What can I make for lunch for a large group of people that is inexpensive and is vegetarian.?

Question

This Saturday is my daughter's 13th birthday and all of the family is coming - 25. I tried to get reservations at a restaurant, but the place that we wanted to go can't take such a large group at once. I am already making a big fancy dinner for everyone, so I really don't have the money to do a big lunch. A couple of the people that are coming are vegetarians. The other problem is that my daughter doesn't like sandwiches. Any ideas?

Answer 1

How about peanut sauced noodles? I love these for a change and they can be served hot or cold. For those not vegetarian you can have a second version with strips of chicken in it. This recipe is easy to multiply for a large group.
I like to serve it with a nice tossed green salad, fruit plate and crusty breads. Enjoy!

From ALLRECIPES.com
Peanut Noodles SUBMITTED BY: Maureen Cram

8 ounces spaghetti
1 bunch green onions, sliced (white parts only)
2 tablespoons sesame oil
1 teaspoon minced fresh ginger root
1/3 cup peanut butter
1/4 cup soy sauce
1/4 cup hot water
1 tablespoon cider vinegar
1 teaspoon white sugar
1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes

DIRECTIONS
Cook pasta in a large pot of boiling water until done. Drain.
Meanwhile, combine oil and onions in a small skillet. Saute over low heat until tender. Add ginger; cook and stir for 1 to 2 minutes. Mix in peanut butter, soy sauce, water, vinegar, sugar, and red pepper flakes. Remove from heat.
Toss noodles with sauce, and serve.

Answer 2

Something good I've had before were sandwiches that had some kind of vegetable spread in them. Besides that off the top of my head I would say pimento sandwiches, mayonaisse and banana sandwiches(don't knock it till you try it), or some kind of really good dip with a variety of vegies or chips to dip in it. If you wanted something a little more substantial then you could always do vegie kabobs. Make chunks of onions, bell peppers, potatoes, zuchini, or anything else you like. Make sure all the chunks are an appropriate size so that they all cook at the same speed. I would go a little thin on the potatoes which need longer to cook and a little thicker on the onion which needs less. Brush them with a little oil and maybe sprinkle some salt on all of it and some rosemarry and thyme on the potatoes and throw them on the grill. Serve that with potatoe salad and some chips and your good to go. A good cold kabob is to have the little marble sized onions, black olives(whole and pitted) and some of those cheese cubes(pick your flavor) and alternate them on a stick or tooth pick. Really good. Good luck.

Answer 3

You can do a Veggy wrap using a flour or corn tortilla, Pita pockets, or even a nice homemade vegetable egg rolls.
With a nice seet and sour sauce.

Simple & Easy Vegetarian Recipes

Veggie Wraps
Ingredients:
1 C shredded carrots
1 C shredded red cabbage
1 C sliced onions
3 roma tomatoes sliced
4 leaves of romaine lettuce
4 10 inch tortillas
softened cream cheese
fresh made guacamole
feta cheese crumbles

Yield: 4

Directions: Spread cream chees down center of tortillas, following with guacamole. Next layer carrots, then cabbage, onions, lettuce and tomatoes and sprinkle some feta cheese on top and then roll into wrap.

You can also use cucumbers with a cucumber sauce and juliene carrots, diced tomatos, and lettece on a flour or corn tortilla shell.

Answer 4

I know just the thing! Cheese enchiladas. Mix one package of cream cheese with two cups of shredded taco cheese, a half cup of salsa, some chopped black olives, and a half cup of sour cream. Spread some on a tortilla and roll up. Place seam down in a baking dish and cover with canned red sauce. Cover and bake at 350 for 30 minutes. Uncover and sprinkle with some more shredded cheese and bake until bubbly. This makes about 8 so you will need to increase the amounts. Serve on lettuce. This is super easy and pretty cheap so it should be perfect for a large group.

Answer 5

I would ask my daughter to choose the main dish, something like what she enjoys eating every day. Then I would offer lots of fresh veggies with dips, bean or tomato soup, or even vegetable lasagna (I have a great recipe for this--or buy Stouffer's) with salad & garlic bread. Cater in Chinese!

Don't work so hard that you can't enjoy celebrating your daughter. If you miss it all because you're in the kitchen, it will be a big loss to both you and your daughter. Maybe you can cook ahead and freeze?

Have fun!

TX Mom
Mine are 17 & 21

Answer 6

If they're the type of vegetarians that eat cheese I suggest to find a recipe for spinach enchiladas because I can't remember mine. My sister makes really good spaghetti with tofu and no one ever knows! I would season tofu just like regular meat and the rest falls in line!

Answer 7

How about parsley spagetti?

Make a big batch of spagetti, and then melt a cube of butter into it. Stir it around, and then add a cup or two of chopped fresh parsley. Add a little salt, and then mix in a bunch of parmesian cheese to taste. It tastes really good hot or cold. It isn't really healty food, or vegan, but it is cheap.

Answer 8

Make your own tacos! Make a buffet table of bowls and plates of: soft tortillas, black beans, rice, shredded lettuce, diced tomatoes, diced onions, shredded cheese, sour cream, pan-grilled mushrooms. [You can have some taco meat or grilled chicken cut into strips for the meat eaters to add to theirs.] Add a big bowl of tortilla chips and some salsa, and you're good to go. Vanilla ice cream with caramel sauce or baked apples with brown sugar and raisins for dessert.

Answer 9

Why not veggie chili and cornbread...you can set it up as a chili bar and serve different additions like onions, cheese, fritos, chips, lettuce (for taco salads). That's easy and it's a two pot meal=)

Answer 10

Hi Angie

This won't help you for Saturday, but for a long term answer,
we have some excellent soy products.

SuperSoy Products: Beef and Chicken, Onion Broth:
http://bassett.vitamark.com/shopping/Default.asp?CatID=3&page=3

They are easy and really delicious!

If you have questions, please contact us from the site
or call 519-376-5611 or skype bobbassett

Bob and Anna