Lamb alternative for a vegetarian

[etpuisepuisée]

I'm having an informal dinner party next weekend with friends (12 people all in all).
It's an all in one Easter, end of Pessah, Aid occasion but no one is particularly religious so mixing milk and meat is okay as is cooking things with alcohol - the only big no nos are pork and shellfish.

Normally as a friend group we always go 100% veggie or vegan if we have a veggie or vegan friend attending as none of us are big meat eaters anyway.

This year a few of the guests have mentioned wanting lamb so I'm going to do

Starter/Apéro
A honey and white wine roasted Mont d'Or and challah croutons (this is a non negotiable tradition)

Main
Roast leg of lamb with rosemary and garlic, red wine jus
Roast potatoes
Celeriac and cauliflower mash
Mixed mushroom sauté with lemon zest
Glazed carrots with orange
Leeks or asparagus (deep,ding on what looks nicest at the market)
Green beans with garlic and parsley

Green salad

Cheese

Pudding
Orange and cinnamon salad
Strawberry and basil salad
Lemon almond langue de chats
Whipped cream

I asked the one strict veggie friend who is coming if he was okay with us doing lamb and he said no problem and that he didn't need an alternative however I feel a bit mean not planning anything for him to replace the lamb.

Would rosemary grilled halloumi be really weird with the rest, its the only thing I can think of with a good texture to go with rest ? Or I could make red lentil tofu with added dried cepe powder but that can be pretty mushy or a sort of cabbage leaf stuffed with chopped nuts and lentils and herbs but again there is no "bite"?

I want something a bit chewy, not too much of a faff that goes well with the rest - It's really a texture question.

All ideas welcome.

Thanks.

Could you do cauli cheese instead of the mash and that can be his "main"?

Also, I'm aware of the whole roasted leg of lamb and Seder issue - but this has been okayed by the two people who would be most concerned...

The mushroom part of the main dish is sufficient for the texture and bite, which is why I guess your guest is saying there's no need to add anything extra for him. With all the sides etc there's more than enough food. I'd take your friend at his word and not try and second guess him!

As a veggie I agree with your friend and would be happy with just the non meat stuff, however when I do a roast I always do cauliflower cheese which makes it a bit more substantial.

I’d be happy with the halloumi! Especially seeing as you have lots of delicious veg sides there.

as a vegetarian lamb is the one and only thing I can’t stand the smell of - it’s so pungent to me - but with all the other things going on I’m sure it’ll be a very enjoyable special meal.

@RoseslnTheHospital I know there is enough food, its not about second guessing him, it's more that it's the first time we're not going fully veggie in his presence ... I don't want him to feel left out or forgotten. It's an occasion for everyone to feel special and "loved", and in our friend group respecting everyones food issues ( vegan, veggie, cultural, religious, allergies, pure quirkiness) is really part of our way of taking care of each other ...

@QuickGuide Cauliflower cheese after roasted mont d'or may be a bit much !

Sorry to have offended. I'm not suggesting that you should ignore him, just was attempting to reassure you that there was more than sufficient food for him without adding a specific replacement for the lamb.

As a vegetarian I would find halloumi to be a bit jarring in the context of the other dishes, being such a specific salty flavour. Perhaps you could do a mushroom focussed main for him, a large stuffed mushroom maybe?

@RoseslnTheHospital No offense taken! No worries. We're just very food based and food sensitive...

A big stuffed mushroom sounds like a good plan!

I'll google some recipes!

Thank you

Could you put together a dish of melanzane parmigiana for him? Or a larger dish for others to eat with the Lamb too? It’s easy to prepare in advance.

I also wouldn’t want any alternative. As long as there’s enough of your cheese first course, and plenty of vegetables (not just side portions) I’d be quite satisfied. It’s only one meal.

I think I'll do this

https://www.womensweeklyfood.com.au/recipes/roast-stuffed-mushrooms-15112

With veggie Parmesan and add some roasted almond to the breadcrumbs.

@CapaciousHag it really sin't about the quantity of food, its more about the fact that for all of us doing a roast is a "special" occasion as we eat very very little meat - it's about him having a centre piece for his plate. We're also in France and here vegetarians are still so so often just left with side dishes, green beans cooking with lardons are also considered "vegetarian" in some places here.

I had some fake lamb vegetarian skewers from the freezer section in aldi the other day. They were actually lovely. Might be nice in a pitta for your guest

Stuffed mushroom upthread is also a really good shout.

I’d love the halloumi, but a lot of people don’t like it so I’d check.
Or make seitan, super simple, loads of chew yum.

As you seem like a really thoughtful host ! maybe not calve the leg of lamb at the table.

You sound like a lovely group of friends and very supportive and inclusive. There's plenty of options there with the sides, but if you really want to cater extra, what about roast aubergine or a mix of squash and sweet potato or cauliflower steak? Or a small mixed veg crumble type thing?

I want to join your friend group! This sounds fab

I was thinking the same thing….🤣🤣🤣