In less than a month I’ll be hosting my very first Food Demo! I’m so excited. I’ve been wanting to host one for a while but I’ve been crazy busy. I told a (new) friend yesterday that it’s like my calendar threw up.
I want to host this demonstration so friends can see and taste new plant-based foods without worrying about how much they cost, if they will like them, or if they can cook them. Many items will be gluten-free too!
I haven’t completely decided on the menu; I plan to have some foods already prepared but make some dishes during the demo so that everyone can see how easy they are to prepare. I definitely want to make quinoa, I tried it at a food demo years ago, it sounds so intimidating but it’s easy. I’ll probably already have hummus prepared with lots of veggies. I also plan to have delicious desserts!
Now it is your turn! What do you think I should make? I’m hoping to win over some friends, or at the least help them incorporate healthier meals into their family’s diet. I’d love any suggestions!
Our family’s favorites are: baba ganoush stuffed mushrooms (on the grill), grilled red peppers (also great when stuffed with quinoa, sun dried tomatoes & chickpeas), and I found a recipe for carob/avocado cream pie that is phenomenal.
What a great idea–I should try this with my (skeptical) friends!
Keri, These sound delicious! I haven’t made stuffed mushrooms yet but I bet they would be a big hit. I’m a big fan of red peppers so I know I would like those too. I make a chocolate mousse (pictured above) that may be similar to the cream pie you mentioned. I think just showing my friends that eating plant-based is doable, tasty, and not as hard as they think will go a long way.
Not that you could “demo” this fully, but I think you should talk about cooking beans from scratch. It makes a frugal food even more frugal and healthier by cooking them at home….maybe you could start a pot of beans beforehand and time it so they’ll be ready around the time you are doing the demo? And then just sort of mime/explain the process? This is something that seemed so difficult to me until I started doing it about a year ago, and now I love it! Although depending on the length of the demo – you could maybe do lentils from scratch since they cook quickly?
Clara you always have such good ideas! I’ve written a post about cooking beans from scratch but talking through it is a good idea. I do plan on cooking lentils, everyone thinks they are so mysterious. I prefer to make beans from scratch. As much as we eat I can’t imagine all of the cans we would go through.
Great idea, Holly! No doubt you will have some “converts” by the end. I agree – yummy desserts are a must. They seem to really impress non-vegans.
Thanks! I want to have at least one gluten-free dessert too. I haven’t had the best luck with those though.
Can you make Chia Pudding w/ the Chia seeds ground up, please? I want to try it but I don’t want to “invest” in the chia unless I’m sure I’m going to use it up. I’d also like to try something w/ eggplant in it. I’ve never tasted it before! And that’s another one I don’t want to buy unless I know I’d use it up.
I’m so excited for you! I hope I’m invited (hint…hint! I know – I’m shameless)!