<p>Baked ziti which is a little easier than lasagna? Although I like the idea of mac and cheese also.</p>
<p>Tepid pizza that’s been hanging around for a while is not nearly as good as mac and cheese that’s been hanging around. Part of me is dying to say can’t you make something more interesting and healthy than mac and cheese, but I do think for this particular meal it might make more sense.</p>
<p>“What’s wrong with pizza?!”
I’m the one who made the comment about pizza. Just seems that “pizza” is the answer to the majority of school/church/social functions for teens. Don’t know how many times my kids have come home after a day where a club, the school, or whatever function has promised to provide lunch and it’s been $5/pizzas. Like it’s the only thing that kids can eat! Or that it is absolute easiest way to feed a group. I just think there are other options that can be simple and good and NOT fancy besides pizza ALL THE TIME!!!</p>
<p>“urban kids are so sophisticated with their diets (sushi is the most popular item in the lunchroom)”</p>
<p>This comment by OP caught my eye. So not that Pad Thai is sophisticated but perhaps a little more suited to their palate. Also, it appears she only has to cover the vegetarian option so there will probably be a lot of other things for the kids to choose from. Most likely including pizza! Sure someone jumped on that one early on since it is so easy.</p>
<p>I missed the earlier phad thai suggestion. That’s a great idea! </p>
<p>I would like the Pad Thai recipe. :)</p>
<p>Edited to say, darn it - that was ordering Pad Thai wasn’t it? Too bad, I wanted to see what recipe was “easy” to make !!! </p>
<p>Easy would probably be bean & cheese burritos or some pasta with spinach and mushrooms. </p>
<p>Pad Thai is yummy but better check about nut allergies beforehand.</p>
<p>I’m confused. The OP has to bring the “vegetarian entree”, and there will be up to 50 kids or so.</p>
<p>But does the OP have to bring enough to feed all 50? How many people are bringing dishes?</p>
<p>I’m also confused about the venue - if it is a school paper staff meeting, I would definitely go towards handheld, like pizza or roasted veggie sandwiches, or falafel. </p>
<p>If it would actually be sit down, where they have tables to eat, I would perhaps do a pasta bar, with penne pasta, an alfredo and a red sauce, some shredded cheese, and breaded eggplant (pretty easy to find frozen at Costco, by the way). Of course some garlic bread/plain bread and butter.</p>
<p>Try to bring something vegan if you can. Bags of apple slices and a vegetable tray can never hurt. Good luck!</p>
<p>This thread is making me hungry. </p>
<p>Lots of good ideas, I am stealing some for a shiva meal I have been worrying about. </p>
<p>I think I’d go with burrito bar: rice, beans, sauces, cheese for the nonvegens, lettuce, tomato, some flour and corn/flour tortillas. </p>
<p>ok so if you are not doing the “make at home” thing - you have already said that sushi is the favorite in the cafeteria so why not just have your local market make up a vegetarian sushi platter. With everything else that I am sure will be there, you don’t have to go overboard. 100 pieces of sushi would probably be about 20 rolls.</p>
<p>There are some great recipes, including vegetarian, vegan and gluten free dishes here:
<a href=“http://www.bates.edu/dining/files/2011/10/2012-Senior-Cookbook.pdf”>http://www.bates.edu/dining/files/2011/10/2012-Senior-Cookbook.pdf</a></p>
<p>Veggie tacos. Use fake meat and provide the rest as ordinary ingredients. Let them stuff their own. (Tacos, not faces.)</p>
<p>Hey, as the OP, wanted to tell you the ending. 
Wow, so it was a BIG hit! I took the idea of making skewers of tortellini along with marinated tomatoes, olives, and cucumbers all together on the stick…it LOOKED great and the kids went nuts. Then I took another poster’s idea of the hummus with the blanched vegetables…and that was a big hit too. And then I told them that next time I would try the other poster’s idea loaded baked potato bar and they all cheered! So thank you dear CCers for the great culinary ideas.</p>
<p>^^Aww shucks OP. So glad it worked out. Thanks for coming back to tell us! It’s a lot of initial work cutting and threading everything, but fun to display. When it’s not necessarily vegetarian only, I have been known to cut chunks of salami to add too making it a real antipasto on a stick! Glad the kids were appreciative and enjoyed it. :)</p>
<p>Anyone watch the Duggars? I have to laugh because last night Anna Duggar had a woman come to her house to show her how to cook “healthy” - the first thing they made was “healthy” skewers! Pineapple, grape and meatballs (I know, that part was weird!). Put it on a stick and they shall eat!!! :)</p>
<p>^^abasket: I’ve even taken gummy worms and soft gum drop type candies and put them on a skewer for kids birthday parties or h.s. grad parties and they are always the first thing to go! And I usually make tons. I’ve also done skewers of just fresh fruit. People go nuts for things on a stick, go figure!</p>