What to cook for vegetarians?

Jono

Jono

Jono

Man of Honour
Joined
18 Oct 2002
Posts
13,276
Location
Northallerton/Harrogate
Hello,

I have a friend, who is a girl, but not a girlfriend... and she cooked me an amazing veggie curry. And I'd like to cook her dinner in return. However I've no idea what to attempt.

She just said "whatever. I'll eat anything" (except meat, obviously)...

Any ideas? I tried a roast squash thing once, and it was terrible.
 
Jono said:
What to cook for vegetarians?
Click to expand...
Almost anything - you're going to have to be more specific in your request.

What cuisines does she enjoy? What are you capable of cooking? Is there anything specific you want to avoid? Is there a particular ingredient you'd like to work with?

Are you looking for one main or multiple courses? Are you out to impress or just to return the favour? How much time are you able to spend preparing the meal? Do you want to be cooking while she's there or would you prefer to spend the minimal amount of time at the stove with your back to her?
 
Do tapas, vegetarian tapas always goes down well with "those people" :D

So you could do some stuffed vines/ peppers, a frittata, deep fried aubergine or cheese, bean salad, nice bread and oil.

That just springs to mind with the nice weather we've had lately.

Either that or go for the foolproof italian veggie menu, bruschetta starter, mushroom risotto main, tiramisu pudding.
 
Stir fry with fresh, crisp veggies and mushrooms. Just don't overcook it or they loose all their texture. Rice noodles and a light sauce. Your girlfriend will love it.
 
I found cooking with Quorn does actually work nicely if you're just starting out with veggie recipes. Lessen the cooking time a few minutes, lower the heat a notch or two and season well (seasonings, spices, herbs, whatever your choice is).
Soaking strong-flavoured mushrooms in sauces, marinades or wine can work well, too (Quorn is sort-of a mushroom anyway).

Alternatively, there are some great meat-substitute products available in Oriental cash-and-carry shops, some of which are almost indistinguishable from the real thing, if done half-properly!
 
Veggie cottage pie

1 tbs vegetable oil
1 onion, finely chopped
2 celery stalks, chopped
1 large carrot, chopped
2 garlic cloves, crushed
2 tbs sundried tomato pesto
1 cup (250ml) tomato passata (sieved tomatoes)
1 bay leaf
1 tbs chopped thyme
1 cup (250ml) vegetable stock
400g can lentils, rinsed, drained
800g potatoes, peeled, chopped
100g unsalted butter
1/2 cup (125ml) milk
2 egg yolks
100g grated cheddar

1. Preheat the oven to 200°C. In a large pan, heat oil over medium heat and cook onion for 1-2 minutes. Add celery, carrot and garlic and cook for 1 minute. Add pesto, passata, bay, thyme and stock.
2. Simmer gently for 15 minutes until vegetables are cooked. Stir in lentils and season, then transfer to a 1.2-litre baking dish. Meanwhile, cook potatoes in boiling salted water until tender.
3. Drain and mash. Stir in butter, milk, yolks and cheese. Spread over lentil mixture and roughen top with a fork. Bake for 15 minutes or until bubbling and golden.
Click to expand...
Doesn't look very pretty on the plate (if you care about presentation), but tastes great (I'm not a vegetarian)

I make 5 at a time and freeze them for family meals.
 
I had to cook a christmas dinner for vegetarians a few years ago and did a Portabello Mushroom Wellington and it was very very nice.
 
ttaskmaster said:
I found cooking with Quorn does actually work nicely if you're just starting out with veggie recipes. Lessen the cooking time a few minutes, lower the heat a notch or two and season well (seasonings, spices, herbs, whatever your choice is).
Soaking strong-flavoured mushrooms in sauces, marinades or wine can work well, too (Quorn is sort-of a mushroom anyway).

Alternatively, there are some great meat-substitute products available in Oriental cash-and-carry shops, some of which are almost indistinguishable from the real thing, if done half-properly!
Click to expand...

you need to fry the mince/pieces for a few minutes or they absorb to much moisture and go cack
 
Make or buy some flatbreads. In those you're going to stuff the following:

-Make or buy some houmous.
-Roast in a hot oven some peppers, aubergine, courgette and garlic with a sprinkle of olive oil, lime, chilli and season well.
-Haloumi or feta. Feta is less effort and you can make it awesome by cubing it, stick it in a jar and cover with olive oil, chilli and something like fennel seeds.
-Your bit is either half a chicken roasted with olive oil, garlic, chilli and lime or basically meat of your choice that you can stuff in the flatbreads.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom