Catering for vegetarians and vegans at Barbecues

Catering for Non-meat eaters and Vegans during Charcoal Barbeques.
There is a vegetarian or vegan visiting your Gas Barbeque.


It occurs; after all they are about 3-5% of the population. You might see this as a big pain in the chef's hat, or perhaps as a cooking challenge.


You might just view it as a direct challenge to the fact that you love to eat 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 appreciate their food as much as anyone else, you need to know a little regarding the subject.


Step One: Know 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 specifies a vegan as "someone who eats a plant-based diet, with nothing coming from animals" - so no meat, milk, eggs, cheese or even honey


However... lots of people have their own personal definition, therefore even if you are aware of they're veggie or even vegan does not mean you understand the actual specifics of the things they may eat.


The simple fact is to ask them; they are going to appreciate the thought.


Some vegetarians will say "I avoid eating. anything with a face" yet as you can see the Vegetarian Society classification goes past this to include slaughter by-products, eg. not all cheese is actually vegetarian (if it contains rennet, it is not), also you will find, whey powder, some food colourings, additives or products in alcohol.


Some non-meat eaters or vegans are able to offer to make their own dishes to guarantee their own strict code is fulfilled, don't be upset by this, just take a look at what otherwise you can supply, for instance they could provide their own burgers or kebabs and you supply the salads as well as desserts.


Step Two: Plan Ahead


Advance preparation is vital to any great barbecue but it is doubly crucial when you have a mixture of meat-eaters and vegetarians.


As well as reviewing with the vegans what you should get in (for instance, not all vegetarians like Quorn, tofu or substitutes such as seitan, designed to feel and taste like meat) plan your amounts to take into account the fact that lots of carnivores are actually omnivores and will try a vegetable options as well.


A lot of the regular barbecue side dishes are completely vegetarian and vegan: salads, jacket potatoes, corn on the cob; it's all fine.


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


Step Three:


Separate Barbecues


If you barbeque grill the favorable, freshly-prepared veggie burger or kebab right beside a big, fat juicy steak then the vegetarian or vegan can't eat it; which rather defeats the purpose.


Make sure you have a independent grill with regard to veggie food and also individual utensils.


Step Four: Cooking Times


Usually veggie barbecue food can take less time to cook compared to meat or even fish.


Veggie foods don't usually have to be cooked to a certain temperature for instance meats do, but apart from that the standard rules with regard to avoiding contamination and food poisoning are identical.


What to Cook


Once you have learned exactly what your guests have a preference for, your options are just restricted to your imagination, as well as a person's Charcoal Barbeque skills.


Whilst vegetarians and vegans are going to be used to taking pleasure in salads as well as grilled vegetables, remember to cook something filling as well as hearty as well.


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 (and don't forget the veggie 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 full of melted cheese and/or refried beans

• Pizza or other breads along with toppings (garlic bread with cheese, bruschetta, flatbread, etcetera.)

• Meat alternatives (veggie burgers, hot dogs, sausages, faux chicken cutlets, bean patties, fake bacon, and so on.)

• Grilled eggplant stacks along with portabello mushrooms and ricotta cheese

•

With regard to 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 shop-bought)

• Marinated, thickly sliced tofu (marinate at least one hour and use firm or extra-firm tofu exclusively)

• Stuffed all kinds of peppers, courgettes and also tomatoes

• Spicy Quorn tortilla wrap

• Roast vegetables: sweet potato, potato, carrots, parsnip, mushrooms, aubergine, courgette, asparagus, corn