The word entree means different things in different parts of the world. In the United States, for example, the entree is usually the main course or main part of the meal while, in Europe, the entree is an appetizer or starter that is served before the main course. There are many types of entree foods. Many entrees contain some kind of meat, like beef, poultry, or pork. There are also seafood entrees that contain fish or shellfish, and vegetarian entrees that are completely free of meat and seafood.
Some of the more popular entree foods are meats like beef, chicken, turkey, pork, and lamb. Meat appetizers can be small, bite-sized morsels that are meant to whet a diner’s appetite, or substantial dishes that are large and filling enough to be a meal in and of themselves. Italian meat balls are a type of entree that probably wouldn’t be served as a main course. Other meat entrees, like pepper steak or chili, can make up the bulk of a meal. When it comes to entree foods, a lot depends on how they are scaled when served. Meat loaf cut into small squares might be served as appetizers, while thick slices of the same meat loaf could be served as a main course.
Fish and shellfish are also popular entree foods. As with meat dishes, many seafood entrees can be scaled to work as either appetizers or main dishes. One exception is the seafood cocktail, which is usually served before a main course rather than as a main course. Some other examples of seafood entrees include crab cakes, shrimp salad, shrimp egg rolls, and seafood lasagna.
While vegetables aren’t the first thing many people think of as entree foods, they can be a good choice for those who don’t eat meat, or who are looking for healthy entree choices. Vegetarian entrees don’t contain any meat or seafood. Almost any entree that uses meat or seafood can be made into a vegetarian dish by making some substitutions. For example, some popular vegetarian entrees include vegetarian stuffed peppers, vegetarian chili, vegetarian nachos, and vegetarian egg rolls. Pasta can be a major component in a vegetarian entree, as in vegetable and pasta salad.
Another common type of entree is soup. As with other entrees, soup can either be served as the starter for a full course meal, or as the main course. Some popular soup and stew entrees include minestrone, beef stew, potato and leek soup, clam chowder, and tomato soup.