Vegetarian dinner party

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP again. Thanks for helping me brainstorm!! Here's the current evolution in my thinking. It will all be served family style and at the same time.

Two shared sourdough bread bowls--one with spinach-artichoke type dip and one with butternut squash hummus; served with cut up veggies

A new kind of soup (since there's now squash in the hummus)--maybe curried carrot or cauliflower?; Sourdough bread

Cannellini bean fritters--though I may need a better name for these; they are probably 4 inches in diameter and pan fried; they're more substantive than I think people are assuming

Roasted root vegetables

Dipping sauces (again, dill-horseradish and still thinking about the other)

Fennel-orange-arugula salad

Apple tartlets


I still haven't ruled out a lentil "meatloaf" or a savory tart. I just really want to have sourdough bread and that seems absurd with a tart. And I make lentil loaf for my kids all the time, so it just doesn't seem special enough for a dinner party.

It feels very appetizer-like. But, not my style food. How about something more hearty with portabella mushroom.

Can I just ask, for those folks who say that the menu is too appetizer oriented, what's the concern? That you won't be full at the end of the meal? That it won't be satisfying? That you won't get a large enough portion of any single item? I, like many vegetarians I suspect, have gone through life routinely ordering 2-3 appetizers off a restaurant menu and calling it a meal. So I'm just interested to understand what you're afraid you'll be missing.

(From my perspective, we've got all the food groups. We've got crunchy and soft and chewy. We've got savory, sweet, bitter, oily, herby. We've got finger foods, spoon foods, and fork foods. So I'm curious to understand what's missing. I'm not trying to be antagonistic here. I just really like to entertain and think about food, so it's interesting to me to understand how others think about food.)

[Anonymous]

I'm a lifelong vegetarian - your meal sounds very carb heavy and fattening to me (two different types of fritters? creamed greens? This is not 1950).

I'd love soup, bread, and a salad, or pasta with butternut squash sauce, a roll, and a salad. Please replace some fritters with a salad, for the sake of your guests' arteries!!

Include the fruit as part of the dessert.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'm a lifelong vegetarian - your meal sounds very carb heavy and fattening to me (two different types of fritters? creamed greens? This is not 1950).

I'd love soup, bread, and a salad, or pasta with butternut squash sauce, a roll, and a salad. Please replace some fritters with a salad, for the sake of your guests' arteries!!

Include the fruit as part of the dessert.

Agree.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP again. Thanks for helping me brainstorm!! Here's the current evolution in my thinking. It will all be served family style and at the same time.

Two shared sourdough bread bowls--one with spinach-artichoke type dip and one with butternut squash hummus; served with cut up veggies

A new kind of soup (since there's now squash in the hummus)--maybe curried carrot or cauliflower?; Sourdough bread

Cannellini bean fritters--though I may need a better name for these; they are probably 4 inches in diameter and pan fried; they're more substantive than I think people are assuming

Roasted root vegetables

Dipping sauces (again, dill-horseradish and still thinking about the other)

Fennel-orange-arugula salad

Apple tartlets


I still haven't ruled out a lentil "meatloaf" or a savory tart. I just really want to have sourdough bread and that seems absurd with a tart. And I make lentil loaf for my kids all the time, so it just doesn't seem special enough for a dinner party.

It feels very appetizer-like. But, not my style food. How about something more hearty with portabella mushroom.

Can I just ask, for those folks who say that the menu is too appetizer oriented, what's the concern? That you won't be full at the end of the meal? That it won't be satisfying? That you won't get a large enough portion of any single item? I, like many vegetarians I suspect, have gone through life routinely ordering 2-3 appetizers off a restaurant menu and calling it a meal. So I'm just interested to understand what you're afraid you'll be missing.

(From my perspective, we've got all the food groups. We've got crunchy and soft and chewy. We've got savory, sweet, bitter, oily, herby. We've got finger foods, spoon foods, and fork foods. So I'm curious to understand what's missing. I'm not trying to be antagonistic here. I just really like to entertain and think about food, so it's interesting to me to understand how others think about food.)

If you are hosting a vegetarian meal, make it a meal. If I got to a restaurant where I can only order an appetizer, then I'll go for someone else but I wouldn't rush back. This really isn't a meal.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP again. Thanks for helping me brainstorm!! Here's the current evolution in my thinking. It will all be served family style and at the same time.

Two shared sourdough bread bowls--one with spinach-artichoke type dip and one with butternut squash hummus; served with cut up veggies

A new kind of soup (since there's now squash in the hummus)--maybe curried carrot or cauliflower?; Sourdough bread

Cannellini bean fritters--though I may need a better name for these; they are probably 4 inches in diameter and pan fried; they're more substantive than I think people are assuming

Roasted root vegetables

Dipping sauces (again, dill-horseradish and still thinking about the other)

Fennel-orange-arugula salad

Apple tartlets


I still haven't ruled out a lentil "meatloaf" or a savory tart. I just really want to have sourdough bread and that seems absurd with a tart. And I make lentil loaf for my kids all the time, so it just doesn't seem special enough for a dinner party.

It feels very appetizer-like. But, not my style food. How about something more hearty with portabella mushroom.

Dear god, please don't serve portabella mushrooms. Vegetarians DO NOT WANT ANY MORE portabella mushrooms!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP again. Thanks for helping me brainstorm!! Here's the current evolution in my thinking. It will all be served family style and at the same time.

Two shared sourdough bread bowls--one with spinach-artichoke type dip and one with butternut squash hummus; served with cut up veggies

A new kind of soup (since there's now squash in the hummus)--maybe curried carrot or cauliflower?; Sourdough bread

Cannellini bean fritters--though I may need a better name for these; they are probably 4 inches in diameter and pan fried; they're more substantive than I think people are assuming

Roasted root vegetables

Dipping sauces (again, dill-horseradish and still thinking about the other)

Fennel-orange-arugula salad

Apple tartlets


I still haven't ruled out a lentil "meatloaf" or a savory tart. I just really want to have sourdough bread and that seems absurd with a tart. And I make lentil loaf for my kids all the time, so it just doesn't seem special enough for a dinner party.

It feels very appetizer-like. But, not my style food. How about something more hearty with portabella mushroom.

Dear god, please don't serve portabella mushrooms. Vegetarians DO NOT WANT ANY MORE portabella mushrooms!

OP here. Don't worry. There is not even the teensiest tiniest slightest chance that I will serve a portabella mushroom. Or eggplant parmesan.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP again. Thanks for helping me brainstorm!! Here's the current evolution in my thinking. It will all be served family style and at the same time.

Two shared sourdough bread bowls--one with spinach-artichoke type dip and one with butternut squash hummus; served with cut up veggies

A new kind of soup (since there's now squash in the hummus)--maybe curried carrot or cauliflower?; Sourdough bread

Cannellini bean fritters--though I may need a better name for these; they are probably 4 inches in diameter and pan fried; they're more substantive than I think people are assuming

Roasted root vegetables

Dipping sauces (again, dill-horseradish and still thinking about the other)

Fennel-orange-arugula salad

Apple tartlets


I still haven't ruled out a lentil "meatloaf" or a savory tart. I just really want to have sourdough bread and that seems absurd with a tart. And I make lentil loaf for my kids all the time, so it just doesn't seem special enough for a dinner party.

Lifelong vegetarian back again and happy to see that you added a salad (although noting that fennel is a strong flavor that not everyone likes)! Please reconsider the bread bowls and serve sliced sourdough bread alongside your appetizers. Shared bread bowls are kind of gross and I think we're all extra concerned about spreading germs nowadays (it's been a rough fall for those of us with young kids!).

I agree with PPs who say your meal seems more like appetizers to me - you need a heavier entree than soup. I would go back to pasta and a salad. Your other items can be served as appetizers.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP again. Thanks for helping me brainstorm!! Here's the current evolution in my thinking. It will all be served family style and at the same time.

Two shared sourdough bread bowls--one with spinach-artichoke type dip and one with butternut squash hummus; served with cut up veggies

A new kind of soup (since there's now squash in the hummus)--maybe curried carrot or cauliflower?; Sourdough bread

Cannellini bean fritters--though I may need a better name for these; they are probably 4 inches in diameter and pan fried; they're more substantive than I think people are assuming

Roasted root vegetables

Dipping sauces (again, dill-horseradish and still thinking about the other)

Fennel-orange-arugula salad

Apple tartlets


I still haven't ruled out a lentil "meatloaf" or a savory tart. I just really want to have sourdough bread and that seems absurd with a tart. And I make lentil loaf for my kids all the time, so it just doesn't seem special enough for a dinner party.

It feels very appetizer-like. But, not my style food. How about something more hearty with portabella mushroom.

Dear god, please don't serve portabella mushrooms. Vegetarians DO NOT WANT ANY MORE portabella mushrooms!

OP here. Don't worry. There is not even the teensiest tiniest slightest chance that I will serve a portabella mushroom. Or eggplant parmesan.

LOL, thank you, OP, you sound like a really considerate friend.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP again. Thanks for helping me brainstorm!! Here's the current evolution in my thinking. It will all be served family style and at the same time.

Two shared sourdough bread bowls--one with spinach-artichoke type dip and one with butternut squash hummus; served with cut up veggies

A new kind of soup (since there's now squash in the hummus)--maybe curried carrot or cauliflower?; Sourdough bread

Cannellini bean fritters--though I may need a better name for these; they are probably 4 inches in diameter and pan fried; they're more substantive than I think people are assuming

Roasted root vegetables

Dipping sauces (again, dill-horseradish and still thinking about the other)

Fennel-orange-arugula salad

Apple tartlets


I still haven't ruled out a lentil "meatloaf" or a savory tart. I just really want to have sourdough bread and that seems absurd with a tart. And I make lentil loaf for my kids all the time, so it just doesn't seem special enough for a dinner party.

Lifelong vegetarian back again and happy to see that you added a salad (although noting that fennel is a strong flavor that not everyone likes)! Please reconsider the bread bowls and serve sliced sourdough bread alongside your appetizers. Shared bread bowls are kind of gross and I think we're all extra concerned about spreading germs nowadays (it's been a rough fall for those of us with young kids!).

I agree with PPs who say your meal seems more like appetizers to me - you need a heavier entree than soup. I would go back to pasta and a salad. Your other items can be served as appetizers.

I forgot to add - roasted veggies A+ idea. Great side!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP again. Thanks for helping me brainstorm!! Here's the current evolution in my thinking. It will all be served family style and at the same time.

Two shared sourdough bread bowls--one with spinach-artichoke type dip and one with butternut squash hummus; served with cut up veggies

A new kind of soup (since there's now squash in the hummus)--maybe curried carrot or cauliflower?; Sourdough bread

Cannellini bean fritters--though I may need a better name for these; they are probably 4 inches in diameter and pan fried; they're more substantive than I think people are assuming

Roasted root vegetables

Dipping sauces (again, dill-horseradish and still thinking about the other)

Fennel-orange-arugula salad

Apple tartlets


I still haven't ruled out a lentil "meatloaf" or a savory tart. I just really want to have sourdough bread and that seems absurd with a tart. And I make lentil loaf for my kids all the time, so it just doesn't seem special enough for a dinner party.

It feels very appetizer-like. But, not my style food. How about something more hearty with portabella mushroom.

Can I just ask, for those folks who say that the menu is too appetizer oriented, what's the concern? That you won't be full at the end of the meal? That it won't be satisfying? That you won't get a large enough portion of any single item? I, like many vegetarians I suspect, have gone through life routinely ordering 2-3 appetizers off a restaurant menu and calling it a meal. So I'm just interested to understand what you're afraid you'll be missing.

(From my perspective, we've got all the food groups. We've got crunchy and soft and chewy. We've got savory, sweet, bitter, oily, herby. We've got finger foods, spoon foods, and fork foods. So I'm curious to understand what's missing. I'm not trying to be antagonistic here. I just really like to entertain and think about food, so it's interesting to me to understand how others think about food.)

NP, I would expect these things at a cocktail & mingling party and it would be fine, I'd definitely be full by the end of it, but it sounds like OP (not sure if you're OP) wants to host a seated meal and this seems too fussy (for lack of a better word) for a seated meal.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP again. Thanks for helping me brainstorm!! Here's the current evolution in my thinking. It will all be served family style and at the same time.

Two shared sourdough bread bowls--one with spinach-artichoke type dip and one with butternut squash hummus; served with cut up veggies

A new kind of soup (since there's now squash in the hummus)--maybe curried carrot or cauliflower?; Sourdough bread

Cannellini bean fritters--though I may need a better name for these; they are probably 4 inches in diameter and pan fried; they're more substantive than I think people are assuming

Roasted root vegetables

Dipping sauces (again, dill-horseradish and still thinking about the other)

Fennel-orange-arugula salad

Apple tartlets


I still haven't ruled out a lentil "meatloaf" or a savory tart. I just really want to have sourdough bread and that seems absurd with a tart. And I make lentil loaf for my kids all the time, so it just doesn't seem special enough for a dinner party.

Lifelong vegetarian back again and happy to see that you added a salad (although noting that fennel is a strong flavor that not everyone likes)! Please reconsider the bread bowls and serve sliced sourdough bread alongside your appetizers. Shared bread bowls are kind of gross and I think we're all extra concerned about spreading germs nowadays (it's been a rough fall for those of us with young kids!).

I agree with PPs who say your meal seems more like appetizers to me - you need a heavier entree than soup. I would go back to pasta and a salad. Your other items can be served as appetizers.

Yes, great caution about the bread bowls. They'll just be for decoration. There will be spoons to scoop the dips out, and extra sliced bread and veggies to actually dip with.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP again. Thanks for helping me brainstorm!! Here's the current evolution in my thinking. It will all be served family style and at the same time.

Two shared sourdough bread bowls--one with spinach-artichoke type dip and one with butternut squash hummus; served with cut up veggies

A new kind of soup (since there's now squash in the hummus)--maybe curried carrot or cauliflower?; Sourdough bread

Cannellini bean fritters--though I may need a better name for these; they are probably 4 inches in diameter and pan fried; they're more substantive than I think people are assuming

Roasted root vegetables

Dipping sauces (again, dill-horseradish and still thinking about the other)

Fennel-orange-arugula salad

Apple tartlets


I still haven't ruled out a lentil "meatloaf" or a savory tart. I just really want to have sourdough bread and that seems absurd with a tart. And I make lentil loaf for my kids all the time, so it just doesn't seem special enough for a dinner party.

My interpretation:
Crackers, vegetables and dip
Soup
Salad
Galette
Vegetables
Apple tart

I’m not a vegetarian and love to eat, and yes I’m overweight. I think this menu sounds pretty good if the bean fritters are big enough. I assume they are larger and heartier than a pancake or a felafel ball. So I don’t think I’d still be hungry after. I’d maybe add a cheese with the dips, and ice cream to dessert, and make sure people can take more of a food if they want.

[Anonymous]

I think the menu sounds lovely.

One question on the fritters -- do you make them right before you serve them? I don't always love to be right at the stove prepping food when I have guests. Can you make ahead and warm in the oven?

[Anonymous]

Muhammara is a delicious vegetarian dip

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP again. Thanks for helping me brainstorm!! Here's the current evolution in my thinking. It will all be served family style and at the same time.

Two shared sourdough bread bowls--one with spinach-artichoke type dip and one with butternut squash hummus; served with cut up veggies

A new kind of soup (since there's now squash in the hummus)--maybe curried carrot or cauliflower?; Sourdough bread

Cannellini bean fritters--though I may need a better name for these; they are probably 4 inches in diameter and pan fried; they're more substantive than I think people are assuming

Roasted root vegetables

Dipping sauces (again, dill-horseradish and still thinking about the other)

Fennel-orange-arugula salad

Apple tartlets


I still haven't ruled out a lentil "meatloaf" or a savory tart. I just really want to have sourdough bread and that seems absurd with a tart. And I make lentil loaf for my kids all the time, so it just doesn't seem special enough for a dinner party.

It feels very appetizer-like. But, not my style food. How about something more hearty with portabella mushroom.

Dear god, please don't serve portabella mushrooms. Vegetarians DO NOT WANT ANY MORE portabella mushrooms!

OP here. Don't worry. There is not even the teensiest tiniest slightest chance that I will serve a portabella mushroom. Or eggplant parmesan.

Most don’t want op meal either. I would not eat most of what she served.