This menu feeds 25 people with food left over for only $50 (not including paper plates, napkins, etc). It’s great for college parties, too, because there are lots of vegan options.
Green Beans with Caramelized Onions and Brown Butter (Dairy)
- Stem fresh green beans (not canned!!!!!) Microwave in a wet paper towel until soft (steaming them)
- In a pan, add finely sliced vidalia or other sweet onions to 1/2 cup of butter. Cook until golden brown, then add a pinch of salt and a dash of sugar. Stir until sugar is melted. Add green beans and toss until well coated/mixed.
- Total Cost: Green Beans ($1.50), Onion ($0.50), Butter-Sugar-Salt ($0.50) = $2.50
American Red Potato Salad (Pareve)
- Quarter 2.5 pounds of red/new potatoes (leave skin on). Boil in salty water until soft. Drain and place in refrigerator for later.
- While potatoes cool, mix 1/2 cup of mayo, salt, pepper and juice from 1/2 lemon. Mix together and toss in cold potatoes.
- Total Cost: Potatoes ($2.50), Mayo and Spices ($0.50) = $3.00
Tunisian Potato Salad with Cumin Hot Sauce
- Quarter 2.5 pounds of red/new potatoes (leave skin on). Boil in salty water until soft. Drain and place in refrigerator for later.
- While potatoes cool, mix 1 TBSP hot sauce (any kind is fine), 3 TBSP of olive oil, 1 TBSP vinegar (white or rice wine), 1 TBSP cumin, salt, pepper. Pour over cold potatoes and toss.
- Total Cost: Potatoes ($2.50), Oil, Hot Sauce and Spices ($0.50) = $3.00
Mozzarella, Tomatoes with Basil Balsamic Dressing (Dairy)
- Cut a block of mozzarella cheese into small cubes and thin slice two Roma tomatoes.
- To make dressing, mix 2 parts olive oil to 1 part balsamic vinegar. Sprinkle in jar Italian seasoning and salt/pepper to taste.
- Total Cost: Mozzarella ($2.50), Tomatoes ($0.50), Oil, Vinegar, Spices ($0.50) = $3.50
Hummus (Pareve/Vegan)
- Drain and mash two cans of chic peas. Pour in tahini until mixture is a thin paste. Add juice from 1/2 lemon. Pour into a serving dish and sprinkle paprika for color on top. Serve with pita cut in half, then thirds (six pieces per loaf).
- Total Cost: Chick Peas ($2.00), Tahini ($1.00), Spiced ($0.25), Pita ($1.25) = $4.50
Curried Lentils (Pareve/Vegan)
- Bring 1 can of vegetable stock and 1 can of water to a boil. Add 1 pound of dry lentils and simmer, covered, for 35 minutes.
- Uncover and add one can of tomato sauce and 4 TBSP yellow curry powder. Cook together for another 5 minutes or until the liquid starts to disappear from the lentils
- Total Cost: Lentils ($1.00), Tomato Sauce ($1.00), Spices ($0.50) = $2.50
Sesame-Soy Rice Noodles (Pareve/Vegan)
- Cook one box of rice noodles according to directions (usually boil for four minutes then drain)
- Pour into serving dish and liberally douse with soy sauce and sesame oil. Sprinkle sesame seeds on top. Note: you can also add scallions for color, but people generally don’t eat them, so it’s a waste.
- Total Cost: Noodles ($3.00), Soy Sauce (free packets from Chinese restaurant), Sesame Oil and Seeds ($0.50) = $3.50
Challah
- We like Bubbe Sarah’s recipe (costs less than a dollar to make), but you can also buy Challah for around $3.00-5.00 each
Purchase Pre-Made From Grocery
- Boxed Mac and Cheese (Dairy)…perfect for picky eaters or kids at a party $1.50
- Cream Cheese Brownies (Dairy) and Fruit Pie (Apple, Blueberry, etc) (Dairy) $2.75 each
- Spinach Dip and Chips (Dairy) $5.00
Wine and Drinks
- Ask people to bring wine, but have one large bottle ready just in case ($8.00)
- 2 Liter Sodas, 1 Gallon Sweet Tea, Water, Powder-mix Drinks, etc ($1.25 each)