Do angry vegans turn you against going vegan?

[Spymaster]

As a result veg isn't really elevated to something in its own right like it is with so many great cuisines round the world.

You think? I can't think of any cuisines other than Indian in which vegatarian dishes are spectacularly abundant or revered.

 

[8ball]

But vegan food isn't likely to be repulsive to you...

Unless its that vegan "cheese".

 

[8ball]

You think? I can't think of any cuisines other than Indian in which vegatarian dishes are spectacularly abundant or revered.

Ethiopian?

edit: or Lebanese?

 

[Baronage-Phase]

Seems a bit strange. Would you not back them to cook you a meal you really enjoyed regardless of the presence of meat?

Sure. I'm very easy to please goid wise. But I would feel a bit weird if someone said I couldnt have cheese just cos I was their guest... say if I had my own with me..

 

[Teaboy]

I don't cook meat but will put a bit in if I'm e.g. making noodles for me and the daughter and there's some cold cuts about or the like. Only vegan in the family, not bothered about sharing utensils, I trust my washing up and I'm not vegan for purity reasons.

This is sort of where I'm at with my veg lifestyle. I used to eat meat so not bothered if it turns up randomly and won't make a scene but would rather avoid and take steps to. I do know however know its not the same for everyone and some people really struggle with it so seems polite to understand that.

 

[JimW]

You think? I can't think of any cuisines other than Indian in which vegatarian dishes are spectacularly abundant or revered.

There's a style of Chinese Buddhist cooking based on the old temple banquets given for fancy lay visitors but it's even more faking meat dishes than Linda Mccartney!

 

[Baronage-Phase]

But vegan food isn't likely to be repulsive to you - meat could well be repulsive, even in the cooking of it, to a vegan/vegetarian.

Yes I get that buy they dont have to eat it...

 

[Spymaster]

Ethiopian?

Is it particularly known for it's veggie stuff then? I've only ever had Ethiopian meat dishes

 

[Orang Utan]

Ethiopian?

Also a lot of Middle Eastern food. In fact anywhere that's not Europe or North America.

 

[JimW]

This is sort of where I'm at with my veg lifestyle. I used to eat meat so not bothered if it turns up randomly and won't make a scene but would rather avoid and take steps to. I do know however know its not the same for everyone and some people really struggle with it so seems polite to understand that.

Yeah, I think after getting on for thirty years of vegan eating I'm comfortable one sniff of bacon grease won't do for me. Remembered I'll also heat meaty leftovers for others if required too. Standards have slipped

 

[Orang Utan]

Is it particularly known for it's veggie stuff then? I've only ever had Ethiopian meat dishes

East African cuisine has loads of lovely lentil dishes

 

[Orang Utan]

Yes I get that buy they dont have to eat it...

But they would if served it if they were a guest at a vegan/vegetarian household. It would not be on to demand meat/cheese/eggs etc

 

[8ball]

Is it particularly known for it's veggie stuff then? I've only ever had Ethiopian meat dishes

I'd say more than half of the dishes I've tried are vegetarian.

 

[The39thStep]

I think one of the problems is that traditional British food is pretty unimaginative (to put it politely). So much is based around the concept of meat, potato and veg. As a result veg isn't really elevated to something in its own right like it is with so many great cuisines round the world.

Depends on what you think traditional British food is .

 

[Baronage-Phase]

Exactly, meat eaters need to widen their palates a little bit

Meat eaters eat more than meat you know. Like vegetablea and legumes and everything really.
If I'm going for a meal at a restaurant with friends and one of my friends is vegan, I would feel really not ok if I was told that everyone at the table had to eat a vegan meal...because the vegan friend might not like the smell....but I very much doubt my vegan pals would expect me to do so ... or any of their friends who are not vegan.

 

[JimW]

Also a lot of Middle Eastern food. In fact anywhere that's not Europe or North America.

I can always get a good meal at the Syrian and Palestinian restaurants in town but I think I'm mostly sticking side dishes together - suits me more than fine but maybe not their cuisine as such iyswim

 

[Spymaster]

East African cuisine has loads of lovely lentil dishes

Sure, and there are some decent vegetarian dishes from many countries but with the exception of India I'm struggling to think of any national cuisine that fits Teaboy's suggestion.

 

[The39thStep]

But they would if served it if they were a guest at a vegan/vegetarian household. It would not be on to demand meat/cheese/eggs etc

How do vegetarian or vegan chefs cope with employment ?

 

[Poot]

I wouldn't be fussed if someone used my kitchen to cook meat (though I'm not thrilled about the smell) but an expectation that I will cook meat for guests always makes me grumpy. It did happen when we were on holiday in a caravan with my inlaws and the sensation of flipping meat on a grill reminded me of trying to get roadkill off the tarmac.

 

[Teaboy]

You think? I can't think of any cuisines other than Indian in which vegatarian dishes are spectacularly abundant or revered.

Eh? The mezes of the eastern med have loads of veg only dishes where the vegetables are treated with love. Northern Africa the same. if you've ever had Italian banqueting food you'll know that many of the courses will be vegetable only dishes. What about the middle East?

I'm not saying these are predominately vegetarian cultures but they are cuisines that have fantastic vegetarian dishes not because of a veg or vegan thing (though sometimes it is) its just because the dish doesn't need meat. Its just that in the UK (and Northern and Eastern Europe in general tbf) veg is so often something that is added to a dish as an afterthought rather than the dish being about the veg. I think more meat eaters would eat more vege dishes if they knew how to make great veg only food, you only have to see the success of the vege street food vendors throughout London.

 

[Orang Utan]

Meat eaters eat more than meat you know. Like vegetablea and legumes and everything really.
If I'm going for a meal at a restaurant with friends and one of my friends is vegan, I would feel really not ok if I was told that everyone at the table had to eat a vegan meal...because the vegan friend might not like the smell....but I very much doubt my vegan pals would expect me to do so ... or any of their friends who are not vegan.

Wasn't talking about eating out, but if you were a guest at their house and they had made the food?
Though my Hare Krsna uncle once took me out to an expensive sushi restaurant and said we wouldn't be able to order sashimi. I was initially put out (though of course I didn't show it), but the food was so amazing, it was all good in the end

 

[8ball]

Also a lot of Middle Eastern food. In fact anywhere that's not Europe or North America.

Middle Eastern, I'd agree, but there are heaps of places round the world that are very meat-heavy. Especially in colder regions.

 

[Orang Utan]

Eh? The mezes of the eastern med have loads of veg only dishes where the vegetables are treated with love. Northern Africa the same. if you've ever had Italian banqueting food you'll know that many of the courses will be vegetable only dishes. What about the middle East?

I'm not saying these are predominately vegetarian cultures but they are cuisines that have fantastic vegetarian dishes not because of a veg or vegan thing (though sometimes it is) its just because the dish doesn't need meat. Its just that in the UK (and Northern and Eastern Europe in general tbf) veg is so often something that is added to a dish as an afterthought rather than the dish being about the veg. I think more meat eaters would eat more vege dishes if they knew how to make great veg only food, you only have to see the success of the vege street food vendors throughout London.

Aye meat is expensive and goes off quickly, so of course there are a lot of veggie dishes all round the world.

 

[Baronage-Phase]

Wasn't talking about eating out, but if you were a guest at their house and they had made the food?
Though my Hare Krsna uncle once took me out to an expensive sushi restaurant and said we wouldn't be able to order sashimi. I was initially put out (though of course I didn't show it), but the food was so amazing, it was all good in the end

Well...if I'm a guest at someone's house I eat whatever they offer me.

 

[Orang Utan]

Middle Eastern, I'd agree, but there are heaps of places round the world that are very meat-heavy. Especially in colder regions.

Yes, Europe and North America

 

[8ball]

Yes, Europe and North America

Maybe this will help.

 

[Spymaster]

I'd say more than half of the dishes I've tried are vegetarian.

That's just what you're ordering though. I just took a quick look at the first 3 Ethiopian restaurant menus that came up on Tripadvisor and all have substantial meat sections.

 

[Teaboy]

Sure. I'm very easy to please goid wise. But I would feel a bit weird if someone said I couldnt have cheese just cos I was their guest... say if I had my own with me..

Yes it would be. Though it would be strange to turn up to a dinner party with a pocket full of cheese. Hi host, I don't like your food so I've brought my own...

 

[Poot]

Meat eaters eat more than meat you know. Like vegetablea and legumes and everything really.
If I'm going for a meal at a restaurant with friends and one of my friends is vegan, I would feel really not ok if I was told that everyone at the table had to eat a vegan meal...because the vegan friend might not like the smell....but I very much doubt my vegan pals would expect me to do so ... or any of their friends who are not vegan.

I had dinner with a couple of colleagues recently and both ordered steak. One said, 'I'm terribly sorry. Do you mind if I order the steak?' before he ordered. Well. I nearly fell off my chair. Of course I don't mind at all but how lovely to be asked! It's never, ever happened before, nor would I expect it to but how polite!

 

[Orang Utan]

How do vegetarian or vegan chefs cope with employment ?

I dunno. Ask one. I'm sure there some who cook it professionally but don't eat it.