Dinner for both vegetarian and non vegetarian
Help! I have dear friends who just had a baby and I would like to bring them dinner. I have a pork chop recipe everyone has always said they love that I want to make but here's the problem the husband is a vegetarian. What should I fix that would go with pork chops but can also be his main course? Any and all help would be greatly appreciated. They are wonderful people and this is their first baby so would like to help out. Thank you in advance for your help and suggestions.
Hi... My husband & I are meat eaters but I also cook veg(atarian) meals for just for the healthful benefits. One of our best friend couples are veggies. I have some questions, 1st, do you have to make the pork chops? or can you just bring a tasty vegetarian meal?
My first thought is a veggie lasagna...You can use jar sauce or homemade, Instead of meat, saute in olive oil some chopped onion, lots of garlic, some shredded carrot, diced zuchini, musrooms, you can add or lv out any veggie they/you don't eat. Even baby spinach, chopped broccoli, or diced broccoli rabe.Make sure you to add S&P. The Veggies are all up to you & your guest. Add any herbs to taste, (Italian blend, or basil, parsley, oregano, hot pepper flakes) Find out what the hubby doesn't like. I had a disaster dinner once when I didn't think to do that. Other additives could be finely chopped sun-dried tomatoes. After you saute whatever veggies you decide on, (This step makes it tastier but not necessary. add some red wine to the pot, a few tbspsns) then add the tomato sauce, Bring to a boil & simmer for 1/2 hr to as long as you like. Check the sauce for taste, you may need more spices. Then just make a lasagna, you can even do a baked ziti w/ this also.
Meat (even tho I love it) is so unessasary in so many dishes. I have plenty more suggestions, like a vegetarian risotto or chili. I hope to hear back fr you.
I'm going to send along some more veg dishes that I just thought of, stuffed zucchini for one...
Assuming you're serving a nice green salad with the chops, one really good side should be enough to satisfy. Fitzfood has a very thoughtful point in suggesting you find out if there's anything the husband really dislikes.
The vegetarian lasagna is a good one too. I have two ideas along that line- first, portabellas act well as a meaty component in vegetarian dishes, being somewhat substantial and having nice umami flavor, especially when sauteed or roasted first. They make a great lasagna element. Second, you can use zucchini thinly sliced lengthwise on a mandolin in place of lasagna noodles. Someone suggested this recently on another thread but I can't find their post at the moment. Thought it was a great idea. Baked ziti with veggies incorporated, ditto: ideal for a dual-purpose side dish/entree.
A couple of other thoughts- I seldom pass up a chance to recommend my favorite casserole; it's easy and delicious, fairly light yet satisfying, has brown rice for the fiber-conscious, and pairs well with just about anything:
http://www.talkfood.com/forum/showth...ll=1#post23645
James Beard's Barley Casserole is a tried and true classic, a staple during my years as a vegetarian. Can be made with vegetable broth instead of stock- I made this for decades with Morga broth, until they stopped making it. Now I use Rapunzel or Better Than Bouillon vegetable flavor when I do a meatless version.
http://www.seriouseats.com/recipes/2...le-recipe.html
Another possibility is high quality macaroni and cheese. There's hardly anyone who doesn't love the stuff. A great side, yet rich enough to be a fulfilling main dish. It's hassle-free and you can make a mouthwatering grownup version from good cheeses, maybe Gruyere or Muenster with smoked Gouda, a little dry sherry, buttered panko, paprika...
Even roast vegetables. Potatoes, sweet potatoes, carrots, mushrooms, onion, oiled or buttered and well salted. Perhaps go one step fancier and add leeks, shallot, asparagus, fennel root, or celeriac. A sprinkle of fresh herbs, maybe sage and thyme to complement your pork? As a bonus you'll have the roasting pan to make a sauce, deglazing with wine, vegetable bouillon, or a quality vinegar with a little something sweet added after- honey, or a touch of good jam, or mint jelly. If you did wine or bouillon you might even choose to add some cream once it's reduced a bit. The point is, this could elevate a decent variety of basic roast veggies enough to serve as a vegetarian entree, especially if you served them over a bed of steamed greens.
I just made a delimmyuscious carrot souffle ... lots of veggies can be done up this way. Another idea (which goes along with pork well) might be some sort of bean casserole, or a pilaf including beans or other legumes. I love mushrooms, and have been known to just eat a bowlful of mushrooms sauteed with herbs. The last time I did this, I started off caramelizing some sweet onions and then deglazing the pan with brandy before sauteeing the mushrooms. It was pretty wonderful. =D I second the suggestion for mac-n-cheese, too. Is there anyone who doesn't love a great homemade mac-n-cheese? All that wonderful crispy bubbly goodness. Yum. I hear my kitchen calling me! LOL
A nice ratatouille would work, too, I would think.
Thanks
Thanks for all the wonderful suggestions. They all sound so good I will have to make it for my family. I really appreciate all the help now I can have them for dinner too, it always worried me before Thanks again!!
Before we realize it soup weather will be here again, and after the initial flurry of dishes are brought to the young couples house, how nice to find a few quarts of instant dinner in the freezer!
Leslie Newman - "As the days grow short, some faces grow long. But not mine. Every autumn, when the wind turns cold and darkness comes early, I am suddenly happy. It's time to start making soup again."Originally Posted by K. Slink
So true. Nothing like chopping, simmering, and tasting of a soup. It's like visiting an old friend and discovering that they haven't changed and still bring comfort to your soul.
Posting Permissions
Reply With Quote