What should I prepare for a vegetarian dinner party?!
What should I prepare for a vegetarian dinner party?
I'm having friends over this week and one couple is vegetarian, does anyone have any suggestions for a veggie main course?
Answers:
I had a vegetarian dinner party where the menu was as follows:
Starter : Bread and olive tapenade ( you can find it at stores such as whole foods, etc.
Main Entree: Vegetable lasagna ( this is a hit for everyone I have made it for)
2 tsps extra-virgin olive oil
2 cups chopped broccoli
1 cup thinly sliced carrots
1 cup sliced scallions
1/2 cup red bell pepper
1 tbl finely chopped garlic
1 tsp dried oregeno
1 tsp dried basil
1 (16 oz) container of cottage cheese
1 1/2 cups coarsely shredded mozzarella cheese
12 oven ready lasagne noodles
3 tbl grated fresh parmesan cheese
Creamy spinach sauce ( see recipe below)
Coat large skillet with cooking spray. add olive oil and heat over med. heat. Add broccoli, carrots, scallions, bell pepper, and garlic. Cook stirring occasionally until vegetables are softened, about 6 minutes. add oregano and basil and set aside.
Preheat oven to 375. Coat a 9 x 13 inch baking pan with cooking spray. stir cottage cheese and mozarella in cooled vegetable mix.
Spread 1/2 cup of spinach sauce on bottom of pan. Place 3 noodles over sauce. top with 3/4 sauce, then 1/3 of vegetable mix. repeat layers at least 2 more times. Cover with remaining pasta. Spread 1 cup spinach sauce over top and sprinkle with parmesan cheese. Cover tightly with foil.
Bake 45 minutes or until bubbly hot. Let stand 10 minutes before serving.
Creamy Spinach Sauce:
1/2 cup flour
3 cups 1% milk
1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 tsp pepper
1/8 tsp nutmeg
1 (10 oz) pkg frozen spinach, thawed to room temp and drained( Do no squeeze out liquid)
Place flour in med saucepan. Gradually stir in milk until mixture is smooth. Cook over med heat stirring occasionally until mixture comes to a boil and thickens slightly ( about 5 minutes but sometimes take me longer) Add Parmesan cheese, salt, pepper, and nutmeg. Cook stirring 1 minute longer. Blend in spinach.
With the lasagna I also served a cesear salad ( minus anchovies of course)
Hope you have fun!!