dinner party for 10, 2 are vegetarian

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Another vegetarian and I was also going to suggest halloumi. Portobellos don't have many calories or protein, would appreciate something more substantial.

But adding chickpeas to the couscous or serving beans are good alternatives too. Thanks for being thoughtful!

I love halloumi. Salty cheese is my favorite food. But because I love it so much, I am aware that it's a love/hate thing. I don't think you can serve halloumi, grains with feta, and veggies with goat cheese as your dishes. I mean, you can if I'm coming over, but while I don't think you need to cater to people, I think three dishes with the same semi-controversial ingredient is unfair.

Maybe do halloumi, couscous with feta on the side as an add in, and variety of roasted veggies possibly including mushrooms without goat cheese? Or white beans, couscous with feta on the side, and roasted vegetables with goat cheese.

Or just invite me and I'll eat all the cheese.

Agree, too much (and too many varieties of) cheese being suggested. Limit to 2 dishes.

Likewise, don’t put chick peas in the cous cous AND make a bean dish.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Beans or grilled tofu. I don’t like giant portobello mushrooms.

It really depends on the person. I prefer the mushroom or the beans. No tofu or other soy product for me.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Another vegetarian and I was also going to suggest halloumi. Portobellos don't have many calories or protein, would appreciate something more substantial.

But adding chickpeas to the couscous or serving beans are good alternatives too. Thanks for being thoughtful!

I love halloumi. Salty cheese is my favorite food. But because I love it so much, I am aware that it's a love/hate thing. I don't think you can serve halloumi, grains with feta, and veggies with goat cheese as your dishes. I mean, you can if I'm coming over, but while I don't think you need to cater to people, I think three dishes with the same semi-controversial ingredient is unfair.

Maybe do halloumi, couscous with feta on the side as an add in, and variety of roasted veggies possibly including mushrooms without goat cheese? Or white beans, couscous with feta on the side, and roasted vegetables with goat cheese.

Or just invite me and I'll eat all the cheese.

Agree, too much (and too many varieties of) cheese being suggested. Limit to 2 dishes.

Likewise, don’t put chick peas in the cous cous AND make a bean dish.

I think it’s okay to do a bean dish and add the chick peas.

[Anonymous]

I was the only vegetarian and my friend hosted a dinner party with all vegetarian items. I told her she didn't have to, and her response was " Why not? We can all eat vegetarian."

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I am vegetarian and would love the beans instead of the mushrooms.

I must also speak my truth…I am a vegetarian and I really don’t like mushrooms, particularly portobello mushrooms. But I’m served them a lot and don’t want to be impolite. So I eat them.

OP, you are a gem in trying to be so gracious and accommodating of guests with different diets.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Can you make a second, simple vegetarian entree? I am a lifelong vegetarian and although I enjoy mushrooms as an ingredient, I wouldn’t consider mushrooms alone to be the same thing as a vegetarian entree. I agree with a former poster that this trope of vegetarians relishing the idea of feasting on a grilled mushroom is a myth.

Some entrée ideas:

Sautéed wild mushrooms over polenta
Marry me beans (many recipes online) with grilled sourdough
Lentil stew (can add veggies, veggie sausage etc)
Vegetable pot au feu

How are sauteed mushrooms over polenta substantively any different than grilled mushrooms with cous cous? You just like one better but they are essentially the same thing.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I was the only vegetarian and my friend hosted a dinner party with all vegetarian items. I told her she didn't have to, and her response was " Why not? We can all eat vegetarian."

Ugh, that's the worst.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I am vegetarian and would love the beans instead of the mushrooms.

Agree. I am so very tired of being served mushrooms as a substitute meat. I do love beans of any kind, though! I also liked PP’s idea to serve a variety of grilled veggies so that the whole meal doesn’t turn on your guests liking one particular thing (like mushrooms or cauliflower, which a PP suggested).

Well, you have voluntarily restricted your diet, so there are only so many things people can offer you. Listen to yourself: serve a variety of veggies so everyone’s pickiness is catered to. I don’t see any omnivores suggesting that OP should serve a mixed grill of meats so that people who don’t like chicken have their preferences catered to. Eat or don’t eat, but your expectations are way out of line.

+1

You’re not the only person with this takeaway. Ultimately, someone else has spent the money, time, and effort, to feed you a meal on your restricted terms. Some of these exasperated responses reek of entitlement. And I say this as someone who has always prepared something vegetarian for any vegetarian guests I’ve hosted. A little gratitude goes a long way, especially when you’re the one creating extra work for the host.

I have to say that I interpret all these vegetarian suggestions as just that or a brainstorming, not actually requesting this.
I usually ask for any dietary restrictions. Fortunately, most of our friends eat everything, some are gluten-free, which is easily accommodated. Ditto the friend who doesn’t eat vegetables.
Not sure, however, what I’d do if there were a long list of restrictions.