I am trying to think of what to make for my daughter's 1st birthday party that is both lacto-ovo vegetarian (no meat or meat by-products, but dairy & eggs are okay) and easy. It would be nice if I could make everything in advance too. I was trying to think of recipes I could use my crock pots for. My husband is also willing to grill, but I can't think of anything other than just veggies or veggie shish kabobs that he could make on the grill. Any suggestions?
Thanks everyone for all the great ideas! To clear up the confusion, my daughter and I are both lacto-ovo vegetarians as well as two of our guests. My husband and the rest of our guests are not. I guess I was just nervous about feeding tofu and veg burgers (which my daughter and I love) to non-vegetarians since I know some people get squeamish about meat alternatives. This gives me a lot to go off of! Thanks again!
Why no meat...?
Poor cows,chickens,hens,roosters,lambs etc.
Any how if because of allergies a allgerist or a support group in a hosp. or on line may have ideas.
If you want vegs diet ok for you but remember some people like
barn yard buffet.
So a idea is shish kabobs on the grill and in crock pots.
This way they can choice what they want.
D.
Well I'm vegan so a little more severe than you. But I grill Boca Vegan burgers always. People love those, and tofu hot dogs for my children. Grilled tofu is great just season it in advance throw in a little pasta and walla a great side dish. Baked potato's grill well (a baked potato bar is always fun!), so does corn on the cob, pretty much any veggie can be grilled and turns out wonderful.
I'd make a big batch of Guac, and fresh salsa. Those are both easy and great (and usually vegan!), Maybe make a veggie chili or some sort of veggie soup in your crock pot. That is very filling and cheap meal.
That is all I can think of right now cause I'm kinda in a grill out, outdoor mood. Hope it helps a little!!
Hi E. I've been a lacto-ovo vegetarian for over 10 years so all our cooking at our house is that way.( All though my husband and two boys enjoy meat togeather a couple times a week and he prepares it.) For the grill their are some great vegie options at most bigger grocery stores and food co-ops. Boca Bratwerst or Quorn fake chicken prodcts. Both are good and easy on the grill.A veggie plate with hummus or veggie dip is a great idea. And Bannan or carrot cake are great ideas for 1st birthday cake.
Grilled Pineapple is very good.
I am wondering why you are choosing to provide a lacto-ovo menu? Are you lacto-ovo or do you have guests that are?
I have been a lacto-ovo vegetarian for years and am happy to report that I have a happy, healthy 2 year old (and baby on the way) that has always been lacto-ovo. I have plenty of recipes that I would be happy to share, but the best thing to do is run to your nearest book store and find a cookbook or two that is right for you (some are quick and easy and some are a bit more advanced and time consuming).
To make things easy at my son's first birthday party, we held a mid-afternoon party with simple munchies followed by a cake, but there are plenty of meals you could provide your guests as well. Let me know if I can help!
Alrighty,
So I'm thinking of grilled Portabello mushrooms you can actully marinate them and brill them and have fantatstic huge sandwhiches with them-this is a litlle pricey-u can also get marinated tofu that grills great on veggie shish kababosm. Also I would say think ethnic there are a lot of foods that are popular in other cultures that use no meat or tofu can work as sustitutes-ie middle eatern food:tabouleh, hummus, falafel,Pita u can get that catered by a resturant even and then u work is done! Hope that helps!
A.
Large portobello mushroom caps are wonderful on the grill. Drizzle with a little balsamic vinegar and serve them on a wheat bun. They're wonderful!
E.-
What about a portabello mushroom burger with tomato and crumbled blue cheese? These are normally a huge hit! You can serve this with sweet potato fries.
Hope this helps!
A.
Please find out what's really in your childs personal care items www.mygreenhealth.com
I have a friend that is a L/O vegetarian and when we invite her to cook outs we always pick her up some veggie burgers or Boca burgers and they grill up really nice (just make sure if meat has been cooked on grill prior to the veggie burgers that you brush the meat crud off the grill really well as even that small amount of animal protein can make a vegitarian sick sometimes). Boca has also come out with a line of other faux meat products like sausages and "chicken" patties that my other friend who is a strict vegan eats a lot of and I'm sure they'd grill up nice as well. Other than that, most my vegetarian dishes are pastas or rices with some sort of tomato sauce. (I'm not very creative with the vegetarian dishes :)) Hope this helps give you some ideas!
I have a pasta salad recipe that can be made with or without chicken. It's substantial enough to be a meal, or even just a side salad. Can be made the day before. Let me know if you're interested in the recipe and I can send to you.
Otherwise, you can make a crudite bar, with different dips, veggies, pita, hummus, etc.
Costco has these amazing veggie burgers that unlike traditional soy burgers that are meant to taste/ feel like meat, these are actually meant to really be *veggie* burgers. I know that probably sounds gross, but I sampled one, and they are so good! You can see the pieces of real red pepper, etc. in them, and they have this sweet and crispy taste and texture. You could always serve them as a "burger."
My 16 yr old daughter is lacto-ovo and has been since 2nd grade. The rest of us in the family are not but we have come to enjoy a few meatless meals. For her birthday parties we always do a Mexican Stack Up Buffet. It's really simple and guests build their own meal on their plate. You put refried beans in a crock pot with Mexican seasonings, and cooked rice in another crock pot, and a cheese sauce in another. Then you have all your fresh veggies (lettuce, onions, tomatoes, peppers, olives etc) in various bowls. Then condiments like salsa, sour cream, guacamole at the end. First you put corn chips on your plate, then rice then beans, then what veggies you want, cover all with the hot cheese sauce and condiments. Everybody loves these. It's especially great finished with a Dulce de leche birthday cake. We also serve a black bean salad sometimes that people really enjoy. Black beans, tomatoes, green pepper, red onions,and a sweet vinaigrette. If anyone wants the recipe for the cake, let me know. Amy D.
Hey E.!
There are recipes for fruit-kabobs (even grilled), served with yogurt dips, etc..
There's always potato salad & veggie burgers (Morning Star, Boca, etc.)
*Kids love BANANA DOGS(instead of hot-dogs... with hot-dog bun, banana for hot dog and peanut butter & jelly as ketchup and mustard)
You can find recipes for SPAGHETTI & "FEAT BALLS" (fake+meat balls), usually made with walnuts, bread crumbs, an egg, seasonings or such.
Tea sandwiches are easy (egg-salad, cucumber-cream cheese, etc.).
We've done YOGURT "BANANA SPLITS" too... naturally sweetened yogurt in vanilla/strawberry flavors. Diced fruits (watermelon, peaches, apples, pears, strawberries, blueberries, etc., and granola or toasted oatmeal with cinnamon and honey to top). YUM!
Hope that helps!
FYI... you might want to look into the following sites with regards to milk & more:
www.notmilk.com
http://home.bluegrass.net/~jclark/calcium_foods.htm
http://www.drlam.com/A3R_brief_in_doc_format/print/2003-N...
http://www.safeminds.org/mercury/
