Talk about vegetarian party ideas...WOW! I borrowed a new cookbook from the library called "Vegan Vegetarian Omnivore: Dinner for everyone at the table" by Anna Thomas. This big beautiful book, loaded with gorgeous photos, is what we have been looking for. Lots and lots of recipes that are arranged in menus for gatherings of any size that will have food to satisfy any eater. Each menu is an array of different dishes that cover all of the three title categories so no matter who shows up for your get-together, they will find something good to eat.
See the book hereAn example of the flexibility of the menus: A wonderful stew-y vegetable soup to which fish could be added for the omnivores. Or a chickpea dish with a platter of lamb meatballs on the side. Or white bean chili with some chunk chicken on the side. Or a big lentil salad that pairs with a poached salmon.
The extensive vegetable section is divided into what she calls "center-of-the-plate" vegetable dishes and "small plates and sides." There are separate sections for "Beans and Legumes" "Pasta, Polenta, Risotto" and "Pilafs, Grains and Stuffed Vegetables."
As you can imagine, the food ranges across many different cultures including Asian and Middle-Eastern but also the author's Polish background. Every recipe is clearly labeled "Vegan" or "Omnivore" or "Vegetarian" and short end-of-recipe explanations help the befuddled understand what ingredient drives the designation if it is not obvious.
The name Anna Thomas did not ring a bell for me but when I googled it, I recognized the cover of The Vegetarian Epicure which has been on my shelf for many years. Thomas is a James Beard award winner and I really think this new book is a candidate for another one.
This book is just stuffed with inspiration. And we are in the middle of vegetable season with many of us getting boxes from our CSAs or hitting the farmers' markets. I might have to break the "NO new cookbooks!" rule and smuggle my own copy into the house. Who would know! Gosh you can find 'used' copies on Amazon for $17 I say to myself, and free shipping!