The way to a (wo)man’s heart is through the stomach. Oh yes, today we’re going to talk about love. Love and food are very much connected.
Cooking with your partner, sharing a meal in a restaurant or your own prepared dish, tasting each other’s food … Need I say more?
So, here come the salads again.
“Dating a vegan? Make her a salad.” “They probably have salad at that restaurant.”
OK, no, salad is not always the way to go. I agree that most people like a nice salad, but if vegans had to live of that, we’d be as thin as sticks, wouldn’t we? And, after you’ve read some of my posts (You did, right? 😉 ) you have realized by now that I am no fan of salads.
Sure, there are some excellent variations, made with chickpeas, or quinoa, broccoli, kale (yep, I’m including that 😉 ), seaweed, lentils, etc. Personally, I like bean and also quinoa salads from time to time. There are many kinds that are quite filling and savory. I also love making my own salads, since I always use a range of different ingredients.
A Date in a Restaurant – Where? What?
So, you’ve met someone you really like, and you invite her for dinner. She accepts, but … tells you she’s vegan.
Uh oh, what does she eat? Where do I take her? Are there any vegan places?
Yes, of course, there are vegan places, but it all depends on where you live, doesn’t it? In big cities, finding a vegan restaurant is absolutely no problem, but in smaller towns or villages, it may present a challenge.
Let’s just imagine that there are no vegan restaurants in your town, no places that offer mouthwatering vegan lasagnas, pot roasts, shepherd’s pies, chocolate cakes, ice cream, pudding, coconut whipped cream, or any other delights. No restaurants that have vegan tacos on the menu, or vegan burgers, stir fries, Pad Thai, mushroom stroganoff, empanadas, paella, or other delicacies.
No need to panic.
Before you stress to the point that smoke escapes your ears, sit down and read. I’ve got some suggestions. And believe me, it is easier than you think 🙂
Romance in Your Veggie Dinner
First of all, don’t tell your date, “I’m sure that this restaurant has a salad.” We do not live of salads, and remarks like this won’t get you any points.
Forget about the salads, just for today 😉
Let’s make a list, shall we?
- Starters
- Guacamole and chips
- Salsa and chips
- Pancakes with mushrooms and Gruyere cheese? –> ask the waiter to remove the cheese
- vegetarian sushi rolls usually come with Philadelphia cheese –> once more, ask the waiter to bring the rolls without cheese or replace the cheese with something else, for example, mango, or cilantro sauce, or anything else that can be used.
- Soups
- Mexican tortilla soup: check if it is made with chicken or vegetable stock, and ask the waiter/waitress to make your soup without the cheese. Sometimes tortilla soup also has chicken. Always check beforehand what is written in the menu.
- Tomato basil soup can be veganized if it is made with vegetable stock
- Potato soup (ask to have the cheese and cream removed – and perhaps replace it with a plant-based ingredient, if the chef wouldn’t mind.
- Gazpachos: some of them can be easily veganized
- French onion soup: again, order it without the molten cheese and check if vegetable stock was used. Some vegans ask if they can use their own vegan cheese instead (yes, some actually bring it, knowing that it would make things easier, but it all depends on the restaurant, I suppose)
- Sushi: that’s simple. Most – if not all – sushi bars now offer vegetarian and vegan sushi rolls.
- Main courses:
- If vegetarian burgers are on the menu, ask the waiter to remove the cheese
- Bean burritos are delicious
- Bean tacos, mushroom tacos, veggie tacos, veggie burritos, and so on
- Spaghetti: do not use Parmesan
- Pizza Margarita with no cheese tastes great, especially the thin crust. The big bread pizza crust may contain cheese or other dairy …
- Most dishes come with meat or fish, so that menu section has to be ignored 😉 It will be too difficult to veganize it, unless you have the slab of meat removed, but then you’re just left with a few veggies and potatoes … That’s boring and definitely not filling.
- Desserts
- Most desserts are pre-made and they usually have dairy in them. Sorbets, however, are safe to eat. Sometimes, you can get lucky and find a dessert on the menu that contains no dairy or eggs. You just need to ask the staff at the restaurant. And sometimes they even offer a veganized version of their meal.
Always be nice when you ask 😉 A friendly smile can get you more favors than irate demands, and it’s definitely a plus point for you if your date sees you treat others with respect 🙂 Right?
Cooking Together Can be Hmmmmm Amazing
Do I need to explain that? 😉
Mixing the ingredients together, chopping and stirring, making a meal together can create a bond. It is even erotic, in a way. You’re making this, both of you, your hands touching by accident (or on purpose 😉 ) listening to soft music, talking, smiling, laughing … You get the idea.
The internet is loaded with vegan recipes. There are so many cookbooks. And I’ve already shared a few recipes as well 😉
Just in case, here are a few suggestions, easy to make, delicious to taste, and the rest is up to you, my dear 😉
Vegan Starter Kit
There are so many great cooking books, restaurant guides, and so much more. Taking a vegan out for a date is no big deal, and you’ll end up savoring some delicious food.
Wow, suddenly that was so easy! Fortunately for me, my wife is a meat eater like myself and we have similar food tastes. I have friends who are vegan and with kids, they know so much more about food than I do, because they have to substitute items that the rest of us take for granted, in order to give them all the proteins, minerals, vitamins, etc that they need. So no romance in vegan cooking for me, but if we ever want to invite them over for a meal, your article will make sure that we can have fun with food and not be worried that we will provide something unsuitable, which would be embarrassing.
Hi Luigi, I’m glad you can use those tips for when your vegan friends come over 🙂
Yes, it is indeed easier than it seems, isn’t it ??
Thank you for visiting my blog!
Christine is seems like you did a lot of research on this topic, great. Your point is a valid one “cooking with your partner” could really add some spice to the relationship; also it’s time spent together which is always good. Every opportunity to be together should be capitalized on. Continue to do a great job.
Thank you, Althea. Yes, cooking together is indeed valuable time spent in each other’s company. I’m glad you enjoyed my article.
Thank you for visiting my blog! 🙂
Hello Christine,
very nice article! I had a smile on my face the whole time 🙂
Though I guess I will not become a vegan eater you inspired me to at least try some dishes you suggested. Anyway it can be a welcome change in everyday routine 🙂
At least I know now what to do if I want to invite you for lunch! Hahaha…
All the best,
George
Hi George, Ok, so now you know what to cook for me when I come for a visit 🙂
Have a wonderful day!
First of all, don’t make a salad to win a vegans heart put on a smile on my face. I am a hotelier enjoyed reading you’re (vegan) thoughts. when I read your content I really enjoyed it because I am a foodie and working in the food industry and food with romance is always a best gift. For me if the food is blood romance is red.i really enjoyed reading your post.Thank you Christine
Hello!
Yes, food and romance totally go together. Foodies understand that 🙂 right? I am also a food lover and I really enjoy cooking.
I’m glad you like my article 🙂
I’ve never dated a vegan, but being vegetarian I can relate to some peoples lack of imagination! In the past I’ve often be offered some boring replacement for meat dishes. It’s like salad is the only alternative! I love some of your suggestions including bean or mushroom tacos. I’m a big fan of chickpeas and use them a lot in my coooking. Fortunately, vegetarian sausages have come a long way over the past few decades, and fewer people are eating meat.
Hi Kathy, yes, today there are so many alternatives, and people are loving the taste of Beyond Burger and other brands. I also love bean tacos and burritos. Living in Mexico, it’s hard not to 😉
Thank you for stopping by ?
Wow I never realized there were so many options for the vegan diet. I have recently looked into going vegan due to digestive problems but I was worried about the potential limitations it could pose.
After reading this, you have shown me that the vegan diet isnt a limitation, it’s simply a way of life and things can always be substituted. I am happily married, so I don’t need to worry about impressing a date, but I do love to go out to restaurants with my husband and this helps me to feel that I would still have options if I do decide to go vegan.
Thank you so much for this brilliant post, I have bookmarked it and cant wait to share it with my husband and friends!
Thank you! Yes, indeed, the vegan diet is not limiting at all, quite on the contrary. When I became a vegan a whole world of culinary delicacies opened up to me. Everything is so delicious. If there is anything you would like to ask about vegan recipes or meals, let me know. I’ll be glad to help 🙂
Wow Christine, thanks so much for sharing the well detailed, informative and educating article. Your point concerning cooking with your partner is just perfect. Spending time together help to spice up the cooking adventure.
I would definitely try to spend time with my wife(when i get married, lol) whenever she is cooking so i can assist her in doing something.
Thanks so much for sharing the brilliant opinion.
Thank you so much for stopping by 🙂
HI Christine,
You are right in that we need more than salads to thrive and live a healthy life. There are many vegan recipes that you can cook at home, but many restaurants are still not adapted to serve vegans. Therefore, you have to ask the chef to remove cheeses or any product that contains milk or eggs. I also really like your suggestions when dining out. The Essential Vegan Travel Guide looks very interesting.
By the way, what do you think is the best brand of vegan sausages? Thanks for sharing!
Hi Stefan, I like several brands. Lightlife Vegan Sausages and Morningstar are very good. Field Roast and Beyond Meat are also delicious.
Hi, Christine.
You made my day, as I had to laugh hearty right now…”Forget about the salads, just for today.” Hilarious!
Yes. but you’re so right. Most people do associate veganism with salads as the main menu, only. So, thank you for pointing this out and educating folks about the facts.
I, personally, would prefer cooking together at home, just as you mentioned above. First of all, I love cooking, and second of all, it’s a great opportunity for bonding.
I’d highly recommend it for the first date because in restaurants it can easily become awkward should something while ordering not go as planned.
Thank you for this great information within this lovely post.
I’m sure to stop by more often. I just love your sense of humor that you put into your topics.
Warm regards,
Alexandra
Hi Alexandra. I love to make people laugh, so I’m happy that this post made your day.
Thank you for visiting and for becoming a regular visitor to my blog 🙂 That made my day too 🙂
Wow! Those are some excellent ideas for vegans. I agree women don’t only eat salads.
Going vegan at one time, but being a lover of food. Many well-intentioned people gave me salads. They weren’t aware of what else to feed me.
I love that you are sharing tips and tricks for the home and restaurant. People need to be made aware that vegans love other food than just rabbit food.
Yes, I agree, who could live of salads anyway? 😉 There are so many delicious plantbased meals available, and they all taste delicious.
You never plan who you fall in love with and love has bonded me with a vegan. She is so amazing and I really wish to treat her to a couple of awesome and interesting meals. Thank you so much for this suggestions up here. Salad is not really my thing. In a way, it is very boring to make and I love fun. I will surely give these suggestions a trial and I’m sure she would love it. Thanks so much
Hello,
I’m glad my suggestions can help 🙂 I’m sure that your girlfriend will love your meals. We love to get treated like that 🙂
It is true that you never plan who you fall in love with. My boyfriend loves meat, but he has tried some vegan meals and enjoyed them very much.
Interesting article and I must say, this is very handy to me right now. We would be hosting a family get together soon and my family members are mixed. Some are vegans while others consume meat.so rather than make aboring menu for the family members that are vegans, the ideas picked from this post would rrwally come very helpful. Cheers
Hi there,
Organizing family get togethers involves a lot of preparation, right? I’m glad these ideas are useful to you and that you’ve got some ideas for dinner for your vegan family members 🙂
Hello! My husband and I both like to cook and we are trying to eat more vegan foods. I liked how you outlined a vegan menu! Gonna have to try some of these recommendations like the French Onion soup, vegan style ?
Hi Danica, that’s great! You can veganise anything basically 🙂
thus is a very helpful post I must say becuase we have a nrw neighbour around here and we are thinking of hosting them over at out place. From out conversation, they mentioned that they are vegan. It’ll be a bad idea to really not research what they want and Glady you have come up with good ideas. Thank you so much for this information.
That’s wonderful, and perfect timing for your event 🙂 I’m glad my post was useful to you
Hello there, thanks for sharing this amazing post. I am a lover of salad an my boyfriend is a vegan. So many time I have made his meal out of my own research. However I haven’t tried making salad for him but I have iy some where in my list though, lol. I’m really glad to have come this post. Personally I love soups and seeing it in the suggestions made me smile. Now we can both enjoy what we eat. Nice being here
Hello Chloe,
That’s great! And it’s always good to do some research 🙂
There are many soups that are either vegan or can be veganized. Thanks for visiting!
A very very good post here because at many times in our lives, we meet new people and some might be vegans. When one meets one, it’s good to know what they like and what they don’t. I remember a friend making a joke about how she offended a vegan with a meal. This are great ideas and I will be sure to share this. Thank you.
Hi John, indeed, we always meet new people and it’s good to have some ideas for vegan lunch or dinner for when we invite them over (and some of them are vegan) 😉
Hey Christine, I like your article. The information you provided was awesome, I had an interest in a vegan once upon a time but it didn’t really go anywhere but your article did remind me that how respectful we are to be to each person’s food choice and their food preferences based on their vegan or regular food lifestyle. The info you provided was A+, good job!
Hi R.J.
Many thanks for your comment! It’s true what you say, that we should be respectful of each other’s food choices and preferences based on our lifestyles.
This is indeed very informative, I for one eat anything whatsoever but my girlfriend is one dedicated Vegan and the conflict of the choice of food when we go on dates tend to be one constant battle between us, this post has encouraged me to spend quality time with her and make a perfect meal she will like together while bonding. Much appreciated.
Hello,
I’m happy that my post can help you to have great meals with your girlfriend. My boyfriend is not a vegan and he loves meat, but he has tried many vegan meals and he loves them. We have also had a few discussions about our different lifestyles, but I am glad that he likes vegan food and we’re finding compromises 🙂 So, I understand 😉
Not for dating sadly but your post Don’t Make a Salad To Win A Vegan’s heart is going to be very helpful to me. There are no vegans living under my roof but we have a few riends and relatives who prefer the vegan lifestyle.
So I am sure the next time they visit us, your post is going to help us serve them a nice vegan meal!
Thanks for sharing.
That’s awesome! I’m glad this post can help 🙂
Thank you for visiting!
Hi Christine! I was looking for some vegan, tasty meals (that would also be quick to prepare) and I found a great post here on your site. But then this post about “Don’t make a salad to win a vegan’s heart” caught my attention. The title is indeed catchy, but I’m glad I also read this post. You’re right, phrases like “I’m sure this restaurant has a salad” should be avoided. You made me laugh a couple of times reading your post and I have gathered so many ideas from it that I can’t go by without saying: Thank you very much!
Hi Henry,
I’m glad I made you laugh. I love to make people laugh 😉
And I thank you too, for visiting my site and your great compliment!
This is nothing but a very excellent post. I have really learnt a lot about vegetarians and how to treat there needs wisely and satisfactorily. I just met a vegan and I know that we would be going out on a date or meeting soon and I would not want to spoil the day and first impression. Thanks for taking me through this knowledge,too much salad wouldn’t be good for vegans…kudos
Hi Willy,
Great! And thank you for your compliment 🙂 I’m happy you got some ideas for your first date. Wishing you all the best!
Hi Christine
It is good to see that no matter what restaurant you visit as a vegan, there is a dish for you or your partner. The biggest problem is you cannot see the food preparation area and therefore cannot see if there is any cross contamination between the veg and meat. This is not difficult to do but you never know if the staff have been trained well or if they really care.
The question is it worthwhile if at the end of the day it may cause an argument. With vegan restaurants now opening up, it may be worthwhile, if you can found one. I would play safe and cook my own.
What do you suggest to impress?
Thanks
Antonio
Hi Antonio,
You’re certainly right about your concern about cross-contamination between veggie and meat dishes in the food preparation areas … The thought has also come to mind. I think it also depends what restaurant you go to perhaps, but well, you can never know what goes on behind closed doors, that is true.
If you’d like to cook your own, vegan lasagna is a wonderful dish, I love it! You could also have a soup for a starter. The effort alone of making a meal for your date would already impress greatly 🙂
Surprisingly I never thought salad its something I should offer a vegan. Well, my wife is just starting a vegan diet and I promised to always make her meals on weekends. Although I made her meal last week out of the list she gave me but I’m sure if I haven’t come across this post, I’ll make her salad one of these weekends. Thanks for the other suggestions, I’ll try it out.
Congratulations for not considering salads an ordinary vegan meal. Plus points for you 🙂 And that is so nice of you to make your wife’s meals on weekends! 🙂
What a fun and insightful read about how to impress a vegan date! I love you being honest about people who stereotype vegan that only eat salad, then followed by a list of things you CAN ask in a restaurant to make vegan friendly. I am not vegan myself, but have some vegan friends. After reading your article, I feel so much more educated and confident next time when I have my vegan friends around for dinner or going out with them.
Thanks you for sharing!
All the best,
Chloe
Hi Chloe,
That’s wonderful. I am always happy when I can help people with their meals, recipes, meals with vegan friends 🙂
Thank you for visiting my blog!
Me and my son are big fans of meat or actually our diet is full of meat (and vegs) but we have used to have also some vegan only days and I have some vegan friends and actually my son has, even more, so pretty often we need to cook vegan stuff (we never eat half-ready) for my or his friends. But fortunately your article gave me some new inspirations and I got curious to find out more, I will take a further look at your website. Thanks for sharing this!
Hi Jesse,
I’m glad you got some new inspirations out of my article. Yes, feel free to check out the rest of my website. I have several vegan recipes here 🙂
Thanks for visiting!
I am so glad I found your site. It has really given me some insight on what vegans can eat. One of my friends is a vegan and I always feel bad when we go out for dinner and drinks because it seems like she can’t eat a lot of the foods on the menu. She told me that normally she checks out the menu before hand. But now I know I can sort of suggest the best restaurants that have the kind of food that she can eat. Thank you for all of the information.
Hi Wendy,
That’s great that you can use this information for the next time you go out with your friend. Thanks for visiting my page! 🙂
This is a very informative post both about love ways and how to keep a woman happy as a vegan, also the art of cooking these kinds of select meals when you have to, lol I expect this content has to have the writer’s passion and direct interest as a vegan too right Christine?
i have now a way to get to a vegans heart should i meet in in the future, also great recipes to start with.
chris
Hi Christopher,
Yes, the content has the writer’s (my) passion and direct interest 🙂
Thanks for stopping by!
Hi Christi, please reach out to me here at othusanyc@gmail.com, its important. Thanks, Kaju
Hey Christine,
I like the catchy title of the article and that’s why I read it! 🙂
I’m not a vegan, not even a vegetarian but I totally relate to what you say and I truly love the recipes provided.
Thanks!
Hi Asen,
I’m glad you enjoyed my article. Try out some of the recipes if you like 🙂
Thanks for your comment!
I would think Mexican would be a great choice for a Vegan meal. One could just ask for no meat and cheese and extra of the other items. I have wanted to eat a Vegan diet but it has been challenging to do living with others who are complete opposites when it comes to eating. But I think I am going to work a little harder at it moving forward.
Good read, thank you.
Hi Teresa,
Yes, with Mexican food you can improvise a lot, that’s true 😉
It can be difficult to follow a vegan diet when you are living with people who do the opposite, but it is possible. Assign a certain spot in the fridge for you and perhaps let the others try some of your food. 🙂 In time, you will achieve it .