About Karen McLaughlin, M.Sc., RD Expertise I can address issues related to the nutritional value of a vegetarian or vegan diet, or particular vegetarian foods. I can also provide suggestions for recipes and vegetarian substitutes for nonvegetarian foods.
Experience I am a Registered Dietitian with a private practice in vegetarian/vegan nutrition, and the mother of two young boys who keep me challenged to provide healthy yet tasty vegan foods!
Organizations College of Dietitians of Ontario
Publications Hamilton Spectator
Education/Credentials Master of Science, Clinical nutrition
Bachelor of Applied Science, Clinical nutrition
Expert: Karen McLaughlin, M.Sc., RD Date: 5/10/2005 Subject: Vegetarian Birthday Party for Kids
Question -------------------------
What would you recommend for ice cream and cake?
Question -
I would like to know of some vegetarian party foods for a 1yr old birthday party. Me and my family are vegetarians and the party is for my twin girls. I don't want to spoil the other guest with my vegetarian lifestyle. I want it to be fun for everyone!
Answer -
Hi Jamie,
I would suggest something very simple like a vegetarian sloppy joe's (made with crumbled tofu or a vegetarian mock ground beef like Yves Veggie Ground Round). That is something that your 1 yr olds should be able to enjoy that older guests would like as well. Another possibility is a vegetarian lasagna, which could be cut up finely for your girls, or a smaller pasta like spirals or shells with a tomato-based sauce. If there are other children attending that are a bit older, serve some sliced up fruits and vegetables with a tasty dip on the side to accompany either of these meal suggestions.
Hope that helps!
Karen
Answer Hi Jamie,
Sorry I didn't address ice cream and cake last time - I thought since you were asking for vegetarian options that this wasn't an issue - now I am guessing you are vegan?
Here are a couple of vegan cake recipes from the Vegetarian Resource Group:
ALL-IN-ONE VEGAN CHOCOLATE CAKE
(Serves 8)
This sure to be a party pleaser!
1/2 cup soft soy margarine
1 Tablespoon vinegar
1 cup soy milk
1 - 2/3 cups all-purpose white flour
2/3 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
1-1/2 cups sweetener
1-1/2 teaspoons baking soda
1 teaspoon salt
2 teaspoons Ener-G Egg Replacer
1/4 cup water
1 teaspoon vanilla
1/2 cup water
Put vinegar in cup and add soy milk. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Spray 2 round layer pans, 8" x 1-1/2", with Pam, or slightly oil and flour.
Place flour, cocoa, sweetner, baking soda, and salt in large bowl of electric mixer, and mix together well with spoon. Mix Ener-G Egg Replacer and 1/4 cup water until smooth. Add margarine, vanilla, soured soy milk, 1/2 cup water, and mixed egg replacer to dry ingredients in bowl. Beat with electric mixer for 3 minutes at medium speed, scraping bowl frequently. Pour into prepared pans.
Bake for 30 to 35 minutes at 350 degrees, or until wooden toothpick inserted in center of cake comes out clean. Remove from oven and let cool in pans for 5 minutes. Remove from pans and cool on cake rack until cold Frost as desired.
Total calories per serving (without frosting): 250
Total Fat as % of Daily Value: 12% Fat 8 gm
Protein: 3gm Carbohydrate: 44 gm
Calcium: 20 mg Iron: 3 mg Sodium: 456 mg
Dietary Fiber: 1 gm
VANILLA CAKE
(Serves 8)
Here's a simple white cake recipe.
1/2 cup soft soy margarine
2-3/4 cups all-purpose white flour
2 1/2 teaspoons baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 teaspoons Ener-G Egg Replacer
1/4 cup water
3/4 cup soy milk
1/2 cup water
1-3/4 cups sugar
1-1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
Spray two round 8" x 1-2/3" pans with Pam, or lightly oil and flour. Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
Combine flour, baking powder, and salt and set aside. Mix Egg Replacer and 1/4 cup water and set aside. Mix soy milk and 1/2 cup water, and set aside.
In large bowl of electric mixer, beat soy margarine until it is creamy, about a minute. Gradually add sugar until well creamed. Beat in vanilla. Add mixed dry ingredients and mixed soy milk/water alternately to creamed margarine, sugar, and vanilla, beating after each addition. Begin and end with flour mixture. (Add flour in 4 steps, liquids in three.) Add mixed Ener-G along with the third addition of liquid. Turn evenly into pans.
Bake at 375 degrees for 30 to 35 minutes, or until done (wooden pick inserted into cake comes out clean). Remove from oven and let cool on cake rack for 10 minutes. Remove from pans and let cool on rack until cold. Frost as desired.
Total calories per serving (without frosting): 295
Total fat as % of daily value: 12% Fat: 8 gm
Protein: 5 gm carbohydrates: 54 gm
Calcium: 69 mg Sodium: 298 mg
Dietary Fiber: 1 gm
There is also a detailed article on how to convert non-vegan cake recipes to vegan-friendly ones at: vrg.org/recipes/vegancakes.htm
As for ice cream, you could try a fruit sorbet (orange, raspberry, or lime are usually kid friendly) or a good quality soy "ice cream" such as Soy Delicious.
