I am planning a dinner party
I have faire friends coming to visit for the first time on Thursday and I am planning dinner. It could be 6 people or 9 people total depending on who all (local) can make it to visit with them and how many of the kids they bring. Plus everyone other than me is omni but the couple K & B are very open to all foods and often do cook meatless. Their kids range in age but I am pretty sure the youngest is over 10 at the least.
So far I am planning the following all vegan menu. Any input, incongruities or ideas would be helpful! Also remember that I am in Connecticut where it is blazingly humid and could possibly be hot or storming or both within the day!
Appetizers on hand for if they arrive before dinner (which I encouraged them to do!):
Raw Veggies: Carrots, celery, mushrooms, peppers, cauliflower, broccoli, green beans and possibly zucchini sticks
Dips: Ranch, Rosemary White Bean, Salsa and Guacamole Salad
Bread: Focaccia and Chibatta
Possibly: Marinated mushrooms and olive tapenade
Dinner:
Enchiladas stuffed with lime & chili tofu & veggies in a lovely green tomatillo sauce
Cilantro Lime black beans
Salsa Rice
Corn Bread
Dessert:
Chocolate Chip Cookies
Cake of some sort
I feel like i am missing something but I dont know what. I would love to have a side veggie with dinner but have yet to think of one aside from something like oven fried zucchini slices or shredded zucchini patties. I would love to make a cake but fear of overdoing the whole dinner by presenting one of my six layer monstrosities. Plus I cant decide on a flavor or filling!
Grrrr! Decisions decisions!
I was wondering the same thing about the tofu....but thats probably just because all of my omni's have a stigma towards tofu - or because I'm not very good at masking the tofu taste.
Are you serving cocktails?
I like the idea of a cake - maybe just 2 layers? And I like the idea of a raspberry filling.
Or cupcakes with raspberry filling?
Aww thanks! I would have you all here if you could make it!
My plan for the enchilada filling is simple. I am going to marinate some of the awesome local tofu by The Bridge in Lime Juice, Jalapeno and Cilantro. Then I am going to dice it pretty small and shallow fry it after its drained. Then I will saute a ton of veggies with the marinade leftovers. The tofu should taste exactly like the marinade and not of bland plain tofu. Think Cilantro Lime Tofu Black Beans! I am making the recipe but separating the tofu and black beans and using them in different dishes.
Plus with the tofu small, fried and marinated I dont think they will see it even amid the veggies, corn tortilla or sauce.
A nice 2 layer cake sounds good. Something raspberry sounds lovely too. Maybe vanilla cake with black raspberry filling?
Any other ideas on veggies? Should I just leave the menu as is or add something more?
It all sounds wonderful and I am envious of your guests.
How about some fresh fruit also for dessert? Simple, easy, healthful.
Sounds delicious Cali. Consider adding a simple baby spinach salad. I second the idea of fresh fruit and sorbet, although you can't go wrong with a batch of raspberry oatmeal bars.
Mmmmm, sounds good! You might already have lots of cilantro stuff, but I really like the cilantro sour cream from...vcon, I think.
If you have veggies in the enchiladas, I think you're good..unless you want to do the spinach salad thing.
Wow. What a wonderful menu, Cali!
Since it's a mostly Mexican main course menu, you could make a simple nopales salad, a black bean and corn salad, or a salad with corn, red, yellow and green bell pepper strips and/or those skinny tri-colored tortilla strips for a bit of color.
For dessert, maybe a cake or cupcake with a fruity filling or topping, or simply a scoop of sorbet with liqueur to enjoy with the chocolate chip cookies. By the way, which chocolate chip cookie recipe do you use, Cali?
Lastly, the drinks. Sangria, or agua fresca or a nice bottle of wine would complement the menu well.
As far as dessert, if you wanted something that would go well with your theme, you could make some Empanadas. Possibly filled with chocolate and banana.
I would maybe offer some tortilla chips as appetizers as well, since you're having salsa and guacamole salad.
I think a salad would be good as a veggie side. Personally I like the spinach salad idea, but everything that's been suggested so far sounds good.
For dessert, cupcakes would be a bit more "casual" and fit with chocolate chip cookies better, IMO. Any fruity flavor would be good. Didn't you do a lemon cake with blackberry filling a while back? Would that work as cupcakes? Plain old chocolate or vanilla with a fruit filling and/or frosting would be good too.
And margaritas. ;)b
Your guests will leave five pounds heavier, and very happy.
Well....I am planning a jealous party :p
Everything sounds yummy Cali!
Now i'm hungry. It all sounds so good! I agree with pg about tortilla chips with the appies. But i dont think you need a veggie side, it sounds like it will be very filling and delicious!
Tortilla chips will definitely be on the table! I just forgot to list them here but they are on my hand written list! Honest.
The cookies I prefer are from the Chocolate Chip Cookies for Champions recipe. I always add a splash of chocolate milk and a hint of booze via Frangelica. I kind of think I will put them out with the apps early in the day. But I will see how it plays out.
Salad is such a great idea and I so rarely think of it as a side. I will definitely pick up some spinach! Though should I dress it or just have options available to make their own?
Sangria is going to happen. Simply because I want some. ahahah
Everything suggested sounds great. Thank you all so much for your input.
Corn on the cob would probably be nice with dinner, though I don't know if that's too much corn with the cornbread.
I think you should make avocado chocolate pudding to use as the filling on the cake, and/or make avocado frosting, to keep with the mexico theme.
My new favorite dressing is a lime vinaigrette: just lime zest, juice, olive oil, s and p, and a bit of balsamic vinegar. That would go great with your dinner! You could even dress each salad right before you eat it, since spinach doesn't get soggy quickly.
It might be a little late, but what about some type of spanish rice to go with your enchilada's as a side dish? Everything sounds so yummy. I am in NH not that far from Connecticut! lol
So far I baked 4 dozen cookies, made 2 dips, cut up veggies for dipping, baked cornbread and baked a cake. Unfortunately, I think I forgot to add sugar to my cake. Redo!
Bah. :(
I promise to take pictures of the food if you guys want to see the spread.
I promise to take pictures of the food if you guys want to see the spread.
Yes! ..that's a lot of cookies!!!