Veggie lunch- which would you prefer?

[Aworryingtrend]

We are having a couple over for lunch at the weekend both of whom are vegetarian. We are not huge meat eaters so this isn't a problem I just can't decide what to make!

Normally when people come over for lunch I do a spread of lots of different things for people to help themselves. So it would be things like:

• breads
• hummous

-olives

• griddled aubergines rolled up and stuffed with pesto and feta
• couscous salad
• halloumi in some form
• home made falafels

But is that odd in November as it would mainly be cold food? Should I instead do a veggie lasagne or moussake of some sort? I always think though that bakes, lasagnes and moussakas don't look very attractive once plated up.

WWYD?

They both sound lovely. What time shall I be round.

If it is to be chilly though, maybe the hot food?

Make individual ones! Saves all the dishing up aggro!

Bean burgers and chips...nice chillijam recipe..I have one saved somewhere, could work if it's more informal.

My veggie DH would love that and scoff it all

Oh bean burgers sounds nice- just for us one night if not for this lunch! May I have the recipe please Cats?

Yes I thought about making individual ones but I won't have time between now and then to buy individual size dishes, my local supermarket doesn't stock things like that and I'm not going into town.

Bean burger recipe here for you

Having re read it, I left out the oats cos i felt it would make them burly and worthy ...i did two sweet potatoes and a big handful of breadcrumbs to make up for the no oats.

They held together well enough and were super delish with the halloumi

I'd stick with the mezze, it sounds great...I was veggie for 16years , my heart sank at the thought of veggie lasagna or moussaka....
Something like this lizzieeatslondon.blogspot.co.uk/2012/11/black-bean-butternut-squash-chilli.html is great on a cold day with a crusty loaf. Or Delia's goats cheese and tomato puff pastry tart with salad or mash and greens.
Homemade pizza....potato, caramelised, onion and rosemary~ butternut squash, feta & pine nut. Blue cheese & pear. Roast veg with thyme and fresh goats cheese.

The first option, maybe with some soup if it is really cold? (sounds a huge spread for a lunch though?)

I'd prefer the meze too...my favourite kind of meal.

I'm sitting here freezing and thinking soup would be lovely and warming for a lunch.

Both sound great. Agree that soup would warm up the first option (then you mightn't need so many different dishes either).

I wouldn't be concerned about the appearance of the hot dishes. My only thought is that veggie lasagne is the 'old faithful' veggie option in so many pubs, that it seems a bit unimaginative - even though I love it and would be delighted to eat that (with garlic bread please!) or moussaka (and a bit of salad for prettiness).

Personally I love aubergine and would love that pesto dish, also halloumi and I adore artichoke hearts, which go well (pricey though). So with nice bread, I would be delighted with that spread.

I'm not a fan of mezze spreds, so I would prefer lasagne, but agree it is very much a failsafe choice for vegetarian options. I second a squash or pumpkin and bean chilli.

Nigella's double potato and halloumi bake?. It is fairly rustic in appearance but tastes good (one of those dishes that is more than the sum of its parts ifykwim). YOu may need some other dishes to accompany.

Nigella's golden root vegetable cous-cous is also good but can't find link!

Not odd at all, sounds lovely!

Sorry, meant to say, your usual menu sounds fab!

More ideas from Ottolenghi here and here. Many of his recipes are a bit of a faddle though!

Thanks all, im planning on doing the meze with some warmed veg samosas as well and then a hot pudding, probably apple crumble.

Sounds fab Aworryingtrend; hope it all goes well!