Code of cooking when having guests.

In my small circle of lockdown friends

There is time to plan as we can't meet indoors yet.
There are some really good vegetarian cookbooks now so it could be interesting finding recipes suitable for all.

I've cooked various side dishes ie vegetables plus a meat dish and a vegetarian dish if catering for vegetarian(s).
Add into the mix someone who is coeliac and another who is lactose intolerant, another who has a nut allergy and then it does become more difficult.

Or suggest going to the pub when they re-open.

I do understand, twinlolly, food intolerance and differing beliefs about eating animal products are a minefield sometimes. You’re right, a vegetarian will rarely prepare a meat dish. I understand as it conflicts with their beliefs. A friend simply refuses to have any meat or meat product in her cooking pans, I respect her beliefs and choices in her own home. She has to tolerate me cooking her food in pans that have been used for meat when she eats with us.

Personally I’d happily eat a vegetarian meal as I enjoy the food, my husband dislikes most but eats it out of politeness if we’re served it by a friend. I can feel very anxious if I need to cook a vegetarian meal for guests in the same way I feel anxiety about cooking for someone with severe allergies. Yes, I do cook separately for vegetarians out of politeness as long as I know in advance. Sprung on me on arrival I’m afraid they will need to pick from what is on offer,

My go to is a vegetarian version of a very simple main course served alongside a meat version for the meat eaters. Cottage pie, curry, chilli, lasagne or in the summer often a flan and salad with new potatoes. A cousin is vegetarian, she always tells me to give her supermarket ready prepared food, not to stress or struggle because of her, sometimes I listen, often I don’t.

As you have had a bad experience of vegetarian food why not ask a friend who invites you what they plan to serve. If you think you’d not be able to eat it explain kindly and offer to take your own meat containing food to re-heat. Our lactose intolerant family member always brings her own milk and anything else I’m not likely to have, in my view it’s little different.

You do sound stressed about it, hopefully you can find a way through and keep your good friends, it would be a shame to miss out on their company.

If we have any vegetarian guests now, we usually just cook vegetarian meals for all. There are plenty of interesting recipes available online now. The added bonus is that it all costs so much less!

It seems odd that you won’t go out and eat a meat free meal!
If you value your friendship you will cook some Vegetarian food, if your friend had Religious reasons or a food allergy surely you wouldn’t be asking the question.

At a barbecue in the summer, we will always provide vegan sausages and plenty of salads as well as various meats.

We have a vegan and two vegetarians in the family. We cook as normal, they choose to eat, or not eat (just eating the vegetables for example) or we sometimes provide a vegan ‘meat’ or sometimes they bring their own. It doesn’t cause a problem, they recognise that the rest of us eat meat.

Despite being a meat eater I can totally understand a vegetarian not wanting to handle meat.
I agree with Lucca if she is a friend and you want to enjoy her company then either make a vegatarian meal for everybody or one for your friend.
Lots of fab veggie dishes you could enjoy together.

I’m a meat eater but I understand it’s easier for me to cook and eat a meal without meat than for a vegetarian to cook and eat meat.
If you like your vegetarian friends and want their company I suggest you explore some tasty vegie recipes and indulge them.
Otherwise only invite your meat eating friends and miss out on some good company for the sake of a bit of meat.
I do see what you mean but hope you can see what I mean. Good luck

Sorry but what springs to my mind is to ask how often this situation arises? Surely you can get over your annoyance in order to enjoy the company once in a while? Does it really hurt you to provide a veggie option ? Why not just decline the invitation to the meal at the vegetarian friends house if you feel so strongly about it.

Do a buffet, hot or cold, I’ve done curries before, 2 meat, 2 veg, rice etc