Vegetarian Meals In Pubs

[Badgers]

Question for the veggies...

If you went into a pub what would be the 'staples' you would want/expect on the main course menu? Something hot and substantial.

Assume there is fish for the pescetarians and already a couple of veggie burger and salad options available.

 

[Thimble Queen]

Not mushroom risotto plz

 

[el-ahrairah]

good quality veggie 'sausages' and mash.

 

[sojourner]

Mixed Bean chilli

Lasagne/cannelloni - using roast veg or spinach/ricotta

Some kind of spicy bean soup - Mexican bean soup with fresh coriander sommat like that

Tell you what NOT to put in - fucking big chunks of carrot. All summer we get faced with so-called veggie food at festivals and the like, and they think that enormous dobbin great chunks of carrot is somehow a perfect veggie meal.

 

[editor]

I'd like:
A good hearty veggie pie, mash potato and veg and gravy.
Battered halloumi 'fish' and chips (*the one they serve at Terre a Terre in Brighton is awesome - it's a bit like this http://foodblogandthedog.wordpress....hy-peas-tartare-sauce-and-spicy-lemon-pickle/).
Veggie curry and rice

 

[mrsfran]

What I would expect, or what I would want?

I would expect: veggie lasagna, and/or other veggie pasta dish. Spinach and ricotta something - pie, pancake, whatever. Mushroom risotto.

What I would like: something other than the above.

NB: I am not a vegetarian but I could play one on TV.

 

[sojourner]

Some kind of pie - cheese and onion, Lancashire butter pie, vegetable/soya (not quorn), ale and mushroom pie - with mash, veg, gravy etc

Tagine

Veggie curry

 

[rich!]

Jacket potato with a selection of fillings - make sure there's beans and/or cheese.

A lasagne or other baked dish, served really hot, with salad.

Actually, a big bowl of leafy salad with small tomatoes, cheese and a dressing.

 

[rich!]

Curry or chilli - yes to either of those.

 

[twentythreedom]

Omelette

 

[Badgers]

One thing to bear in mind is portion and storage control too.

Mash and jackets are tricky for example.

Most places use powdered/frozen mash

Jacket spuds are generally cooked early on and then reheated which is a loss of quality.

 

[rich!]

I'd expect to see goats cheese. Possibly with roasted beetroot. I'd then go and eat somewhere else.

 

[killer b]

Battered halloumi 'fish' and chips (*the one they serve at Terre a Terre in Brighton is awesome - it's a bit like this http://foodblogandthedog.wordpress....hy-peas-tartare-sauce-and-spicy-lemon-pickle/).

this sounds fantastic. might have to give it a go.

 

[editor]

this sounds fantastic. might have to give it a go.

It is fucking delicious. It's a fantastic restaurant - easily in my top five ever, and it's not hideously expensive or stiff either.

 

[Thimble Queen]

Veggie lasagne for def...

I like the idea of a Mexican bean soup... smokey and zingy please

Similar to editors idea with the halloumi 'fish' and chips is tofush and chips basically tofu wrapped in nori and batter and deep fried.

 

[Badgers]

I'd like:
A good hearty veggie pie, mash potato and veg and gravy.
Battered halloumi 'fish' and chips (*the one they serve at Terre a Terre in Brighton is awesome - it's a bit like this http://foodblogandthedog.wordpress....hy-peas-tartare-sauce-and-spicy-lemon-pickle/).
Veggie curry and rice

This Halloumi thing is a good idea. I am thinking that fish and chips would be on the menu anyway so battered Halloumi would be easy enough. It would need to be simple, how would battered Halloumi with peas and chips (or salad) sound? A step in the right direction?

 

[killer b]

i'd do a steamed suet pudding with goats cheese & field mushrooms in it.

 

[Thimble Queen]

Dahl

 

[spanglechick]

I eat meat and I'd choose battered halloumi and chips! Sounds amazing.

 

[kittyP]

I eat meat and I'd choose battered halloumi and chips! Sounds amazing.

This ^

 

[Badgers]

Assume the usual little plates like nachos, chips and such.

Some baguettes and wraps with various fillings.

Main part of menu would be burgers (including takeaway) with beef, two types of chicken and two types of veggie burger.

Then simple pub main menu.....

Steak
Gammon
Chicken and chips
Fish & chips
Scampi & chips
Chicken curry
Beef chilli

Bean chilli

 

[editor]

My heart sinks when I go somewhere and the only veggie choice is fucking risotto.

 

[editor]

I eat meat and I'd choose battered halloumi and chips! Sounds amazing.

If ever you go to Brighton, I urge you to go to Terre a Terre and try it!

 

[Thimble Queen]

Would you have some home made sauces? I went for a veggie roast and they had home made cheese and leek sauce it was proper fit. Made the meal imo.

Also cauliflower cheese please

 

[killer b]

I eat meat and I'd choose battered halloumi and chips! Sounds amazing.

innit.

 

[editor]

This Halloumi thing is a good idea. I am thinking that fish and chips would be on the menu anyway so battered Halloumi would be easy enough. It would need to be simple, how would battered Halloumi with peas and chips (or salad) sound? A step in the right direction?

Sounds good to me. Can't you get your manager to pay for you to go to Brighton to sample the goods there?

 

[fredfelt]

I'm happy for there to be just one veggie dish - so long as some thought has been put into it.

For example there's a French restaurant / pub near by to here. I'm very impressed by their veggie option (especially as the French are not know for their veggies!). They do a flan - tomato, basil and mozzarella. However the basil comes in the form of a scoop of sorbet.

Often the veggie option is an afterthought but this place clearly has put effort into making a good dish.

 

[el-ahrairah]

my heart sinks whenever i see Vegetarian Lasagna on the menu. essex in the 90s was no place to be a working class vegetarian*, every vegetarian option was a frozen vegetarian lasagna, heated up in the microwave until molten, then slopped onto a plate. every time there was a family meal anywhere that's all i got every time. sad flavourless sloppy plates of superheated vom and a side order of fucking curly fries. no wonder i turned into a drunk

 

[fredfelt]

My heart sinks when I go somewhere and the only veggie choice is fucking risotto.

And then it's often badly cooked. Risotto can be a very good dish if you tart it up with decent stock / vermouth / fresh herbs - even deep fried sage leaves. Beetroot, vodka and goats risotto is lush.

However when risotto is offered at the veggie dish it is often an after thought and is invariably bland.

 

[Badgers]

There is a tricky balance between offering enough choice, storing stock and making best quality dishes possible.

Restaurants are food focused with drinks as an add on. Bigger kitchens, more storage and such. Pubs are generally the other way round apart from gastro pubs which do not interest me..

A lot of pub risottos will be frozen portions. Low waste and a simple cook process.