How to Accommodate a Vegetarian
Maybe you eat meat on the daily and are not use to accommodating diet restrictions… But to be a good host, you should always have options for those who can’t eat just anything. When I host my extended family, I have to think about a few people’s restrictions. We have one vegetarian, one who doesn’t eat any gluten, dairy or refined sugar, and another who is allergic to all nuts and chocolate. It sounds like a feat to prepare a feast for them, but actually my own children have given me the practice I need to deal with food dilemmas. One of my children literally ate 5 foods from the age of two to seven - mushroom pizza (but the mushrooms had to be removed before eating, but there HAD to be mushrooms on the pizza), pirogies, almond butter toast, pasta and bananas. It was hellish!!! But I survived and so will you!
Here are some tips when hosting dinners:
Ask your guests if they have any food restrictions. Allergies are no joke and rather than having your guests have to prepare and bring their own meal and suffer the embarrassment of explaining it afterwards, be prepared. It’s a nice gesture and even if it ruins your plans of making a roast, it will put everyone at ease.
Have a variety of food options. I usually prepare one or two protein options that I think most everyone will enjoy. But then I will have a selection of sides:
A big, green salad which can be eaten by vegetarians, celiacs, and if you avoid adding nuts and cheese it’s an option for people with allergies also.
Some sort of hot veg. Roasted carrots with a grenadine maybe. Mixed roasted vegetables such as sweet potatoes, peppers, Brussel sprouts, eggplant seasoned with onions and Parmesan or nutritional yeast… Potatoes are always a favourite and there are so many ways to prepare them.
A quinoa salad or pasta salad can be prepared a day or two ahead of time.
And of course bread for those super finicky eaters.
Think of a meal that everyone can eat. For example if one person is vegetarian and no one else has any restrictions, you can possibly serve vegetarian pizzas or a veggie lasagna. You’d be surprised how often a non-vegetarian eats vegan food without even. realizing it. Or if someone is celiac, make a grilled chicken with roasted potatoes and a veg. Pescatarian? Fish tacos. Dairy allergy? Poke bowl with a tahini sauce. There are so many great ideas all over the internet if you are stuck for an idea. Or get my meal plan book which is filled with so many options and will ensure that you have all of the ingredients necessary.
Bonus Tip:
Try to prepare whatever you can in advance. We all know how stressful it can be to prepare dinner for company, but the more organized you are the better. There’s always something to do at the last minute that you didn’t anticipate, so the more you get done beforehand the better. Set the table the night before if you are able to, wash and prep any vegetables, marinate, make dessert…