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Vegetarian finger foods - Teens - Help!

post #1 of 28
10/5/09 at 6:07pm
Thread Starter 
Having party for daughter's 18th - sleepover (I must be insane) for 12. So it will be snacks, dinner and breakfast.

Most will eat anything, but will be 2 real vegetarians (not vegans) to cater for. No animal rennet etc etc. Can source veget. cheese so that's not an issue.

Planning on:
Various meat/non-meat pizzas - easy fixed
Vol-au-vents: ok its kinda retro, but I think I've got them solved too.

Question which I am drawing a complete blank on:
Tasty vegetarian Nibbles.
planning on corn chips and salsa - no brainer
tzatziki & breadsticks - again, easy done.
Popcorn

What else could I do? Just need ideas if you have a spare moment for 2 or 3 more ideas for veget. snacky things, taking into account the non-animal rennet restriction. Eggs are fine.

Any help would really be appreciated

TIA - DC

P.S. They are all coming in full make up and costume for a Rocky Horror Picture Show night....should be fun:bounce:
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post #2 of 28
10/5/09 at 6:53pm
I, personally, would go for a vegetarian cabbage roll. I've done these before and they always tasted great: Some stir-fried vegetables and crumbled tofu mixed together into a stuffing, wrapped in steamed cabbage leaves with a soy-ginger dipping sauce.

It might be a bit labor-intensive for a teenage sleepover, but it's certainly a delicious recipe that would be worth a shot.
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post #3 of 28
10/5/09 at 8:29pm
I like to make squash dumplings for a snack. Split, clean, oil, and salt your favorite sweet squash and roast it until it is the texture of baked potatoes(check it at about 30 minutes at 325 F).

Bake a few potatoes.

Mix the starch of the potatoes and squash, both still warm from the oven, in a large bowl with two large eggs(I like brown eggs). Fold in all purpose flower until you get the consistency of smooth cookie dough.

Roll the dough out, on a flour coated counter, into a long log of about 2 inch diameter and cut into 2 inch segments.

Boil the segments in heavily salted water and remove from the water as soon as they float.

Did I mention that you should do the prep work the day before?

When the dumplings have drained, lightly oil them and refrigerate.

When you are ready to serve, toss the dumplings in a hot pan with butter until they are browned lightly(You can finish them in the oven but you don't get the delicious butter flavor).

Serve alone or with a little nutmeg cinnamon whipped heavy cream.
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post #4 of 28
10/5/09 at 8:31pm
That sounds like an awesome amount of fun, by the way.
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post #5 of 28
10/6/09 at 6:34am
Hummus and pita chips plus veg dippers!! :D Or some variation on a bean dip. Easy-peasy, delicious, and fun.

And if what ChefRay suggests sounds like too much work (although it sounds great to me, and you could even do it with store-bought wonton wrappers instead of making your own dough), how about some store-bought Asian vegetable dumplings? Steam, fry, serve with a soy-ginger dipping sauce.
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post #6 of 28
10/6/09 at 7:32am
Pull from the movie....Ok let me remember back through the eons......:D:crazy:

toast
roast meatloaf...make sliders
bubbly drinks, serve in champagne flutes
Were they serving food at the opening cocktail party?
dang, too many years ago to remember specifics.
but you get the jist.
Give everything a movie related name.

"make your own" vietnamese spring rolls

What's your daughter's favorite foods?

last weekend was a fall harvest fest in WI, seasoned popcorn, peanuts, dried cherries, hickory nuts...yum!
Make a snacky gorp.

Teenage girls. Chocolate. Chocolate fondue.....different chocolates (dark%, milk, white....etc) with cookies, pretzels, dried fruit, pieces of pound cake or angel food cake, fresh fruit.....

Dolmas to go with the cuke sauce.

If you wanna spend the time do a pretty veg "flower" arrangement with dips.

Tempura veg is outrageously popular.
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post #7 of 28
10/6/09 at 12:18pm
I had to bring something to our vegetarian neighbour's party and I made a salsa bean dip and everyone loved it.. even the non-veggies that were there.

Here's the recipe


Bean Dip

2 cans of refried beans (or the equivalent homemade)
1 jar of salsa (I used medium)
1 package taco seasoning mix (or make your own taco mix like I did)
2 cups shredded lettuce
2 cups grated cheddar cheese
1/2 cup black olives
3 green onions, sliced
2 tomatoes, diced
1/2 each diced red and green pepper
2 cups sour cream
tortilla chips for dipping

Mix the refried beans with the salsa and taco seasoning. Spread on a platter. Top with sour cream. Top the sour cream with (in order) lettuce, cheese, and then sprinkle remaining toppings on top. Place tortilla triangles around the edge of the platter.

Serve with remaining tortilla chips for dipping.


enjoy!
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post #8 of 28
10/6/09 at 2:29pm
Samosas and pakoras. Always good, as spicy as you like. I've recipes if you want.

Make piles of spring rolls. (pastry from asian supermarket) You can fill them with loads of different fillings. Anything you can put in a pie, or a toastie, you can roll up and deep fry. at christmas i make them with mincemeat sometimes. You can do apple and raisin with cinnamon, Cheese and onion, corned beef and ketchup, chicken and mushroom, Leftover curry, or chilli (drained), Sorry, not vege, but good anyway. chocolate and banana..............

I use them all the time when my 16 year old son has pals for sleepovers and they go down a treat. Cheap and cheerful
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post #9 of 28
10/6/09 at 2:38pm
Thread Starter 
Wow overwhelming responses...Thank you all!

That gives me heaps to work with. I've got the movie here, so I'll check what was on for eats (well except for poor ol' Eddie :D ).

I love the ideas...was drawing a complete blank. I'm a fair cook I guess, but usually meat based.

Thank you all again :)
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post #10 of 28
10/6/09 at 2:42pm
eddie aka meatloaf, sick and twisted but oh so fun.:D
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post #11 of 28
10/6/09 at 3:05pm
I found a pumpkin dumpling similar to what I described at a whole foods market near my house. They were pre boiled so all that would need to be done is the pan finishing. and making the whipped cream.

Edit to add:

Ther aren't a wrapped dumpling. More like orange Gnocchi.
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post #12 of 28
10/6/09 at 3:39pm
Thread Starter 
Lol Shroom....got it now! duh! Bit brain dead today...too much work, not enuf sleep.

I like the idea of the pumpkin dumplings....reckon this crowd would enjoy them. Samosas too, little dumplings, empanada type pies. Make day before, cook on the day.

Now I'm excited....might give fondues a miss but it does sound good, they'll be having a few drinks (18 is legal age here)...could be messy hehe.
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post #13 of 28
10/6/09 at 7:57pm
Asparagas spears lightly fried in butter, a splash of soy and toasted sesame seeds on top.

Breaded and fried eggplant strips, bbq and teriyaki style dipping sauces.

Make a mushroom and tomato frittata, cut it into bite sized squares. You could make it beforehand, then rewarm and cut the night of the party.


mjb.
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post #14 of 28
10/6/09 at 8:13pm
Wow I am surprised that 18 year old kids know of Rocky Horror, Maybe make them watch a few John Waters movies too. Toast it is!
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post #15 of 28
10/7/09 at 9:23am
they don't call it a cult classic for nothing, Rocky Horror will always be somewhat popular.


My suggestion, tell the two pain in the asses to suck it up and eat a steak, they are going to gain 15lbs their freshman year of college anyway ;)
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post #16 of 28
10/8/09 at 7:14am
If you are frying empanadas or samosas already go on and fry up some fries with different dips or onion rings or tempura veg.....arincini are super too, premake and finish off at the party.

Don't forget to make the beverage fun too.....garnishes, syrups etc. If it's cold out, hot chocolate with different flavorings/booze with cool marshmallows....if it's hot then bubbles with fun garnish.
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post #17 of 28
10/8/09 at 3:04pm
Thread Starter 
They know the movie cuz it is a classic, but I play it when I need a good laugh :) The CD soundtrack cranked up is awesome.

Yeah I agree on the steaks.... but hey what can you do? Disguise the meat and tell them its ok for them....hmmm...naah too evil. I'm staying true to their decision. But it will be mainly meat based, just needed Veget. suggestions and now I have a zillion :bounce:

Lovely suggestions all...I reckon I've got it sussed.

Making Rocky Road as one of the sweets hehe
Definitely Meatloaf...pumpkin "gnocchis" The Anti-Meatloaf? May offend some...oh too bad! making 'em both about the same size...
Pizzas...very easy fix.
Transylvanian Tzatziki....yeah ok I'm getting corny here. Going to make little wooden crosses out of pop-sticks and put names of each dish on it...maybe...tie them together with cooking twine...

Samosas....dunno what I could call them but something will come to light.
Could make some Janet Weiss Apple Pies...this will not make sense to anyone who hasn't seen the movie

Should be a good night, probably the last time they can act like kids playing dress ups (well, it depends on what kind of adults they become :D ) Last birthday of daughter's group before they all go their separate ways to Uni etc and are unleashed upon the world....Look out world!

Thanks Again
Daina
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post #18 of 28
10/9/09 at 9:24am
What a hoot!
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post #19 of 28
10/9/09 at 11:05am
Thread Starter 
I reckon they'll have a ball :)

Oh and of course - last minute addition - cocktail franks wrapped in pancetta then grilled - Frankenfurters!

The two of us made the pizza bases last night - house was full of yeasty baking odours, yum- my daughter is a much better baker than I. Went really well. Had them cooling off all over the kitchen, it's a cold night, so they're sitting in the pantry waiting to be dressed up later today.

Feeling a bit intimidated, as half the guests work in restaurants prepping & cooking....oh well, should be fine :) Got one roped in to come and help beforehand, as a trade off for my daughter to do his makeup for his Frankenfurter character. They went op-shopping for his costume....he had to go buy fishnet stockings on his own yesterday hehe...you can imagine...his parents don't know he's dressing as Frankenfurter, had to shave his legs, asked his mum to get more razors as he blunted all of his on one half of a leg. She's asked why? He's had to fob her off with an excuse of he just needed more supplies. What have I got myself in for? lol

We have a Brad, a Janet, a Frankenfurter, a Columbia (who can tap dance), I think several Magentas. No one brave enough to be Rocky - well hey it's a cold spring :D

Wish me luck...thanks again
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post #20 of 28
10/9/09 at 1:02pm
franknfurter....lololol
they are kids. Hungry kids. Have fun.
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post #21 of 28
10/10/09 at 3:26am
Fruit pizza for dessert. Cover a sheet pan with crescent roll dough and bake about ten min. Mix sour cream and marshmallow cream together (about a one cup each) and spread on the cooled crust. Top with various sliced fruits. Everybody loves it.
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post #22 of 28
10/10/09 at 12:49pm
I hope you'll report back on how it went. Sounds like a great time for everyone, including you!
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post #23 of 28
10/10/09 at 3:27pm
It is possible, you know, to post pictures on this forum. Just a thought.

mjb.
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post #24 of 28
10/10/09 at 4:59pm
Thread Starter 
It went with a bang! Great night, couple of guests bit tipsy, but all close friends so all was good. All dressed up in character...geez it was funny :lol:

I think they got some sleep - left them to it by 1am, but had sent them to the rumpus room to get them away from the grog :) and so I could get some sleep. Lots of dancing and singing to the movie....I'm sure I embarassed myself but they wouldn't let me not do it :D

Ended up doing tzatziki and dippers, both starchy and veg sticks
Spicy tomato salsa with same dippers
Spring Rolls with sweet/spicy dipping sauce
little empanadas, curried, with sweet potato, onion and potato
Home made pizzas, couple of veget. ones, ham and pineapple (blecch but common here), smoky meat lovers pizza, so called supreme i.e. bit of everything
Little frankenfurters
Pavlova with mixed berries & chantilly cream
Rocky Road

There were some leftovers....but most of it mysteriously disappeared overnight, along with all the orange juice and milk...quick early morning rush to the shop. Ah well!

Pictures may be forthcoming...if I can ever figure out how.

But thanks for all the help and the interest in the project...I really appreciated it. Kids had a wonderful time...still trying to get the last few out of the house at 11am, did simple breaky, they wolfed that down too. Gotta hit the shops tomorrow...

Think a nap is called for lol.

DC
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post #25 of 28
10/10/09 at 5:52pm
Thread Starter 
Aargh...its noon and still got two to turf out... ah nuts.

So I've put Sweeney Todd on the DVD for some relief hehe
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post #26 of 28
10/12/09 at 10:43am
Meat Pies!!!!:lol::thumb:
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post #27 of 28
10/18/09 at 3:42pm
wonton fried bananas dusted with coaco, ginger and capaccino powder...but Im wtih bugnut...I`m an omnivore....so i won`t recomed "gerber"....lol
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post #28 of 28
10/18/09 at 7:20pm
Thread Starter 
Bill, that's way beyond this busy home cook mum with 12 rampaging 18 y.o.s but I will keep that suggestion for a quieter moment, thank you :)

Shroom...."The Worst Pies in London"? WHACK with the rolling pin on the poor li'l cockroach...I so love that movie.

Ended up driving the hangers on home. But I gotta admit, they were a great bunch. Tidied up, aimed for the bowl if they hadda be ill (or waited till they got home and aimed for their feet), no unwanted pregnancies (both males are not that way inclined).

Anywho, thanks again one and all for your interest and input. Got 2 years till my son's 18th.....will ask for more help then! :)

Cheers,
Daina
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