Vegan, gluten free, bland meals wanted

[bikemedown]

My husband and I are vegan, and my mum who is coeliac is coming to visit for a few days. She likes relatively bland food, not very keen on vegetables or strong flavours.

does anyone have any suggestions for what we can all eat?

In the past we have done baked potatoes, gluten free pasta. Anything else anyone can think of?

Is your mum vegan as well?

TBH coeliac, vegan, bland, non vegetable food is going to be challenging.

Gosh that's tricky with all your requirements! One of the varieties of rice? I love risotto and it is usually mild tasting. I can't really see how you can avoid vegetables completely during her visit.

She is not vegan! It’s so hard! Don’t need to avoid vegetables completely, but she’s not a massive fan. I love risotto, she is not a fan of the texture. I should have said textures can also be an issue 🤣

But other rice dishes could work maybe. Or even dishes that can sort of have separate parts to them, like baked potatoes or pasta with a selection of sauces/toppings, if anyone has ideas for those.

she usually eats meat with potatoes. And maybe some carrots on the side. We usually eat stir fries, curries, anything vegan and whole food and made from scratch really. And pasta on busy nights.

A cottage pie with vegan mince, and sweet potato topping? Can she eat beans and tomato type sauce?
Does she eat fish? You could just wrap fish in foil with lemon and olive oil and bake for 12-15 mins.
Boulangere potatoes? They're just like dauphinoise but using stock and onions. With olive oil instead of butter? Along with a nice salad? I know you say she hates veg but something green or fresh is always nice. Even just to look at?!

Would you allow her to eat eggs and/or cheese in your house? Could you buy some meat and 2 veg type ready meals or eat out?

Her dietary restrictions are for health reasons. Yours are a lifestyle choice so I think you need to be a little more flexible here.

I’m ok with eggs and dairy in thr house, yes. Would prefer no meat. She doesn’t eat fish, no. I’m actually a lot more flexible than she is! There are so many things she won’t eat or doesn’t like.

That does sound tricky. would she eat a cottage pie made with vegan mince?

My preference would be Jamie Oliver's vegan cottage pie (which is delicious), but it probbaly contains a stack of things she won't eat.

Something like this?

https://www.theguardian.com/food/2024/nov/09/meera-sodha-vegan-recipe-mac-cheese-garlic-parsley-oil

Oh my bad I forgot the gluten free bit.

Just Rol do a ready rolled GF pastry that I think is also vegan.

You could do pies or individual pasties filled according to the eventual recipient

Does it need to be 'fancy', or just everyday dinners?

Are there any particular flavours she likes -lemon, leeks, some sort of herbs? If there are could you utilise that with something light flavoured like white beans? If the texture is too soft, butter beans can be fried or roasted to give them a crispy outside.

Tofu’s probably what springs to mind for vegan, bland and gluten free. If the texture won’t cause issues what about scrambled tofu for a lunch? You could add additional flavourings to the portions that are for you and your husband.

Would she eat soup, leek & potato or tomato for example, serve with gluten free bread?
Mixed bean and vegetable casserole?
Lentil cottage pie?
Mushroom stroganoff served with mashed potatoes (use olive oil for the mash)?
Marry Me chickpeas served with Greek roast potatoes (just a hint of chilli)?

Quorn mince shepherds pie,using’ free from ‘ gravy granules ,mixed veg ,mashed potatoes with butter ++
Grandchild is vegetarian coeliac and really enjoys this recipe.

If we deal with a range of preferences/limitations we go for very plain base and variable toppings.

As a base baked potatoes, rice, couscous, pasta, even tortillas (vegan and GF).

Toppings - some shared ones (rested onion, green peas, carrots, beans) some not sure if shared (tofu, guacamole, lentils) and some extras for her (cheese, cream to go with the potatoes, ...)

Tofu traybake https://www.waitrose.ae/en/recipes/tofu-traybake/

Pineapple fried rice is a big hit in our house. She could have with fried or boiled egg. Or leave out the pineapple if too adventurous. Tamari instead of soy sauce.

Rice is gf and vegan.

how about brown rice tossed with chopped parsley, vegan feta style cheese crumbled, roasted peppers, chopped tomatoes, pistachios, cucumber and pomegranate seeds then coconut vegan yogurt with a spoonful of mint sauce stirred through. I do this for my brother, for my dc I use dairy cheese and yogurt as they are vegetarian and for us I add lamb chops!

If it’s only 2 days, I would just get some ready meals for her. Or do sausage and mash. Does she like a roast dinner? You could do a vegan alternative and just get her a pack of cooked sliced chicken.