And if you're truly vegan why are you pinning for meat? The missus has been vegetarian for 25+ years and not once has said "I really fancy a vegan sausage/cheese/a.n.other meat substitute.
For the second time on STW in about a week,
Your issue here is that you're assuming vegans are "pining for meat." Are people who eat chicken burgers "pining for beef"? It's nonsensical.
Burgers and sausages are convenience foods. It shouldn't take a wild leap of impenetrable moon logic to understand why someone might want a slice of protein with all the trimmings served in a handy bun regardless of whether that protein is organic tofu or a premium chunk of Aberdeen Angus arse.
It's always amused me how the "but whyyyyyy" brigade rapidly change their tune when I'm doing breakfast at a campsite. Start of weekend: "vegetarian sausages, eurgh." End of weekend: "form an orderly salivating queue lads, I can only fry so many at once and I'm running out of onions."
And if you're truly vegan why are you pinning for meat?
The other error you are making there is perversely the opposite of the situation you found yourself in with your risotto. Vegan/veggie burger are a great way as a vegan/veggie to feed the masses something that does not offend and looks a bit like what they are used to. We've made the decision as a household that we don't want to buy or cook meat - even if it was to be consumed by others. If you invite a dyed in the wool blood thirsty carnivore around for a BBQ offering them a beyond burger I hope is half way to what they expect. They always get eaten at any rate. You could go more 'vegan adventurous' but for some that's a step out of their comfort zone.
I don't need/want something that looks like flesh but I can accommodate guests eating 'normals' by offering them something that does without jangling my own ethics. Just don't assume what you eat at a vegan's house as a guest is what they eat when you are not there.
Those beyond burgers are particularly good and easily trump a mediocre beef burger. Maybe the Angus arse one would beat it, but they are definitely very good imo.
Your issue here is that you're assuming vegans are "pining for meat."
No, it is the issue and it's not mine.
Matey sold it to us that they're "just like meat" which didn't do much to encourage my missus given she hasn't eaten any the last 25 years.
Just don't assume what you eat at a vegan's house as a guest is what they eat when you are not there.
I've known him long enough to know what he eats and the majority of it comes from plastic packaging despite his vegan ways .
He's always "amazed"at how long it takes me to cook. He mentioned it the day before yesterday.... I was boiling potatoes. 🤔