Going "veg" is becoming increasingly popular. With more and more people opting to exclude meat products from their diets for health and ethical reasons, vegetarianism is on the rise. At your next get together, you can WOW your guests by creating a flawless, meat-free meal that is sure to please both omnivores and vegetarians alike. The great thing about eating vegetarian is every cuisine has great dishes to offer, so making the perfect meal is not difficult at all! Take a look at these options:
Middle Eastern cuisine is famous for its vegetarian dishes like falafel, hummus, and tahini which all are full of spices and flavors. It's the perfect choice for a more informal type of party because the dishes are meant to be shared. Pita bread with some great hummus, and tabouleh are delicious Middle Eastern dishes to encourage dipping (not double, of course) into a shared plate.
Italian dishes are easy to modify for vegetarian tastes. Pasta is always a great stand-by. Sauce, garlic, olive oil and a wee bit of parmesan are all you need to make a great entrée everyone will love. Of course, one of the best things about Italian cooking is the dessert! Tiramisu, cannoli, and gelato are all vegetarian-friendly (and delicious).
Japanese food is notoriously healthy and satisfying. Sushi dinner parties can be tons of fun. If you don't want to use fish, you can always prepare vegetarian sushi rolls. All you need to get started are rolls of seaweed, sushi rice, and your choice of fillings. Veggie tempura is also delicious and a lot of fun to make. Simply batter and deep-fry your favorite vegetable and you're all set to go.
Some more things to remember are:
Soups are tricky. Lots of mixes contain chicken or beef stock, so read the labels carefully. Don't fret, vegetarian bouillon cubes and stocks are readily available at most grocery stores. Make sure to read carefully labels and ingredients on everything you buy. If you want to stick to a strict vegetarian party, some foods might contain hidden meat products. If the prospect of making a completely new dish with unfamiliar ingredients sounds stressful to you, then don't do it! Stick with your favorite recipes and add vegetarian modifications.
Hosting a vegetarian dinner party doesn't mean your food has to be bland or boring. Thanks to the public's growing awareness of food and health issues, there are a ton of vegetarian dinner options to choose from. There is a vegetarian dish out there for everyone!
Eating vegetarian can be healthy, but you do need to make sure you eat a balanced diet and get protein in there from sources such as tofu, texturized vegetable protein, beans,etc. Fighting a sweet tooth can be tough. Try cutting back on refined sugars, and foods with sugar such as sodas,etc. If you're craving something sweet, reach for a healthy alternative like berries or some other fruit. You can do it!
You might be thinking of chicken biryani (or biryani rice) which is a dish with chicken cooked in a creamy sauce with spices, and served on rice that is garnished with raisins, nuts, etc. Take a look in any good grocery store, health food store or specialty Indian food market and you'll be sure to find it. If you want a substitution, use garam masala (which you can buy or make yourself. A quick blend to keep in the cupboard: 2 tsp each - cardamom, cumin, coriander, 1 tsp each - cinnamon, black pepper, 1/2 tsp each - nutmeg and cloves.)