Birthday Party Menu

[capsgirl08]

I know this has been discussed before, but my searches ("birthday, party, food") aren't really coming up with a lot here or on Google...sooo...

Just seeing if anyone has any ideas to spare for a 2-year-old's party. I don't want to serve anything that DS cannot eat. He cannot eat:

dairy
eggs
gluten
soy
nuts
peanuts
fish
shellfish
pineapple
tomato
avocado


What worked well for you? I am not so concerned about cake as I am main foods. Most parties serve up pizza, and while we could do a safe version for DS, I don't know that the other kiddos would eat it, and it would also get pricey...

night waking, gtg, thank you!!

[kjbrown92]

Originally Posted by capsgirl08

No dairy, eggs, gluten, soy, nuts, peanuts, fish, shellfish, pineapple, tomato, avocado

I've done make-your-own-tacos (you can use corn tortillas, tacos). I've done pulled pork over rice, with baked beans. I've done stewed chicken over rice. Make a green salad (no tomato) and a fruit salad to round things out, or cut up watermelon slices if it's just kids. Appetizers can be corn chips with a taco type dip (if you're not doing tacos), or potato chips, or fruit, or veggies and dip (we use coconut milk yogurt with herbs).

[tanyalynn]

Things like meatballs and drumsticks are fairly familiar and kid-friendly, each can be dipped in stuff which is always a plus.

On the junky side, there are probably some sort of potato chips or tortilla chips that would fit into that list. My kids love homemade steak fries, but I'm not sure every 2-year old would recognize them (are most of the invitees little kids, older kids or a family mix?). And less-junky, a serving plate with lots of different pre-cut veggies and fruit is a staple at gatherings I go to.

Here's a recipe for potato salad that I really enjoy, I make a few changes...
http://www.drweil.com/drw/u/RCP00207...ato-Salad.html

I add cooked little pieces of bacon and the fat from that, no vermouth, I use ACV or rice wine vinegar instead of white wine vinegar, skip the green beans and fresh herbs, and usually add extra mustard and salt. So clearly it's a flexible recipe--again, this part more aimed at adults, though the flavor is normal enough that I think kids who tried it would like it.

[crunchy_mommy]

Roasted veggies
Fruit salad
Make-your-own sandwiches or burgers (with regular bread, and just have 'safe' bread for your DS)
Veggie sushi
Wraps with whatever fixings DS can have
Puffs (like Pirates Booty)
Tortilla chips w/ bean & cheeze dip

[capsgirl08]

Oh my gosh, I feel a million times better about this now. I don't know why I hadn't thought of going the tortilla route! And we live in central Texas! That might just work! The crowd will be a few toddlers, a couple 5 year-olds, their parents, and DS's grandparents. I think the mix of typically grown-up type foods plus kid stuff will work.

Love the veggie and fruit salad, fries, potato salad ideas...all great from everyone, thanks very much. Even if I don't do the potato salad for the party, I want to try it on my own for us. And even though I said no foods that DS can't eat, the small sandwiches for the other kids (with DS having his own safe bread) is a great idea.

Never made my own yogurt --- thought we had issues with coconut, but never really figured it out --- so has anyone made hempmilk yogurt?? Just a spin-off thought from the veggie dip idea.

All right. Feeling motivated! We can do this and not break the bank!

[capsgirl08]

CrunchyMom---I was wondering if you wouldn't mind sharing what the "cheeze" part of the bean & cheeze idea is made of. Also, I just read your veggie sushi idea, and now I'm craving some, ha!

[crunchy_mommy]

LOL I know, I've been craving veggie sushi for 3 days now!!!! It's been on my mind, maybe I'll make some tonight!

The cheeze I make out of nutritional yeast... I have a good recipe but don't have it on hand right now but it's very similar to this: http://www.vegan-food.net/recipe/469...-Yeast-Cheese/ but I use olive oil instead of margarine & corn starch instead of flour. I add in paprika & onion powder and it's SUPER yummy with chopped jalapenos!