Vegetarian Thanksgiving dish when traveling

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If you can go to a grocery store when you land, you can pick up some hummus, marcona almonds, pita chips and olives and cheese and do a mezze type platter. Depending on the length of your flights, you could even carry this with you, and it wouldn't be too problematic if it's a short flight.

It is easy to assemble, nutritious enough if you don't get other hot food, and other guests will like it. Most importantly you won't be getting in the host's way with whatever hot dishes they're preparing.

If you eat eggs, picking up a vegetarian quiche is also good.

This and the already prepped grain salad that can be served at room temp are the two winners. Clearly.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:So, this is not a festive take, but most people go plenty of stretches where they skip meals or eat less traditional meals.

Can you just bring some whole fruit (apples, bananas, grapes in tupperware), PBJ, crackers, nuts, bars, etc... and supplement the meal, and/or focus on the sides that definitely do NOT have bacon, like bread/cheese/the one veggie that doesn't have meat like hopefully mashed potatoes, and dessert?

It's one day.

Happy Thanksgiving. NO. I wouldn't go if that was your attitude as a host.

I'm not a host but this is my suggestion about what I might do if I were in OPs situation with a host that didn't understand and it would be difficult to accomodate me. Like, suck it up for the day and have a meal later. Also I'm unclear if OP ever actually told their dietary restrictions to the host!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If you can go to a grocery store when you land, you can pick up some hummus, marcona almonds, pita chips and olives and cheese and do a mezze type platter. Depending on the length of your flights, you could even carry this with you, and it wouldn't be too problematic if it's a short flight.

It is easy to assemble, nutritious enough if you don't get other hot food, and other guests will like it. Most importantly you won't be getting in the host's way with whatever hot dishes they're preparing.

If you eat eggs, picking up a vegetarian quiche is also good.

This and the already prepped grain salad that can be served at room temp are the two winners. Clearly.

+1 I'm surprised at the number of people whose idea of a vegetarian Thanksgiving dish is limited to macaroni and cheese. People above the age of 15 don't want to eat that as the only element of a meal.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Op here - not at all trying to create drama. Just trying to come up with a plan that won’t cause anyone else inconvenience. I do usually bring a dish to serve for everyone - I think bringing just one portion of something for myself is even more awkward. Of course I can just eat a roll or whatever and survive, but also then draws attention and makes others feel awkward. I don’t expect them to bend over backwards at all. I’m looking to bring something with few ingredients, that can be cooked quickly, so I can arrive not-empty-handed and be a good guest AND have something decent to eat.

I should have just asked for a vegetarian thanksgiving main dish that could made quickly with few ingredients. But I thought more context would be helpful.

You’re flying in! NO ONE expects to make anything. The way to be an excellent guest is to stay out of the kitchen before the meal and insist on helping with clean up after the meal.

If you like, you can toss some nice chocolates or special teas in your bag as hostess gift. But please drop the notion that a guest who is flying in is expected to cook a dish.

The problem is OP is vegetarian and is eating Thanksgiving at a heavy-meat laden household and Op would have to survive on only rolls (b/c she said upthread even the veggies have bacon mixed in).

Could you please come back to reality. Every side dish is not going to have bacon mixed in. You and I and OP know that.

My sweet summer child. I’ve had friends in the Midwest who would put meat in everything. The cornbread, the green beans, the mashed potatoes, even the salad was mixed with bacon!

These people exist, and pretending otherwise sets up everyone for disappointment.

OP, you should just get pad Thai delivered.

+1. OP set forth her food question for some help. Why are people questioning the facts? Just answer the question based on the information OP provided or move along.

Geez, the food and cooking forum is getting as snarky as the rest of DCUM.

Also, if the host hasn't offered to accommodate you with one vegetarian main dish (and they really should have- it's not a crazy restriction), then yes, restaurant pad thai for the win!

[Anonymous]

Why do you think the hosts won’t ensure there are vegetarian friendly options? Do they know you are vegetarian and just not care/are they poor goats?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Why do you think the hosts won’t ensure there are vegetarian friendly options? Do they know you are vegetarian and just not care/are they poor goats?

Hosts not goats

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Please stop with the drama. All the veggie side dishes will not be strewn with bacon. There will be plenty of sides without meat:

Mashed potatoes
Sweet potatoes
Rolls
Mac & cheese
Green bean casserole

Pack a peanut butter sandwich when you fly in on Wednesday. Save it for Thursday if you’re still hungry.

Hahaha. You've obviously never been to the South if you think all the veggie dishes will not be strewn with bacon.

+1. My in-laws are Southern. Everything you listed has meat in it, or was made using bacon fat or lard. Whoever keeps posting that sides won't have meat in it needs to get out more.

So offer to help in the kitchen and put some green beans aside or whatever might have meat thrown in at the last minute. I’m not sure everyone’s definition of vegetarian is the same. Pad thai was suggested but that’s not always vegetarian but OP seemed to jump on the idea. But usually the shrimp or fish sauce would rule it out for vegetarians who don’t eat seafood.

OMG if OP orders Pad Thai from a restaurant you do realize she could order a vegetarian version, right?

You’re reallllllly reaching.

Sorry but if you’re going to someone’s house for Thanksgiving and you order your own special meal to be delivered you should just stay home. Why bother?

Do you realize how stupid you sound? No one’s talking about ordering pad Thai. And in any event you do know Thai restaurants serve vegetarian versions of dishes without fish sauce, don’t you?
By your token if the hosts invite someone to a meal where they won’t be able to eat decently then why even bother asking them to come? Grow a brain.

Did you know all the grocery stores are open Thanksgiving morning? This isn’t a problem solved by ordering your own food and eating it in the corner like some weirdo on a family holiday. And yes, people are suggesting ordering food. I don’t lessons on manners from people who would act so ridiculously as a guest in someone else’s home.

Aha! You’re one of those terrible hosts who does what they want without any consideration for their guests, so your opinion can be safely ignored.

Lol lemme guess you are the perpetual guest and never a host. Do you bring a lame pie and call it a day year after year?

Look, when your guests sneak out the house for a walk after the slop you serve they’re actually hitting a fast food place.

So, you are the lazy guest who doesn't help. This is only an issue for people who can't be bothered to pitch in or discuss a menu with their hosts. Which you seem awfully familiar with.

When my mom cooks no one gets an opinion. Her salads are nasty. We stopped going.

That's nice, but OP is going and this doesn't seem to be an issue. She has limited access to the kitchen.. So the easiest thing is to just run to the store and get substantial salad mixings and prep it in the morning and get out of the kitchen. Easy peasy.

You don't take over someone's kitchen and expecting them only to eat salad is a bad host and bizzare.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Op here - not at all trying to create drama. Just trying to come up with a plan that won’t cause anyone else inconvenience. I do usually bring a dish to serve for everyone - I think bringing just one portion of something for myself is even more awkward. Of course I can just eat a roll or whatever and survive, but also then draws attention and makes others feel awkward. I don’t expect them to bend over backwards at all. I’m looking to bring something with few ingredients, that can be cooked quickly, so I can arrive not-empty-handed and be a good guest AND have something decent to eat.

I should have just asked for a vegetarian thanksgiving main dish that could made quickly with few ingredients. But I thought more context would be helpful.

You’re flying in! NO ONE expects to make anything. The way to be an excellent guest is to stay out of the kitchen before the meal and insist on helping with clean up after the meal.

If you like, you can toss some nice chocolates or special teas in your bag as hostess gift. But please drop the notion that a guest who is flying in is expected to cook a dish.

The problem is OP is vegetarian and is eating Thanksgiving at a heavy-meat laden household and Op would have to survive on only rolls (b/c she said upthread even the veggies have bacon mixed in).

Could you please come back to reality. Every side dish is not going to have bacon mixed in. You and I and OP know that.

My sweet summer child. I’ve had friends in the Midwest who would put meat in everything. The cornbread, the green beans, the mashed potatoes, even the salad was mixed with bacon!

These people exist, and pretending otherwise sets up everyone for disappointment.

OP, you should just get pad Thai delivered.

+1. OP set forth her food question for some help. Why are people questioning the facts? Just answer the question based on the information OP provided or move along.

Geez, the food and cooking forum is getting as snarky as the rest of DCUM.

Also, if the host hasn't offered to accommodate you with one vegetarian main dish (and they really should have- it's not a crazy restriction), then yes, restaurant pad thai for the win!

You just need to offer a few sides, something, not even a full dish.

[Anonymous]

So here’s my suggestion..in advance see if there is a grocery store open on Thanksgiving. If yes and if you have a car or can uber, go there and get ingredients for a filling fancy salad. Add walnuts or pecans, maybe mix your own dressing, add lots of fruit and veggies. My trick for travel salad is to bring gallon sized zip lock bags, fill/add dressing and shake. If you can’t pack a knife, you can buy a cheap one at the grocery store. If you want to share, buy those aluminum foil pans. If the grocery store has an app, download it. I use the apps as a way of seeing what is in stock. If you are vegan, look for some vegan bread , cheese or other tasty stuff.

Other recipes could be a corn salad. I love corn, mayo, traders joes everything but the elote seasoning-lots of it, cilantro and lime juice. Vegan mayo would well here. If no grocery store is open, pack cans of corn, vegan mayo, a lime, and the seasoning.

I would not go anywhere near the oven on Thanksgiving. An alternative if you really want something cooked would be to use the outdoor grill. Grilled sweet potatoes are amazing. Coat with olive oil, sea salt and honey. Grill. Asparagus and zucchini with olive oil, salt and pepper. Carrots with honey.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Please stop with the drama. All the veggie side dishes will not be strewn with bacon. There will be plenty of sides without meat:

Mashed potatoes
Sweet potatoes
Rolls
Mac & cheese
Green bean casserole

Pack a peanut butter sandwich when you fly in on Wednesday. Save it for Thursday if you’re still hungry.

Hahaha. You've obviously never been to the South if you think all the veggie dishes will not be strewn with bacon.

+1. My in-laws are Southern. Everything you listed has meat in it, or was made using bacon fat or lard. Whoever keeps posting that sides won't have meat in it needs to get out more.

So offer to help in the kitchen and put some green beans aside or whatever might have meat thrown in at the last minute. I’m not sure everyone’s definition of vegetarian is the same. Pad thai was suggested but that’s not always vegetarian but OP seemed to jump on the idea. But usually the shrimp or fish sauce would rule it out for vegetarians who don’t eat seafood.

OMG if OP orders Pad Thai from a restaurant you do realize she could order a vegetarian version, right?

You’re reallllllly reaching.

Sorry but if you’re going to someone’s house for Thanksgiving and you order your own special meal to be delivered you should just stay home. Why bother?

Do you realize how stupid you sound? No one’s talking about ordering pad Thai. And in any event you do know Thai restaurants serve vegetarian versions of dishes without fish sauce, don’t you?
By your token if the hosts invite someone to a meal where they won’t be able to eat decently then why even bother asking them to come? Grow a brain.

Did you know all the grocery stores are open Thanksgiving morning? This isn’t a problem solved by ordering your own food and eating it in the corner like some weirdo on a family holiday. And yes, people are suggesting ordering food. I don’t lessons on manners from people who would act so ridiculously as a guest in someone else’s home.

Aha! You’re one of those terrible hosts who does what they want without any consideration for their guests, so your opinion can be safely ignored.

Lol lemme guess you are the perpetual guest and never a host. Do you bring a lame pie and call it a day year after year?

Look, when your guests sneak out the house for a walk after the slop you serve they’re actually hitting a fast food place.

So, you are the lazy guest who doesn't help. This is only an issue for people who can't be bothered to pitch in or discuss a menu with their hosts. Which you seem awfully familiar with.

When my mom cooks no one gets an opinion. Her salads are nasty. We stopped going.

That's nice, but OP is going and this doesn't seem to be an issue. She has limited access to the kitchen.. So the easiest thing is to just run to the store and get substantial salad mixings and prep it in the morning and get out of the kitchen. Easy peasy.

You don't take over someone's kitchen and expecting them only to eat salad is a bad host and bizzare.

If you need to take over a kitchen to make a salad then you have no idea what you are doing.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:So, this is not a festive take, but most people go plenty of stretches where they skip meals or eat less traditional meals.

Can you just bring some whole fruit (apples, bananas, grapes in tupperware), PBJ, crackers, nuts, bars, etc... and supplement the meal, and/or focus on the sides that definitely do NOT have bacon, like bread/cheese/the one veggie that doesn't have meat like hopefully mashed potatoes, and dessert?

It's one day.

Happy Thanksgiving. NO. I wouldn't go if that was your attitude as a host.

I'm not a host but this is my suggestion about what I might do if I were in OPs situation with a host that didn't understand and it would be difficult to accomodate me. Like, suck it up for the day and have a meal later. Also I'm unclear if OP ever actually told their dietary restrictions to the host!

It’s not hard to accommodate a vegetarian. Not eating at a meal sucks and is clear you are not wanted.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:So here’s my suggestion..in advance see if there is a grocery store open on Thanksgiving. If yes and if you have a car or can uber, go there and get ingredients for a filling fancy salad. Add walnuts or pecans, maybe mix your own dressing, add lots of fruit and veggies. My trick for travel salad is to bring gallon sized zip lock bags, fill/add dressing and shake. If you can’t pack a knife, you can buy a cheap one at the grocery store. If you want to share, buy those aluminum foil pans. If the grocery store has an app, download it. I use the apps as a way of seeing what is in stock. If you are vegan, look for some vegan bread , cheese or other tasty stuff.

Other recipes could be a corn salad. I love corn, mayo, traders joes everything but the elote seasoning-lots of it, cilantro and lime juice. Vegan mayo would well here. If no grocery store is open, pack cans of corn, vegan mayo, a lime, and the seasoning.

I would not go anywhere near the oven on Thanksgiving. An alternative if you really want something cooked would be to use the outdoor grill. Grilled sweet potatoes are amazing. Coat with olive oil, sea salt and honey. Grill. Asparagus and zucchini with olive oil, salt and pepper. Carrots with honey.

Fancy salad…just no.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Op here - not at all trying to create drama. Just trying to come up with a plan that won’t cause anyone else inconvenience. I do usually bring a dish to serve for everyone - I think bringing just one portion of something for myself is even more awkward. Of course I can just eat a roll or whatever and survive, but also then draws attention and makes others feel awkward. I don’t expect them to bend over backwards at all. I’m looking to bring something with few ingredients, that can be cooked quickly, so I can arrive not-empty-handed and be a good guest AND have something decent to eat.

I should have just asked for a vegetarian thanksgiving main dish that could made quickly with few ingredients. But I thought more context would be helpful.

You’re flying in! NO ONE expects to make anything. The way to be an excellent guest is to stay out of the kitchen before the meal and insist on helping with clean up after the meal.

If you like, you can toss some nice chocolates or special teas in your bag as hostess gift. But please drop the notion that a guest who is flying in is expected to cook a dish.

The problem is OP is vegetarian and is eating Thanksgiving at a heavy-meat laden household and Op would have to survive on only rolls (b/c she said upthread even the veggies have bacon mixed in).

Could you please come back to reality. Every side dish is not going to have bacon mixed in. You and I and OP know that.

My sweet summer child. I’ve had friends in the Midwest who would put meat in everything. The cornbread, the green beans, the mashed potatoes, even the salad was mixed with bacon!

These people exist, and pretending otherwise sets up everyone for disappointment.

OP, you should just get pad Thai delivered.

+1. OP set forth her food question for some help. Why are people questioning the facts? Just answer the question based on the information OP provided or move along.

Geez, the food and cooking forum is getting as snarky as the rest of DCUM.

Also, if the host hasn't offered to accommodate you with one vegetarian main dish (and they really should have- it's not a crazy restriction), then yes, restaurant pad thai for the win!

You just need to offer a few sides, something, not even a full dish.

Sure, I am PP and I would agree to that. Just something that OP can cobble a meal together with that's more than a green salad and a dinner roll. Doesn't have to be called a "main dish."

[Anonymous]

I can't believe the number of people telling OP to "suck it up" when she is FLYING over the Thanksgiving holiday to attend this garhering. And she's vegetarian, it's not that hard to accommodate! It is probably the easiest and most common dietary restriction out there.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I can't believe the number of people telling OP to "suck it up" when she is FLYING over the Thanksgiving holiday to attend this garhering. And she's vegetarian, it's not that hard to accommodate! It is probably the easiest and most common dietary restriction out there.

We still have no idea if the host is willing to accommodate. OP has only whined that there will be bacon in everything. They haven't told us if they have conveyed their food needs.