Vegan Buffet Recipe and an Art Project

J.---I made last years thanksgiving meal all vegetarian, using the suggested recipes from www.vegetariantimes.com. I also find some great vegetarian/vegan recipes from www.eatingwell.com.

My daughter has a cookbook called Veganomicon. In there is a recipe for potatoe/kale enchaladas...absolutely yummy...entirely vegan. We will, depending on our mood and what we have in our refrigerator, some grated cheese and greek yogurt. We are not vegans, even vegetarians, but do eat a lot of vegan and vegetarian meals. Most are casseroles or stews. I'm sure you will be able to find a lot of great ideas.

If you'd like any more ideas on the food, feel free to contact me at any time. I love to eat, therefore I have to cook and so I have LOTS of recipes that I can share. Good luck and enjoy the food. Veg and vegan does not mean yucky. Be well, D.

first, how about a veggie lasagna for the vegitarian friends, as far as the vegan, you can provide raw fruits and vegiies, but there is no garantee that they will eat them anyway, most are picky about organic products and some even prefer to bring their own food. Another cute idea for the vegitarians is lettuce wraps. You can make a "meat" filling with tofu crumbles, teriyaki sauce , onions and peppers... and then serve with tomatoes, sour cream and raw onion, and let them build their own lettuce wrap, (you can also put real meat out for the non-vegitarians.

Art project? What about the little handprint makers, one for each kid, and they can take them home as a keepsake? Might be a little more work, but each child should have a parent present to help, so it takes away from your supervising the whole project.
Another cute idea is the applesauce and cinnamin ornaments. even though it is past christmas, people will still have their decorations out and can put it away for next year.

Here is a link for the handprint party kit - 10 sets per pack - no baking or mixing...

http://shop.hobbylobby.com/products/handprint-party-pack-...

for the apple cinnamon ornaments...

http://www.cooks.com/rec/view/0,1911,158187-238204,00.html

Babble recently put up a recipe for vegan chilli. I don't have the recipe to hand, but I'm sure you can find it on their site pretty easily. You could do it in a crock pot and it would be just fine in a buffet. Pasta and sauce (no cheese) is another easy vegan option. Make a casserole and round it out with veggies.

I think the popsicle people is really cute. 2 yr olds dont really finish crafts so maybe some crayons and theme coloring pages. The 4yr old will love the popsicle thing.
VEGANS ugh make them bring their own food... lol. Not really. What about ratatouille and some couscous on the side(this would be good in a slow cooker on the buffet). Or stuffed zucchini/peppers just stuff with lots of veggies and sprinkle with breadcrumbs mixed with herbs and olive oil. Other vegan stuff... hummus, bubaganouch(sp?), white bean puree, baked butter beans (take a can of butter beans and mix in some good tomato sauce and good amount of herbs, sprinkle with breadcrumbs and olive oil, bake until crispy) yum. Although that one is better with cheese and bacon...lol.
Thats all I have off the top of my head.
PS my DDs birthday is in January and we have started planning it.