When your dinner guest(s) is a vegetarian: I like meat. I like baby-back ribs with BBQ sauce and medium-rare crispy-coated rack of lamb and rib-eye steaks. I loved my mom’s pot roast and my grandmother’s roast chicken with the meat falling off the bones. Today, many people are vegetarian. This dismays my husband and me, only when we are planning a dinner party. When we think of what to cook, we usually start with the meat. Then the accompanying side dishes. With vegetarian guests, we have to get a little more creative.
When Your Dinner Guest(s) is a Vegetarian
This isn’t a blog about the nifty meatless dishes you can make when inviting your vegetarian friends or family over for dinner. There is a slew of vegetarian recipes and cookbooks for that. This is my attempt to answer the following question: what to do when you have guests over, and some are vegetarian?
Skip The Meat?
No. Or it depends. It’s your house, after all, so I think the hosts should design the menu. We’ve made a vegetarian meal when we’ve had all our vegetarian friends over for dinner at once. But the thing is, just because your guests are vegetarian doesn’t mean they’ll all be friends. If there’s only one couple or your sister’s new boyfriend, I’d say no to having meatlessness define the menu. But a good host is respectful to the needs of her guests. So then what?
Make a Special Entrée?
Going out of your way to make two main dishes might make a guest uncomfortable, despite your claim that it was “no trouble.” But there’s a way to plan a menu that gives your guests flavor options. Two similar main dishes, one with meat and one without. Meat or veggie-chili? Sausage on your pizza or mushroom and peppers? Or even, meat or meatless burritos.
A Buffet With Lots of Sides
A buffet is the best and easiest way to entertain those with any more specialized diets. Even if there is a turkey or a baked ham as the centerpiece of the buffet table, there should be enough side dishes to add up to an enjoyable repast.
Include versatile toppings like quinoa (a complete protein that both vegetarians and non-vegetarians love). Or other versatile complete proteins including tofu, edamame, Ezekiel bread, rice & beans, and pita & hummus. Include a few of these in your menu planning, and no one will go home hungry.
When You Are The Guest
Have you received a dinner invitation? Show your gratitude with a host or hostess gift. Wine and charcuterie gifts are usually well received. For more ideas check out our blog, 5 Yummy Hostess Gift Ideas!
© Featured photo by August de Richelieu from Pexels