Menu for a dinner party with a vegetarian attendee...

[dcb]

What do you think of the following? We do eat a lot of non-meat meals at home but wanted to cook something a bit more special than the usual mid-week stuff we have. Would normally do a meat based dish when we have friends round. So, can you have a look and see if you think it is exciting enough to keep the meat-eaters happy too please?

Grilled field mush and cheese as starter

Aubergine parmagiana (from Hugh F-W new veg book, basically grilled aub, tom sauce and cheese in layers) as a more 'meaty' dish, with pot dauphinoise and maybe a bean salad or lentil dish

Any suggestions/advice welcome, thanks x

Sounds lovely but both courses are going to have a cheesy topping? What about doing mushrooms on bruschetta?

Great idea, thanks. Maybe will do a selection of bruschetta, tapenade etc Hadn't thought of that. I love mumsnet....

Aubergine Parmigana is a heavy dish - it needs a green salad - something green and fresh to lift it and provide contrast.

Also I wouldn't serve layered aubergines (parmigiana) with layered potatoes (dauphinoise), or mix Italian with French. Choose a direction and accessorise accordingly - antipasti before parmigiana, with salad and homemade focaccia, or tapenade etc before a gratin of some kind.

I saw a lovely recipe today for pasta with asparagus and broccoli spears in my Vegetarian magazine. You cook the pasat and add the brocolli/asparagus with about 4 mins to go, then drain, Stir in some Dolcalatte (sp) and pop a lid on the pan for a few mins for it to go all melty. So easy but yum - I am making it tonight,

What's dessert? I hope its cake. I love cake!

I do agree with the bruscetta. I make it with just toms and red onion, the dollop some pesto and shredded basil leaves on the top before cooking.

Agree that the aubergine parmigiana is not a good combination with pommes dauphinoise.

I agree no dauphinoise and parmagiana, too heavy. Parmagiana, green salad and crusty bread. Although you can't have bruschetta then, hmm, soup to start? Or grilled asparagus?

Reporting in with the pasta recipe - yummy, very nice and extremely easy. Unusual too, which is a plus when you're a veggie. With a nice salad and bread, I'd be happy if someone made it for me.

Thanks everyone. I'd already decided that serving dauphinoise would be a bit too heavy (great minds etc) - think I just panicked at not serving up meat, plus I love dauphinois. It went quite well in the end so thanks for all your help. I cooked the parmagiana (yummy) and served with anya pots and green salad (mixed crostini for starter and choc pear crumble). Think I should cook veggie mains more often. I bought Hugh FW new Veg book for some inspiration..

Frontpaw - will give the pasta dish a try.

Thanks for your replies x

Personally I would cater for the majority ie non-veggies. If you normally do meat for dinner parties then do that and make an alternative for your veggie guest.

Choc pear crumble - mmmmm I think I might like that. Whose recipe please?