Vegetarian coming to dinner party - pls help!

[wrenster]

Pls can anyone suggest any recipes I could use? My DH is almost phobic about no meat so I don't have a clue where to start. Different courses, or can I make a main course that everyone could eat?! Btw - fish is fine

Thanks for your help

My stand by favourite is spring vegetable risotto. Veg stock, leeks, peas, courgette, parmesan and oregano. It is something that dh and I as meat eaters have eaten on its own bit it goes well with chicken too.

Mezze? Tons of middle eastern food is excellent for vegetarians. You could do a lamb dish and lots of sides, with maybe a fish dish as well?

If fish is fine, they aren't vegetarian. Phobic about no meat? Gosh. We only have meat a couple of times a week.

I think it's best to have a menu that works for all the guests. Less fuss, less work.

First course and pudding pretty easy as long as you avoid meat and meat products, e.g. gelatine. Main course - salmon en croute?

Ooh, put feta in the risotto and it's even nicer...

What do you plan to cook for the meat eaters? So I can suggest something that doesn't stray off what you are already cooking :)

I was going to do a Chinese style beef with noodles & prawn crackers.

Liking the salmon en croute idea, hadn't thought of that.

Fab, suggestions I knew I'd get lots of inspiration! Pls keep them coming!

Fajitas are ideal - one pan of veg, one of chicken/beef, maybe one of prawns. All the sour cream, cheese, chillis etc

Spanish tapas style with lots of side dishes.

Turkish food has lots of nice veggie dishes.

And this Persian website is fabulous. Can't wait to try some of her recipes veggie ones here

Do the vegetarians eat fish? Because most won't. You need to check.

Yes, I have checked, and fish is fine so thinking this might please my DH a bit more!

If you are keen on the Chinese idea how about Chinese style salmon with noodles instead of the beef.

PS. Your friend is pescatarian not vegetarian.

Do the beef dish, and also an Asian style salmon dish (or a Chinese style veg curry, or even just veg and cashew nuts in a Chinese style sauce such as hoi sin). Same accompaniments.

I'd marinade salmon in in honey, soy sauce and Chinese five spice with a bit of garlic, then bake it in a foil parcel with finely chopped onions and peppers.

That way you don't have to cook different sides, the noodles and prawn crackers would be fine.

Do the veggies and sauce, split it into two (or take out enough for the vegetarian), continue with the beef for most of you. In the other half add some chicken style quorn:) job done.
I'm the only veggie in the house, everything I cook is 'half way' :)

If 'fish is fine' then your guest isn't a vegetarian. He or she is just a picky eater.

The risotto mentioned earlier sounds lovely but parmesan is not vegetarian (you can get veggie alternatives). Although if they eat fish that might not matter!

Mcnorton - you can get vegetarian parmesan. You can get vegan parmesan. But since the person eats fish why bother?

If you are thinking of Chinese you could do a prawn dish also, and perhaps a Quorn version of the beef thing. (Lots of Chinese restaurants use meat-substitutes, apparently.)

Because the animal element in parmesan is calves stomach, and thus not fish based.

Itsall Someone who doesn't eat meat but does eat fish is doing it for taste reasons not for principle. They won't have a problem with rennet. Or gelatin. They probably won't know what it is. I bet they wear leather too.

Hey at least the person isn't a vegan who will eat roadkill

I like the meze idea. Lots of different dishes, and they are easy to make. Or do something with fajitos. Have all the fillings on the table and everyone helps themselves.

Russian hmm. I always thought it was ethical ie believing that fish suffer less than animals (plus of course they are less cute)

Like the Asian salmon idea.

Another option would be to look at some Ottolenghi recipes on the Guardian website. see here

the chickpea salad here is a Nigel Slater recipe with roasted aubergine and is utterly divine with or without the prosciutto - it's a fab main course in its own right perhaps with couscous and/or flatbreads and also good served alongside lamb.

Vegetarian lasagne with lentils - yum.

Thank you all - fabulous ideas. Will go through all of them and chat to hubby. Much appreciated.