A Vegetarian For Christmas Dinner, Help

Inviting a vegetarian guest to your Christmas lunch doesn't need to be a cause for alarm. Most vegetarians have attended countless gatherings where salad was the only option or have had well-meaning family members ask, "Can't you just scrape off the meat?" As a result, they will be grateful for any endeavor you make to incorporate them in the lunch. With a little preparation, creating a spread that every guest will enjoy can be a breeze.

The first order of business is asking your guest if they're a vegan or a lacto-ovo vegetarian. Full-fledged vegetarians do not eat meat, poultry or fish. However, vegans also forgo dairy products and eggs, while lacto-ovo vegetarians include eggs, milk, and cheese in their diets. Vegan preparations will take a little more work but soy milk, vegan cheese, and egg substitute products are available at any grocery store. When purchasing prepackaged food be sure to read the ingredients carefully.

If you're kicking off Christmas dinner with appetizers you can't go wrong with a platter of crudités. Simply cut up raw vegetables and include a tasty dip. Ranch or spinach dips are perfect for lacto-ovo vegetarians. For a vegan guest, add a hummus dip or vegan sour cream-based dip to the platter. Crackers and cheese can round out the appetizer selection.

Soup is a common first course. Yet the majority of soups contain chicken or beef stock. To satisfy a vegetarian's needs, either buy a can of vegetarian soup or make a minestrone soup using vegetable stock. As for biscuits and dinner rolls be sure that the recipes do not contain eggs or milk. Swap out regular milk for soy milk and your other guests won't even be able to tell the difference.

Christmas dinners notoriously feature a meat dish as the centerpiece. A tofu turkey can be purchased at most markets during the holiday season. Venturing to your local health food store will also turn up similar options. Meat substitutes provide the heartiness of meat and will ensure that your vegetarian guest does not feel left out during the main course. Another option is a veggie loaf, which can be purchased at a store or made from scratch. Most recipes require vegetarian meatless crumbles, egg substitute, bread crumbs, onion and seasonings. Find a simple recipe online and make a delicious vegetarian-friendly creation.

Mashed potatoes and other side dishes can easily be made vegan by using soy milk. Lacto-ovo vegetarians can enjoy any meatless side dish. Steamed vegetables, sweet potatoes, rice, vegetable gratin, white potatoes, and other vegetable-based sides are an ideal accompaniment to both meat and meatless main courses.

Top off your Christmas dinner with a variety of desserts. Use egg substitute and soy milk in place of the usual eggs and milk for pie crusts and cakes. Or offer baked apples and other delicacies chock full of fruit. Don't be surprised when omnivore guests dig into the vegetarian desserts.

As vegetarianism becomes more commonplace, most grocery stores carry a slew of meatless options. When cooking from scratch, simple substitutions can make almost any dish appropriate for vegetarian friends and family. Keep in mind that Christmas dinners are about enjoying the company of loved ones. You don't have to worry about becoming a vegetarian chef. It truly is the thought that counts.