Menu suggestions for vegetarians?

Parent Cafe
1

<p>I’m having some people over this weekend and there are several vegetarians in the group. I’m looking for menu suggestions. I’d prefer things that could be prepared ahead of time, or on the grill. Nothing too complicated. I’ll be incorporating home-grown heirloom tomatoes into the menu because I just got a lot of them from a friend. </p>

<p>There will be 15 adults and 8 kids under 10. I’ll probably do something separate for the kids, so ideas there would also be welcome. </p>

2

<p>What is the non-vegetarian menu looking like? Is there a theme and you want to try to keep the vegetarian offerings in the theme? If you’re open, check here. Lots of make aheads and all delish. </p>

<p><a href=“http://www.cookinglight.com/food/vegetarian/vegetarian-meals/view-all”>http://www.cookinglight.com/food/vegetarian/vegetarian-meals/view-all&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

3

<p>Thanks! Haven’t decided on a theme yet, other than late-summer-meal-by-the-beach. Relaxed atmosphere. I’m open to suggestions.</p>

<p>I was thinking about doing an all-vegetarian menu, but it doesn’t have to be that way. I forgot to say that the vegetarians are NOT vegans. I find it easy to find good vegetarian dishes, but hard to put together a whole vegetarian meal. </p>

<p>If folks want to suggest a mixed menu, with vegetarian and non-vegetarian options, please do so. (Other guests have shellfish and pork restrictions). </p>

4

<p>Polenta grills nicely on the grill and you can buy that premade and maybe layer some veggies with a dressing. How about vegetable kebobs? I enjoy those a lot
<a href=“http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/veggie-kabobs-with-herb-and-garlic-marinade-recipe.html”>http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/veggie-kabobs-with-herb-and-garlic-marinade-recipe.html&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

5

<p>The Cooking Light link had lots of yummy looking choices! Any particular favorites? </p>

6

<p>Do they eat fish, eggs, or dairy?</p>

<p>I have a recipe for rice, corn and black bean salad that is prepared ahead and can be served at room temperature. People always ask me for the recipe, and it is perfect for vegetarians.</p>

7

<p>Yes to eggs and dairy. I need to check on the fish.</p>

8

<p>Sounds great! Would love the recipe if you don’t mind posting. </p>

9

<p>The butternuts squash lasagna is excellent but my kids ton’t like kale so I sub spinach. The red lentil dahl is yummy. Since you have tomatoes and its summer you might try the tomato squash gratin. It rocks. The veggie chilis are all good and can hang out in the crock pot while you hang out with friends. </p>

10

<p>It is time consuming, and might heat up the kitchen, but a veggie lasagna is always nice.</p>

11

<p>If you are grilling burgers, the veggie burgers are actually pretty good. My daughter is/was a veggie (recently started eating meat again) but will still pick the veggie burgers over beef.</p>

12

<p>Never understood the idea of the veggie burger. If you are a vegetarian, eat veggies. Why try to pretend your veggies are meat. If you want a burger, eat a burger.</p>

<p>The fun thing with non-meat cooking is that there are tons of things to make and you do not need any special cookbooks or things. Buy fresh produce. Clean it. Cut it into reasonable sized pieces. Serve. You can make some dips and such if you like or sprinkle some lemon juice, salt, pepper or sugar to taste. </p>

<p>Maybe do a simple caprese salad. Fresh Tomatoes. Fresh Mozzerella. Fresh Basil. A little kosher salt. A little olive oil. A bit of fresh ground pepper. Splash some balsalmic on it and there you go!</p>

13

<p>My current absolute favorite meal–and I’m an omnivore–is Panzanella salad: croutons, fresh tomatoes, mozzarella, basil, balsamic, olive oil, salt. (I make the croutons fresh by frying bread in olive oil with some garlic and sage.) I’ve had it for 8 of the last 12 meals (i.e., lunch and dinner for the last four days). It’s the reason I grow tomatoes.</p>

<p>Other summer vegetarian meals of which I am fond: the some-assembly-required meal. Lots of options in bowls and on plates, from cheeses to nuts to grilled veggies to (for the meat eaters) sliced salami, with crackers (multiple kinds) and toasted French bread. Rolls if you’re so inclined. Corn on the cob if it’s in season. Mayo or aioli or other spreads. Fruit salad or just watermelon slices for desserts.</p>

<p>My daughter and sister are both vegetarians and so are many of my friends.</p>

14

<p>+1 on the caprese salad and the veggie burger - I have a few vegetarians in my immediate family and have found these work well.</p>

<p>Another dish I often prepare is couscous. The “Near East” brand has a few interesting flavors and has a prep time of under 10 minutes. I always get the Mediterranean Curry flavor and add some sautéed or grilled vegetables and some cashews or pine nuts. Everyone, vegetarian or not, seems to enjoy it. If you are doing fish/chicken for the others, this would work well as a side dish for them too.</p>

<p>A more pedestrian option would be to simply do a pasta salad with vegetables. It appeals to some served cold tossed with Italian dressing.</p>

15

<p>Check out the website [Oh</a> She Glows](<a href=“http://www.ohsheglows.com%5DOh”>www.ohsheglows.com). </p>

<p>They have vegan and vegetarian recipes. So versatile and full of flavor. It got me through my detox without feeling to deprived. :)</p>

16

<p>I not a vegetarian myself and don’t eat like one, but something I’ll always eat are mushrooms. Maybe portabello mushroom “burgers?” Two portabello mushrooms with sauteed onions and spinach? </p>

<p>If breakfast for dinner will work here, omelette with mushrooms, spinach, and swiss; hashbrowns with peppers (I’d use pablano but you could use bell peppers) and onions; some beans; and a slice of tomato. Maybe add some toast.</p>

<p>Something obvious that could work for the kids is grilled cheese and tomato soup. Maybe some mushrooms on the side, with a vegetable, maybe spinach or broccoli or whatever they like. </p>

17

<p>Gazpatcho, grilled veggie kabobs, good bread and cheese, beer and wine, fruit salad.</p>

18

<p>Vegetarians that I know complain that people try to foist off vegetables as a meal. Grilled vegetables or vegetable salads are delicious and so is pasta, but you need to throw in some substance like cheese, beans, tofu or seitan to make a meal. Grilled mushrooms or pasta with vegetables don’t cut it. If you’re serving hamburgers, don’t try to palm off grilled zucchini to the vegetarians. Grill some tofu or some bean burgers also, or provide cheese to go on the grilled veggies.</p>

19

<p>Also it might make sense to speak to the families before finalizing a menu. I know vegetarians who do not care at all for tofu or seitan. </p>

<p>My D’s diet is about 85% vegetarian. She and her friends do vegetable “fajitas” a lot. Just some soft tortillas with vegetables, rice, beans, cheese and salsa. Sometimes some guacamole as well. </p>

20

<p>I like some of the veggie burgers. Along with grilled veggies & portabellos, a bean salad is nice.
Lots of recipes to adapt to other dishes.</p>

<p><a href=“Cannellini-and-Green Bean Salad Recipe - Valeria Huneeus”>http://www.foodandwine.com/recipes/cannellini-and-green-bean-salad&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;