TOTALLY GEEKED!

Lawyerlady · On the bright side...... Christmas is coming! (Mod)

Dear Abby - my granddaughter has turned vegan and ruined by dinners.

Lindley · Guru

I would just continue to cook the way I always do. I might fix a couple of things for her to eat, I will also request that she would bring some things to the meal.

FNW · Guru

She's making more of a chore of this than she needs to be. Most likely because she does not approve of the granddaughter's culinary choice and is digging her heals in unnecessarily.

Personally, my mother always accommodated likes/dislikes when throwing a party. Brother doesn't like nuts in his fudge-she'd make a batch without walnuts. Cousin loves her ice cream jello dish? Add it to the menu. It's not rocket science.

lilyofcourse · My spirit animal is a pink flamingo.

Reasonable accommodations are fine.

I wonder if granddaughter is making a fuss over what everyone is eating.

Either way, most meals have a veggie dish or three, leave the butter out.

Ohfour · Hooker

What a **** waffle. Grandmother is being ridiculous. She's mad that the granddaughter won't eat all of her food. I'd be willing to bet that the GD doesn't care nearly as much as the GM. Steam some veggies and have melted butter available for those that want it. Grill mushrooms. Sauté brussel sprouts in olive oil and garlic. Even a roasted onion is delicious.

Now I'm hungry for vegan food....(did I really just type that????)

Lexxy · My dog name is Sasha, too!

Maybe GM is set in her ways of cooking or maybe GD is being obnoxious about being vegan. Either way this doesn't need to be a big deal. Tell GD to bring her own or maybe GM &GD can cook a few things together for the big dinner & make it a positive experience.

Lady Gaga Snerd · Guru

Just make her mashed potatoes. Its a phase.

Lady Gaga Snerd · Guru

So if u love to cook then challenge yourself. Eggplant parmesan is s big winner.

Lexxy · My dog name is Sasha, too!

Lady Gaga Snerd wrote:
So if u love to cook then challenge yourself. Eggplant parmesan is s big winner.

Can vegans eat cheese? I thought it was nothing related to animals.

But I'm sure with a little recipe checking she can find some vegan dishes that would work for everyone or as sides for the others who choose to eat meat.

lilyofcourse · My spirit animal is a pink flamingo.

Vegans abstain from any animal product or by product.

But it isn't that hard to eat vegan.

I think gma is probably set in her ways and doesn't really "get" vegan.

Steam some veggies and rice.

Seasonings are big in vegan.

Vette · Owl drink to that!

My sister and my SIL are both vegan, and it's really not that hard to accommodate. But they do take care of their own meals most of the time, GD should probably realize she needs to be proactive in her own meal planning.

chef · Guru

Ruined? Methinks the grandma protests too much.

Lady Gaga Snerd · Guru

I think Grandma is seeking the Drama Award.

"" It has taken away my enjoyment for the fun meals we used to have.
I can no longer cook for her, and it has changed the family dynamics.""

Um, no grandma it doesnt have to take away all the enjoyment. She can still cook for her. It doesnt' have to "change family dynamics'. Get a grip Grandma. Take a deep breath. Geez.

lilyofcourse · My spirit animal is a pink flamingo.

That's why I wonder if the granddaughter is being a snot about things.

Nobody Just Nobody · Rib-it! Rrrib-it!

chef wrote:
Ruined? Methinks the grandma protests too much.

This. Steam veggies. A really nice tossed salad with fruit and nuts would be nice. It's not hard to cook a vegan dish or two.

Lindley · Guru

Nobody Just Nobody wrote:
chef wrote:
Ruined? Methinks the grandma protests too much.
This. Steam veggies. A really nice tossed salad with fruit and nuts would be nice. It's not hard to cook a vegan dish or two.

Yes and she may also request that her granddaughter bring a fav dish to the meal.

lilyofcourse · My spirit animal is a pink flamingo.

Cooking vegan meals is not hard.

And they are good.

And modifying dishes isn't hard either.

I have a few dishes we have on a regular basis just because they are good.

Even make our own chips and snacks.

The simplest thing is steaming some vegetables.

But eggplant parmigiana is an option, too.

Ohfour · Hooker

lilyofcourse wrote:
Cooking vegan meals is not hard.

And they are good.

And modifying dishes isn't hard either.

I have a few dishes we have on a regular basis just because they are good.

Even make our own chips and snacks.

The simplest thing is steaming some vegetables.

But eggplant parmigiana is an option, too.

That's not vegan...

lilyofcourse · My spirit animal is a pink flamingo.

There is a vegan recipe.

I spelled it wrong.

Eggplant parmesan

EGGPLANT PARMESAN

1 medium eggplant (as narrow as possible - see notes for more tips)
1/4 cup unbleached all purpose flour (or other flour of choice)
1 cup panko breadcrumbs (GF for gluten free eaters)
2 Tbsp vegan parmesan + more for serving (or sub 1 Tbsp nutritional yeast)
1 tsp dried oregano (or 2 tsp fresh)
1/4 tsp sea salt
1/2 cup unsweetened plain almond milk (or other neutral milk)
1 tsp cornstarch

PASTA + SAUCE

8 ounces pasta (such as linguini, but any kind will do, including veggie noodles or gluten free)
2 cups marinara sauce

That's just one.

There are tons of versions.

lilyofcourse · My spirit animal is a pink flamingo.

But here is a vegan eggplant parmigiana

INGREDIENTSNutrition

SERVINGS 5 UNITS US

1medium eggplant
Eggplant Batter and Breading
3tablespoons egg substitute
9tablespoons water
1⁄4teaspoon salt
1⁄2teaspoon lemon pepper
1 2⁄3cups vegan panko breadcrumbs (Japanese Style Bread Crumbs)
1⁄2tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
Tomato Sauce
1⁄2tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
1medium onion, Chopped
3garlic cloves, Minced
1⁄2cup water
1(14 1/2 ounce) can diced tomatoes
1(8 ounce) can tomato sauce
1⁄4teaspoon ground marjoram
1⁄4teaspoon ground thyme
1⁄2teaspoon dried oregano
1⁄4teaspoon lemon pepper
1⁄2teaspoon onion powder
1⁄2teaspoon garlic powder
2teaspoons sugar
1⁄4teaspoon salt (optional)
Cheeze Sauce
1cup plain soymilk
3tablespoons quick-cooking oats
1⁄4cup nutritional yeast flakes
1teaspoon onion powder
1tablespoon apple cider vinegar
1⁄2tablespoon peanut butter
5drops sesame oil
4drops liquid smoke
1⁄2teaspoon paprika

lilyofcourse · My spirit animal is a pink flamingo.

And I don't know why it pasted like that.

Lawyerlady · On the bright side...... Christmas is coming! (Mod)

Ok - that vegan parmesan is not cheese and it sounds nasty. Not to mention - it uses cashews instead of cheese, which could be an allergy trigger for others.

I think Grandma needs to cook normal, with a salad and veggies available for the vegan. As long as she has SOMETHING to eat, the hostess has done her job - she does not have to change her main cooking for all guests based upon the preferences of one. It's not an allergy - it's a lifestyle choice, and therefore the grand-daughter needs to not pout about it.

chef · Guru

Lindley wrote:
Nobody Just Nobody wrote:
chef wrote:
Ruined? Methinks the grandma protests too much.
This. Steam veggies. A really nice tossed salad with fruit and nuts would be nice. It's not hard to cook a vegan dish or two.
Yes and she may also request that her granddaughter bring a fav dish to the meal.

I agree with both of you. The grandma can even tell the granddaughter that bringing her favorite dishes to dinners would help grandma build her cooking repertoire.

lilyofcourse · My spirit animal is a pink flamingo.

Lawyerlady wrote:
Ok - that vegan parmesan is not cheese and it sounds nasty. Not to mention - it uses cashews instead of cheese, which could be an allergy trigger for others.

I think Grandma needs to cook normal, with a salad and veggies available for the vegan. As long as she has SOMETHING to eat, the hostess has done her job - she does not have to change her main cooking for all guests based upon the preferences of one. It's not an allergy - it's a lifestyle choice, and therefore the grand-daughter needs to not pout about it.

It was just a suggestion.

There are so many vegan options that a person doesn't just have to set out salad.

So many good, hot meal options.

And a lot of it is easier than you think.

Ohfour · Hooker

lilyofcourse wrote:
Lawyerlady wrote:
Ok - that vegan parmesan is not cheese and it sounds nasty. Not to mention - it uses cashews instead of cheese, which could be an allergy trigger for others.

I think Grandma needs to cook normal, with a salad and veggies available for the vegan. As long as she has SOMETHING to eat, the hostess has done her job - she does not have to change her main cooking for all guests based upon the preferences of one. It's not an allergy - it's a lifestyle choice, and therefore the grand-daughter needs to not pout about it.
It was just a suggestion.
There are so many vegan options that a person doesn't just have to set out salad.
So many good, hot meal options.
And a lot of it is easier than you think.

I totally agree. I have a friend that's vegan and she has ALWAYS found something easy to prepare or when we go out, there is no problem with her finding something to eat. Even at Morton's Steakhouse you can request a grilled veggie platter and It is AMAZING. Nicely seasoned and grilled. Peppers, corn, mushrooms, onions, tomatoes...you can pretty much grill any veggie. And skewers. Perfect for vegans and non vegans alike.

If something is bland, she simply puts some BBQ sauce in it.

Grandmother should as DGD to come over and show her how to cook some vegan dishes. I think that would be a wonderful bonding time.

Lawyerlady · On the bright side...... Christmas is coming! (Mod)

The other guests may not want to eat vegan.

Ohfour · Hooker

Lawyerlady wrote:
The other guests may not want to eat vegan.

I didn't say they had to. But it might be fun fir DG to help GM cook some vegan dishes...

Lawyerlady · On the bright side...... Christmas is coming! (Mod)

Ohfour wrote:
Lawyerlady wrote:
The other guests may not want to eat vegan.
I didn't say they had to. But it might be fun fir DG to help GM cook some vegan dishes...

It doesn't sound to me like grandma is up for that. She seems bitter about DGD's choice.

Tignanello · My dog name is, Sasha!

Cashew cheese is really good. There used to be a restaurant next to a place I worked that was all vegan (luckily not GF) and I had great grilled cheese sandwich.

Ohfour · Hooker

Lawyerlady wrote:
Ohfour wrote:
Lawyerlady wrote:
The other guests may not want to eat vegan.
I didn't say they had to. But it might be fun fir DG to help GM cook some vegan dishes...
It doesn't sound to me like grandma is up for that. She seems bitter about DGD's choice.

Well then, phooey on her. He loss...

lilyofcourse · My spirit animal is a pink flamingo.

Lawyerlady wrote:
The other guests may not want to eat vegan.

Have you ever had a vegan meal?

Tignanello · My dog name is, Sasha!

Protein is hard to get in the vegan lifestyle. Really, that much bean and lentil would turn off most people.

lilyofcourse · My spirit animal is a pink flamingo.

Tignanello wrote:
Protein is hard to get in the vegan lifestyle. Really, that much bean and lentil would turn off most people.

Yes, it is.

Which is why most add protein flakes to foods.

Lawyerlady · On the bright side...... Christmas is coming! (Mod)

lilyofcourse wrote:
Lawyerlady wrote:
The other guests may not want to eat vegan.
Have you ever had a vegan meal?

I actually make ONE vegan meal that anyone can eat. I can even make it gluten free if necessary. But I need more protein in my life than vegan easily affords and I have children. Children should not be vegan.

Mellow Momma · Sniff...sniff, sniff. Yay! A Bum!

lilyofcourse wrote:
Tignanello wrote:
Protein is hard to get in the vegan lifestyle. Really, that much bean and lentil would turn off most people.
Yes, it is.
Which is why most add protein flakes to foods.

???? I don't know a single vegan who adds protein flakes to their food. Wow. Nope. Most eat a variety of foods for their protein.

Mellow Momma · Sniff...sniff, sniff. Yay! A Bum!

Lentils, black beans, quinoa, green peas, soy milk, artichokes, pumpkin seeds, chia seeds, spinach, broccoli, asparagus, green beans, almonds, chickpeas, peanut butter...that's where vegans get their protein. They don't sprinkle it on their meals. Lol

lilyofcourse · My spirit animal is a pink flamingo.

And I know those who do use it.

Along with nutritional yeast.

lilyofcourse · My spirit animal is a pink flamingo.

Lawyerlady wrote:
lilyofcourse wrote:
Lawyerlady wrote:
The other guests may not want to eat vegan.
Have you ever had a vegan meal?

I actually make ONE vegan meal that anyone can eat. I can even make it gluten free if necessary. But I need more protein in my life than vegan easily affords and I have children. Children should not be vegan.

Oh, I agree. It isn't a viable life choice for most.

But that doesn't mean it can't be good food.

Lady Gaga Snerd · Guru

Not every vegan eschews dairy, cheese, eggs, etc. Yeah, there are a few. But, most of the ones i know simply don't want to eat meat.

lilyofcourse · My spirit animal is a pink flamingo.

That's more of a vegetarian light.

Vegan is nothing from an animal. Not even byproducts.

Lady Gaga Snerd · Guru

Yeah, but a lot of "vegans" don't even know what the hell they are.

lilyofcourse · My spirit animal is a pink flamingo.

Hungry.

They're hungry.

Vette · Owl drink to that!

My sister drinks protein shakes day in and day out. And if someone eats dairy of any kind, they are not vegan they are vegetarian.

And yes, they are hungry! That's all I hear about is how hungry she is every time I talk to her. I just want to tie her up and shove some meat down her gullet.

But, she has a history of bulimia and Anorexia so I let it alone. As long as she's eating something and keeping it down that's all I care about!

Mellow Momma · Sniff...sniff, sniff. Yay! A Bum!

Vegan means no animal products of any kind. No cheese, no milk and nothing from an animal. So those who eat cheese and such are most certainly NOT vegan.

Mellow Momma · Sniff...sniff, sniff. Yay! A Bum!

lilyofcourse wrote:
And I know those who do use it.

Along with nutritional yeast.

Honestly I have never heard of anything so ridiculous. The vegans I know would laugh at you for even suggesting it. True vegans know how to eat to get the nutrients they need. They are against fake forms of nutrition. The LAST thing a vegan would do is buy protein in a shaker and sprinkle it on their food. It is just not done. There is no need. The vegans you know must not enjoy eating because there is plenty to eat to get all the nutrients you need without resorting to a shaker of protein. Lol

Lawyerlady · On the bright side...... Christmas is coming! (Mod)

Lady Gaga Snerd wrote:
Not every vegan eschews dairy, cheese, eggs, etc. Yeah, there are a few. But, most of the ones i know simply don't want to eat meat.

That's vegetarian, not vegan.

Lady Gaga Snerd · Guru

I know. I am saying a lot of them call themselves "vegan" because that sounds cooler or whatever. But, they really mean they just don't eat meat. Just my experience.

lilyofcourse · My spirit animal is a pink flamingo.

Mellow Momma wrote:
lilyofcourse wrote:
And I know those who do use it.

Along with nutritional yeast.

Honestly I have never heard of anything so ridiculous. The vegans I know would laugh at you for even suggesting it. True vegans know how to eat to get the nutrients they need. They are against fake forms of nutrition. The LAST thing a vegan would do is buy protein in a shaker and sprinkle it on their food. It is just not done. There is no need. The vegans you know must not enjoy eating because there is plenty to eat to get all the nutrients you need without resorting to a shaker of protein. Lol

True vegans.... bwahaha......

I'm sorry.

I know you are being serious.

True vegan.

You win.

LOL....

Mellow Momma · Sniff...sniff, sniff. Yay! A Bum!

Perhaps you could enlighten me on what's so amusing?

WYSIWYG · Guru

Late to the thread, but still wanted to put in my 2 cents worth.

If the granddaughter wants to go vegan, more power to her, and if I was related to her I would wish her well. But that choice and responsibility of making vegan meals is entirely up to her. It's not the responsibility of others to accommodate her choice. As someone upthread said, it's not an allergy to specific things, it's an intentional choice.

Grandmother can certainly fix "sides", to go along with a fully balanced meal for an omnivore diet, that make up a full vegan meal if she so chooses, but she shouldn't limit the meal for others based on the choices of one person.

TOTALLY GEEKED!

INGREDIENTSNutrition

Eggplant Batter and Breading

Tomato Sauce

Cheeze Sauce