Calling all vegetarians - halp

ASmallWonder

My brother is a vegetarian and his new girlfriend, who we're meeting for the first time this weekend, over lunch at our house, is pescatarian.  This is supposed to be majorly low key and we're just doing our typical weekend burgers on the grill thing for me, DH and the boys.  My brother is low maintenance so when we grill he usually just has a frozen veggie burger and chips or whatever but I can't do that to the new girl lol  What could I make that isn't involved or far from the vibe of what the rest of us will be eating?  Do places like Whole Foods have like, fresh non meat...burgers?  I feel like it's the frozen aspect of the veggie burger that makes this unacceptable :-p

Soxgirl07

I always prefer a frozen veggie burger in the toaster oven or microwave at those kind of things. I hate it when people make a big fuss about what I'm going to eat. I usually make a veggie side dish that I can fill up on. Quinoa salads are easy, make-ahead, and tasty.

Soxgirl07

There are non frozen veggie burgers, usually in/near the produce section. They're with all the fake meat products in my store.

ASmallWonder

Unbelievable.  My normally not picky brother is being picky (claims he's sick of veggie burgers but I tend to think he's being picky so that I make something better FOR HER), yet he can't cook and has no suggestions on what I can make.  Mother fucker.

[Deleted User]

I find this to be annoying.  She is choosing to be a pescatarian, so she should gracefully accept whatever you offer.

ASmallWonder

DragonBlood13 said:

I find this to be annoying.  She is choosing to be a pescatarian, so she should gracefully accept whatever you offer.

Oh let me be clear - she hasn't said a single thing about lunch at all but I think it's polite to be mindful of people's dietary restrictions and I just don't have the knowledge to come up with non meat alternatives for them.  I don't give a fuck about my grown ass brother but I've never met this girl and I think it would be nice to make the effort, kwim?

TheRunningGinger

When I was a vegetarian I never expected anyone to go out of their way for me. I'd usually eat before I went to a cook out or party. Then I'd snack on whatever there was that is meatless. I don't see anything wrong with making a frozen veggie burger for her and your brother. If they don't like it they can bring something else.

cyprissa

Ok, I'm not a vegetarian but I cook for a few regularly. What about grilling portobello mushrooms with cheese alongside your burgers? 

ASmallWonder

@cyprissa that could work for her.  I'm thinking my brother is going to be left fending for himself because, if you can believe it, he's a vegetarian that doesn't like many vegetables /headdesk  He did say just now that his comment wasn't meant to imply I needed to come up with something else but that maybe they would come up with something to bring.  Fine by me.  I'll make them a pasta salad or something and maybe grill some veggies.

[Deleted User]

I am all about accommodating dietary restrictions but your brother is being a bit of a brat.  At this point, I would suggest he bring over the vegetarian option of his choosing and you will grill it.  

I mean, you could word it nicer...maybe.  

We are having xyz.  If you want to bring something else, that is totally fine.  

[Deleted User]

One thing people don't think of when cooking a meat and a meatless option- use two different tongs and plates.  It's a small gesture that goes a long way. 

Same for cooking kosher, hallal, food allergies, etc.

ASmallWonder

MarlaSinger& said:

One thing people don't think of when cooking a meat and a meatless option- use two different tongs and plates.  It's a small gesture that goes a long way. 

Same for cooking kosher, hallal, food allergies, etc.

I wouldn't have thought of that, honestly so thanks.  For my brother it's an environmental choice (as is hers) vs an allergy or medical issue.  Not to downplay their feelings but I never really thought too much about cross contamination.  I'll keep it in mind

[Deleted User]

elmoali said:

DragonBlood13 said:

I find this to be annoying.  She is choosing to be a pescatarian, so she should gracefully accept whatever you offer.

Oh let me be clear - she hasn't said a single thing about lunch at all but I think it's polite to be mindful of people's dietary restrictions and I just don't have the knowledge to come up with non meat alternatives for them.  I don't give a fuck about my grown ass brother but I've never met this girl and I think it would be nice to make the effort, kwim?

What about Shrimp skewers on the grill for her or grilled portobello mushroom sandwiches?  Both are really easy and require minimal ingredients.

jesuisfatiguee

Just have a lot of good, vegetarian sides. I wouldn't worry about making fish for the gf. She probably eats as a vegetarian more often than not because fish is expensive. (Yes, I'm projecting lol)

[Deleted User]

SweetSouthernMomma08 said:

You could also do grilled portabella mushrooms instead.  Marinate them in a good marinade and then grill them for a couple minutes. (that is a little more "fancy")

I just marinate in good seasons italian dressing and it's wonderful.

I spread roasted garlic on the bread, some spinach and some provolone.  So good, so easy.

ASmallWonder

SweetSouthernMomma08 said:

Oops, see my comment was already done...So, here is a side instead..

But, I found this recipe the other day thanks to another poster...It was delicious!  I used extra veggies and swapped the orzo for quinoa as well....I added zucchini, yellow squash, cherry tomatoes, you it would be delicious if you tossed in some mushrooms as well.  I did not put the basil or pine nuts in it...And I left the lemon and feta on the side.  it was a huge hit!  It is a super easy side to make that is "fancy."

https://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/ina-garten/orzo-with-roasted-vegetables-recipe.print.html

 

That looks good!

ASmallWonder

The menu sounds awesome but I'm shying away from it being too much/too big.  DH and I are going out that night for our anniversary so they're stuck with simple lunch lol

ASmallWonder

I love my brother but no lol  I'm thinking the orzo salad sounds great and I know my brother loves corn so I'll probably do that as well and tell him that he can bring something else unless he has an idea for something easy I can add to the mix.