The most wonderful time of year
is almost upon us – but many vegetarians find themselves wondering whether they
will find a tasty treat at the Christmas dinner table. All too often, we
associate the festive feast with glistening turkeys, pigs in blankets, and a
mountain of meat-based dishes – but the good news is that this doesn’t have to
be the case.
The popularity of the vegetarian
dinner party is on the rise, and we have put together the top
five tips to ensure the plant-based participants at your party have plenty to
enjoy, and a dinner to remember!
- Keep
an eye out for ‘hidden’ animal products
If you’ve never previously organised a dinner party
with vegan or vegetarian guests in mind, it’s worth reminding yourself what
such guests actually eat. Vegans, for instance, avoid all animal products,
practising an entirely plant-based diet – so that means no dairy, eggs, or
honey.
When you are shopping for food products for the
dinner party, be sure to carefully check the labels for any mention of animal
products that may be far from obvious at first glance.
A common mistake that many meat-eating guests make
is to create an irresistible veggie or vegan spread, only to forget to
double-check the wine! Many wines use animal products in their development and
creation and are therefore unsuitable for vegan guests. Do a little research,
so that you can keep your guests happy and hydrated.
- Arrange
for a vegan cheese platter
Meat spreads are such a Christmas party
‘standard’, but you won’t want to risk your vegan and vegetarian guests going
hungry. That’s why it could be a great idea to make liberal use of vegan
cheeses when putting on your next dinner party where plant-based attendees will
be present.
Gravy is a key part of the Christmas dinner – but
it is often not veggie or vegan-friendly. With a little homework, you can whip
up a tasty gravy that all your guests can enjoy.
Avoid the temptation to smother your roasties in
goose fat, or to simply rely on pigs in blankets for your sides – remember to
include an array of sides that all your guests can enjoy.
Final thoughts
Christmas is a time to kick back, relax and enjoy
some tasty treats, and with our top tips, you can ensure that all your guests
leave happy and satisfied.
And if you would appreciate some further – and
specialised – help with putting on a vegan or vegetarian dinner party that will
be remembered for all the right reasons, please don’t hesitate to reach out today to the team at Caiger& Co.