When Vegetarians and Meat Eaters Live Together
Vegetarian Cooking for Everyone at the Table
Mar 24, 2009
When one person in the household stops eating meat, or when people following different diets move in together, sharing a simple meal can become a complicated affair. But accommodating everyone's tastes does not have to be difficult or time consuming. Following a few simple suggestions will satisfy both vegetarians and meat eaters.
The most important thing to remember is to keep an open mind. Teasing and criticizing will only cause resentment. To live together in harmony, both vegetarians and non-vegetarians must accept each other's eating habits.
Vegetarian Foods Familiar to Meat Eaters
Not everyone likes tofu or tempeh--not even all vegetarians! Sticking with meatless favorites is a good strategy, especially at first. Non-vegetarians will likely enjoy these easy main dishes that happen to be meatless:
- Mushroom, spinach or cheese ravioli
- Tomato, lentil, or vegetable soup and grilled cheese sandwiches
- Hearty vegetable lasagna
- Baked macaroni and cheese
- Breakfast foods such as omelets, French toast and pancakes
Many vegetarian recipes are available on the Internet. The Food Network has almost 4000 meatless recipes. Another good resource is the Vegetarian Times. Both sites have vegan as well as vegetarian recipes.
Meals for Vegetarians and Meat Eaters
Cooking two meals, one with meat and one without, is too much work and can make people feel excluded. But eating only vegetable side dishes is not satisfying or healthy for a vegetarian. Likewise, many meat eaters will not want to eat vegetarian meals every day.
Fortunately, simply substituting another protein for the meat in a vegetarian portion, or cooking meat separately and adding it only to the omnivore portion is a much easier solution. Below are some easy ways meat eaters and vegetarians can share one meal without feeling deprived.
- Spaghetti sauce can be divided in two pans, one with meat and one plain. Beans, tofu, or crumbled veggie burger can be added to the meatless sauce for extra protein.
- Tacos and burritos can easily be assembled with meat for the omnivores and beans for the vegetarians.
- Pizza can be topped with meat on one half and vegetables on the other.
- Meat analogues, such as those made by Amy's, Boca, MorningStar Farms, and Quorn, can stand in for steak or hamburger on a vegetarian's plate.
- Stir fry and Pad Thai are dishes for which meat and tofu can easily be cooked and added separately.
- Grilled kabobs are easy to customize. Try adding portabella mushrooms or eggplant on a vegetarian kabob.
Involving everyone in meal planning and grocery shopping is a good way to ensure everyone will be satisfied at the dinner table. And planning a menu can be a fun activity to do together. Grocery shopping is also a good time for families or couples to discover new foods to try.
Eating Out with Vegetarians and Meat Eaters
Compromise is the key when eating out. The best choices for finding both meat and vegetarian entrees on the menu are often ethnic cuisines. Chinese, Vietnamese, Indian, Thai, Ethiopian,and Mexican restaurants often have several vegetarian or vegan options. Look at a menu or call the restaurant to make sure.
Of course there are also entirely vegetarian restaurants, and most non-vegetarian restaurants offer at least one or two meatless options. Taking turns choosing restaurants when eating out together is one way to make everyone happy.
Keep these hints in mind to avoid conflict between vegetarians and meat eaters at the table. A little creativity and compromise, and maybe an extra pot or pan, are all that is necessary for vegetarians and meat eaters to live, and eat, together happily.
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