pepper? Sunflower oil?

I am amazed that people still cook with beef dripping. I can’t imagine anything more disgusting.

@PurpleDaisies, I think a meal needs to have some protein.
I'd be hacked off if I paid for a christmas dinner and it was veg with a veg-in-pasty.

I woudn't use the word marmite to describe it but it does have quite a strong flavour.

Beetroot often turns up on restaurant menus, and my first thought is what else is there I can eat?

Bisto is vile and has MSG in. I don’t care if that makes me a snob.

It really isn't being a 'snob' to not like Bisto gravy. It is just it's really easy to make proper gravy and it is nicer and not processed. Why name call?

Well quite. It's a totally different product like freshly ground coffee beans is to instant coffee. They share a vague similarity, in that they are both made from coffee beans, but that's all.

Imagine taking a tub of Bisto Curry sauce and shoving it in front of someone Asian and saying 'there you are, that's curry. In a tub. Just add water. Stop being picky. What's the matter with you?'

Yet people do that with Bisto or Oxo gravy granules all the time. If you don't consider it to be proper, decent gravy you are treated like the worst sort of crashing snob.

It has its place I suppose, in the same way a pot noodle or a tin of soup does, but on Christmas Day? Pull yourself together now. It's not real food.

I think a meal needs to have some protein.

Let’s face it, even a carby Christmas dinner is going to be filling. The protein could easily be elsewhere, for example nuts in the stuffing or with the sprouts etc.

[quote EdenFlower]@MarshaBradyoNot sure yet-What do you recommend? I really don't like the taste of Rapeseed oil but also want them to be crispy- I find olive oil is better for slower roasted potatoes, it's a bit' sticky' for my liking for roasties. Maybe Rapeseed with plenty of salt and pepper? Sunflower oil?[/quote]
I’m afraid I’ve only used olive oil

I love the potatoes, we really care about cooking (French dgm not sure it’s part of their repertoire though!) but anyway DM also really cared. However I can’t compare those I wish I could advise.

Maybe we’ll be lucky and a chef will rock up and give some advice.

pastry not pasty.

@PurpleDaisies, I don't know if you eat meat or not, but if you had a roast dinner with a beetroot wellington iinstead of beef/turkey would you feel there was something missing?

@ILoveShula

pastry not pasty.

@PurpleDaisies, I don't know if you eat meat or not, but if you had a roast dinner with a beetroot wellington iinstead of beef/turkey would you feel there was something missing?

I’m veggie and I’ve had that as a Christmas dinner. Nothing missing at all.