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Vegetarianism 101 - A Brief Primer
by Rich RothmanWhat if you've just found out you'll be feeding a vegetarian and you don't know what to do? Don't panic - here's some basic advice that should help you accommodate your guest and enjoy the experience yourself.
To begin, you'll want to know that vegetarians avoid meat, fish and fowl. Some eat dairy products and eggs. Vegans will use no foods of animal origin with the possible exception of honey. Within that context, there are many possible variations, but these will become clearer as you talk with your guest.
Some possible questions to ask:
- What kind of vegetarian are you? Which foods do you specifically avoid?
- What kinds of foods do you like?
- I'm planning on serving "XXX". What do you suggest I prepare for you?
- Is there anything else I should know? (This might prompt discussion on other issues such as preservatives, salt, etc.)
Many vegetarians will not only be concerned about the ingredients you cook with, but also about hidden animal by-products added to commercially prepared foods. These might not be familiar to you, particular if you are not usually a "label-reader".
Some ingredients to watch out for on food labels are: (a brief list)
- Gelatin (from animal bones)
- Casein, whey, lactose, (milk by-products)
- Butter, most margarines, mayonnaise (look for hidden milk by-products in the ingredient list)
If you have recipes that contain any of the above ingredients, visit your local health food store and ask an employee for substitutes. For instance, olive oil can often be substituted for butter, there are "vegetarian" mayonnaises made without eggs, and more.
Does everyone have to eat the same thing or is it OK to provide a special meal for the vegetarian? "Manners" experts probably would agree that it's appropriate to tailor the meal so that all participants feel satisfied. Ideally, you will be able to find one menu to please everyone. You could also serve a "buffet-style" dinner with both vegetarian and non-vegetarian dishes. But one of the easiest solutions to solve this issue is Pasta. It's easy, fast, inexpensive and nearly universally loved by all. It can get creative with a recipe for your sauce (watch out for cheese for those guests that avoid it) or prepare it as a side dish.
You might also look for recipes for hearty favorites such as meatless chili or lentil stew, main course salads, casseroles, etc. Your own recipe collection may be an invaluable resource - perhaps you could substitute a vegetarian ground "meat" for the meat called for in your favorite recipe. (See your health food store for meat substitutes. They are widely available. If you want more info, send me an e-mail for some possibilities).
Good luck! You might be pleasantly surprised by how much you, too, enjoy vegetarian meals!
Visit the Crum Creek Store for healthful snacks!