whitestavern Posted December 17, 2013 Share Posted December 17, 2013 I'm serving a crown roast of pork and lots of sides, but since I will have at least 3 vegetarians, I'm looking for a nice one-dish vegetarian meal as well. I was thinking of just roasting some veggies and serving them on pasta, but it seems kind of boring :) Any ideas?? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Laurie4b Posted December 17, 2013 Share Posted December 17, 2013 What sides are you serving? They may be enough, but it would also influence recommendations as to what might go with those sides. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
happi duck Posted December 17, 2013 Share Posted December 17, 2013 What are your other sides? Are those veg? We've done pasta as the veg option and it didn't really work with the sides. We actually like tofurky. (I should add this to the unpopular opinion thread.) The tofurky instructions make a big difference Imo. They suggest to baste and cook it with veggies all wrapped tight in foil. Eta: sliced thinly makes a difference too Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
whitestavern Posted December 17, 2013 Author Share Posted December 17, 2013 The plan, always subject to change, is mashed potatoes, Brussels sprouts, carrots, applesauce and cranberry sauce, as well as a large elaborate salad that one of the vegetarians makes. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joyofsixreboot Posted December 17, 2013 Share Posted December 17, 2013 At Thanksgiving my dd (vegetarian since 12) put together some kind of barley, quinoa, dried cranberry, nut thing. I'll see if she used a recipe. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Karen in CO Posted December 17, 2013 Share Posted December 17, 2013 I'd make sure all of the sides are vegetarian. How about stuffed acorn squash? Or something nice like this. It is easier to think of the dinner as vegetarian meal with a meat side dish than to think of it as a meal with an extra vegetarian dish. The vegetarians will know they only have to avoid one thing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MissKNG Posted December 17, 2013 Share Posted December 17, 2013 As a vegetarian, I usually don't ask people to make anything special for me because as long as there are vegetable sides, I can always find something to eat. I can definitely find enough to eat with what you listed. Maybe some dinner rolls perhaps? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
happi duck Posted December 17, 2013 Share Posted December 17, 2013 I'd make sure all of the sides are vegetarian. How about stuffed acorn squash? Or something nice like this. It is easier to think of the dinner as vegetarian meal with a meat side dish than to think of it as a meal with an extra vegetarian dish. The vegetarians will know they only have to avoid one thing. Great advice! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
happi duck Posted December 17, 2013 Share Posted December 17, 2013 As a vegetarian, I usually don't ask people to make anything special for me because as long as there are vegetable sides, I can always find something to eat. I can definitely find enough to eat with what you listed. Maybe some dinner rolls perhaps? This is how my vegetarian dd feels also. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stacia Posted December 17, 2013 Share Posted December 17, 2013 With the veggies you've already listed, I'd just make sure to add a bean dish of some sort. I think this looks yummy or perhaps this (but haven't tried either). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mrs Mungo Posted December 17, 2013 Share Posted December 17, 2013 How about something like a chile relleno casserole? I have a great squash and pasta recipe from EverydayFood Magazine? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
unsinkable Posted December 17, 2013 Share Posted December 17, 2013 Polish families used to have no meat Christmas Vigil (eve) dinners. mushroom soup was usually served. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aspasia Posted December 17, 2013 Share Posted December 17, 2013 As a vegetarian, I usually don't ask people to make anything special for me because as long as there are vegetable sides, I can always find something to eat. I can definitely find enough to eat with what you listed. Maybe some dinner rolls perhaps? Yep, I've been a vegetarian for 19 years and the sides at holiday meals have always been more than enough. Of all the days, Thanksgiving and Christmas do NOT represent a dearth of options for vegetarians. :) P.S. Tofurkey is the nastiest creation ever. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
idnib Posted December 17, 2013 Share Posted December 17, 2013 We have a vegetarian who comes for Thanksgiving every year and this year was my best dish for him so far. I was also getting tired of the pasta/tofurkey/etc thing. I made this: http://www.epicurious.com/recipes/food/views/Wild-Mushroom-Bread-Pudding-4531 Changes I made: I made a double batch and used a 9x11 pan and an 8x8 pan for the overflow. It also needs more salt that the recipe states. I used only one type of mushroom to save money. I used gluten-free bread but since the recipe is designed for regular bread it shouldn't be a problem. Everyone loved this and it was filling, cheesy, and earthy. The vegetarian used it as a main and the other folks used it as a side dish. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChristineP Posted December 17, 2013 Share Posted December 17, 2013 We usually bring BBQ tofu for us to eat. We are vegan and the rest of the sides will be vegan at our family gathering. The only issue with all sides is lack of protein usually. A side or main dish with either beans or tofu would provide protein. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MomOfOneFunOne Posted December 17, 2013 Share Posted December 17, 2013 As a vegetarian, I usually don't ask people to make anything special for me because as long as there are vegetable sides, I can always find something to eat. I can definitely find enough to eat with what you listed. Maybe some dinner rolls perhaps? AMDG THIS! And in case you're thinking it isn't nice enough just to offer that, at least in my own case, I don't often make mashed potatoes and really love them. So, that would be a treat in itself. I agree with adding rolls, though. Also, I would recommend making a great plenty b/c at least three people will be having them for the entire meal. If you want to make something so they'll really feel appreciated, almost anything would do b/c it's so nice to be thought of. It wouldn't matter what. On the Tofurkey topic . . . I do like the tofurkey gravy but the tofurkey, no, not at all. If you want to do something like that, I prefer a Field Roast. And I think the Field Roast apple sage sausage is the best fake meat thing I've ever had. ever. YUMMY! I think it's delicious fake meat or not. It is sausage, though. I'm afraid you'll think this is lame but a fritatta is really good, really wholesome, and really easy to make. You could whip one up and when I say that I would be just delighted with the sides, I mean it. Something like a pretty fritatta would just be thrilling. If you made a simple cheese fritatta with no extra veggies, et c. it would go very nicely with your sides and even the cranberry. If you got too fancy with the ingredients, it wouldn't really go nicely with the cranberries, imo. I Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Laurie4b Posted December 17, 2013 Share Posted December 17, 2013 Moosewood cookbook has an amazing spaghetti squash casserole. It is totally easy and you can make it the day ahead. My mouth waters just thinking about it. The recipe is online, but it's basically: Bake a spaghetti squash.(I bake them whole b/c I don't like slicing them!) Scoop out the "spaghetti" getting rid of the seeds. Mix with cottage or ricotta cheese, mozarella cheese, Parmesan cheese, mushrooms, onions, garlic, tomatoes, basil, oregano, thyme. (I don't use the bread crumbs.) http://foodbeest.com/2013/03/21/moosewood-spaghetti-squash-casserole/ I think it would go really well with your other sides. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kim in Appalachia Posted December 17, 2013 Share Posted December 17, 2013 Polish families used to have no meat Christmas Vigil (eve) dinners. mushroom soup was usually served. We have cheese perogies for Christmas Eve dinner, as well as some mushroom ones (homemade). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jenn- Posted December 17, 2013 Share Posted December 17, 2013 My parents serve lasagna for dinner. As my sister is vegetarian, they make it without a meat sauce. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cosmos Posted December 17, 2013 Share Posted December 17, 2013 I have done a savory pastry, which goes very well with traditional holiday sides. Either with caramelized onions and mushrooms, or maybe a root vegetable filling. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zoobie Posted December 17, 2013 Share Posted December 17, 2013 My SIL says not to make anything special for her BUT if I happen to make macaroni and cheese, make a bunch so she can take some home in her purse. ;) Vegetarian lasagna? That's yummy leftover too, which is a bonus for lazy day after! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alicia64 Posted December 17, 2013 Share Posted December 17, 2013 I'm a 29-year vegetarian and I wouldn't dream of asking someone to make a special dish for me. I can get by on sides very easily. But if you really want to impress and you live near a Whole Foods, pick up General Tso's Vegan Chicken. It's totally vegan and sooooo tasty. We only get it at the holidays because it's pricey. But it's one less thing to worry about cooking. Just heat it up and it's awesome w/ all the sides you mentioned. Alley Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted December 17, 2013 Share Posted December 17, 2013 I make a schmancy stuffed squash with wild rice and shiitake mushrooms. It's from the November 1992 edition of Vegetarian Times and might well be out of your price range (I don't have to buy the pork, lol) but you might find something similar here: http://vegweb.com/search/vegweb/stuffed%20squash When ds1 is home, he makes a Tofurkey, but it's mostly to bring back good memories. We call it "rubber tire" because of the texture and joke about how awful it is. One year we found a thaw-and-go fake turkey thingamabob that was really good, but that was the year a lot of bad, frightening things happened to our family so it wound up with nasty memories and I never want to see it again as long as I live. I second Moosewood cookbook and Laurel's Kitchen is also good. Both of them are older and probably sitting around gathering dust at your local independent used book store with tiny price tags on the cover. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ktgrok Posted December 17, 2013 Share Posted December 17, 2013 If they eat dairy I would say Mac and Cheese, homemade, would be something you could make ahead of time, and be yummy and go well with things. Otherwise, as long as they eat eggs, the quiche idea is perfect! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
whitestavern Posted December 18, 2013 Author Share Posted December 18, 2013 Wow, thanks so much guys! Lots of awesome ideas here. Some of them look so delish I'll be trying them at a later date for sure. I'm not 100% sure if the guests are vegan or not. My sister is one of the three, and although she is vegan, she'll eat mashed potatoes and dishes with dairy or eggs once in a blue moon (especially at the holidays). Not sure about the others though. Sooooo, I'm thinking it should probably be something vegan. I loved the idea of a savory pastry or the barley quinoa dish (cosmos and joyofsix--do you have any recipes?) The quinoa would provide the protein which several of you mentioned. Thanks for the tip on rolls; will definitely provide those. Actually the meal is for this Saturday evening. My s-i-l works the day after Christmas so we all get together the weekend before the holiday. Christmas Eve will just be our little family, and we'll be doing the Polish Wigilia that several of you mentioned--mushroom barley soup, pierogies, blintz. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jackie Posted December 18, 2013 Share Posted December 18, 2013 My husband is vegetarian, and at family holidays we always provide a cheese lasagna or some other veggie baked pasta dish. We've learned to make it in larger batches because it usually gets eaten by a lot of the omnivores as well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Desert Strawberry Posted December 18, 2013 Share Posted December 18, 2013 My favorites for Christmas are veggie lasagna, veggie enchiladas, or mushroom bougignon over vegan mashed potatoes. I am making all three between now and Christmas. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jg_puppy Posted December 18, 2013 Share Posted December 18, 2013 Does anyone have a mac and cheese recipe that they are willing to share? Every holiday my in laws make mac and cheese with Velveeta. My daughter loved it before she researched what is actually in Velveeta. Now she won't eat it, but would love to have some homemade mac and cheese at the holidays. I tried a recipe that I found online at Thanksgiving. It looked great, but tasted like flour. Janet Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kerileanne99 Posted December 18, 2013 Share Posted December 18, 2013 [quote P.S. Tofurkey is the nastiest creation ever. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kerileanne99 Posted December 18, 2013 Share Posted December 18, 2013 Isn't it though?! So disgusting, and gives vegetarians everywhere a bad name! I make a lot of traditional dishes with vegetarian ingredients...but a new favorite all around, vegetarians and meat-eaters alike; I use Morningstar mince (grounds) and cook it with minced garlic and mushrooms. Add the mix to a half of baked butternut squash. Top with feta cheese and pine nuts. It is gorgeous, festive, and filling. We also do roasted misc. veg, roasted and garlic mashed potatoes, Yorkshire puddings, rolls, etc.... Interestingly enough, this is the first year I will have to cook for meat-eaters and have no idea how to deal!!! I have ordered a pre-cooked ham as I have NO idea and am not keen on using my pans! Disposeable pans anyone? And can I just say that British Vegetarian Bisto gravy is the greatest invention for veggies everywhere?!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kerileanne99 Posted December 18, 2013 Share Posted December 18, 2013 Isn't it though?! So disgusting, and gives vegetarians everywhere a bad name! I make a lot of traditional dishes with vegetarian ingredients...but a new favorite all around, vegetarians and meat-eaters alike; I use Morningstar mince (grounds) and cook it with minced garlic and mushrooms. Add the mix to a half of baked butternut squash. Top with feta cheese and pine nuts. It is gorgeous, festive, and filling. We also do roasted misc. veg, roasted and garlic mashed potatoes, Yorkshire puddings, rolls, etc.... Interestingly enough, this is the first year I will have to cook for meat-eaters and have no idea how to deal!!! I have ordered a pre-cooked ham as I have NO idea and am not keen on using my pans! Disposeable pans anyone? And can I just say that British Vegetarian Bisto gravy is the greatest invention for veggies everywhere?!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LucyStoner Posted December 18, 2013 Share Posted December 18, 2013 Assuming they are not vegan, I'd do homemade mac and cheese as a substantial, indulgent side that doubles as an entree. With your other sides, there will be plenty. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Slartibartfast Posted December 18, 2013 Share Posted December 18, 2013 I have seem many vegetarians mention these chickpea cutlets from Veganomicon http://mostlymorgan.wordpress.com/2010/10/12/meatless-monday-veganomicons-chickpea-cutlets-with-mustard-sauce/ I think the chili rellano casserole sounds nicest but I am partial to chili rellanos Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
happi duck Posted December 18, 2013 Share Posted December 18, 2013 Aww! So much tofurky hate. ):My sil made it ten or so years ago and it was rubbery and gross...overcooked. It came with turkey leg shaped pieces. It was weird.We tried it again last year and it was tasty...made with basting and veggies and homemade gravy, sliced thin. eta: I am not a member of the tofurky advisory board...I just felt the need to defend those of us who find tofurky edible...so much hate... ;) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mrs Mungo Posted December 18, 2013 Share Posted December 18, 2013 Does anyone have a mac and cheese recipe that they are willing to share? Every holiday my in laws make mac and cheese with Velveeta. My daughter loved it before she researched what is actually in Velveeta. Now she won't eat it, but would love to have some homemade mac and cheese at the holidays. I tried a recipe that I found online at Thanksgiving. It looked great, but tasted like flour. Janet This butternut squash and shells recipe is excellent: http://www.marthastewart.com/339198/baked-shells-with-winter-squash Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.