Dairy free and vegetarian party food?

[MarsBar1993]

I am hosting a small birthday party at home for my sons birthday.

1 boy has a milk/dairy allergy, and another boy is vegetarian.

Without overcomplicating things what are some ideas for lunch I can give them ? Do I serve a kind of buffet lunch but then police what each child has? Sandwiches? Ahhh.

(Party is over lunch time!)

And I will be buying some dairy free cake also : )

Do you want one option that will cater for all?

@Coffeespill open to it, I'm wondering whether to

A- do picky bits like a mini buffet, but then wondering what do I put on there that is both vegetarian and dairy free.

B- making sandwiches in advance and just do simple fillings ie ham/jam/cheese which would cater hopefully for all children's choices. (With dairy free butter). I think I'm leaning towards this more, ie sandwich, crisps and fruit for lunch followed by cake

Option B would be the easiest option. Just double check crisp ingredients as some contain milk.

Flora is dairy free, not a ridiculous price and easy to find
(If going down the sandwich route)

@CCLCECSC thank you for the heads up!

The vegetarian is easy, plenty of simple options like cheese sandwiches or pizza, but for a more allergy safe option, how about vegetable crudités and breadsticks with hummus or other dairy free dips? My kids love cucumber, carrot and pepper sticks. Fruit kebabs are another allergy safe option that kids will enjoy.

How old are the kids?

@TwistofFate breadsticks and dip is a fab idea, thank you

They are 5/6.

Chickpea smush? Chickpeas mashed with dairy free mayo, salt pepper, gherkins and capers. Depending on how mashed you make it can be a sandwich filler of dipped into (bit of a change from humus)

The quickest/least preparation option is to gIve them each a bowl of penne in tomato sauce, some fruit and dairy free cake.

Tesco little frozen veggie sausage rolls (and probably other supermarkets too) are dairy free and vegetarian.
Do a few sandwiches and just let them know which is which, ham sandwiches with dairy free butter, cheese sandwiches, a lot of mayo is dairy free so could do tuna mayo for dairy free, egg mayo for veggie. Jam suits them all as you say,
Quorn nuggets are very convincing and vegan so good for all.

And (vegetarian) jelly with fruit in is partyish, or at least it used to be.

I think I'd do Jam, Marmite and egg sandwiches with df flora (or similar) spread. Veg sticks and quartered cherry toms , with hummus and mild salsa dips, df crisps, birthday cake made with df spread, dairy free ice cream (you can buy vegan magnums which are excellent, or for ice-cream to scoop Swedish glacé).

Then you don't have to worry - all the children can eat everything

Hi,
My daughter is dairy free.
Frozen sausage rolls are usually dairy free.
Some brands of party rings and bourbon are dairy free and vegetarian.
Also some brands of jam tarts.
We don't always go with the dairy free brands as they're more expensive.
Pom bear crisps are dairy free and other plain obviously.
If you use mayo there are some brands which now have milk in which us annoying.
If you wanted to go as far as birthday cake then lots of supermarket own birthday cakes are also dairy free as they're made with palm oil.
Have fun!

Anything marked Vegan will be dairy free so maybe easier to cater for both kids as milk gets put in many things you wouldn't expect. Aldi has a reasonable vegan range and is veganuary so supermarkets may have some extras in. Usually nuggets, burgers, pizza and ice creams in freezer, as only 2 kids worth checking what they'll eat before spending out.

My dairy allergic son had the following at his party: home made sausage rolls, pretzels, cut up fruit, sandwiches, crisps (many contain milk, so just check labels) and vegan rice krispie buns (just rice krispies and Nomo chocolate).

It's so lovely you're making the menu allergy friendly :)

That's a tall order! As it's veganuary you should be able to buy quite a lot however.

Lidl do a nice vegan French style pate in chilled section for sandwiches. Probably lots of snacks like vegan sausage rolls and vegan tortilla for hot stuff. As pp said hummus and crudités would be good. Fruit.

They should be happy with that :)

Sainsbury's vegan mayo is good, M+S is also nice, Asda do a vegan burger mayo
M+S do good vegan pizza
I get vegan jelly from a polish/ethnic shop or in the ethnic aisle of supermarket.
Morrisons do mini poppadoms in their ethnic aisle for about a pound they are really nice and a change from crisps.