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?

@PurpleDaisies

most long-term veggies are for medical reasons

I have literally never met a vegetarian/vegan who is doing it for medical reasons.

And how many do you bother to ask?

Strangely no one has ever asked me why in 33 years but plenty have assumed.

You can tire your eyebrows out all you like, but it’s true

Of course it is. Just like it's a lifestyle choice not to eat dogs, cats or insects in this country. If you got invited to dinner by someone from a culture where they are eaten, you'd be cool with them ignoring your own lifestyle choice, I assume?

You could order/buy some M&S veggie options for them (a main and roast potatoes). They might not be homecooked but you're still catering for their vegetarian requirements.

Just reply with the menu as described and explain it's all ordered/arranged to suit others and can't be changed

Oh and change the starter to parsnip soup or sweet potato soup with veggie stock.

I think it might make them feel unwelcome

And since you say they are welcome I’d look for options

(I think Marigold is gluten-free)

DH has a ridiculous number of dietary requirements (all medical I should add not just fussy) and we always offer to bring something for him or he just makes do with what he can pick out of what's on offer. He would be mortified to think someone was in a panic over him joining a meal and having to cater for his needs.

That said we had a veggie family member who used to insist that she was cooked a whole meal from scratch separately from anything else. My DM used to have to buy separate disposable foil cooking trays as she wouldn't even eat from a clean baking tray that may previously had an animal product on it.

OP - either ask if they wouldn't mind bringing something that they'd enjoy eating or look up some get ahead options that you can stash in the freezer and then bang in the oven on the big day.

@2bazookas

Just reply with the menu as described and explain it's all ordered/arranged to suit others and can't be changed

That will definitely make them feel welcome, yes.

@SinoohXaenaHide

Order this amazing veggie feast which is far too posh to count as a ready meal.

That does look yummy!

@Tulipomania

Pigs in blankets with roast beef????

Yes, I hate pigs in blankets personally, but have succumbed to family pressure. For years I refused to serve them when we had turkey as they have never been part of Christmas dinner in my childhood- we just had sausage meat stuffing instead.

I'm a bit surprised at people being surprised at yorkshires being cooked with beef dripping- it's totally the traditional way to cook them! Would welcome any other suggestions that go well with roast beef.

Just ask them what they would like as their veggie alternative and hopefully they’ll just offer to bring it- if not at least you’ll know what they want

I don't think it would be rude at all to explain that you're eating meat, have ordered meat and ask them to bring something veggie.
Or I'd pop to 'Cook' and buy something nice from there that they can have alongside the vegetables that everyone else is eating (they can avoid the sprouts). That way, it's homemade but of a good quality that nobody would guess you haven't prepared yourself.

All the veggie options are usually dire. They tend to be what people who eat meat think vegetarians like.

I'd suggest to them that hey come after lunch or for boxing day

That said we had a veggie family member who used to insist that she was cooked a whole meal from scratch separately from anything else. My DM used to have to buy separate disposable foil cooking trays as she wouldn't even eat from a clean baking tray that may previously had an animal product on it

Yeah well that I just wouldn't cater for - ditto the people who say they won't have something if it's been cooked in an oven where meat has been. Don't come to me then. How many people have two ovens?

I’m vegan
I’d never be so rude to invite myself to someone’s house for food ,and expect them to cook for me ,never mind change what they had already planned
You have a pair of CF there .
Very rude of them

@EdenFlower

I didn't say no because it would be rude- and it will be nice to have them there. A bought nut roast and Bisto is not my style, or theirs! I would be embarrassed to serve guests that! My question was would it be rude to ask them to bring their own (which would undoubtedly be home-cooked) with them.

I’d ask them to contribute their main course, but I’d also do separate roasts and yorkies cooked in veg oil for them. For sprouts, just have a bowl without pancetta, for gravy ask them what they use. Starters - do a selection. I cater for both meat and veggie guests every Christmas. Starters - egg mayonnaise, baked feta, smoked salmon with prawns, selection of breads all on platters to help yourself. Mains - either twice baked cheese soufflé or Choux pastry filled with mushrooms cooked in Marsala and cream. Both can be made well in advance and quickly reheated.

Ask them to bring their own tray of roast potatoes to put in the oven and just pop a second non-veg option in the oven in lieu of the roast.

Pigs in blankets with roast beef

why not? We always had mint sauce with chicken when I was a child! Who makes the rules about what goes with what? Have what you like with what you like.

[misses point of thread]

I think it’s everything being cooked in dripping, it sounds like it’s going to be a very bland meal.

Try quorn cocktail sausages and Richmond fake bacon, Op, before Christmas…make some pigs in blankets and see if you feel you feel you could serve them. lots of people I know prefer this meat free version as it’s less fatty.

Tell them to bring and be prepared to cook their own food because yours is all planned and ordered and it's too much to do two separate meals. I'm sure they'll understand.

Gosh, when is Christmas this year? Isn’t it about six weeks away as usual? Surely there’s time to grab a Linda McCartney pie or sausage and cook that with some potatoes done in olive oil? I have a vegetarian son. It’s really no bother cooking for him. Rest of us eat meat. Why such a flap?

I think you can say you’ve preordered the beef and also your butcher does amazing parboiled beef dripping potatoes which you’ve already ordered.. (white lie) and you’ll check to see if it can be cancelled …. Wait a day or 2….. no it can’t be cancelled, so sorry, you’d love them to come but what can be done about the main and their roast potatoes? Hopefully they’ll come up with the idea themselves…: do a couple of Yorkies in oil instead and boil a few sprouts plainly.

I think it’s everything being cooked in dripping, it sounds like it’s going to be a very bland meal.

Eh? Compared to being cooked in what? A decent roast isn't bland unless you are one of those people who thinks that anything that isn't spicy is bland. And it's hard to get more flavour into roast potatoes than by using beef dripping.