<p>So I did that thing where I volunteered for something 100 years ago, thinking that the day would never come, and now that day is tomorrow. </p>
<p>D is on a school newspaper staff and tomorrow is “late night” and I volunteered to bring the “vegetarian entree.” But the number of kids who attend this thing has really swelled…and we’re talking 40 to 50 kids. Ideas for me? I’m tempted to buy my way out of it but it may be too pricey of an approach…so what should I make? I’m trying to avoid vegetarian chili and vegetarian lasagna because I guess that’s what everybody falls back on. </p>
<p>thanks guys! Mac and cheese is a good idea…and relatively easily to pull together…and maybe something with chickpeas? i’m a bit worried about the vegan part of it…because, geez louise, urban kids are so sophisticated with their diets (sushi is the most popular item in the lunchroom) that who’s to say but these are good ideas and I appreciate it…</p>
<p>What about a cold pasta salad filled with roasted veggies and beans (including chick peas)? I have a favorite ‘go to’ hors deuve that can be an add-on if you’d like…it’s easy but needs assembling…</p>
<p>antipasto skewers</p>
<p>marinate cucumber chunks, olives, cherry tomatos, cooked tortellini, red peppers, mozzarella balls, anything else that you can think of overnight and then thread on skewers right before serving…people love to pick up the skewers and it looks like you went to a lot of trouble but it’s easy peasy.</p>
<p>Hey @chocchipcookie Love this! Sounds like something Lynne Rossetto Kasper on The Splendid Table would come up with! (my favorite NPR program I"m doing this! </p>
<p>Many times I used a flat platter to serve and just pile them on, but then I started using large vases to serve them in and that works much better. Turn the skewers upside down in vases and people can just grab & go. Let us know how it turns out!</p>
<p>I personally gag when I see/hear that pizza is on the menu for kids at things like this. Can’t we be a little more creative (“we” meaning whoever does the purchasing for school events) than $5/pizzas?!!!</p>
<p>Mac and cheese would probably go over well. You could even do it like a mashed potato bar. Have plain mac and cheese with some sides to add to it as each person likes - broccoli, diced fresh tomato, bacon/ham bits (unless you didn’t want any meat at all) - that kind of thing.</p>
<p>How about a big platter with fresh hummus and plenty of pita and raw veggies??? </p>
<p>Hot or cold bean dip layered with cheese, fresh diced tomato, jalapeno, sour cream, etc. and tortilla chips for dipping?</p>
<p>Eggplant Parmesan, baked ziti or lasagna? If you do the mac and cheese to give it a little more umph, mix in some roasted butternut squash. It tastes great and has a little more nutritional value. </p>
<p>I love when people serve falafel. If you’re not into frying, there are many recipes for baked falafel. Then it’s pita, probably cut in half, with some garnishes like cut up pickles, chopped up tomatoes, maybe some radish, lettuce, etc. (Classic is pickled turnip but most people don’t have access to them.) Other than chopping, the main work is mixing up the pita dough and portioning it. Sort of the middle eastern version of tacos in the US.</p>
<p>Loaded baked potatoes. Load your own with veggie options. Easy to pre-cook in a microwave and reheat if a MW is available.
Tortilla shells–fill with black beans and rice, cheese, tomato, lettuce,etc. Just add fixings. Make the BB&R and let them go from there. They fill their own and add their own stuff. Works hot or cold.
Remember that not all 40-50 kids are going veggie–you aren’t expected to feed all of them.</p>
<p>I vote for stuffed baked potatoes. Bake them at home in foil…then put in a box wrapped in a towel for insulation…bring to cafe with stuffings. Yum.</p>
<p>Do not go gourmet or too fancy. Keep it in the known to them realm. I know a lady who didn’t understand why the tennis team did not like her family’s favorite bison based soup. Many Indian vegetarian foods are too spicy for many, falafel also. I doubt the late night eaters are going to use the fancy potato toppings either.</p>
<p>Isn’t Mac N Cheese a Southern staple? It can stay hot in a pan while pizza will get cold. I’m sure you can do better than Kraft as well.</p>
<p>If you decide you want to purchase something I served vegetable pad thai to my D’s sports team one year and it was a huge hit. It really is not expensive and most Thai restaurants will do it for you at a moments notice and package it in 2 or 3 large aluminum trays. It hearts up really well in the oven. </p>
<p>I’d stick to something familiar and tending to comfort food, given the late-night aspect: pizza (what’s wrong with pizza?!), mac and cheese (with some pasta in red sauce for the vegans), or how about huge sub sandwiches? We’re a vegetarian family and really enjoy curries, falafel, Indian dishes, salads, stir fries, marinated veggies and such, but for a teen late-night meal I’d go in a different direction. By the way, I think vegetarian lasagna with some garlic bread would be a big hit even though it’s not especially original!</p>
but these are good ideas and I appreciate it…</p>