281362 Wed Nov 30 07:42:08 -0800 2005 63 31 Home Cooking 0 1496649 Help! My very much older brother and his wife are coming for dinner and overnight. They are confirmed carnivores with meat and potato tastes. I keep a vegan household because both my kids are vegan. I would like the meal to be vegan but after Thanksgiving and a day after dinner party I am fresh out of ideas for festive vegan food for non-vegans. Any ideas? Thanks Wed Nov 30 07:42:08 -0800 2005 0 kass 1 1496652 I'm a devout carnivore, but I like some dishes that are entirely vegetarian. Make risotto with vegetables. Use water or vegetable stock as the liquid instead of chicken stock. Use the following vegetables with the arborio rice. Saute in olive oil... diced onions diced green bell peppers thinly sliced rounds of carrot sliced mushrooms Add the rice... season with dried oregano and dried thyme Just before finishing the dish... cooked lentils steamed broccoli florets chopped fresh plum tomatoes There you have it. BTW, I've never made it that way, but maybe I will next time. Wed Nov 30 08:19:34 -0800 2005 1496649 0 ChiliDude 1 1496654 We have a vegan restaurant in our building here are a few things that are on their menu that might inspire you: Vegetarian chili with tofu sour cream, salsa and tortilla chips Vegetable dumplings in a ginger plum sauce Hummus platter with pita chips and vegetable crudite and tahini Spicy potato-pea coriander samosas with peanut dipping sauce Pierogies - potato spinach dumplings with apple butter, caramelized onions over brown rice Mediterranean pasta - linguini sauted with broccoli rabe, artichoke hearts, roasted red peppers, black olives, capers in a garlic herb, white wine sauce Vegetable pizzas Portobello burgers Wed Nov 30 08:32:32 -0800 2005 1496649 0 EAF 2 1496700 New Orleans style red beans & rice, with toasted garlicky french bread (olive oil & garlic) & a nice big green salad. Wed Nov 30 12:00:24 -0800 2005 1496654 0 Hungry Celeste 2 1497097 I read through this entire post, I don't know why... challenging concept? But I think think Hungry Celeste provides the best dish ideas yet. However, please steer away from any fake "meat" or "dairy", unless you can really jazz it up. We omnivoures can't stand that kind of tofu stuff. I don't think it's condescending though, it's just seems sad and is tasteless when your'e used to the real thing. (Soy/tofu is such an over processed food anyway.) My favorite new appetizer is Southern French street food item called Socca (or Farinata). I clipped the recipe from the NY Times dining section recently. It's a chickpea flour batter (1 c. chickpea flour, 1 c. water, 1 tsp. Black pepper no less, salt to taste) fried in (pre-heated in a 500 degree oven) olive oil and finished under the broiler. You can add anything to this, (onions is usual, but maybe olives? garlic? sundried tomatoes?). The ends get wonderfully crispy and even my Dad loved it. (Ohmygod!) Fri Dec 02 08:56:30 -0800 2005 1496654 0 Ida Red 2 1497100 I meant to respond to EAF's ideas, although the New Orleans thing is a nice idea too since it doesn't require fake cheese. Fri Dec 02 09:00:38 -0800 2005 1496654 0 Ida Red 1 1496665 Make reservations. Take them out for dinner. Wed Nov 30 09:29:31 -0800 2005 1496649 0 MZG 2 1496668 MZG is right, I would be pushing food around on my plate politely and then find an excuse for a late run to someplace where I could get meat and other protein. Wed Nov 30 10:27:54 -0800 2005 1496665 0 Candy 2 1496679 Aren't we all aging? Agree--take them to dinner. Wed Nov 30 11:08:12 -0800 2005 1496665 0 Funwithfood 2 1496690 Agreed. Wed Nov 30 11:30:21 -0800 2005 1496665 0 Karl S 1 1496676 I think vegan chili is the way to go. TVP can be very convincing in chili. You could serve it with baked potatoes/margarine/vegan sour cream and a hearty salad with a rich dressing for a nice, hefty dinner. Or, you could do the portobello mushroom thing, and make vegan mashed potatoes w/ broth and unsweetened soy milk. Serve w/ oven roasted tomatoes and sauteed spinach. Maybe stuff the mushrooms with breadcrumbs and more mushrooms? Or what about butternut squash risotto with sauteed shitake mushrooms on the side? Wed Nov 30 10:57:07 -0800 2005 1496649 0 melon 2 1496696 Sorry, but chili is meat and hot peppers. Anything else is not chili! Wed Nov 30 11:51:05 -0800 2005 1496676 0 ChiliDude 3 1496714 gotta agree (almost) wholeheartedly on this one. to be chili, it has to have meat (and i would limit it to beef &/ pork) and hot peppers. i know it's heresy to chilidude, but i can accept beans as well. without the holy duo, though, it's just spicy stew. Wed Nov 30 12:46:17 -0800 2005 1496696 0 mark 2 1496736 I'm a little surprised by the reactions here. I eat meat, but I wouldn't think it particularly odd or difficult to be served a vegan dinner one night. And I don't mean to offend those who are evidently emotionally attached to the word "chili," but there is a recipe for "chili" in the "Moosewood Restaurant Cooks at Home" cookbook that I made all the time as a student and was well liked by vegetarians and omnivores alike. I think it was called "Red Gold Black and Green Chili" or something similar. It's made with black and kidney beans along with bell peppers and corn, and bulghur cooked in tomato puree is used to give it more substance. If you're interested, I'd be happy to paraphrase the recipe for you when I have the book at hand. Wed Nov 30 13:40:39 -0800 2005 1496676 0 jnovgirl 3 1496738 Actually, no need to paraphrase... Moosewood has it on their site (see link). Probably a bunch of other good ones to try, too. I also find Deborah Madison's cookbooks pretty inspiring (Vegetarian Cooking for Everyone and The Greens Cookbook in particular) -- not all vegan, but there are some vegan ones in there. Link: http://www.moosewoodrestaurant.com/recipes_archive.html#30 Wed Nov 30 13:47:45 -0800 2005 1496736 0 jnovgirl 3 1496752 i agree with you. what's the big deal about eating a meatless meal once in a while? in fact, while i thoroughly enjoy meat, i regularly plan 1 or 2 meatless meals on my weekly menu. not for health/ethical reasons, but because i like the food and enjoy the variety. Wed Nov 30 14:37:05 -0800 2005 1496736 0 mark 1 1496678 ALL human beings are omnivores, none are carnivores, besides, carnivores wouldn't eat potatoes. Choosing to eat only vegetables does not change your biological make-up. That said, most people who eat a normal diet would be somewhat less than impressed by what you could turn out for a vegan meal. Have you considered dinig out instead, or presenting vegan and nonvegan options for your guests? Wed Nov 30 10:59:26 -0800 2005 1496649 0 Two Forks 2 1496685 You wouldn't ask a devout Jew or Muslim to serve pork to guests, would you? So, why would you suggest that a vegan serve non-vegan foods? The OP was merely asking for some vegan ideas to serve to non-vegans. Wed Nov 30 11:20:14 -0800 2005 1496678 0 mpf 3 1496691 Probably the better analogy would be vegan Hindus or Buddhists, or fruitarian Jainists. While I agree in that sense with your point, society accords different deference to dietary preferences based on observation of requirements required by a religious group, versus those that are driven by health or chosen ethical precepts. That's just sociology. Veganism as such is not a religion, so it is not going to be treated to the same deference as vegetarianism m obligated by, eg, Hinduism (as at the recent state dinner at the White House for the president of India) or veganism or fruitarianism. (Don't get me started on raw food and macrobiotic restrictions.) If I were someone with a very different diet than the norm of the culture in which I found myself, I would not likely attempt to host diet-based events that required people to move far outside those norms. Basic courtesy. I'd probably opt for light foods and cards, or something like that, rather than a full dinner party. Wed Nov 30 11:36:15 -0800 2005 1496685 0 Karl S. 4 1496693 Thank you Karl. Wed Nov 30 11:43:42 -0800 2005 1496691 0 Two Forks 4 1496697 Good post Karl. A voice of reason. Wed Nov 30 11:52:21 -0800 2005 1496691 0 Janet from Richmond 4 1496862 Some, however do approach veganism as a religion of sorts. Thu Dec 01 02:32:23 -0800 2005 1496691 0 Funwithfood 5 1496922 But they will be frustrated if they think others will treat it like a religion. Them's the breaks. Thu Dec 01 11:42:58 -0800 2005 1496862 0 Karl S 3 1496709 Maybe becuase that was what the initial poster was asking for? Wed Nov 30 12:39:27 -0800 2005 1496685 0 MidtownCoog 3 1496877 How interesting....I must cook to suit the taste of vegans when they come to my house to eat but they will only cook to their taste when I eat their house.Nice double standard. Thu Dec 01 07:50:41 -0800 2005 1496685 0 Laura 2 1496698 Nitpicker! Wed Nov 30 11:52:36 -0800 2005 1496678 0 ChiliDude 1 1496699 Seems like lots of people have not faced their cooktops lately, or maybe for years. I veto all the suggestions for dining out. Wed Nov 30 11:57:32 -0800 2005 1496649 0 ChiliDude 1 1496711 What about a nice big pot of rice and beans? You can add onions, tomatoes, peppers and lots of spices, serve with chips, guacamole, etc. Or a stirfry maybe? Most confirmed meat lovers that I know are turned off by tofu, TVP and meat-substitutes, so I think you may want to stay away from those items. Wed Nov 30 12:41:08 -0800 2005 1496649 0 CeeBee 2 1496730 Agreed on the tofu, TVP and meat-substitutes. Although these can be delicious, they are not meat and I don't know many meat lovers who are fooled (just many who are too polite to tell me...) In fact, as much as I try to tell myself that I like them/they taste like meat, when I am being honest with myself, I know that they don't really taste at all like meat. How about doing spaghetti and red (non-meat) sauce? Or some sort of butternut squash/walnut stuffed phylo dough purses or something like that? (Or the reservation suggestion is always popular...) Wed Nov 30 13:07:11 -0800 2005 1496711 0 Jellybelly 1 1496715 I disagree that vegans shouldn't host dinner parties for omnivores. Plenty of foods that people like just happen to be vegan, and it's just the label that's scary. Just don't use any kind of meat substitute - that could seem a little condescending. You could do a Mexican-style menu, and serve cheese on the side (if that doesn't bother you). Wed Nov 30 12:46:30 -0800 2005 1496649 0 piccola 2 1496722 I believe vegans do not eat cheese, and her whole point was to only serve vegan foods. The other point she clearly made was these are meat and potato type of eaters, so I would think they would be left completely unsatisfied with something like rice and beans. I could be wrong, but I just think the OP is facing an uphill struggle. Wed Nov 30 12:52:45 -0800 2005 1496715 0 Two Forks 3 1496805 I know vegans don't eat cheese. Which is why I specified that she could add it on the side IF she wanted. But considering the number of interesting responses and recipes mentioned, I don't think it'll be that much of a challenge. It may not be possible to pull off a very inventive culinary masterpiece, but a perfectly respectable and enjoyable meal is not out of the OP's reach. Wed Nov 30 19:52:40 -0800 2005 1496722 0 piccola 2 1496745 I would agree about vegetarian dinner parties, but listening to folks over the years would make me somewhat wary of a vegan dinner party (a vegan luncheon might be a better idea) for folks who normally plan animal products in the main meal of the day. I certainly would not invite them to such without fair warning; some people plan on a protein-heavy supper or dinner before sleep. There are folks who serious crave animal products at their main meal, and encountering a vegan dinner means they are likely to head to McDonald's afterwards. I've heard this too many times to discount it (I have had a number of vegan friends in my life, and am perfectly capable of arranging a vegan meal.) Ovo-lacto vegetarian is a lot easier to deal with, because most folks are thrilled by things like souffles.... I also agree about avoiding meat substitutes: for meat eaters, they are nasty and condescending. I like tofu, but only when it's treated more like egg than meat; in fact, I prefer tofu to boneless skinless chicken breast (what did that poor chicken ever do to you to deserve being eaten in such a degraded state?), which is for me like tempeh and seitan and the like -- an utter waste of time -- and I am pretty omnivirous. Wed Nov 30 14:18:02 -0800 2005 1496715 0 Karl S 1 1496717 Make reservations. Wed Nov 30 12:48:01 -0800 2005 1496649 0 oldone 1 1496719 A nice roasted vegetable stew,crusty warm bread and a salad? Wed Nov 30 12:51:00 -0800 2005 1496649 0 sandramr 1 1496723 I am also a confirmed meat eater, but these are some dishes that I have either been served or made myself that would qualify as vegetarian/vegan (not being a member of that particular club, I'm not sure exactly where the division is), and found to be most satisfying. For munchies, take a can of chickpeas, drain, and spread out on a cookie sheet. Season them with salt and cayenne to taste, and place under a broiler for about 5 minutes, or until golden & crunchy. Or what I call Deviled Raisins. Heat a tablespoon of olive oil over medium heat. Add a box of raisins and cook for about 10 minutes, stirring frequently. Drain them on paper towels and toss them in a mixture of salt and cayenne until coated. I like to serve these warm. Guacamole is also good (everybody already has their own recipe that, like chili and spaghetti sauce, they are certain is the best ever). The Red Beans & Rice idea is a really good one for a main course (I almost wrote 'entree'!). Also Spinach pasta with portabella muchrooms and sundried tomatoes. For side dishes, you might try fried green tomatoes or if you are not serving pasta, Hominy cooked up with some sliced mushrooms, chopped chives, red & green bell pepper, garlic, and onion. I hope this helps. Wed Nov 30 12:55:07 -0800 2005 1496649 0 Fydeaux 1 1496727 What about an Indian veggie curry, with Dal and Naan bread or Poppadums? Delicous! Wed Nov 30 12:59:58 -0800 2005 1496649 0 Lucy 1 1496731 I don't recall the name exactly, something like gunung achar, Nepalese hill people's grilled potatoes. Bboiled new potatoes, marinated in a mixture of pulped onion, curry powder, and some other stuff I don't recall, browned on the grill. Garnered comments to the effect that there was no need to grill meat any more. Wed Nov 30 13:13:42 -0800 2005 1496649 0 rexmo 1 1496734 this time last year i hosted a vegan friend for dinner and we all (including 4 confirmed meat lovers) enjoyed the vegetable potpie with cheddar biscuit crust from my well-loved joy of cooking cookbook. it's got root veggies, mushrooms, and onions in a gravy, and it's covered with a cheesy biscuit dough. i just used vegan cheese and other replacements where necessary. i can paraphrase if you'd like. i also liked it b/c it could be mostly made ahead. cheers! amyamelia Wed Nov 30 13:27:29 -0800 2005 1496649 0 amyamelia 1 1496737 Sounds like your guests have conservative food tastes. It may be best to stick with pasta. I'd go with a pasta primavera in a marinara sauce, and also a crusty bread served with a garlicky white bean spread and olive tapanade. Should make everyone happy. Christine Wed Nov 30 13:47:22 -0800 2005 1496649 0 Christine 1 1496753 Nuts, olives, crudite w/hummus or guacamole, stuffed shrooms to pick on. Curried ginger and butternut squash soup or potato leek soup to start. A pasta primavera or pasta with eggplant or a stuffed eggplant for the main, green salad, bread w/olive oil and herbs for dipping, and perhaps a sautee'd veggie with garlic and olive oil. I'm not sure I'd even miss the meat..... Wed Nov 30 14:43:52 -0800 2005 1496649 0 Lizard 1 1496761 Many feel that the various forms of Gluten are a no-go for carnivores. I hosted a dinner party last summer, and had three vegan guests. It was a buffet, and my carnivores loved the vegan gluten dishes. We have a large Chinese population, and I can purchase it dried resembling shredded chicken, and flat resembling beef. I soaked them both in half oyster sauce and half water,with crushed ginger and garlic overnight. Then stirfried the chicken chinese style with lots of veggies, cabbage,onions, peas, red pepper,etc, and after browning adding veg. broth and a little cornstatch. For the beef dish I used several kinds of mushrooms. and a heavier pepper sauce. Several of my non-vegan guests asked for the recipes. Wed Nov 30 15:09:31 -0800 2005 1496649 0 erly 1 1496774 Since it's family, can you ask what they would prefer? Say something along the lines of "I'd love to have dinner with you while you're here, but as you know, we are a vegan household. Would you be OK with a vegan meal, or would you prefer to go out to eat?" If you do opt to cook, I would shy away from anything that's a vegan substitute for typically nonvegan products (like vegan sour cream, soy cheese, soy milk, etc.) They tend to make food taste "not quite right" to non-vegans. I would go with a chili/bean stew (I'm from California, and chili can be vegetarian here!) or a beans and rice dish, or some type of vegetable curry over rice. Wed Nov 30 16:43:45 -0800 2005 1496649 0 Amuse Bouches 1 1496782 The risotto idea appeals to me. There are great instructions for vegan risotto in "Sundays at Moosewood." I like asparagus as an addition. Serve with a great salad, roasted veggies including some hearty ones like portabello mushrooms and eggplant and good crusty bread with roasted garlic and olive oil for dipping. Another idea is my favorite soup from Julia Child's "Mastering the Art of French Cooking Vol. II" It's a very hearty French country soup, 'Soupe a la Victorine' and can be vegan by using no-chicken chickin broth and vegan Italian sausage slices. I served this to carnivore friends who loved it and didn't detect the meatlessness of the sausage. Since the sausage slices aren't the main attraction here they are less noticably fake than in a dish where meat is the main feature. Serve with good crusty bread and salad. Wed Nov 30 17:48:07 -0800 2005 1496649 0 CilD 1 1496812 I have lots of ideas for you that don't require making reservations or bringing unwelcome foods into your kitchen. Understanding that your brother and SIL are conservative meat-eaters, I'll start with the less exotic: Classic: Mashed Potatoes Garlicky String Beans Warm, Cursty Bread (to sop up the sauce from the string beans) Grilled Portabello Mushrooms marinated in Balsamic Vinagrette(who hasn't called these 'meaty' Mexican: Gazpacho (toppings to include diced cucumbers, tomatoes, croutons but not chopped egg) Baked Rice (rice is so good when you bake it in the oven, especially when you add diced tomato and some favorite Mexican herbs into the water) Black Bean, Spinach and Mushroom Burritos (here is the link for this one on Epicurious; just omit the cheese: http://www.epicurious.com/recipes/recipe_views/views/10020) Meatless Tamale Pie http://www.epicurious.com/recipes/recipe_views/views/5882 Italian: White bean and Escarole soup Pasta Aglio Olio or Ziti with Broccoli Eggplant, Tomatoes and Pinenuts Sauteed Zucchini with Mushrooms (just made this last night, so good and easy. as a matter of fact, I make this with lots of soupy garlic sauce, then can serve with mashed potatoes, or good bread, or over rice) I have a million other thoughts, maybe because I'm a vegetarian who cooks for a husband who will eat almost anything, but doesn't complain about mostly veggie meals. If you want any of the recipes above, or need more ideas, feel free to email! Wed Nov 30 20:32:51 -0800 2005 1496649 0 Dev 1 1496843 I am trying to get past the references to "aging" and to the fact that your brother is "very much older". What does that have to do with anything? Are you trying to imply that older people are by their very nture "meat and potatoes? types? That they can't be adventurous in their eating? OK, I'll try not to be offended here. I'm not a vegetarian, but often eat vegan meals at home. A few suggestions: when I've had vegan guests I do what comes naturally and cook Indian food (but then again, my husband is from India). A good aloo-gobi, dahl, rice, katchumber (salad), chapati (flour tortillas are an acceptable substitue)...nothing wrong with that. Try mango sorbet for dessert. If you want to be more traditional, a pasta primavera is always good. Crusty bread and a salad...some kind of fruit dessert....Roasted root vegetables would be good this time of year.....maybe with a good soup and of course bread again..... Wed Nov 30 23:55:24 -0800 2005 1496649 0 janet of reno 2 1496864 Agree--sounds like "aging carnivores" is meant to be pejorative. (The OP *is* a provocative.) Thu Dec 01 02:40:09 -0800 2005 1496843 0 Funwithfood 3 1496887 I certainly did not mean to offend as I am close to aging myself. The reference to age is more of an indication of the tremondous intimidation power that my brother has for me since he is my older brother and father figure. Also he does have the attitude of someone much older. In many ways he is far older than my 91 year old aunt. Anyway - didn't mean to offend. Thu Dec 01 08:48:49 -0800 2005 1496864 0 Kass 4 1496912 Understood. Much of communication is missed when written (as opposed to spoken)--a downside of "technology", I suppose. Thu Dec 01 11:08:46 -0800 2005 1496887 0 Funwithfood 3 1497106 Ever since I first read this post title, I have had a Gary Laron-esque image of elderly bears sitting down for dinner in the woods. (yeah, I know bears aren't carnivores anymore than humans are, but I can't help what cartoon images arise) Fri Dec 02 09:22:38 -0800 2005 1496864 0 danna 1 1496866 I have experience in this department. I have a vegan friend whose vegetable preferences are limited. Eggplant, red bell peppers and tomatoes are too exotic for him. I suggest dusting off an old copy of Laurel's Kitchen for inspiration. My favorites are the Tamale Pie using vegan dairy alternatives, Hearty Pea Soup and Apple Crisp. My own creation one night included twice baked brocolli cheese potatoes using soy milk and cheese. I made as much as a 5 lb. bag of potatoes could provide and he ate the majority of them. I took a basic twice baked potato recipe and tweaked it. Lastly, I had vegan version of Mollie Katzen's Shepard's Pie (see the link below) one Thanksgiving and thought it was a terrific dish. Good Luck. Link: http://www.molliekatzen.com/mkcorner.php#shepherds_pie Thu Dec 01 03:49:02 -0800 2005 1496649 0 Tracy L. 1 1496889 Wow, the replies here are a bit intense... I say cook like most people cook when they're having guests - make something that you enjoy and that you're good at. If you're looking for fresh ideas the internet and cook books are great resources - google "vegan recipes" and youll get sites like http://www.veganchef.com. There are many ethnic food genres that dont showcase meat or dairy or eggs...I find chinese food very easy to make for company because you can get creative with the sauces, so no one will notice the lack of meat. And veggie srping rolls or dumplings are easy crowd pleasers. Sometimes its better to not use a veggie cookbook for things like this since they tend to be limiting, and you can always alter a standard recipe to meet your needs. My meat eating boyfriend and I make lots of soups, chilis (or call it a bean stew to the purists who insist chili must have meat), stir fries, grilled marinated veggies (I always include portobellos to bulk it up a bit), and creative salads together that make us both happy. When cooking for the holidays and my family, presentation is everything - I have one uncle who wont eat what I make becuase it's a scary vegetarian dish, yet if he eat's it and doesn't know it was from me, he always enjoys it. Good luck, stick to your guns, and enjoy it - it doesn't have to be stressful! Thu Dec 01 09:05:06 -0800 2005 1496649 0 leah 2 1496891 also just noticed that you said theyre staying overnight - what about crepes in the mornings? You can make some creative non dairy fillings and fresh fruit - actually...savory crepes would be a great idea for dinner too... http://vegweb.com/recipes/vegetables/mushroom-leek-crepes.shtml the crepe may be hard to make vegan, but here's a start... Thu Dec 01 09:10:35 -0800 2005 1496889 0 leah 1 1496905 I agree with the pasta recommendations. There are a lot of Italian meals you can make without anyone giving a thought to its being vegan. You could also have a big pot of soup with filling ingredients such as beans and and assortment of good bread. I would also, to make sure that people feel full, start the meal with a number of appetizers such as nuts, olives, hummus/baba ganoush and leave those on the table so that people can continue to nibble on them with bread. People *love* appetizers. Thu Dec 01 10:51:25 -0800 2005 1496649 0 bibi rose 1 1496915 I guess I just don't understand the problem. When we have guests who are vegetarians we cook a vegetarian dish for them and a meat or seafood dish for our other guests. If you invite people who you know are "confirmed carnivores" you should serve them a meat dish. Thu Dec 01 11:14:33 -0800 2005 1496649 0 Tom 2 1496942 As a vegetarian in a non-vegetarian family, I have no issues with carnivores eating meat at the same table. But I can't cook it - I don't know how, I can't taste it to adjust the seasonings, etc. Thu Dec 01 13:06:25 -0800 2005 1496915 0 piccola 2 1497136 Wow. I am a vegetarian and I have made dinner for meat-eaters hundreds of times and it never occurred to me that I should be cooking meat for them. Some of my main reasons for not eating meat is that I don't want to cook meat. I don't want to deal with the microorganisms, the grease, the smell and the queasy feelings I get when handling dead animals. Fri Dec 02 11:00:35 -0800 2005 1496915 0 Snackish 3 1497195 >>Wow. I am a vegetarian and I have made dinner for meat-eaters hundreds of times and it never occurred to me that I should be cooking meat for them.>> I completely agree. It's not like it's going to kill people not to eat meat for a day. I think someone made the suggestion of having optional cheese and I think with some dishes that might be nice if the cook doesn't mind and if the guests are the type who freak out if they get food they are not used to and/or don't feel they are getting enough nutrition if they don't have any meat or dairy. Like if you serve pasta you could give them some parmesan to put on it. Or just have cheese among the appetizers. But, really as long as you serve a decently filling meal you are not under any obligation to serve animal products. Fri Dec 02 13:09:43 -0800 2005 1497136 0 bibi rose 4 1497241 I don't think it's about obligations. The OP said they are meat and potato people. That tells me they have a fairly narrow range of acceptable choices. No, you don't have to serve anything to them, but when I am hosting the last thing I want is for my guests to be dissatisfied, especially leaving with a feeling that they have been subjected to something improper or weird. In my experience, that is what you're going to get here. If you want to make a social experiment out if it, go ahead and make them things that deep down you know they won't like. If you want your guests to be comfortable and happy, bend a little--it's not like you are going to convert them into vegans. Make them some meat! Fri Dec 02 15:03:18 -0800 2005 1497195 0 Two Forks 5 1497260 I'm not a vegetarian, but I know that the problems of cooking meat can be prohibitive for some vegetarians, either (as has been discussed upthread) because it actively disgusts them or because they don't know how to cook meat. If you are a meat eater you are not going to enjoy a steak or a stew cooked by someone who doesn't know what they are doing. If these people are really so inflexible that they cannot eat a fairly normal meatless meal, then in my opinion they are picky eaters and need to be treated as such, e.g. by clearing the details of the menu with them beforehand so there will be no nasty surprises. (That is not the feeling I got from the OP anyway.) Fri Dec 02 16:59:07 -0800 2005 1497241 0 bibi rose 1 1496962 Thanks for all of the great suggestions! I am copying all of the responses for future reference. I really do appreciate all of the thought that went into the reponses. I think i will serve a thick veggie soup with homemade corn bread for lunch and some Indian dishes for dinner. It seems to me that Indian food is very adaptable to te lots of dishes approach. Relative to should vegans give a dinner party - of course they should! Vegans actually have friends and social lives and I have never had anyone turn down an invitation for dinner with us. However, this isn't a dinner party situation. My brother and his wife are passing through the area on the way home from seeing a family member who had a stroke. We don't see each other often and I am glad to offer the hospitality of our home for an afternoon and a night. Thu Dec 01 14:10:21 -0800 2005 1496649 0 kass 1 1497002 What does their ("much older") age have to do with anything? Maybe you should take them out to the best steak restaurant in town and let them choose what they want (age appropriate of course) off the menu... Thu Dec 01 17:51:29 -0800 2005 1496649 0 Niki Rothman 2 1497025 Much older means I respect these people as family elders and want to make it nice for them. If I hadn't been laid off a year ago and still unemployed a good steak restaurant dinner would be an option. Thu Dec 01 19:31:17 -0800 2005 1497002 0 kass 3 1497158 Respect. I've been there too. Of the recipes that were presented to you I liked the idea of going ethnic, because there are many cuisines (Latino/Asian) where meat was just too expensive to use frequently and there are delicious alternatives without trying to make some standard American dish and just omitting or substituting for meat. It takes a lot of brains and talent to make really delicious food when you don't have a lot of dough($). But that's what makes so many different cultures' food uniquely wonderful. One thing that wasn't stated or asked: what is the ethnicity of the guests? For example: Polish/Eastern European - cheese or mushroom pilmeni. Beet borscht. A thick creamy potato soup or casserole with crusty bread and butter, pickled veg. Italian - potato gnocchi in a light tomato garlic, basil sauce with parm. Spinach saute with garlic and olive oil (parm. & lemon wedges), Barilla or other Italian dry long pasta with garlic, olive oil, a bit of red pepper flakes and parmesan with a vinagrette green salad, garlic bread. I could go on and on. You get the idea. They might enjoy the fact that you tried to honor their own ethnic heritage. Fri Dec 02 11:31:20 -0800 2005 1497025 0 Niki Rothman