These days, you’ll often find flexitarians, vegetarians, vegans, and omnivores gathered around the same holiday table. So how do you host such a mixed crowd? No need to panic. We’ve got your back with 4 tips to help you entertain inclusively with a festive flexitarian holiday feast!
What is flexitarianism, exactly?
The word “flexitarian” is a portmanteau of “flexible” and “vegetarian”, meaning that no food group is forbidden, but keeping meat consumption to a few times a week or year even is on the menu.
What are the benefits?
- It’s good for your health! This diet features less trans fat and cholesterol—which are found in several kinds of meat—and features more fruit, veg, and whole grains—a.k.a. it’s chock-full of vitamins, minerals, and fibre. Plus, with occasional meat consumption, flexitarianism keeps you far away from any of the deficiencies that are more common for people adhering to a strict vegetarian diet.
- It’s good for the environment! Nowadays, everyone knows how animal protein production has a big, negative impact on our planet. The less we eat, the better our world will fare.
1. Offer up bite-sized cheer
Bring everyone together around the dinner table with tapas! While your flexitarian sister will find your olive and feta cakes divine, dear old dad will—as a meat enthusiast—also fall head over heels, but for your chorizo croquettes. In need of inspiration? Here are some tantalizing tapa ideas for your table!
- Mushroom fricassee over sour cream-topped toast
- Avocado puree and bocconcini ball shooters
- Savoury quinoa, cheddar, and parsley minicakes
- Miso-maple glazed shrimp kebabs
- Osso buco strips on garlic and rosemary minitoasts
2. Deck the table with toppings
One of the best ways to make the whole holiday crowd happy is to offer up one menu for the entire evening—but with different plant and animal protein topping options for differing diets. Doing so translates into less time in the kitchen for you, since you’re pretty much cooking the same thing for everyone around the table—but with a few minor tweaks! All guests have to do is show up, serve themselves, and voila. So here are a few of our very own dish and topping ideas to make your end-of-year celebrations extra merry!
| Dish | Veggie toppings | Meat toppings |
|---|---|---|
| Parsnip soup | Sauteed mushrooms | Prosciutto crumbles |
| Caesar salad | Grilled tofu | Chopped bacon |
| Apple and caramelized onion bites | Maple candied pecans | Duck terrine |
| Pesto risotto | Sauteed zucchini slices | Sauteed pancetta |
3. Feature a Chinese fondue
The top-notch festive holiday classic Chinese fondue—a.k.a. the hot pot—is generally well-loved by all. It’s a one-dish solution that perfectly lends itself to varying diets. All you need are two fondue pots—one for beef broth and the other for the veggie version—and most sauces will work for both the flexitarians and vegetarians in your life. And now for our seasonal crowd-pleasing suggestions…
Plant-based
- Marinated mushrooms
- Veggie sausage slices
- Cherry tomatoes
- Cubes of extra firm tofu, preferably marinated in soy sauce
- Baby potatoes
Animal proteins
- Meatballs
- Salmon or tuna cubes
- Cubed halloumi or aged cheddar
- Shrimp
- Sliced fondue meat
4. Put out a charcuterie board
Our charcuterie board pro tips:
- Plan for an assortment of cheeses: e.g., soft, firm, and semi-firm. Space them out to avoid any unintended pairings.
- Take cheese out of the fridge 30 minutes prior to serving so it expresses its full spectrum of flavours.
- Plan to have a variety of breads and crackers on board to diversify your gustatory offering: we’re talking baguette, rye bread, raisin bread, naan cut up into triangles, brioche, and so on.
“What do we have here?”
If you’ve got your hands full with holiday prep this year, here are some items that you can pick up at Rachelle-Béry to make your holidays merrier, brighter, and way easier! Plus, they’re perfect for the flexitarians in your life.
Famille Fontaine’s osso buco
Carrément Tarte’s quiches
