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i
don't
eat
that!
what to cook
when you're hosting a vegetarian or carnivore
by
Patricia Virella | 1
2 3
4
continued from page 3
|
make
your
dinner
a
bouquet
of vegetables
With
so many different vegetables out there – featuring an amazing array of
different flavors and colors and textures
– there’s no reason in the world that cooking vegetarian should ever
be a bore. Far too often,
people use one common vegetable in each of the dishes they prepare.
Stay away from this. Do
not put one vegetable, like tomato, in every dish: it’s the surest way
towards a bland meal that will bore vegetarians and carnivores alike. If
it’s a theme you’re looking for, tie your dishes together with
spices and herbs that balance one another; often, deciding on a type of
cuisine, say Indian, Japanese or Tuscan, for instance, will be the
easiest way to create a menu where all the dishes taste different from
one another, but go together well too.
When I go vegetarian, I crave savory vegetables that have tons of
flavor and texture. Add as
much spice as you need to coax the most flavor out of your veggies.
Flavored oils will add a subtle, underlying flavor to your
vegetables; try such classic greats as roasted garlic olive oil or an
unusual blend like blood orange olive oil.
You can also jazz up your vegetables with fresh herbs or chiles,
and/or chiles alone.
why
not order out?
Yes,
yes, I know it sounds like a cop out, but if you feel that you simply
cannot cook meat for your guests, and you don’t think they can handle
a vegetable-only dish, then pick up that telephone and order out.
It’s safe, it’s easy, and everyone will be happy.
It will also give you an idea of what your friends like to eat so
that you can better prepare a dish for them next time.
Compromise
is Key
Let’s
face it: everyone, even the most easygoing folks among us, have their
little food quirks. When cooking for someone who doesn’t share your
eating habits – and in fact has a dramatically different preferred
diet – accept that you’ll have to compromise if you want to concoct
a meal that’ll make both your palates happy.
o
Patricia Virella
was born in Spanish Harlem, and grew up entirely in NYC. She currently
lives in Brooklyn and works at an advertising agency. She is also a
student at the Adelphi University. When she's not throwing fabulous
dinner parties on a shoestring budget, she enjoys spending time with her
6 and 9 year old nephews, as well as painting.
more
articles by Patricia Virella:
entertaining on a budget | dinner
for two, chez vous
check
out these related articles:
picky eaters:
milk-free cooking | menu, please |
dinner party basics
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