Vegetarian Easter Dinner Ideas

Nothing brings your family together like a big holiday meal. But, unfortunately, these very same meals can create a lot of stress and division in the family when some of your attendees are following a different diet or faith than yourself.

Since the easter ham is traditional dinner in most households its not unusual for guests at your dinner to not only not eat pork, but also be downright disgusted by its presence at the table. Besides, vegetarians many religious faiths do not swine. Simply having pork at the table can be insult to their faith and beliefs.

Of course, no one should ever force their own beliefs on your customs, but if your desire is to have a harmonious event some very simple steps can help with your efforts.

You never know if one day that guest your son or daughter brings will evolve into your next in law, if they are not comfortable by the atmosphere you create, you may end up seeing less of your son or daughter at future family events. Brutal truth, but very true.

Just keep the meat separate, you may be accustomed to keeping all the dishes on the table so that everyone can dig in at the same time. Just make this one small change, no vegetarian wants to see you cutting into a carcass while they are trying to eat. Agree or not, it should be understandable, save the arguments and resentment, keep the carcass in the kitchen and let guests get seconds if they like. Keep in mind, those that practice Judaism or Islam, do NOT eat pork ever. So simply placing the plate in another room is a pretty small compromise on your side.

When inviting your friends and family , ask simple questions about their dietary concerns. You dont have to bend to each one, you are not a restaurant…but you may want to see your future grandchildren more than once a year! This may be difficult if your seen as a vulgar heathan or a heartless carnivore.

Most easter dinners have tons of side dishes that can sustain the vegetarians in your family, just make sure you double up on some of the more popular dishes.

One often overlooked item on the table are the sauces and gravies, your vegetarian guests like a good sauce on their potatoes too! But, they will be made physically sick and mentally disgusted if they inadvertently ingest animal products in your fine homemade gravy.

Vegetarian varieties of all major sauces can be found at the grocery, vegetable stock can be substituted for meat juice in most recipes… just spend an extra ten minutes making an alternate veg friendly sauce and not only will your vegetarian guests be happy they will also paraise you for your forward thinking and amazing foresight.

The easiest main dish that will be appreciated by your vegetarians, non-pork eaters and carnivores alike will be a simple eggplant dish.

Eggplant is easily prepared, filling, toothy and takes on the flavors of spices and sauces very easily. Any eggplant meal should suffice but heres my favorite, personal variation on eggplant parmigiana.

For this preparation you can use any recipe you like for measurements and ingredients. What we are going to do is prepare the eggplant in a more healthy manner.

Eggplant parm is an awesome platter, but its is very often ill prepared. The majority of times I order this dish, I get very soggy eggplant, soaked in oil. Its not appealing texturally and is not the healthiest preparation possible. So we make the small variation of baking the eggplant and we will get a healthier and actually tastier variation on the platter.

Slice your eggplant in thick thumb sized slices. Prepare an eggwash and put a plate or shallow container out to “shake” your breadcrumbs in.

I prefer to use a mix of Panko breadcrumbs and traditional italian breadcrumbs, the texture and crunch is unique and will be remembered.

Quickly dip and shake your eggplant medallions.

Your going to be “searing” the eggplant medallions, so get the heat going on a cast iron pan. Also turn your oven on 450, if your recipe uses another temperature do as you please.

Put a small amount of olive oil in your pan and begin preparing your eggplant, allow the pan to get very hot and simply sear the spices and breadcrumbs into each side of your eggplant. You will require no more than a minute per each side.

While your waiting prepare your baking pan and have your mozzarella and fresh parmigiana ready. Dress the bottom of the pan with your sauce, thin it a little, so it thickens during baking. Place your medallions in the sauce as you take them out of your pan. top with a little more sauce, mozzarella and parmigiana to taste and walk away. Your dish is ready when the cheese begins to develops some nice small brown bubbles.

Your guests veg and otherwise will love you got your unique and healthful preparation of the eggplant.

If you end up with some vegans (there very hard to cook for) simply make a side platter using a soy based cheese which you can find in your organic section at the grocery store.

best of luck!

There are some great Vegetarian cookbooks and recipes below, but as easter approaches you may not have time to get them shipped to you.

This recipe book is available for instant download and has a 100% Satisfaction Guarantee

• Vegetarian Thanksgiving Ideas

• Vegetarian Pregnancy Diets
• Vegetarian Restaurants in Buffalo,NY