Plan a Vegetarian Dinner Party
Ideas for Veggie Burritos, Sweet Potato Enchiladas and Rice Salad
Mar 27, 2008
For many people, the spring and summer months mean barbequing hamburgers and chicken breasts. For vegetarians, it’s a different story. Some may resort to eating a hamburger bun with lettuce, tomato and cheese, but why not plan a delicious vegetarian lunch or dinner party this season? Guests won’t even miss the meat!
“Make Your Own Burrito”
The key to making this option satisfying is to have plenty of options so that there doesn’t seem to be a lack of meat. Warm (or cold) tortillas, beans and rice are the staples.
Then add any or all of the following: lettuce, tomato, various cheeses, onion, green onion, avocado, mushroom, sour cream... possibilities are endless.
Another option is to “theme” the burrito. Be as creative as possible.
- Add feta cheese, dark lettuce and red onion for a Greek-salad inspired burrito.
- Or for a sweeter touch, stuff a tortilla with brie cheese, pears or cranberries.
- Cole slaw and American cheese makes a good pairing as well.
Suggestion: Skip the tortillas and use Frito’s or tortilla chips instead.
“Sweer Potato Enchiladas”
Prepare enchiladas as normal, but instead of meat or chicken, add sweet potatoes (yams). Don’t mash them – they should be slightly firm and in pieces, so that they have some bite and consistency to them.
This is a surprisingly delicious dish. Add red or green peppers, onions and mushrooms to the enchiladas. Don’t coat with sauce – give guests a variety of dipping sauces instead.
“Rice Salad”
Easy to prepare and especially tasty, this dish is also kid-friendly.
- Lay down a bed of lettuce (any type – the prepackaged lettuce that comes with thin carrot slices works well.)
- On top of the lettuce, pour a generous helping of warm rice. While the rice is still hot, sprinkle jack and cheddar cheese so that it melts.
- Top with raisins and salad dressing. Serve immediately.
Creative Ways to Modify Vegetarian Staples:
- Baked potatoes: It’s tempting to load baked potatoes with, in a quote from I Love Lucy, “big globs of cheese and butter” (and sour cream). Go light on the fatty condiments and add salsa on top or on the side – as mild or spicy as preferred.
- Caesar salad: Forgoing chicken can sometimes make Caesar salad a bit monotonous. One way to incorporate some extra flavor and texture is to put in pieces of avocado. Delicious!
- Veggies and Dip: Cucumber, peppers and mushrooms are the usual staples shown on veggie plates. But an often-overlooked vegetable is jicama. Especially refreshing in warm weather, jicama tastes fantastic with Ranch dressing.
- Grilled cheese: Don’t stick to plain cheese! Incorporate tomato slices. grilled onion and avocado in the sandwich. Be creative with types of bread, too. Dark rye makes a great grilled cheese; or use an onion roll.
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