What's your most foolproof VEGETARIAN entertaining dish? (Festive would be nice but not essential.)

[franch]

Preferably something minimum-effort-maximum-effect.

Probably not curry but can be informal.

Something that'll please the meat-eaters too.

Was thinking of Jamie's camembert pasta from Ministry of Food (as the vegetarian in question tends to order pasta when we're out) but would like other ideas ...

Something seasonal would be lovely.

aubergine and tomato bake - it is not flash but it is tasty

fry 3 large onions with olive oil, cumin, chilli and whatver spices you like - they need to be soft and golden brown

griddle slices of aubergine and then layer with tomato sauce and the onion (make your own or buy it)

layer the aubergine with the tomato until the dish is full

bake in the oven

you can add parmesan if you want

Mushroom risotto, made with porcini mushrooms and white wine

Pasta (any that you like) with tomato, garlic and chilli sauce, with parmesan

Penne, with a 'sauce' made from red and yellow peppers, thinly sliced and gently stewed in olive oil until tender, with chopped garlic, fresh coriander and lots of fresh parmesan

I do something similar to ruby, but use alternate layers of griddled courgettes and aubergines. Top with creme fraiche, chopped mozzarella and grated parmesan and bake until golden brown

winter couscous-this is good
may look like a faff (lots of ingredients) but actually very straightforward and very yummy

quorn sausage casserole with sage and apple. i got the recipe from here, and you can use quorn sausages

or i make a veggie lasagne, with ready prepped mediterrenean veg, i soften it in olive oil , add garlic and other herbs etc.. and then mix with some passata. layer with fresh egg lasagne sheets and bechamel sauce and bake...

I do baked cheesey bean enchiladas with sour cream and salad. Never fails to get a round of applause when I plonk it on the table.

Easy as (vegetarian) pie, too.

Pies always go down a treat here. Either a big veggie one with potatoes, onions, Quorn, carrots,etc. thickened with vegetable bouillion/butter/flour/hot water mix. Alternatively, do individual pies for meat eaters and veggies. you can personalise each one with pastry letters or names cut out with the little cutters (normally reserved for play-dough in this house!) Buy the shortcrust pastry. You can get as creative as you feel able, with pastry bells, holly, star shapes etc stuck on top.

b'nut squash tagine

stuffed potabella mushrooms (pesto, moz or goats cheese, pine nuts)

some sort of individual pie / crumble.

Oh wow everyone thanks so much now I'm spoilt for choice ...

I do love a nice sausage casserole Lulumama - is this the recipe?

Am browsing the other ideas with interest ....

This chestnut pie is gorgeous and Christmassy... I'm a veggie and it's my favourite!

Mm, that sounds gorgeous Rhian

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Oh dear that sounds delicious too!

I'm in a definite sausage casserole mood so am going to try that out tomorrow (with meat sausages, just for us) and see ...

Sausage casserole was nice!

goats cheese and tomato tart. Roll out puff pastry, (can cheat buy ready made) score around edge for crust, mix goats cheese and garlic, lay sliced toms on top, add any herbs you fancy, drzzle with olive oil. Bake, Yum.

Thanks for the tip re the casserole, I'll try it out for dh.

Dh likes my veggie cottage pie (using frozen soya mince and mushroom ketchup)

Homemade Glamorgan sausages are also good(leek, cheese and breadcrumbs basically) and the dreaded nut roast is much nicer homemade too.

That sounds gorgeous pippo - as do your ideas Myrrhcy. Never heard of the sausage recipe they sound great.