Vegetarian dairy-free dishes for two people

Check the full ingredient list and the method, not just the recipe title. Look for butter or ghee used for frying, milk in mashed vegetables, cream in sauces and soups, cheese folded through a mixture, and parmesan added as a finish. Also check packaged stock, bread, pastry, margarine, and mayonnaise, since dairy can appear there without being obvious from the dish name.

Use olive or other vegetable oil for frying, choosing an amount that suits the pan rather than replacing butter one-for-one. Unsweetened plant milk works in mash and some sauces, while blended beans, vegetables, or unsweetened plant cream can add body to soups and stews. For a salty finish, use toasted seeds, chopped nuts, nutritional yeast, or extra herbs, depending on the dish, and check labels for dairy ingredients.

Both people can choose from the same set of dishes instead of each searching separately and comparing the results later. That matters most for meals with hidden ingredients, because the person cooking does not have to remember which parts need changing or keep a second version separate. Nomme can then use the dishes both people choose to build one shared week and shopping list.