Anonymous wrote:Lentil dish (in marinara or coconut milk or mirepoix with a slow cooker), beans and rice, or sweet potatoes and a green salad... all very easy and healthy and also tasty for everyone. I’m sure they are not expecting to be catered to with a five course vegan meal and it’s not going to kill you to have a single non animal option. Whether it turns out a fad or not I promise they didn’t decide this to ruin your Christmas. it’s the holidays and the hostility from some posters is a bit obnoxious.

The hostility is because the OP was told about this new dietary preference TWO DAYS before a major holiday meal from her daughter’s girlfriend—not even from her daughter. Which makes me wonder if the daughter is just going along with it to appease the girlfriend...

The easy answer...

Roast a block or two of tofu with sage, thyme, and soy sauce (many vegetarians like Bragg’s as it’s less salty).

Make sides you can with vegetarian alternatives (like mashed potatoes). Use Earth Balance margarine in place of butter, and hemp milk (less likely to have allergic people).

Dress salad on the side, or with a non animal dressing like simple vinagrette, which is likely to be agreeable to everyone.

Other than that, they are welcome to bring anything they’d like to.

Just go buy a Celebration Roast and modify a couple of the sides before you finish them. I had 2 last-minute vegan guests for Thanksgiving and it was no big deal.

Lentil dish (in marinara or coconut milk or mirepoix with a slow cooker), beans and rice, or sweet potatoes and a green salad... all very easy and healthy and also tasty for everyone. I’m sure they are not expecting to be catered to with a five course vegan meal and it’s not going to kill you to have a single non animal option. Whether it turns out a fad or not I promise they didn’t decide this to ruin your Christmas. it’s the holidays and the hostility from some posters is a bit obnoxious.

We are those "kids" 30 years later...still vegan and now with 2 vegan grandchildren in tow. Just so you have a crystal ball. We have always brought something we could eat and in the early days It wasn't an issue but watching my mil cater to every other dietary preference that has come along over the 30 years but put no thought into anything that might work for this limb of the family tree really irks me...we now have gluten free options, heart healthy options, no (insert the food) options...WE still bring our own vegan food.

We are also the only kids who offered to and then moved back when my Fil was diagnosed with dementia.

mjedra is a favorite of ours...lebanese lentils, and rice...

Anonymous wrote:Derailing a bit: my MIL died a year ago, and my formerly-omnivore, meat-loving FIL is now a vegetarian, along with his new wife. DH and his sisters have been trying to figure out what to do about Christmas dinner, which has traditionally included a huge prime rib. Oy.

For us it includes a prime rib, potato, rolls, a veggie and a salad.

So our vegetarians eat everything but the meat. That is not a big deal.

If they can’t bring anything because of travel, maybe order a dish or two from a local restaurant? Indian? Stop by the WF today and buy whatever’s in the counter, or at least a big thing of hummus?

I think any “rules” about menus and preparing everything yourself are waived given the late notice and as long as you have vegan foods on hand and are welcoming and supportive, it will be grand.

Lentil shepherd’s pie is easy, delicious and vegan. If you’re in a real pinch you can get premade mashed potatoes.
https://minimalistbaker.com/1-hour-vegan-shepherds-pie/

Anonymous wrote:Wow, to be honest OP, I'd buy them only a salad. I'm not going to rearrange my holiday meal because of them.

Or they can bring their own food.

Don’t be surprised when they don’t visit you anymore.

Derailing a bit: my MIL died a year ago, and my formerly-omnivore, meat-loving FIL is now a vegetarian, along with his new wife. DH and his sisters have been trying to figure out what to do about Christmas dinner, which has traditionally included a huge prime rib. Oy.

humor them as much as you can without too much extra work for you. its the holidays!

I would add black beans and rice to whatever you are making (or something similar).

Then I would tweak the sides so that it does not have animal byproduct in it. Unless it is a family favorite that others would be upset.

It is also fine to ask them to bring something or ask your daughter to be in charge of making something.

Anonymous wrote:which is news since Thanksgiving. They’re both former athletes, eat a lot and previously big meat eaters. But my question is what do I do about Christmas dinner that’s big on meat and seafood — What do I have for them?

Meh. The hell with them. Don't cater to their stupid dietary fad. Make what you always make and let them deal with it.

I like to roast squash with curry powder, olive oil and salt/pepper. Might be something you could turn into more of a main with some creativity

Anonymous wrote:Yes, as a vegetarian myself I don't expect others to make vegetarian food. I always bring several items to holiday meals.

If you want to do something easy you could do pasta with roasted vegetables, guacamole or hummus and dip or black beans and rice.

NP. As a non-vegetarian, I'd be happy to accommodate vegetarians at a holiday meal. Less so those who have discovered their vegetarian beliefs in the last two weeks.