Catering for Vegetarians and Vegans at Barbecues

Catering for Vegetarians and Vegans during Charcoal Barbeques.

You have a vegetarian or vegan coming to your barbecue.

It happens; after all they are about 3-5% of the population. You might see this like a major pain in the chef's cap, or possibly as a culinary challenge.

You may simply view it as a direct challenge to the fact that you like to consume meat (unless you might be a vegetarian too, in which case why are you reading this?)

Since you would like your veggie guests to have a great time and enjoy their meals as much as anyone else, you need to know a bit regarding the subject.

The first step: Find out what is a Vegetarian or Vegan?

The Vegetarian Society defines a vegetarian as: "Someone who lives on a diet of grains, pulses, nuts, seeds, vegetables and fruits with, or without, the use of dairy products and eggs.
A vegetarian does not eat any meat, poultry, game, fish, shellfish or by-products of slaughter. "

The Vegan Society defines a vegan as "someone who consumes a plant-based diet, with nothing coming from animals" - so no meat, milk, eggs, cheese or even honey

Having said that... many individuals have their own personal definition, therefore although you know they're veggie or vegan does not mean you are aware of the specifics of the things they may eat.

The easy answer is to inquire about them; they will value the thought.

A few vegetarians will state "I do not eat anything with a face" however basically the Vegetarian Society classification goes past this to include slaughter by-products, eg. not all cheese is vegetarian (if it contains rennet, it is not), additionally you will find, whey powder, some food colourings, additives or products in alcohol.

Some vegetarians or vegans are able to offer to bring their own dishes to make sure their own demanding code is met, don't be offended by this, simply check out what otherwise you can provide, for example they could provide their own burgers or kebabs and you provide the salads and also desserts.

Step Two: Plan Ahead

Advance preparation is the key to every good bbq however it is doubly essential when you have a variety of meat-eaters and vegetarians.

As well as checking with the non-meat eaters what you should get in (for example, not all vegans like Quorn, tofu or even substitutes like seitan, designed to feel and taste like meat) plan your amounts to take into account the fact that lots of carnivores are in reality omnivores and will try a veggie solutions as well.

Most of the standard Gas Barbeque side dishes are generally completely vegetarian and vegan: salads, jacket potatoes, corn on the cob; it's all good.

Also, the likelihood is that your desserts are all meat-free - simply double-check the content label for quite a few of the additives and preservatives.

Step Three:

Separate Barbeques

If you grill the excellent, freshly-prepared veggie burger or kebab right next to a large, fat juicy steak then a vegetarian or vegan won't be able to eat it; which rather defeats the point.

Make certain possess a separate barbeque grill for veggie food items as well as individual tools.

Step Four: Cooking Times

Typically vegetable bbq food requires a shorter period to cook than meat or fish.

Vegetarian foods don’t usually need to be cooked to a certain temperature for instance meats do, but other than that the normal rules with regard to avoiding pollution and food poisoning are identical.

What to Cook

After you have discovered exactly what your friends and relatives choose, your options are only restricted to a person's creativity, as well as your barbecue abilities.

Whilst vegetarians and vegans might be accustomed to experiencing salads as well as barbequed vegetables, remember to prepare something filling and hearty too.

If you choose to choose pre-prepared veggie/vegan burgers check they have either: the particular Vegetarian Society, Vegan Society or supermarket's "Veggie friendly" logo on them as appropriate (also keep in mind! the actual vegetarian cheese; not for vegans, though).

Here are a few more suggestions.

For vegetarians:

• Marinated Halloumi cheese kebabs with Mediterranean vegetables
• Mexican baked tortilla
• Baked potato stuffed with melted cheese and/or refried beans
• Pizza or other breads together with toppings (garlic bread with cheese, bruschetta, flatbread, etcetera.)
• Meat alternatives (veggie burgers, hot dogs, sausages, faux chicken cutlets, bean patties, fake bacon, etc.)
• Grilled eggplant stacks with portabello mushrooms and ricotta cheese
•
For vegans
(All of these are vegetarian too, obviously)

• Spiced sweet potato slices
• Warm avocado salad with roasted red pepper dressing
• Falafel or chickpea patties (homemade or even shop-bought)
• Marinated, thickly sliced tofu (marinate at least one hour and employ firm or extra-firm tofu only)
• Stuffed peppers, courgettes or tomatoes
• Spicy Quorn tortilla wrap
• Roast vegetables: sweet potato, potato, carrots, parsnip, mushrooms, aubergine, courgette, asparagus, corn