Any Ideas for Company Picnic?
Posted by Michele1MK on Apr 26, 2008 · Member since Apr 2008 · 1 posts
My Joyless Occupational Bondage is having their annual picnic this July. Of course, there will be absolutely NOTHING I can eat! It was suggested to me that I bring my own food. >:( So, since I am also a foodie, I want to bring something that will make a yummy statement. I want to have something easily shared and hopefully make my coworkers drool.... :winktongue:
-Michele in Indianapolis
Definitely bring hummus and pita bread, it's pretty trendy right now so it will garner some attention. I would otherwise stay away from beans and lentils, for some reason people seem to avoid them (they're probably afraid of gas).
i would say make a kick ass dessert to make them drool and make a main dish that you love so that you can enjoy something yummy for dinner. the cupcakes in vegan cupcakes take over the world have a lot of appeal with their presentation, i think something like that would be good, something that looks so amazingly delish that one can't help but try it : )
I say, knock their socks off with some vegan cupcakes, and maybe try out lucidanne's lentil rice salad (http://vegweb.com/index.php?topic=18137.0). I've heard it's a hit with crowds.
Definitely depends on the weather, but if it's still chilly where you are, the Sweet Potato and Veggie Chilli always goes over large here among omnis! Such a satisfying dish! We don't have "chilli powder" here so I cheat and ramp up the seasoning with a jar of commercially-prepared salsa.
If it's already warm there, as it is where I live, definitely go with the killer antipasto tray...marinaded artichoke hearts, roasted red pepper strips, olives of various kinds, HUMMUS (black bean is the best, remember! ^-^) assorted raw dippable veggies, Harvard beet chunks...and pita to help thee eata! Or even crusty wholegrain bread rounds.
For Christmas, a fiend gave me some flavored vinegars and one was "pecan vinegar"!
I bought some wild rice mix at the store (wild, brown, white) cooked up the rice. Added lots of chopped scallions (cut on the angle...prettier), chopped pecans, dried cranberries and made a dressing with pecan vinegar and mild oil.
It was incredibly good! Like pecan pie as a salad. Big hit here and salads are always good to bring to a picnic.
How much do you want to bring?
You could do a pasta salad with lots of veggies (bell peppers, olives, broccoli, carrots, onion, etc.), some marinaded tofu (or maybe garbanzo beans?), and your fav. dressing (Italian-style dressings are pretty good in pasta salads).
You could do a spinach and strawberry (or other berry) salad (strawberries here are amazing right now, don't know if they're great where you are yet) with a raspberry vinegarette and some slivered almonds. Kiwi is really good in these sorts of salads, too. They are really easy to throw together and people love them--and nice and picnic-y, too!
How about potato salad? This vegan cafe here makes a really yummy one with red potatoes (skins left on), vegan mayo, onion, dill, and maybe a bit of mustard? If you don't go too heavy on the mayo, it's nice and light and filling.
Soups are always good, too. Maybe a tomato basil with some yummy, crusty bread? If it's hot there, you could try gazpacho, but I don't know if everyone likes that (but who freaking cares? They aren't accommodating to you, you shouldn't have to be to them, dang it!).
Definitely a dessert of some sort. I'm in love with the Coconut Lemon Bundt cake in Veganomicon. It's super tasty and the lemon makes it nice and summery.
A picnic in July in Indianapolis? Will there be covered pavilions? Tables? Grills? What amenities will you have access too. Hopefully at the least running water and the ability to grill something up if you so choose.
Things I would bring? A small round grill, blanket, basket with Corelle type unbreakable plates and real utensils. No need to add to the trash by bringing disposable plates and forks if just for yourself. Also do not forget the drinks and plastic glasses!
If you have your grill you can wrap up veggies in foil packets with lovely herbs and spices, plus you could roast whole corn on the cob in the husks (after removing the silk) and maybe even some seitan cutlets if you feel so inclined. But what would be lovely would be to have cooked and chilled pasta to put the veggies on top of with perhaps a drizzle of balsamic. That would be lovely to slice some seitan and serve atop the veggies and pasta. Sort of a picnic fancy pasta salad. Then grill up some pineapple and dine like royalty!
If you would rather not bring any food you need to grill how about something lush like a chilled quinoa and edamame salad? With minced hot peppers, lime and a bed of baby greens. Cupcakes that could knock people's socks off such as the pistachio rosewater cuppers from Vegan Cupcakes Take Over the World? Be sure to bring a lovely carafe of lemonade with frozen berries in it.
If you want to be a bit more casual then bust out your favorite potato salad recipe and a sandwich of roasted veggies on an artisan bread. Serve it with fruit salad and a lovely dip of Vanilla pudding (I prefer the Mori Nu brand) mixed with Sour Supreme and a splash of soy milk, its sweet and tangy which is perfect for hot days and crisp fruit.
mmm I simply cannot wait for summer. The season makes me so hungry! haha
CALI!! you've done it again... what whonderful suggestions!
I can't wait to get my bbq fired up...
I say, knock their socks off with some vegan cupcakes, and maybe try out lucidanne's lentil rice salad (http://vegweb.com/index.php?topic=18137.0). I've heard it's a hit with crowds.
yeah, i gotta say the lentil rice salad is always a hit w/ omnis...its really hearty enough and super versatile...use whatever veggies you have on hand. great for picnics.
you could do some brushettas w/ various toppings...asparagus tapanade, mushroom or bean purees.
spinach artichoke dip.
bean chili w/ tortillas, avocado...doesnt have to be eaten super hot.
if you have a grill:
portobello mushrooms drizzled w/ evoo, s and p, rosemary and put in foil on the grill...makes a great "burger".
also, grilling zucchini, eggplant or squash and drizzle w/ balsamic after..yum! you can eat it in a sandwich or just plain.
grill tofu and veggie kabobs. make sure you oil the grill well so tofu doesnt stick.
bbq tempeh or tofu. easy!
if nothing else, you can always resort to veggieburgers.
cupcakes would be awesome. i also like "classic peanut butter cookies" from this site.
the supermoist choc cake does well on this site also.