Anonymous wrote:Do you make a special entree like fish for the single vegetarian in the family or assume they will get by eating other items. My sister in law is furious we don’t provide another entree for her. I have so many dishes and appetizers I can’t imagine anyone would go hungry. And for what it’s worth I make some nice appetizers such as smoked salmon and shrimp cocktail plus lobster bisque … I feel like my sister in law just wants to comp plain and feel special. I suggested she bring an entree this year and my husband told me now she’s doubly offended.

Did you discover DCUM in 2016?

I am a pescatarian in a family of mainly carnivores. I love Thanksgiving because there are so many side dishes that I can eat. I also realize my food preferences are inconvenient for other people, so I don’t make a fuss OR I bring something I can eat.

That said, many side dishes are just basically forms of carb mush (which, again, I love!) and don’t have protein to round out the meal. In a situation like yours where I have hosted and everyone eats meat, but me and maybe one other person, I will serve a quiche. It’s something that can be prepared ahead of time, and my go to is a wonderful wild mushroom tart recipe that people love.

Your sister-in-law is telling you something by her reaction to this. Whether or not you think it’s reasonable (and of course, a grown woman throwing a fit over. Food is not acting in a polite manner herself), it suggests to me there’s something more going on. Maybe she feels excluded generally. Who knows? But it doesn’t take that much extra energy to throw in a salmon fillet for her. By a salmon fillet, put some spices lemon and olive oil on it, and throw it in the oven or toaster oven for 15 minutes.

Anonymous wrote:If it were me, I would come up with a vegetarian protein dish that could be enjoyed as a main dish by the vegetarian, and a side dish by others. Something easy for me to execute, like a warm lentil salad. I would present it nicely alongside the turkey. I would also make sure I didn't put meat or chicken stock in most of the side dishes.

Same here

We are having 8 come. I am roasting the smallest turkey I can find; I am getting a very small ham for those that don’t like turkey; and my nephew and I are grilling salmon steaks for us. I would have a vegetarian lentil type dish if we had a vegetarian.

I feel that Thanksgiving is a day where everyone should have a decent plate of food they like.

Didn't you realize that fish is meat, OP, and that she can't eat??? That's a major knowledge failure on your part!

However.

If there's one lone guest on a special diet, it's always a problem, because if the host makes a dish specially for them that the guest doesn't like, then it's awkward.

I think the guest could bring a dish for themselves, and if there's leftovers, others could try it. But that only works if the guest isn't coming from too far away.

The solution is to prepare many vegetarian dishes that every one can eat. And that starts with the host actually understanding what vegetarian means.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Do you make a special entree like fish for the single vegetarian in the family or assume they will get by eating other items. My sister in law is furious we don’t provide another entree for her. I have so many dishes and appetizers I can’t imagine anyone would go hungry. And for what it’s worth I make some nice appetizers such as smoked salmon and shrimp cocktail plus lobster bisque … I feel like my sister in law just wants to comp plain and feel special. I suggested she bring an entree this year and my husband told me now she’s doubly offended.

So, you can make three different kinds of seafood appetizers, but not one vegetarian?

To answer your question, yes I make a protein vegetarian option if a vegetarian is coming- I usually make enough if others want some too. Plus, I talk to them beforehand to see what kind of dish they prefer.

Why would you make a fish dish for a vegetarian?

Because they’re actually pescatarian

are you OP?

If it were me, I would come up with a vegetarian protein dish that could be enjoyed as a main dish by the vegetarian, and a side dish by others. Something easy for me to execute, like a warm lentil salad. I would present it nicely alongside the turkey. I would also make sure I didn't put meat or chicken stock in most of the side dishes.

Anonymous wrote:Do you make a special entree like fish for the single vegetarian in the family or assume they will get by eating other items. My sister in law is furious we don’t provide another entree for her. I have so many dishes and appetizers I can’t imagine anyone would go hungry. And for what it’s worth I make some nice appetizers such as smoked salmon and shrimp cocktail plus lobster bisque … I feel like my sister in law just wants to comp plain and feel special. I suggested she bring an entree this year and my husband told me now she’s doubly offended.

Fish is not vegetarian. LOL

As the vegetarian family in extended family thanksgivings, we usually bring a veggie entrée. But many guests are bringing a dish at this Thanksgiving celebration, so how it’s handled may be different if the host is providing all the food dishes.

Im a vegetarian and so is my bil. My grandson also doesn't care for certain meats so on top of the pernil (roasted pork sholder) and sides, I make baked ziti for me and whoever else doesn't want our traditional Thanksgiving meal.

Now if I was going to someone's house I wouldn't expect them to make something separate but if all there dishes contained some type of meat I'd probably decline the invite for a holiday. Specifically because its a sit down meal where everyone else has a plate full of food and I'm just sitting there with salad or bread.

It doesn’t matter what makes sense. Have your husband make her an extra dish? This is his side of the family, right?

If it’s your brother’s wife, then tell your brother to bring a dish.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Do you make a special entree like fish for the single vegetarian in the family or assume they will get by eating other items. My sister in law is furious we don’t provide another entree for her. I have so many dishes and appetizers I can’t imagine anyone would go hungry. And for what it’s worth I make some nice appetizers such as smoked salmon and shrimp cocktail plus lobster bisque … I feel like my sister in law just wants to comp plain and feel special. I suggested she bring an entree this year and my husband told me now she’s doubly offended.

So, you can make three different kinds of seafood appetizers, but not one vegetarian?

To answer your question, yes I make a protein vegetarian option if a vegetarian is coming- I usually make enough if others want some too. Plus, I talk to them beforehand to see what kind of dish they prefer.

Why would you make a fish dish for a vegetarian?

Because they’re actually pescatarian

Anonymous wrote:Do you make a special entree like fish for the single vegetarian in the family or assume they will get by eating other items. My sister in law is furious we don’t provide another entree for her. I have so many dishes and appetizers I can’t imagine anyone would go hungry. And for what it’s worth I make some nice appetizers such as smoked salmon and shrimp cocktail plus lobster bisque … I feel like my sister in law just wants to comp plain and feel special. I suggested she bring an entree this year and my husband told me now she’s doubly offended.

So, you can make three different kinds of seafood appetizers, but not one vegetarian?

To answer your question, yes I make a protein vegetarian option if a vegetarian is coming- I usually make enough if others want some too. Plus, I talk to them beforehand to see what kind of dish they prefer.

Why would you make a fish dish for a vegetarian?

This has to be a troll.

Vegetarians don’t usually eat fish, so that’s likely part of the issue.

Do you make a special entree like fish for the single vegetarian in the family or assume they will get by eating other items. My sister in law is furious we don’t provide another entree for her. I have so many dishes and appetizers I can’t imagine anyone would go hungry. And for what it’s worth I make some nice appetizers such as smoked salmon and shrimp cocktail plus lobster bisque … I feel like my sister in law just wants to comp plain and feel special. I suggested she bring an entree this year and my husband told me now she’s doubly offended.