A Family Meal for Vegetarian and Meat Eaters

How to Prepare One Dinner To Satisfy Your Family's Tastes

Oct 5, 2009

Cook one simple family supper to satisfy vegetable lovers and meat eaters alike by dividing portions and offering meatless ingredients.

Preparing a dinner everyone in the family likes is never an easy task. Children have become accustomed to restaurant "kids' menus" full of hot dogs, grilled cheese and fried chicken fingers. Most adults can eat only a limited amount of that kind of food. It is also fairly common for families to have at least one vegetarian living among them. With schedules becoming busier than ever, how can one accommodate all palates without spending the extra time to cook two or more meals per night?

First, find out what kinds of food are appealing to everyone, that is, what is the common denominator in the refrigerator or pantry. Most people, vegetarians and meat-eaters alike, seem to like pasta, or some such variation. Many supermarkets carry assorted pastas and grains that contain no meat products and are quite tasty and simple to prepare.

Eliminate ahead of time those foods that are not agreeable to everyone. Don't waste time and money purchasing and slicing and dicing broccoli when only one out of five family members actually likes it. Find an alternative green or red or orange vegetable that suits everyone's tastes.

A simple dish many vegetarians enjoy is pasta with vegetables. Choose the vegetables that everyone prefers, chop or slice according to preference. Heat two teaspoons of olive oil in a saute pan. Once the oil is hot, place the vegetables in the pan and cook for five to 10 minutes. Next, add two cups of vegetable stock or broth and simmer for 10 minutes. Season with any number of spices including salt and pepper, red pepper flakes, parsely and grated parmesan cheese.

Separately, while the vegetables are simmering, grill the chicken or shrimp or even sausage links for those who must have meat with their meal. Cook the pasta according to the directions on the box. Once all of the ingredients are done, place all three items in separate bowls so that each ingredient is available for serving. Each family member may choose what they like and serve it themselves.

If you have a vegetarian in the household, keep in mind that there are many "meat" or protein alternatives, such as tofu, chick peas and many other legumes. Any of these items can be offered as a quick and simple substitute for meat. Tofu and chick peas both complement the pasta and vegetables dish and also work well when creating one meal with a variety of ingredients.

Aside from actually liking the prepared meal, children may also enjoy the idea that they can choose what they want among the ingredients, while parents select the options. It's a healthy, win-win situation.

People who prepare food for both vegetarians and meat-eaters face unexpected culinary challenges. Many are probably resigned to cooking two meals per evening. But there is another way: cook one simple meal and offer alternatives just before combining all ingredients. There will be less time spent cooking and more time actually eating.

The copyright of the article A Family Meal for Vegetarian and Meat Eaters in Vegetarian Cuisine is owned by julie Klein. Permission to republish A Family Meal for Vegetarian and Meat Eaters in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.