vegan friendly bbq
So apparently my bf has invited some friends over to bbq tonight. Of our five guests, one is vegetarian and one is vegan. I actually have some pretty good vegan recipes, but they aren't for the grill (falafel and shepard's pie).
What to prepare! I'm thinking of making some stuffed portabello caps w/ vegan filling (spinach, mushroom stalks, summer squash, garlic, onions, evoo) with cheese for others to sprinkle on if they wish, plus grilling a bunch of potato wedges and having some salad around, plus other veggies for grilling.
I do know better than to just marinate and grill a bunch of veggies so that my veg/an friends have something much more substantial for dinner, but I'm wondering if I'm missing other great vegan-friendly grilling options. (also, I plan to bbq with them more over the summer and will need new ideas as the summer goes by).
Thanks!
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22 Comments:
Get some bread to grill? Rub it with olive oil, garlic, and tomato.
I'd also consider grilling peaches, corn, asparagus, different kinds of mushrooms, and artichokes.
What about a nice, fruity (mango or papaya) salsa with vegan tortilla chips?
kathryn at 3:40PM on 06/12/09
oh, i thought this was like a jeopardy question.
i was all ready to answer, 'what is an oxymoron?"
grilling fruit is always nice too-pinepapple, peaches, and pears is what i typically do...then again, it's right next to delicious pig, so do what you will.
gastronomeg at 3:40PM on 06/12/09
Not completely on the grill, but some sort of rice-and-beans dish would be nice. Maybe as the filling for tacos? You could grill the tortillas to warm them.
Or stuff some veggies with the rice and beans. Do some bell peppers for people who don't like as much spice, and have salsas on hand to add the heat. Cheese for a topping for anyone who wants it.
Probably not for tonight, but you can make vegetarian/vegan tamales as well, and have them on hand in the freezer for the next surprise BBQ.
dbcurrie at 3:50PM on 06/12/09
I usually make vegan mushroom/nut burgers, if I am grilling burgers for the carnivores, and they are always a big hit and much appreciated by the vegan folk. Otherwise, a vegetable. kabob with a tasty grilling glaze and dipping sauces is always a nice way to go - with or without tofu.
Pizzas are great, too. You can do a cheeseless pizza for the vegans, or let people build their own, and grill them to order. Vegan pasta salad makes for a lovely side dish, as do bean dips/dishes and guacamole - dairy free, of course. Just let your imagination run wild, and have fun with it!
Here is a quick, tasty vegan meal, if you are in a pinch: Hearts of Palm Salad
Enjoy your soiree!
Cheers,
~ Paula
Paula Maack at 4:17PM on 06/12/09
How about making some portobello mushroom burgers... go and find some vegan cheese or almond cheese that melts really well and everyone in your party will enjoy.
You can then make some mustard potatoes as a side dish and finish them on the grill. Or a pasta salad side...
The grilled pizza idea is a good one too... I like to make pizzas on pita bread, you can have a variety of fixins so everyone can fix their own flavor combination... fresh spinach, onion, sliced tomatoes, peppers, button mushrooms, zuchinni, tomato sauce, pesto, sun dried tomatoes, etc.
but go to whole foods or other natural supermarket and find some vegan cheese... soya kaas melts well. i have an almond cheese brand here that melts super well too.
Good luck tonight,
Madelyn
KarmaFreeCooking
MadelynRodriguez at 5:03PM on 06/12/09
As gastronomeg was suggesting, I think, was that many vegans don't even like their food prepared on a grill that has had long-standing meat use or picks up meat aromas or juices. Since they're friends, do the best you can tonight and then ask them how to deal with this in the future.
You might want to consider hobo packs, food in individual tin foil packs, like from the scout camping days of your youth! Corn can be done in the husk.
zucchini at 5:18PM on 06/12/09
I like the idea of the portabello anything on the grill, and marinade it before hand, yum. Fajitas with the yummy shroom, grilled like steak or burger. A couscous salad with all types of veggies that are grilled would be good. If you are planning to do more with them this summer you might get ideas from them tonight at your party.
pjracz10 at 5:40PM on 06/12/09
I make brochettes with tofu, eggplant, and mushrooms which have been marinated in a soy/ginger/lemon/garlic marinade. So good!
PeanutButter at 5:52PM on 06/12/09
Last time a 'vegan' came over for dinner, I showed him the refrigerator, the stove and the pantry and told him he was on his own. Wasn't a bad evening for him at all, he grilled a portobello mushroom, built a sandwich around it and had a great time.
Ribster at 9:08PM on 06/12/09
Grill top sweet corn in the husk. Classic.
Grilled ripe tomatoes with seasoned couscous or rice?
Grilled fruit of any kind...
I am partial to griddle or pan fried tofu cakes. Just chop up some firm tofu with seasonings of choice, add julienned carrots or finely chopped cabbage or onion (or all three). Form into patties, fry em up, serve with dipping sauce of light soy, green onions, pinch of sugar (almost said fish sauce there...).
fuuchan at 10:25PM on 06/12/09
I like to eat vegan sometimes too and I have some recipes for vegetables and fruit if you would like to see them you can visit www.cookingandgrillinoutdoors.com
outdoor griller at 10:37PM on 06/12/09
Tempeh and tofu both take to the grill very well, especially tempeh. Simmer tempeh in shoyu/garlic/ginger/water to cover marinade for about 20 minutes, then remove, let cool, and slice on the bias. Grilled tempeh takes to barbecue sauce and chutneys wonderfully.
producestories at 6:05AM on 06/13/09
Hmmmm ...... Something more substantial for a vegan.... How about a pound of tender, juicy pulled pork with some bbq sauce?! You can go back to being a vegan tomorrow... I promise not to tell.
Pavlov at 9:06AM on 06/13/09
-If grilling bread, make sure it doesn't contain any egg or dairy products.
Brush slices with olive oil and serve with tomato cruda (bruschetta)
-Pasta, lentil, barley or rice salad, sans meats, mayo and dairy- Stick to vinegar and oil based dressings
-Potato salad with vinegar-oil based dressing
-Slaws (cabbage, carrot, broccoli, etc. with vegan mayo or viniagrette)
-Black bean and corn salsa with corn chips
-Guacamole
-Medterranean style chopped salads
-Bean salads (traditonal 3-bean, cannelini bean with garlic, fresh herbs, red pepper, celery and viniagrette, etc.)
-Grilled eggplant, zucchinis, onion and sweet peppers; dressed with olive oil and balsamic vinegar
-Tabouleh, hummus and grilled pita pockets
-Make the falafel ahead. Then place two or three on little wooden skewers and re-heat on the grill. Serve with pitas and tradtional sides.
-Vegan chili with grilled corn tortillas and fixin's like chopped scallions, jalepeno slices, etc.
-Grilled fruits (Either in foil or grill direct). Drizzle with balsamic vinegar and maple syrup. Sprinkle with fresh chopped mint.
-Tomato and watermelon salad
-Spicy, stewed chickpeas with corn tortilla or pitas
-Season firm tofu slices with soy, ginger, honey, garlic, etc. and grill.
Serve with peanut dipping sauce.
-Some grain and rice salads are good hot or cold. Make hobo packets (wrap an individual portion in foil) and heat on the grill. (This also prevents the food from touching a "meat tainted" grill)
-Par-bake sweet potatoes. Cool. Slice or cut long wedges. Oil and season the slices-wedges and finish cooking on the grill. (Everyone is going to want to eat these. Make lots!)
-Grill vegetables and add to a simple curry.
-Grill corn and serve with herbed oils to brush on after cooking.
-Grill asparagus, dress with olive oil and lemon or balsamic vinegar.
-We like to grill a large variety of vegetables and mushrooms, then arrange them on a huge platter. Dress with vinegrette and fresh herbs.
-Nibbles- olives, nuts, nut spreads, crackers, fresh fruits, fruit salad, crudites, dipping sauces
-Utilize vegan margarine, vegan "sour cream" and vegan mayo to adapt recipes.
-Good wine, cold beer, sangria, margaritas....
Here's a delicious sounding tofu recipe for the grill:
http://www.epicurious.com/recipes/food/views/Broiled-Tofu-with-Miso-em-Tofu-Dengaku-em-353652
CJ McD at 11:03AM on 06/13/09
Stuffed vegetables- portobellos, sweet peppers, zucchini, tomatoes, onions
(Fill with rice or whole grain pilaf or vegetable stuffings. Do a couple of different types of flavors- Mexican, Mediterrenean, Middle-Eastern, etc.)
Cherry heirloom tomato salad on a bed of greens, seasoned with basil vinagrette and crouton garnish.
Gazpacho-nice. Can be made ahead.
Grilled Asian vegetables (bok chop, napa cabbage wedges, chard, mushrooms, etc.) dressed with ginger-soy dressing and a sprinkle of sesame seeds and bean sprouts.
Soba noodle salad with peanut or ginger-soy dressing.
CJ McD at 11:14AM on 06/13/09
This would be fun to make in a wok on the grill:
Wilted Spinach Salad, Asian Style
1 pound spinach, washed and dried
1/2 pound fresh bean sprouts, washed
2 oranges, peeled, halved and sliced
slivered almonds, toasted (optional)
Soy Dressing
2/3 cup oil
1/4 cup lemon juice
1/4 cup soy sauce
1-1/2 to 2 Tbs. sugar
2 T. sesame seeds
1 tsp. peeled and minced ginger
1 clove garlic, minced
1/8 tsp. hot pepper sauce or siracha (or more to taste)
Combine all ingredients and stir well to combine. (May blend, whisk or shake in a jar.)
Heat the soy dressing in a wok or large skillet. Add spinach and toss quickly until just starting to wilt. Transfer to a platter or large shallow bowl. Add sprouts and orange slices, tossing to combine. Sprinkle with almods if desired. Serve immediately.
CJ McD at 11:15AM on 06/13/09
Here's another grill adaptable recipe:
Spicy Thai Tofu With Red Bell Peppers And Peanut
1/3 cup olive oil 2 large red bell peppers, seeded, thinly sliced 3 tablespoons minced peeled fresh ginger 3 large garlic cloves, finely chopped 1 14-to 16-ounce package extra-firm tofu, drained well, cut into 1-inch cubes 3 green onions, thinly sliced on diagonal 3 tablespoons soy sauce 2 tablespoons fresh lime juice 1/2 to 3/4 teaspoon dried crushed red pepper 1 6-ounce bag baby spinach leaves 1/3 cup chopped fresh basil 1/3 cup lightly salted roasted peanuts
Heat oil in wok over high heat. Add bell peppers, ginger, and garlic; sauté until peppers just begin to soften, about 2 minutes. Add tofu and green onions; toss 2 minutes. Add next 3 ingredients. Toss to blend, about 1 minute. Add spinach in 3 additions, tossing until beginning to wilt, about 1 minute for each addition. Mix in basil. Season with salt and pepper. Sprinkle peanuts over.
CJ McD at 11:16AM on 06/13/09
Grill polenta slices brushed with olive oil. Serve with a variety of toppings- marinara, tapenade, fresh tomato-basil-garlic salsa, carmelized onions, corn and black bean salsa, tomato chutney, mint-cilantro-jalepeno chutney, mashed cannelini bean spread, etc. (place some grated parmesan and crumbled gargonzola along with bowls of the other sides for the non-vegans)
Oh, I almost forgot---
Roasted garlic. Roast it, cool. Press the cloves of roasted garlic into a bowl for toppings, spreading on grilled bread, etc. This is always a big hit with everyone too. Everyone.
Happy grilling.
Let us know what you make.
CJ McD at 11:23AM on 06/13/09
For the vegatarian, make cheesburgers using Morningstar Farms Grillers
SavtaShayna at 5:30PM on 06/15/09
Your friends will love you if you grill halloumi cheese.
KBestOliver at 3:16PM on 06/19/09
@SavtaShayna, Morningstar Farms Grillers Prime is the best vegetarian burger I've ever had! And I'm a meat eater.
BangieB at 3:26PM on 06/19/09
@Pavlov...I'm with you.
dmcavanagh at 3:41PM on 06/19/09