Why assume vegans want a meat alternative?

I think I'd just be grateful that my hosts were at least attempting to cater for my dietary preferences.

I have a fabulous friend. She's vegan. But a peaceful vegan, if that's the right word! She never mentions it. I only found out about 4 years after knowing her.

She will host dinner parties. And she will cook meat for meat eaters. Which has always surprised me.

I'm guessing that's not the norm. Or am I wrong?

Not vegan but vegetarian
I enjoys a meat alternative but only Quorn not so keen on any of the others but I think a host would be being thoughtful to offer up an alternative
I try to avoid too many ( not all by a long stretch ) carbohydrates so a plate of simply vegetables would look a bit blank if the host was doing a roast for instance

Am used to preparing food for veggies, vegans, and gluten free guests. Our family and friends are diverse when it comes to diet. For veggies and vegans is simple, tofu in curries or lentils/beans, and of course chilli, served with basmati rice. Many Indian/Thai dishes are veggie and the use of coconut milk suits vegans.
I do a roast dinner at Xmas but not often. Am not a big fan of plant based food but on occasion is nice to serve up bangers and mash with baked beans.
My OH and I are not veggie, we don’t eat red meat but we do eat chicken and fish. However, we do love the veggie/vegan dishes I make for the family so often eat like that ourselves.

Well a nut roast, mushroom wellington or crispy fried tofu count as “ meat alternatives” but aren’t ultra processed if made in your kitchen, so It depends what you mean.

There are far more "peaceful vegans" than you might think. I'm not a vegan but my younger daughter was for a few years, for ethical reasons, and the hostility she had to deal with (not from us!) was incredible.
I totally agree that there is far too much focus on "meat alternatives" as though meat had to HAVE an alternative. Nobody talks about vegetable alternatives, do they?

Sorry, I am confused, but what do you mean by a meat alternative? Do you mean that if someone was serving a roast you just want to be served the roast potatoes and veg - and nothing else?

If someone entertaining a vegan, served a pie for lunch,and served serve a meat pie for the meat eaters and a mixed root vegetable pie, or a small pumpkin with a savoury lentil and nut stuffing, is that what is meant by a meat alternative.

Or is the OP talking about Meat Alternatives, as sold in supermarkets - fake bacon, no chick chicken, no beef beef etc. Items i would not eat myself and certainly would not buy and serve anyone else.

If I was entertaining a vegan. I would serve a vegan meal to everyone. I mean there is nothing very special about being a vegan, it just means not serving animal products and there are millions of recipes out there that most people eat, that do not contain animal products. I have sometimes had anomal product free days without even planning or intending it. It just happens.

I contributed to the other thread. I have eaten a plant-based diet all of my adult like.

I think the notion of a meat-substitute is rooted in the “traditional” British plate of three elements, meat and two veg. There has to be something on the plate that looks like meat.

(If I had a pound for everytime I have ever been asked what I eat at Christmas … )

International foods are now commonplace in our diet, many of which don’t have this feature.

When I am invited to dine with friends they are just as likely to cook a vegetable curry with rice or a vegetable pasta dish with perhaps some meat on the side for those who feel that want it.

That’s one of the beauties of Asian cuisines, that a group can go out together, order a variety of dishes, some meat, some vegetables. Nobody feels they are having to be catered for differently.

My late husband was a meat eater and enjoyed a roast. He knew that cooking meat made me uncomfortable but, thankfully, he like plain food and was happy with say a joint that came in foil and I could just put it in the oven without touching it. He carved.

When I cook for friends, they know I will only serve plant-based food but they seem to enjoy my curries, so it works. A favourite is Massaman curry with tofu. Some pre-bought Massaman curry pastes contain shrimp but there are vegan versions.

Many thanks everyone. Yes MOnica, I meant meat alternatives as promoted in supermarkets. Sorry for the lack of clarury.
Thanks also for the phrase 'peaceful vegan'. I cook meat occasionally for friends and relatives although I would rather not. I do keep this to myself however!

I once asked my vegan niece this question and didn't get an answer. I wondered if I might have offended her.

I agree with MOnica that we can all eat vegan food- it can be healthy (not always) and delicious if prepared well.
I really don't see the point of dressing up food to look like meat if it isn't meat- it's a bit like years ago my veggie friend would happily eat smokey bacon crisps etc!

Not a big deal in the scheme of things- serving food that people could be allergic too, now that's a different matter.

Last year I bought someone a vegan Easter egg not realising. It looked just the same- it tasted disgusting however, so now I'm extra vigilant when it comes to chocolate...!

Rula

I have a fabulous friend. She's vegan. But a peaceful vegan, if that's the right word! She never mentions it. I only found out about 4 years after knowing her.

She will host dinner parties. And she will cook meat for meat eaters. Which has always surprised me.

I'm guessing that's not the norm. Or am I wrong?

We cook meat for anyone who wants meat (our children, my brother). We're vegans, sides are enough to satisfy us, at a dinner party or holiday.

I've never understood the meat replacement items either. If you don't want meat, then don't eat it! Veg ingredients are pushed into meat shapes and colours to satisfy what? Just to fool people into pretending they are eating meat? It makes no sense to me. There are plenty of healthy and tasty options for vegetarians.

I don't see what the problem is, to be honest? If people want to eat these 'meat alternatives', that's up to them. No-one's forcing you to buy them or eat them.

Ah yes Norah, like my friend. I had been told that this was unusual.

Or is the OP talking about Meat Alternatives, as sold in supermarkets - fake bacon, no chick chicken, no beef beef etc. Items i would not eat myself and certainly would not buy and serve anyone else.

I don't understand the need for these, especially when they are given the names of the meat they are faking.
The only exception would be Glamorgan sausages and, of course, sausage just refers to the shape not the ingredients.

I used to be vegetarian and tend to eat vegetarian meals most evenings.
Brought my daughter up as vegetarian, she has been vegan now for many years. My granddaughter is also vegetarian.
When they visit I never cook "meat alternative ". There are so many veggie/vegan dishes. My favourite is asparagus risotto.
I couldn't be vegan as I love cheese too much but could easily live without meat

ViceVersa

I don't see what the problem is, to be honest? If people want to eat these 'meat alternatives', that's up to them. No-one's forcing you to buy them or eat them.

This is my view. Sausages are not a cut of meat - they are just a convenient way to serve it. They fit in a bread roll, go well with mash or chips, and can be served with gravy or some sort of ketchup/mustard/pickle. Similarly with burgers. Why should vegans and vegetarians not be able to do the same with their food?

Of course they can but why give it names that are similar to meat?

Sausages and burgers could be made of anything, they're not a type of meat.
Sorry if I left out burgers, it's just that we never eat them.

I don’t think vegetarians hate the flavour of meat products like burgers and sausages they just don’t like the fact that animals are killed to make them. So it makes sense to me that they like to eat burgers and sausages that do not require the killing of an animal. Plant based in other words. Is a bit like drinking alcohol free beer, the drinker probs quite likes the taste of beer but for whatever reason can’t drink alcohol, hence alcohol free beer.
Not a mystery in my opinion.

Exactly, Babs0, and let's face it, vegetarian and vegan products are big business now - just look at the amount of products in any of the big supermarkets - so someone must be buying them!

Agree with Babs03. It is the taste that matters to vegans and vegetarians, but in their minds no animal should die. Half my family do not eat meat, although I do on occasion. Absolutely love the plant burgers they have at that fast food restaurant with the golden arch (not advertising lol)

OP, most meals have a ‘main’ ingredient, and I think people who aren’t vegan assume a vegan meal needs the same composition. It’s not that they are looking for a meat substitute, but a main ingredient substitute. I have three vegans in my family, and hate cooking, so I find it a struggle to find no fuss vegan options.

I suppose it needs a total rethink on what constitutes a 'proper meal'.

It doesn’t matter what vegans eat or what it resembles so long as there’s an alternative source of protein and it’s a balanced meal.