Dinner Party: The Omnivore vs. Vegetarian Dilemma

I realize it’s always difficult throwing a dinner party not knowing if one of your guests is vegetarian. It’s always a gamble if you know that a Vegi may be a guest among a group of carnivores, so what can you make that won’t break the bank but transcend feeding your kind animal-conscious friend a plate of bread and mash potatoes?

Why not just go rich and healthy! The following recipe I found in a vintage cookbook called “THE VEGETARIAN CUISINE CARIBBEAN STYLE by DR. Betty “K” (from Centax Books out of Canada), is a dish that not only is universal and healthy, but flavorful and delicious – a dish that should leave any discerning eater satisfied.

A special note: contrary to the recipes direction to prepare the okra by cutting it up into 2″ pieces, when cooking okra, avoid breaking the pods until after cooking as the seeds and flesh can create a viscous mess when heating if broken open. Instead, consider chopping up the okra after cooking.

Curried Okra

WHAT YOU NEED:

1 Large Onion, cubed
1 Hot Pepper, seeded
2 garlic cloves, halved
2 tbsp. Curry Powder
2 Large tomatoes, quartered
1lb Okra
3 tbsp. Olive Oil
2 Potatoes, quartered
1/2 cup Macaroni
2 cups of Water
Salt and Pepper to taste

What you need to do:

1. Blend onion, pepper, garlic, curry powder and tomatoes into paste.
2. Heat oil, add curry mixture. Stir-Fry for 2 minutes.
3. Add Okra, potato and macaroni, stir; add water and bring to a boil.
Simmer, covered, until potatoes and macaroni are tender. Add salt and pepper to taste.
4. Cut up okra
Serve Immediately.

Serves 6-8

The result is a really satisfying dish that everyone can enjoy. Pair it with a lovely wine and your dinner will be a hit.

Good Luck!

If this recipe was helpful or could be adjusted in anyway please comment. We would love to hear from you.

photo courtesy j.e.n.n.y. via Creative Commons