A nice canapé would be babaganoush on crackers. Corned beef brisket would be a nice main... Or any beef roast. Can't go wrong with potato latkes either.
Beef won't suit the vegetarians...
This isn't a dinner for the couple, it's a Christmas Eve dinner. They are not likely to be expecting more than delicious food and the pleasure of your company. Your menu should emphasize your family's traditions and preferences, taking the guests' limitations into consideration.
I will try to speak for your guests, as a Jewish non-Kosher 35 year vegetarian. First, ask them what their limits are -- dairy, eggs? if vegan, more limits. Some paradoxical 'vegetarians' eat fish. What you serve does not have to be 'Jewish' at all. The suggestions above are excellent. Quinoa is a good choice as a base because it is in the slot of both protein and grain. Something like a winter squash lasagna appeals to me and could be made well ahead. This butternut + polenta + greens recipe is delicious and would also suit everyone -- http://www.food52.com/recipes/9574_creamy_butternut_squash_polenta_with_spicy_wilted_spinach
Usually, except for outright meat/fish/poultry dishes, just about anything you serve can be vegetarian, taking care that stocks are veg based; fats are other than lard, duck, tallow; etc.
Hope you have a good dinner!
when you say jewish, do you mean Jewish and kosher? If they are just Jewish, I'm not sure why you would need to make something different for them. If they are kosher, whatever you make for the vegetarians should be fine, depending on how observant they are.
As for jewish seasonal foods, as some have mentioned. latkes come to mind. You can make them with potatoes, potatoes and carrots, carrots and parsnips, or zuchinni. Dolloped with creme fraich is always a nice touch. Another option is anything fried like fritters, savory or sweet. Jelly doughnuts are also a classic.
For the vegetarian, how about a quinoa dish. There are a bunch of them on the site. There are also a number of vegetarian squash dishes, which would work well. I'd link to some, but the site seems to be moving super slowly today.
Being a non-Jew and having no need to be observant I nevertheless really enjoy cooking for the Jewish holidays. Christmas and Chanukah are only a couple of days apart. I love cooking matzoh ball soup---although that does involve chicken stock if that doesn't freak the vegetarian wimps. Kugel would also be good. Latkes would be safe.
Being a non-Jew and having no need to be observant I nevertheless really enjoy cooking for the Jewish holidays. Christmas and Chanukah are only a couple of days apart. I love cooking matzoh ball soup---although that does involve chicken stock if that doesn't freak the vegetarian wimps. Kugel would also be good. Latkes would be safe.
Being a non-Jew and having no need to be observant I nevertheless really enjoy cooking for the Jewish holidays. Christmas and Chanukah are only a couple of days apart. I love cooking matzoh ball soup---although that does involve chicken stock if that doesn't freak the vegetarian wimps. Kugel would also be good. Latkes would be safe.
I went to a dinner party last night with friends who are also vegetarian. I brought a version of this:
http://food52.com/recipes/2538_fregola_sarda_with_caramelized_squash_and_charmoula
This is also a really good couscous dish: http://food52.com/recipes/2517_couscous_with_roasted_fennel_and_toasted_almonds
And this is a great recipe--you can make it without the cheese or serve the cheese on the side.
http://food52.com/recipes/2434_one_pot_kale_and_quinoa_pilaf
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This isn't a dinner for the couple, it's a Christmas Eve dinner. They are not likely to be expecting more than delicious food and the pleasure of your company. Your menu should emphasize your family's traditions and preferences, taking the guests' limitations into consideration.
Voted the Best Reply!
Usually, except for outright meat/fish/poultry dishes, just about anything you serve can be vegetarian, taking care that stocks are veg based; fats are other than lard, duck, tallow; etc.
Hope you have a good dinner!
As for jewish seasonal foods, as some have mentioned. latkes come to mind. You can make them with potatoes, potatoes and carrots, carrots and parsnips, or zuchinni. Dolloped with creme fraich is always a nice touch. Another option is anything fried like fritters, savory or sweet. Jelly doughnuts are also a classic.
For the vegetarian, how about a quinoa dish. There are a bunch of them on the site. There are also a number of vegetarian squash dishes, which would work well. I'd link to some, but the site seems to be moving super slowly today.
http://food52.com/recipes/2538_fregola_sarda_with_caramelized_squash_and_charmoula
This is also a really good couscous dish: http://food52.com/recipes/2517_couscous_with_roasted_fennel_and_toasted_almonds
And this is a great recipe--you can make it without the cheese or serve the cheese on the side.
http://food52.com/recipes/2434_one_pot_kale_and_quinoa_pilaf