As I’ve previously mentioned, our friends Rae and Monica are coming over for a Valentine’s themed dinner. Rae recently became a vegetarian so in order to save myself some time, I am planning to serve only vegetarian food for everyone (he eats seafood); plus it will not alienate him from the rest of the dinner party. I find this type of cooking a challenge and really enjoy doing it! Much of the menu is inspired by the blogs I read, so I thank you for the inspiration. I have linked where appropriate.
Menu:
- Hors D’œuvres: Roasted Red Pepper and Feta Rollups
- Appetizer: Mushroom consomé with an mushroom and onion dumpling (inspired by The Big Fat Noodle and her Chinese New Year Dumplings)
- Salad: Falafel on greens with avocado paste and cilantro ‘pesto’ (from Manu’s Menu, Falafel)
- Intermisso: Grapefruit Granita from Rufus Food and Spirits Guide
- Main Course: Seafood Paella (I’m using this recipe but without the meat)
- Dessert: Buttermilk Yogurt Panna Cotta with Balsamic Glazed Strawberries (inspired by Asmita at The Compulsive Foodie and that bottle of 100 year old Balsamic I was given for Christmas, thanks JT)
What a fabulous menu Eva… I love the idea of the Intermisso… and that panna cotta is to die for! I’ll be trying your roasted red peppers with feta soon – what a great idea… Happy Hearts.
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Thanks Kelly. The roasted red peppers and feta are wonderful, so easy to make and to eat. I made 16 of them for us and they were gone in an instant! (and I only had 2).
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I think your VDay menu sound absolutely wonderful. And all of these dishes definitely seem romantic and wonderful together
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Thank you Kay. We really enjoyed the evening!
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I’m holding a red-themed pot luck for Valentines Day. We’ll have plenty of vegetarians so I’m doing the opposite and preparing some dual meat/vegetarian versions of dishes so that our bases are covered. I love dreaming up a menu based on a theme.
Quite a few of your dishes would fit in with our rosey-hued feast and paella would be right at home at our pot luck.
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A delicious menu especially the steamed dumplings. I must go out for dim sum next weekend and indulge myself in some. 🙂
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Amazing menu Eva! I love paella… haven’t had any in a loooong time! sigh! I always find it challenging to make a menu for my vegetarian friends that pleases the non veg too! I think you nailed it! Have fun! ❤
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Thanks Manu; my friends have enjoyed Falafel from a restaurant and they said the one I made had all the right tastes. The only difference was the crispy outer layer because I didn’t deep fry them. The avocado paste and cilantro pesto were a wonderful compliment to the falafel. I will make this again. Thanks.
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A good idea Eva to make it all vegetarian to save yourself time. That’s what I always do! And your menu looks superb!
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Thank you Lorraine, it worked out very well. And it actually took us about 2 hours to get through it.
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What a delicious menu!!! I find it almost easier to be challenged by dietary restrictions. It helps limit the endless options. I would love to dine with you!!! Your guests will be thrilled.
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Thanks Liz, that’s very kind of you to say. It surely does limit the endless options that’s for sure.
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What a feast Eva – you truly are a star… many people tend to view vegetarians as “second-class citizen wierdoes” and serve them some weird concoction of leftovers, why they all tuck into juicy, fat steaks. It’s so nice that you embrace their eating habits and prepare such a delicious sounding meal!
100 year old Balsamic Vinegar… wow, that will be quite the experience. As thick as molasses and quite sweet you say? Mmmmmmm, yummy!
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Thanks Charles. It always amazes me on how restaurants deal with vegetarians…it’s usually a pasta with some roasted veg; where is the protein? I really enjoyed our meal last night, it was quite tasty and extravagant with all the seafood. The vinegar definitely made the strawberries; they were rather tasteless.
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Hi Eva,
Thank you so much for the mention and I love your vegetarian menu for your friends. You really are a very thoughtful friend.
Sorry to write back late, was out on vacation.
Thanks again.
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Thank you for your comment Asmita, it is appreciated. The dinner party was a grand success and no one felt left out at all!
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I’m glad my mushroom dumplings inspired you, I can’t wait to see what you make. It’s really nice that you’d plan this menu so your friend can really enjoy a ‘proper’ meal, I know it’s incredibly hard for vegetarians because they don’t want to put anyone out. This is a really great way to make everyone feel comfortable.
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Thank BFN! I was going to follow your mom’s way of folding the dumplings, but then I had a great idea to carry the theme through this course! Hope you come back to see what it is this week.
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Your friends will love this. What a great menu. I love how your doing a palate cleanser and how you’re going to so much trouble to make sure your friend doesn’t miss out. I love the sound of that panna cotta. I had no idea you could buy 100 year old balsamic. You must really treasure it – and your friend for giving it to you!
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Thank you Charlie, it is thick as molasses and quite sweet. It will be a lovely addition to the strawberries (which in hindsight was not the brightest choice since they are not in season and taste of nothing!)
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Your guests are sure to enjoy the dinner you’ve planned, Eva, no doubt about it. I’m off to get that panna cotta recipe. Like the rest of your menu, it sounds delicious and is the perfect end to this wonderful dinner. 🙂
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You are too kind, John. Although it’s not a heavy meal, there are a lot of courses, so we’ll likely be quite full by the end of the evening…panna cotta seemed like a nice light end to the meal. I made a healthier version.
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We are on a healthier and more vegetarian oriented bent around here at the moment, and some of your recipes sound great to try, Eva! I’m making a seafood risotto for V’day as a matter of fact. I know your guests will love your menu!
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Thanks Betsy, it’s good to take a break from meat once in a while.
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You know we were even saying the granita would be a good palate cleanser. I think you’ll like it, let us know. Great menu! Thanks for the shout out.
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It’s delightful Greg. Made it last night, will serve it tonight!
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Your menu sounds amazing! Big fan of paella – I also have some veggie friends and enjoy finding and making appealing recipes for them. Kudos to you!
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Thanks Bill, it should be a fun evening!
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