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Subscribe to forums RSS#1 Thu 05 Jul 12 10:28pm
lauraturnbull
- Member Occupation Full-time student, part-time food writer
- From Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
- Member since Mon 07 May 12
Vegetarian Tasting Menu
First off, I have taken a huge hiatus from this forum after joing with the full intention of being as really active member. Truth be told, I kind of forgot about it in the midst of exam stress and various business. Anyway I'm back now and I need help. I promise I will actually contribute to this community from now on! Haha.
As I've mentioned in the past we have dinner parties on a pretty much weekly basis, but on Tuesday our friends Paul & Holly are coming round and they're some of our more foodie guests. As I haven't done so in a few months, I've decided it's time for one of my rather OTT taasting menu type nights. I tend to do 10+ courses (I know I'm mad. Luckily my OH is resident washer-upper!). However, I've sort of used up some of my best ideas, so I thought you guys might be able to help me with a bit of brainstorming? Like ideas for a theme or perhaps share some of your experiences hosting similar parties or if you have any wonderful recipes you'd like to suggest, that'd be great too.
Hooray for crazed veggie foodies 
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#2 Thu 05 Jul 12 10:36pm
mummza
Occupation avoiding housework
- From The land of song.
- Member since Tue 04 Oct 05
Re: Vegetarian Tasting Menu
woooh 10 courses !
I have never done that sort of thing .
Did you manage to get hold of the Ottolenghi book ..Plenty , its still one of my favorite vegetarian books.
Did I tell you about the vietnamese summer rolls ?
great fun as guests can fill then themselves so not a huge amount of couses just good fun !
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#3 Thu 05 Jul 12 10:41pm
lauraturnbull
- Member Occupation Full-time student, part-time food writer
- From Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
- Member since Mon 07 May 12
Re: Vegetarian Tasting Menu
I haven't bought it yet as I've been a bit strapped for cash but I saw it in Smiths the other day and had a good flip through. It looks really good. My husband just got aa promotion so I may treat myself to it soon!
Whaat aware the Vietnamese rolls? 
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#4 Thu 05 Jul 12 11:32pm
mummza
-
Occupation avoiding housework
- From The land of song.
- Member since Tue 04 Oct 05
Re: Vegetarian Tasting Menu
Will try to write about hem tomorrow , they are really easy to do , can't stop to wite now I am too tired .
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#5 Fri 06 Jul 12 12:32am
dhartley
- Member Occupation Office Wallah
- From Yorkshire / E Sussex
- Member since Thu 15 Mar 12
Re: Vegetarian Tasting Menu
Make a lasagne using the tesco frozen veggie mince (and an extra can of tomatoes to feed that hungry protein!) and serve cold on sticks or spoons with a dollop of mayo. Dee- lish!
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#6 Fri 06 Jul 12 2:01pm
koukouvagia
- From New York
- Member since Fri 12 Dec 08
Re: Vegetarian Tasting Menu
By tasting menu do you mean small plated courses? Or family style? I think you mean plated courses.
Something you MUST do is to serve a marinated beet root salad with ricotta or goat cheese.
Heirloom tomato napoleons with mozzarella and basil.
Blue cheese stuffed figs.
Mushroom tortellini in a parmesan broth.
Crispy fried eggplant crisps with aioli.
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#7 Fri 06 Jul 12 5:52pm
lauraturnbull
- Member Occupation Full-time student, part-time food writer
- From Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
- Member since Mon 07 May 12
Re: Vegetarian Tasting Menu
That's exactly what I meant, small plated courses. Your suggestions all sound divine. I love combining beetroot with creamy welsh goats cheese. I often make a risotto with it, but I think the salad is a great idea. Vegetarian parmesan (or 'parmesan style cheese' or whatever they call it 
) isn't readily available here. Do you think a well-flavoured cheddar would make a good substitute? They have a fantastic one at our local delicatessen
Last edited by lauraturnbull (Fri 06 Jul 12 5:52pm)
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#8 Sat 07 Jul 12 1:18pm
koukouvagia
- From New York
- Member since Fri 12 Dec 08
Re: Vegetarian Tasting Menu
What is vegetarian parmesan???
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#9 Sat 07 Jul 12 2:15pm
lauraturnbull
- Member Occupation Full-time student, part-time food writer
- From Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
- Member since Mon 07 May 12
Re: Vegetarian Tasting Menu
Well a lot of traditional continental cheeses aren't vegetarian, including Parmesan. The enzymes (rennet) used to create cheese from milk are extracted from the stomachs of slaughtered calves. However, there are microbial alternatives, which are used in most supermarket cheeses and many farmhouse cheddars, at least in this country. They're not allowed to call it Parmesan then though because it has protected status and needs to follow the traditional process.
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#10 Sat 07 Jul 12 2:32pm
JoyYamDaisy
- From Melbourne Australia
- Member since Sun 12 Apr 09
Re: Vegetarian Tasting Menu
What an exciting project Lauraturnbull,
I am glad your 'vegetarian' includes dairy. How about eggs?
I remembered a recipe for tiny Camembert and olive pasties I had years ago. I looked to see if there was something like it on the net, and the closest was this camembert and walnut one: http://audreymerrell.net/INTASC/INTASC1 … izers.html
I thought something like this might suit your menu, or inspire you a little.
This page: http://alifeonaplate.com/2012/02/16/lam … /#more-459 for the Malfouf recipe, it looks delicious!
And here is an eggplant salad you might like: http://www.independent.co.uk/life-style … 31121.html
Those last two I found after looking through a Greg Malouf recipe book, he has a lovely take on Middle Eastern recipes (although the Malfouf isn't his version).
I bet you have amazing ideas already worked out though! Do share!
Last edited by JoyYamDaisy (Sat 07 Jul 12 2:34pm)
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