Casual party foods?

[LadyMoondancer]

I've having a casual, cartoon-watching contest at my house this weekend . . . I've got chip and dip and I'm making cookies / cake, but I'm not sure what else to get.   I feel like I should have something more savory and "real food", if that makes sense.

Also about a fourth of the people there will be vegetarian (but no vegans as far as I know).

[Leave a Whisper]

There's dips and veggie sticks, stuffed mushrooms, popcorn shrimp, Buffalo wings, tortino's pizza rolls, fresh fruits, bread rolls, chocolate dipped strawberries, strudel bites, zucchini bread, rice pilaf, egg rolls, ants on a log.

[aluke]

Hmm, for real food, how about pizza, or better yet, pizza bites to be a little less generic (lots of great and easy recipes online if you want to make them yourself), or sushi. Those are the easiest party foods I can think of right now. Black bean tacos could be fun too, albeit messy.

Savory snacks? How about bruscetta, samosas, spring rolls, or nachos? Or, not savory but, good old classic popcorn?

Sounds like it will be lots of fun. 

[Duenia]

My family normally does a taco dip with refried beans, cheese, lettuce, tomato, sour cream, and some taco seasoning. I think that's the order and what's in it at least?

I don't like it personally, but everyone seems to adore it at parties they've had me bring it to lol.

[Pokeyonekenobie]

You could make Taco Soup.  It's vegetarian (depending on which can of chili beans you use) and all you do is dump the ingredients into a crock pot (or regular pot) and cook it up.  Then you top it with cheese and sour cream if you like and I like to eat it with either tortilla chips or fritos.

3 cans diced tomatoes
3 cans pinto beans
3 cans chili beans
3 cans kidney beans
3 cans corn
2 packages taco seasoning
3 packages buttermilk ranch dressing
Add water as desired.

The taste is usually better the second day because the seasonings have had a chance to soak in.

[LadyMoondancer]

Thanks guys, these suggestions are so great!

[Skeen]

Sammiches!   

[Leave a Whisper]

You could make Taco Soup.  It's vegetarian (depending on which can of chili beans you use) and all you do is dump the ingredients into a crock pot (or regular pot) and cook it up.  Then you top it with cheese and sour cream if you like and I like to eat it with either tortilla chips or fritos.

3 cans diced tomatoes
3 cans pinto beans
3 cans chili beans
3 cans kidney beans
3 cans corn
2 packages taco seasoning
3 packages buttermilk ranch dressing
Add water as desired.

The taste is usually better the second day because the seasonings have had a chance to soak in.

Mmm that sounds delicious!

[Tak]

Veggies with ranch, hummus with pita chips, fresh fruit, and, oddly, jello have almost always been present at the parties, get togethers, and meetings with vegetarians and vegans.

Post Merge: September 14, 2016, 02:02:54 PM

You can do veggies wraps as well. Sushi style, or on a tortilla with a little hummus to hold it together. Oh, and vegetarian egg rolls are pretty simple, too.

[Thunderwing]

Grab some tortilla wraps, slather with cream cheese, add bits of something for flavor (diced dill picked, or some salsa, I had them once with diced jalepeno!), then roll them up, slice into disks, and serve. Especially nice with the colored wraps.

"Seafood Pizza". Grab a plate or a pie tin. Put a layer of cream cheese in the bottom, then a layer of seafood sauce, then top with canned tiny shrimp and canned shredded crab. Serve with crackers.

How about a chocolate fondue?

Fruit served with dip - make the dip out of marshmallow fluff (it comes in a jar, usually in the same aisle as Nutella) combined in equal parts with cream cheese.

[GypsyTails]

I've learned through experience  sandwiches are great! I often make a variation of this http://www.food.com/recipe/mediterranean-picnic-loaf-52407 I use marinated tofu for the chicken But really you can make a picnic loaf with whatever you want! Cold or hot. This time of year I also like making "baked apples" in the slow cooker. It keeps them warm and they're pretty hardy, and make your house smell amazing.

[LadyMoondancer]

You could make Taco Soup.  It's vegetarian (depending on which can of chili beans you use) and all you do is dump the ingredients into a crock pot (or regular pot) and cook it up.  Then you top it with cheese and sour cream if you like and I like to eat it with either tortilla chips or fritos.

3 cans diced tomatoes
3 cans pinto beans
3 cans chili beans
3 cans kidney beans
3 cans corn
2 packages taco seasoning
3 packages buttermilk ranch dressing
Add water as desired.

The taste is usually better the second day because the seasonings have had a chance to soak in.

How big of a pot / crock pot do you usually use with this?  I have a crockpot but I think I might need to halve the recipe for it.

[aluke]

...jello have almost always been present at the parties, get togethers, and meetings with vegetarians and vegans.

Just as a friendly FYI Most jello, especially store bought or powder mixes, are not vegetarian/vegan friendly as they contain gelatin.

[Pokeyonekenobie]

You could make Taco Soup.  It's vegetarian (depending on which can of chili beans you use) and all you do is dump the ingredients into a crock pot (or regular pot) and cook it up.  Then you top it with cheese and sour cream if you like and I like to eat it with either tortilla chips or fritos.

3 cans diced tomatoes
3 cans pinto beans
3 cans chili beans
3 cans kidney beans
3 cans corn
2 packages taco seasoning
3 packages buttermilk ranch dressing
Add water as desired.

The taste is usually better the second day because the seasonings have had a chance to soak in.

How big of a pot / crock pot do you usually use with this?  I have a crockpot but I think I might need to halve the recipe for it.

Ummm...a big one?  I think the recipe was originally for a #12 dutch oven. 

[ghouldilocks]

I am a huge fan of Bagel Bites, haha, they're a perfect food for such a gathering! There's also fries, tater tots, and/or chips with a reasonable variety of sauce options? I've also seen recipes on Pinterest for Chick-fil-A-style nuggets, those might be a nice savory snack. Cheese & crackers are always also great.