Event - School Family Picnic
When - Tomorrow
Problem - Have to bring a dish that will feed 8 people and I've never had to cook for 8 people, let alone picnic style, vegetarian, kept cold, and I waited till the last minute. Couldn't find any recipes, was told I couldn't just do salad by coworkers that said a "covered dish" means there has to be a protein involved....Oh and I was missing 1/2 the important ingredients of everything that was remotely good. Things like "Olive Oil", Firm Tofu, etc. and I didn't want to run up to the store, so I was determined to use what I had in the house.
Resolution - A New Concoction that I'm calling "SOY AND BLACK BEAN PASTA VEGGIE MEDLEY SALAD" hee hee
I started out with cutting up all the veggies in the house, figuring at some point I will figure out what to do with them. So I cut in to small bits and put in a bowl the following:
carrots, cucumbers(skinned & seeded), red bell pepper, onion and grape tomatoes (seeded)
Added to that bowl 1/2 can of organic sweet corn (drained) and 1/2 bag of organic sweet peas (drained). (YUUMMMM)
Sprinkled that mixture with lemon juice then set it asside (still not knowing what I was going to do with it) This colorful medley almost had a Mexican tone and I thought, what if I throw in some Black beans, that would give me the protein. So I did. One whole can of drained and rinsed Organic Black beans.
All the while I had a box of Sea Shell noodles boiling...Then Drained... then sitting on the counter waiting for a home...
After much to do, I finally had a light bulb moment - In the Magic Bullet, I mixed a container of Silken Tofu, a whole pouch of taco seasoning, some garlic, lemon juice and a tad of balsamic dressing... By golly it worked, YUM... Really Creamy, Really tasty and slightly Mexican!
So I mixed in a huge pot, the noodles, veggies and beans and sauce. then put the whole thing in the fridge. It was sooo Good! I'm hoping tomorrow it will still hold its flavor and not break down.
I just can't believe how great it came out with a vision of only knowing that I would have vegetables cut if nothing else, and then it turned in to this great dish, of which I have to add to my "favorite recipe pages to make another day" The best part is, its healthy, high in protein, vegan, mostly organic, and can be served cold and can feed lots of people. (hopefully)
Worst case, is that no one likes it, but at least I participated, and I can bring the whole thing home and eat it myself. hee hee
By the way, where is hubby during all this preparing... hmm? Well he doesn't feel he needs to attend this picnic, so participating in the food preparation or idea process was out of the question. To him I say FOOEY! We are going to have a great time, even if it means I have to learn to socialize with people I don't know. and I can't wait to post about all the details.
Talk about stepping out side of my comfort zone... Goodness.. Not only was the making an 8 person dish a struggle, but I'm not one to socialize or make up conversation with people I don't know. I'd like to have that skill, but I don't. My Mom can walk in to a store and within 5 minutes she has learned the entire life story of every person that walks by. My Dad can sell someone there own Poop with his Gift of Gab... But me, I only spill my beans to people I know. or type on a blog to a bunch of strangers...So this is all for Lil'Veg ...If he can walk in to that school with his head held high knowing no one, then surely I can walk in with my head held high to meet all the parents.
Hmm, now how will I explain why "Dad" isn't there..... I guess I won't... For Veg I will tell him to ask his Dad. And if the other parents ask where he is, I'll just have to say "At Home" because it will be the truth!
Guess were all learning a lot with this whole school thing, and hey, even got a good recipe out of the deal! Really can't beat that!