Dinner party for 6 adults: 1 gluten-free, 1 non-meat eater (meat stocks are ok), lot sof snow and cold weather. Any ideas for a main course?

LisaCooks
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13 Comments

LisaCooks February 9, 2013
Thank you so much everyone for all the great ideas!!
You'll never believe it--canceled because of the snow!
 
ATG117 February 8, 2013
Here's another polenta recipe:

http://joythebaker.com/2013/01/baked-polenta-with-tomato-and-basil/
 
ATG117 February 8, 2013
I too was thinking polenta. There are some great recipes on this site.
http://food52.com/recipes/2073-griddled-polenta-cakes-with-caramelized-onions-goat-cheese-and-honey

If your non-meat eater eats fish, there are plenty of good, easy options there. What about salmon?
http://food52.com/recipes/18562-ginger-soy-glazed-salmon

Or you can do fritata
 
Carol B. February 7, 2013
How about polenta with goat cheese, topped with sauteed mushrooms? Or, a hearty lentil soup or stew with kale and carrots thrown in? Enchiladas are super easy (use corn tortillas instead of flour). A macaroni and cheese casserole with chunks of roasted butternut squash thrown in. Or, an easy dish of rice noodles, curry sauce, and sauteed tofu. A pot of beans is always a hearty entree (and makes the house smell great when it's cold outside) -- soak 'em for 4-6 hours, then cook with carrots and onion; simmer low and slow for 3-4 hours. Top with sour cream and cheddar cheese. So, so good!
 
em-i-lis February 7, 2013
If your guest is OK with salmon, make a quick pesto of rosemary, kosher salt, garlic and oil and rub it all over a side of salmon. Roast in a hot oven until just done. delish!
 
Elizabeth R. February 7, 2013
If your guest is okay with seafood, how about cioppino? Or a hearty minestrone (minus the pasta, or sub in GF pasta). There's also breakfast for dinner: omelettes (or quiche) and potatoes. Or a veggie cottage pie? Chawanmushi and miso eggplant. Here's a meatless enchilada recipe that uses corn tortillas: http://www.saveur.com/article/Recipes/Tex-Mex-Cheese-Enchiladas. It's got chicken stock in the recipe, but you said your guest would be ok with that. Saveur also has recipe collection of veggie mains right now on the site. Some of them aren't GF, but most of them are, and I'm pretty sure they can be tinkered around to suit dietery restrictions.
 
susan G. February 7, 2013
I would make a dish that could be a main for the vegan and a side dish for everyone else (keeping it gluten free). Then a simple main dish meant for the meat eaters, also GF. (From a household with similar makeup)
 
Bevi February 7, 2013
If chicken is acceptable, a nice roast chicken with roasted root vegetables can't be beat on a snowy day. Or chicken tacos with lots of trimmings, served with corn tortillas. You can make a great mole sauce that comes together quickly to stir into chicken breasts baked at 350 and then shredded.

Eggplant parm is also delicious - I love the winning eggplant parm on this site.
 
Bevi February 7, 2013
Oops - meant to add use GF flour to dust the eggplant slices.
 
HalfPint February 7, 2013
Soft Polenta topped with ratatouille.
 
beyondcelery February 7, 2013
Squash risotto made with chicken stock and wine. It's naturally glutenfree, wonderfully warming, and very filling. Add to this a roasted chicken, some braised greens, white beans cooked with rosemary and garlic, and another side side or two and everyone should be happy and full! There are all sorts of great risotto recipes on this site if you just search for "risotto."
 
trampledbygeese February 7, 2013
Do you have a good vegan cookbook? They often have a lot of gluten free recipes as well as meat free. My fave is Vegan-a-go-go, by Kramer because it's so simple for those of us not use to cooking vegan to use.

How about risotto? If cheese is okay, it's a really nice, fill you up and keep you warm dish. Can be made as complex or as simple as you like.

Chickpea casserole or curry? In fact, I would lean towards traditional English curry. Aloogobi (I think it's called) is turmeric, potatoes, cauliflower, onions other goodies great for a secondary main dish.

Many mixed curries can use a can of lentils instead of meat, or sometimes tofu.

Speaking of curry, papadomes go really well with it and are gluten free. Hummus and rice crackers make a good, make-a-head snack.

Another option, pasta (with rice pasta) and a hearty tomato sauce. Or, Vegi. lasagna with rice noodles if cheese is okay.
 
Monita February 7, 2013
How about a vegetarian chili. Here's a link for a whole bunch of great choices.
http://food52.com/recipes/search?q=vegetarian+chili
 
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