Awesome meat or vegan six-course home cooked tasting menu for one, two or more

I was inspired to make and post this tasting menu because Thanksgiving is coming up in Canada, but I make tasting menus for birthdays, or any other time I feel like doing something nice for someone or cooking a bunch of food. I’ve also never cooked a whole turkey myself, so upfront I’ll say there is no turkey in this tasting menu! I know the saying goes “there’s no time like the present” but I don’t believe that when it comes to making food that other people have to eat.

It’s a long post, so I’ll get right to it. Here are some recipe ideas to give yourself, you and your significant other, family or friends a great night in, anytime! I included the nutritional value for each item, plus a total for the overall meal.

Six-course tasting menu

The recipes link to pages on the blog to keep this post shorter. Four dishes are vegan and for two of the courses (pasta and main) there are meat and vegan options.

I’ve added wine pairing suggestions, but I’m totally into drinking Prosecco and to me, it goes with everything. At 80 calories a glass, it’s also better for you … well in my mind! Wine pairings average about 2-3 ounces a glass, so for the full meal it is the equivalent of 2 full glasses of wine)

First course: Appetizer

Note: Substitute banana peppers if heat is a concern.

Approximate nutritional information for 1 serving (Using 1/2 a portion size for a tapas size)

• Calories: 131.5
• Fat: 10g
• Carb: 9g
• Protein: 2.5g

Wine pairing

Spanish Rioja

Second course: Soup

Approximate nutritional information for 1 serving (Using 1/2 a portion size for a tapas size)

• Calories: 105 calories
• Fat: 4 g
• Carbs: 5 g
• Protein: 4g

Wine pairing

Australian Chardonnay or Pinot Noir

Third course: Salad

Approximate nutritional information for 1 serving (Using 1/2 a portion size for a tapas size)

• Calories: 164
• Fat: 8 g
• Carbs: 10 g
• Protein: 4 g

Wine pairing

German Riesling

Fourth course: Pasta

Approximate nutritional information for 1 serving (Using 1/2 a portion size for a tapas size)

• Calories: 281
• Fat: 8 g
• Carbs: 30 g
• Protein: 14 g

Or 

Approximate nutritional information for 1 serving (Using 1/2 a portion size for a tapas size)

• Calories: 181
• Fat: 4 g
• Carbs: 30 g
• Protein: 9 g

Wine pairing

Argentinian Malbec

Fifth course: Main

Approximate nutritional information for 1 serving (Based on brands and amounts used in the recipe)

• Calories: 347
• Fat: 18 g
• Carbs: 27 g
• Protein: 32 g

Wine pairing

Australian Syrah or Argentinian Malbec (full bodied)

Or

Approximate nutritional information for 1 serving (Using 1/2 a portion size for a tapas size)

• Calories: 135
• Fat: 4.5 g
• Carbs: 20 g
• Protein: 5 g

Wine pairing

Australian Syrah or Argentinian Malbec (light to medium body)

Sixth course: Dessert

Approximate nutritional information for 1 serving (Based on brands and amounts used in the recipe)

• Calories: 175
• Fat: 15g
• Carbs: 7.3g
• Protein: 4g

Wine pairing

Tawny Port or Grappa

Approximate nutritional information for 6 courses for 1 person (Based on brands and amounts used in the recipe)

With meat

• Calories: 837 (with wine pairing 1,097, with Prosecco 997)
• Fat: 43g
• Carb: 64g (with wine pairing  or Prosecco 74g)
• Protein: 57g

Vegan

• Calories: 760 (with wine pairing, 960, with Prosecco 860)
• Fat: 32.5g
• Carb: 53g (with wine pairing or Prosecco 63g)
• Protein: 38g