bonfire party food ideas
I'm hoping some of you can help me with ideas about what to serve to (mostly omni) guests at our outdoor get-together. My hubby and I are having a bonfire party at our little farm in two weeks. It'll be BYOB and we'll have about 50 guests, some with kids. There will be firefighters and their families from 2 departments along with some of our own family, so while the adults are mingling we'll have games for the kids and we'll have a hayride and bonfire (and I may let them talk me into giving "pony rides" with my 2 horses for a wee bit). I was hoping to avoid having to offer the typical meat and cheese offerings, but after searching the web for food ideas the only thing I can come up with is whole fruit (apples, pears, grapes), bread rolls, and maybe nuts. ?? I guess I could offer hotdogs and marshmallows to roast at the fire :(, but I was hoping to have enough veg*n offerings that people wouldn't miss the meat. Does anyone have any ideas? ???
Wrap corn-on-the-cob in foil with margarine and herbs (italian seasoning, maybe) and roast on the edges of the fire (special!). Vegan potato salad, maybe something warm and spicy to drive the thoughts of meat away, like black bean chili.
You can skewer a bunch of veggies for toasting over the fire, hot dog style (on long nonflammable skewers) if you're looking for the audience participation angle...
I second the idea of corn, chili, and potato salad. You can also do the girl scout thing of tucking onions, carrots, and potatoes (and maybe peppers!) into foil packets to roast on the edge of the fire seasoned with a little garlicky margarine and pepper (tempeh can be nice in this, but might freak out people who haven't tried it). How about garlic bread to get the chewyness thing taken care of, too? EVERYONE loves garlic bread.
A gathering of 50 people is going to have a few people who miss the meat. Also, they may bring tidbits to share, even though you don't have it set up as a potluck, and they may be meaty. If you're very concerned, make sure the word gets spread that you're vegan and won't be providing the animal (and that you'd rather not have it on your grill); in either case, I don't think anyone will freak out and it sounds like superb fun.
Wow, those are GREAT ideas!!! :D I was really stressing about what to offer and really didn't want to provide meat. Thank you 7, Ducky, and O2B.
So O2B, you have me curious-- how exactly do you go about roasting bananas with chocolate in them? I've never heard of that. Do you peel them, put chocolate pieces inside the banana then re wrap the peeling back on and then wrap in foil? Do you bury in the ashes, also like the potatoes and corn, and how long do you leave- 5 minutes, 15 min? Do they come out mushy and liquidy or firmer?
Before folks come or while they're arriving you could grill some vegetables. Our work does fancy parties and just lays out an enourmous tray of grilled vegetables along with breads and spreads (hummus, artichoke etc.) and assorted olives. The vegetables are filling and tasty. Also, they're good at room temperature so you don't have to worry about keeping them hot. We also make a hobo stew without the hamburger -- potatoes, carrots, peppers, onions in foil bags. Also, stuffed mushrooms aren't really bonfire food, but they are great finger food. You could make them ahead of time and just throw batches in the oven. And, I would definitely make some of the vegan cupcakes from Vegan Cupcakes take over the World.
Mmmmm, that food you're describing is making my mouth water already V1!!! Thank you for the ideas!
Thank you O2B, I'll have to try it! Bet the kids would like that, too.
- Tomina
Hey I know.. What about mountain pies? You got a mountain pie maker? If so, they are the best thing to eat at a bonfire
GMC, I've never heard of Mountain Pies. What are they? ???
What about vegan Smore's? Graham crackers, Smucker's marshmellow topping, dark chocolate or duncon Hines fudge frosting.. another idea is Bonfire Banana Boats - you take banana's, split them open ( skin on ) and in the slit stuff chocolate chips, wrap the whole thing up in tin foil and pop them in the coals for a few minutes. You can coconut or peanut butter for a different taste. They are super yummy and kid friendly :)
Good Luck!
I had to Google "mountain pie." They look like toasted sandwiches made in an iron you hold over a fire: buttered bread (I reckon you'd use margarine) filled with pie filling or savory fillings and toasted. Kind of like grilled cheese sandwiches or those warm crusty sandwich triangles you make in an electric sandwich maker.
http://www.chuckwagondiner.com/pieiron/mountainpie.html
O2BVeg I am not even a banana fan but those sound YUMMY!!!!!
I had to Google "mountain pie." They look like toasted sandwiches made in an iron you hold over a fire: buttered bread (I reckon you'd use margarine) filled with pie filling or savory fillings and toasted. Kind of like grilled cheese sandwiches or those warm crusty sandwich triangles you make in an electric sandwich maker.
http://www.chuckwagondiner.com/pieiron/mountainpie.html
Yinz never eaten mountain pies before? O_o I own like 5 mountain pie makers! Go down to the fire pit and start coooooooookin'!
Golly, food for 50--if you had a large roaster-type pan, or 2-3 large crockpots, bean soup, vegetable soup or chilli would definitely be the way to go for a hearty main course; as I've often said, you can use TVP and people won't notice it's not hamburg as long as you flavour it up good. If they're chilly outdoors, chilli in their tummies will be well recieved! The ideas brought up in this thread are good for any massive get together.
Do tell us how it went after you've recovered! :P
Thank you ALL for so many great ideas!! Now I just have to decide which from all those great ideas to try! :) - Tomina