Any ideas for an old style vegetarian dinner part...

[Moozer]

Hi,

As times are a little tight I have offered to cook for some friends rather than going out for a meal. Normally I would cook a roast or something similar, however one of my friends is a vegetarian. I feel rather sorry for her as the past 2 times we have all gone out for a meal she has had a 'choice' of one rather sorry pasta dish while the rest of us have had fantastic food. So, I want to put the balance right by cooking a really nice, totally veggie 3 course meal for her and the rest of us.

I've been looking through my recipe books but am finding it hard to find complementary dishes that are not too heavy. I want to avoid pasta, and as my friend is pregnant some of the other dishes that sounded nice are out.

Please help if you can, being an avid carnivore means that my stock of fab veggie dishes is rather thin. :confused:

[rockie4]

How about a selection of pates/dippers to start followed by a nice risotto?


Greek butterbean spread (serves 4)



1 small red onion, chopped
2 cloves garlic, crushed
2 x 400g cans butter beans, drained and liquid reserved
50ml lemon juice
1 tbsp fresh mint, chopped
2 tbsp fresh dill, chopped


- place all ingredients in a food processor and process until fairly smooth. Add a little liquid reserved from the beans to loosen the mixture if necessary

Carrot and parsnip pate (serves 8)





2 small parsnips (~270g), peeled and chopped
2 carrots, peeled and chopped
1 onion, chopped
1 clove garlic, crushed
1 tsp cumin seeds
½ tsp ground coriander
½ tsp paprika
400g tin butterbeans, rinsed and drained
1 tsp marmite
1 tbsp lemon juice
1 tbsp brown sugar
2 tbsp chopped fresh coriander


- boil the parsnips and carrots until soft, then drain
- meanwhile fry the onion and garlic until soft, then add the cumin seeds, ground coriander and paprika, and cook for 2 minutes more
- put all the ingredients except the fresh coriander in a food processor and blend well
- stir in the fresh coriander and season to taste




Butternut squash risotto


1 onion, chopped
Half tsp of coriander
Half tsp cumin
150g Arborio rice
500ml hot vegetable stock
6oz butternut squash cut into small pieces
1 courgette – diced
2tbsp frozen peas
Fresh parsley
Seasoning


Soften onion in frylight, add spices then rice and stir.
Add stock a ladle at a time and simmer for 10 mins.
Add squash and courgette, keep adding stock, cook for a further 5 mins, add peas.
When all stock absorbed and rice is tender and creamy, remove from heat and add parsley.


I usually add some Boursin to this but you can leave it out if your friend is pregnant, you can substitute the squash for broad beans, peas or courgettes if you like.

Do you need a pud?


Black forest dessert (serves 4)



4 trifle sponges
400g tin black cherries in syrup
2 tbsp kirsch (or kahlua)
2 x 125g chocolate Alpro desserts


- put the trifle sponges in a glass dish
- drain the cherries, reserving the syrup
- mix the syrup with the kirsch, and pour over the sponge
- top with cherries, then spoon over the chocolate dessert


Make a few hours ahead if possible, to allow the sponges to soak up the liquid



Hope these give you some ideas!

[pretz]

i think this might help you as today i brought delicious magazine and it has a vegetarian meal for 4 in it the menu is warm roast vegetable cous cous salad, aubergine parmigiano and cinnamon toffee apple wedges, however if you dont fancey any of these there is loads of vegetarian meals in the mag, pm if you want any recipes or more ideas
hth
pretz

[lightisfading]

Originally Posted by Moozer

Hi,
I feel rather sorry for her as the past 2 times we have all gone out for a meal she has had a 'choice' of one rather sorry pasta dish while the rest of us have had fantastic food. So, I want to put the balance right by cooking a really nice, totally veggie 3 course meal for her and the rest of us.

I've not got any bright ideas at the moment (i'll dig out my magazines in a mo and have a look for you) but can i just say for thinking of the veggie!!

[lightisfading]

Okay here's some ideas for you PM me if any sound interesting and I'll send you it.

Pepperpot puff pastry pie - a vegetable based pie, a bit spicy with a puff pastry top (topped with whole chillies so it looks fab!)

Rice cakes with braised fennel - 'stylish, risotto like cakes ideal for a crowd - can be mostly made ahead

Roasted vegetable tart

Creamy vegetable pasanda - creamy almond sauce based curry

Artichoke and wild mushroom pie (looks more like a tart to me)


If you've got a decent newsagent/big WHSmiths etc, you may be able to get hold of the BBC Good Food Vegetarian Christmas magazine. It's full of yummy stuff and despite the title isn't just for christmas - always has christmas day, family suppers, stuff for dinner parties, appetisers, puds etc.

Oh and just a final note... parmesan isn't generally vegetarian, so depending how strict she is it might be polite to leave this out/ use a veggie version from a healthfood shop.

[wanttobeasaver]

Have got a great simple easy & cheap starter dortitos crisps & melt grated cheese on them..........lovely sorry thats only thing can think off at mo......:rolleyes:

[nickyhutch]

This
http://www.deliaonline.com/recipes/r...n,1173,RC.html
is the absolute dogs'.

[got-it-spend-it]

I don't eat meat and find that Mexican is a great meal that meat eaters and non-meat eaters enjoy. Nachos to start- tortillas topped with some melted cheese and salsa to start. For mains you can do a veggie chilli, spicy rice, refried beans, wraps, tacos, guacamole, sour cream and then just let people help themselves to whatever they like from it.

[purpleivy]

Roasted red pepper houmus with hm tortillas or similar

goats cheese and tomato tart with seasonal veg

pud of choice.

[purpleivy]

Roasted red pepper houmus with hm tortillas or similar

goats cheese and tomato tart with seasonal veg

pud of choice.

[hamstercheeks]

Originally Posted by Moozer

Hi,

As times are a little tight I have offered to cook for some friends rather than going out for a meal. Normally I would cook a roast or something similar, however one of my friends is a vegetarian. I feel rather sorry for her as the past 2 times we have all gone out for a meal she has had a 'choice' of one rather sorry pasta dish while the rest of us have had fantastic food. So, I want to put the balance right by cooking a really nice, totally veggie 3 course meal for her and the rest of us.

I've been looking through my recipe books but am finding it hard to find complementary dishes that are not too heavy. I want to avoid pasta, and as my friend is pregnant some of the other dishes that sounded nice are out.

Please help if you can, being an avid carnivore means that my stock of fab veggie dishes is rather thin. :confused:

i have a veggie curry recipe somewhere....i'll dig it out if you like?

[Moozer]

Thank you so much for all your replies, this has given me lots of ideas. Dips for a starter sounds good as we can have them while chatting and I can make them ahead.

Lightisfading - the pepperpot pie sounds really interesting - any chance of the recipe please? I like the idea of something that looks impressive (I'm a bit of a show off).

I think I'll try out a few recipes on my OH and choose the best from that. I did think about a risotto, but I made that last time they came and it was so much stirring! I might try the Jamie Oliver recipe for Hamilton Squash which sounds similar to the butternut squash risotto but the squash is stuffed with rice and mushrooms and baked (less time standing over a stove!).

Thank you all for your time.

[rockie4]

I never bother with all the stirring for risotto, I stir to start with then put the lid on and just stir occasionally.

pre-preparing the risotto and stuffing it into the squash is a great idea though, as you say less time standing over a stove!!

[toffee65]

How about Tempura to start.

I make a broccolli/pepper tempura.

slice the peppers into quite chunky strips and break the broccolli into smallish florets

1 cup of plain flour
1 cup of lager (stella/carlsberg etc)

whisk to a batter, coat individual pieces of veg and deep fry until golden brown.

Serve with ramekins of dark soy sauce and sweet chilli dipping sauce.

Sounds odd the broccoli but we love it and it goes very well.

[lightisfading]

Originally Posted by toffee65

How about Tempura to start.

I make a broccolli/pepper tempura.
.

I've also had sweet potato tempura in a japanese restaurant, probably the nummiest thing ever

i might have to try this, its easier than i expected and we alwaaayys have stella or some variation in the house.


Moozer - i've PMed you.

[Emily_Hall08]

Originally Posted by rockie4

How about a selection of pates/dippers to start followed by a nice risotto?


Greek butterbean spread (serves 4)



1 small red onion, chopped
2 cloves garlic, crushed
2 x 400g cans butter beans, drained and liquid reserved
50ml lemon juice
1 tbsp fresh mint, chopped
2 tbsp fresh dill, chopped


- place all ingredients in a food processor and process until fairly smooth. Add a little liquid reserved from the beans to loosen the mixture if necessary

Carrot and parsnip pate (serves 8)





2 small parsnips (~270g), peeled and chopped
2 carrots, peeled and chopped
1 onion, chopped
1 clove garlic, crushed
1 tsp cumin seeds
½ tsp ground coriander
½ tsp paprika
400g tin butterbeans, rinsed and drained
1 tsp marmite
1 tbsp lemon juice
1 tbsp brown sugar
2 tbsp chopped fresh coriander


- boil the parsnips and carrots until soft, then drain
- meanwhile fry the onion and garlic until soft, then add the cumin seeds, ground coriander and paprika, and cook for 2 minutes more
- put all the ingredients except the fresh coriander in a food processor and blend well
- stir in the fresh coriander and season to taste




Butternut squash risotto


1 onion, chopped
Half tsp of coriander
Half tsp cumin
150g Arborio rice
500ml hot vegetable stock
6oz butternut squash cut into small pieces
1 courgette – diced
2tbsp frozen peas
Fresh parsley
Seasoning


Soften onion in frylight, add spices then rice and stir.
Add stock a ladle at a time and simmer for 10 mins.
Add squash and courgette, keep adding stock, cook for a further 5 mins, add peas.
When all stock absorbed and rice is tender and creamy, remove from heat and add parsley.


I usually add some Boursin to this but you can leave it out if your friend is pregnant, you can substitute the squash for broad beans, peas or courgettes if you like.

Do you need a pud?


Black forest dessert (serves 4)



4 trifle sponges
400g tin black cherries in syrup
2 tbsp kirsch (or kahlua)
2 x 125g chocolate Alpro desserts


- put the trifle sponges in a glass dish
- drain the cherries, reserving the syrup
- mix the syrup with the kirsch, and pour over the sponge
- top with cherries, then spoon over the chocolate dessert


Make a few hours ahead if possible, to allow the sponges to soak up the liquid



Hope these give you some ideas!

these all sound great, I'll be giving them all a go (i still haven't made a risotto )

[JamesM]

Originally Posted by toffee65

1 cup of lager (stella/carlsberg etc)

Stella isn't vegetarian, as they use Isinglass to make it.

http://homepage.ntlworld.com/geraint...ian_beers.html

[Skiergirl]

What about stuffed peppers, either as a starter or a main. Also agree with the poster who suggested mexican - you could do mixed vegetable fajitas/ tacos.I know you said you wanted to avoid pasta but Jamie O does a really nice, slightly spicy pasta bake and (I think ) mozzarella is ok if you're pregnant.

[JamesM]

Originally Posted by JamesM

Stella isn't vegetarian, as they use Isinglass to make it.

http://homepage.ntlworld.com/geraint...ian_beers.html

I realise it probably doesn't matter now but I have to correct myself. Since InBev (the makers of Stella) started their advertising campaign stating that stella only contains 4 ingredients (barley, water, hops and yeast) they have changed their production methods and no longer use isinglass.

It is therefore now suitable for both vegetarians and vegans.

[competitionscafe]

There are some nice recipe ideas on BBC GoodFood website - I like that people can rate and comment on the recipes so you have an idea how they turn out, people often add their own tweaks or improvements or suggestions for alternatives to ingredients etc:
http://www.bbcgoodfood.com/search.do...wFilter=tested

This is a vegetarian main course that meat eaters should enjoy too:
Roasted butternut squash with goat's cheese
http://www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/3...h-goats-cheese

The Spicy root & lentil casserole also sounds good and uses in season ingredients:
http://www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/1...ntil-casserole