omg... OMG!! O-M-G...!!! HELP!!

[StarFire]

OKAY - I just got approached (now this is soooo weird).... by TWO different groups of people... asking for a RAW FOOD FEAST --

one wants it SATURDAY (10 people)--- HELLO - THAT'S TOMORROW!!! :eek:

and the other wants it on SUNDAY!!! (12 people) AAACCCKKK!! :eek:

okay - what to do - what to do... OMG....

I'm thinkin - I'll make coconut wraps tonight - I think I've got enough coconuts for Spring roll wrappers for Saturday's catered dinner.

I can make some quick tortillas for spicy tacos

oh gawd... those may not go well together...

okay --
saturday -
Vietnamese Style Raw spring roll wraps w spicy dipping sauce
a small sample of spicy tacos (very colorful)
oh god... help -- blank brain - blaankk.. I've gone blank!!

Rawbies - I need quick suggestions - can this be done - 2 catered events? I only have ONE 5 tray dehydrator (drat star for not ordering the 9 tray!)

then I need desserts for both nights -- and I don't even know what to do for Sunday... I could make a few spinach quiches for sunday...
I can't feed that to the people on saturday - cuz they just ate all that I had in the dehydrator a few minutes ago... (accck... that was my dinner!!)

one of the restaurants in town sent these people to my office cuz they were looking for a raw food restaurant -- so the owner of the restaurant sent them to me ... I'm gunna faint --- breaatheeeee.....

the one for Saturday asked me if $20 per person was enough to cover the meal!!! (faint again...) I said yes... is it?? it is isn't it... oh my gawd - what have I gotten myself into NOW???

I need menu suggestions... maybe something more simple... pesto over marinara - no wait - I mean marinara over pesto... http://i149.photobucket.com/albums/s43/FireStar_830/meow.gif SNAP OUT OF IT STAR!!!

SNOW.... RAWBIES --- HELP!!!! http://i149.photobucket.com/albums/s43/FireStar_830/faint.gif

[kaleidoscopeeyes]

Wow...how stressful! Are you sure this isn't going to be too much to handle? =/
Why not make a lot of simple meals?
There are a lot of soups where all you have to do is throw a few things in the blender and you're done.
A salad can be just a few chopped up veggies and some lettuce with garnish and a killer dressing
Not everything has to be dehydrated
Have you heard of Edible Arrangements? Try doing something like they do with fruit, a fruit bouquet of sorts.
GOOD LUCK!

[Barbie2]

I may have a few ideas-

How about a beautiful fruit salad, cut up vegetables with a raw dip or dips, strawberries dipped in raw chocolate, a huge veggie salad, raw crackers with a raw cheese, or raw ravioli with sauce of choice. Serve it buffet style. Also have nuts, dried fruit, etc for snacking.

Just some simple ideas. Remember simple is also elegant and very tasty. :)

Also... remember to : BREATHE!

Barb

[beppa66]

Fudge. Cheesecake. Hummus & Veggies (or ranch dip). Alissa's Chili. Collard wraps. A BIG Salad. Rawvioli with pesto or marinara. A few pizza's or cheese bread. Um, eggless eggsalad on onion bread. Fruit salad in pineapple boats would be pretty. Some sort of soup would be good.

If it were me I'd steer clear of too much dehydrated stuff as it takes so long.

Stuffed portabello mushroom caps are always a big hit.
Mango or pineapple coconut ice cream.

All stuff you can prepare in advance.

$20 a person will be cutting it close, so try to use seeds in place of nuts where possible.

YAY! Good luck!!!

SNOW???? Where are you girl???

[StarFire]

I LOOOOVE YOU ALL!!!!! yes... it sounds easier --- very do'able simple...

breathe.... okay - I'm breathing....
truth be told - I was so shocked when they showed up -- I was just going to cut into a spinach mushroom quiche, so of course I offered them a taste -- they loved it wanted more - so -- I got the rest from the dehydrator and gotta admit... I did love all the oooos and the ahhhhhsss and the OMGaaawdssssss!!! :D

SO - of course caught up in the moment - I happily volunteered my services .... then they left and THEN i remembered I'm ALREADY doing a catererd event on SUNDAY... and then.... i fainted...

this guy is from NY and he looooved my food! He said he's been to many raw food restaurants and he loooooved my foood!! (I of course did tell him these were not my recipes ....) but he was still very complementary! and when he left he said --'I'm so glad to have met you - this will be the best meal I will have had on this entire trip!'.....

omg!! I was so excited - until reality set in.... :eek:

http://i149.photobucket.com/albums/s43/FireStar_830/gen161.gif

[sekhmut]

No helpful advice I'm afraid, but I wish you the best of luck and hope your plans run as smoothly as possible! :D xx

[ShelShel]

What about nori rolls (Alissa's recipe) with a raw stir-not-fry(rawvolution)? Like an asian meal.
Or Angel Hair Pasta with Marinara?(Alissa's) With onion bread on the side? (rawvolution)

Serving either with a large lovely salad...the one with an asian seasame dressing, the other with a vinaigrette.

Dessert could be fresh fruit salad with a lovely raw cream or maybe Alissa's cannoli for the italian meal.

Just some ideas...hope you think of what is simple, easy...cost affective and enjoy the whole experience or what is the point. ;)

God bless, you will be in my prayers all weekend. Can't wait to hear how it all turns out. Raw (((HUGS)))

[snowdrop]

wow honey!!!!
i can feel your panic!
i was just done with dinner here and folding laundry when i figured i would do a quick look-see-here in the new posts...
YIKES tomorrow??? :eek: :eek: :eek:

i would recommend you make what YOU love the best, because u will make it well under pressure, second nature.
think about the mexican feasts you have inhaled...
sure it's alot of stuff individually, but they will fill right up and not as much will be needed.
i even saw sunflower seeds being used in the nacho sauce here in the posts recently.

dessert.
i always impress people with either the cheesecake or the brownies with avo frosting... they can never figure out how i made it taste like dunken heinz.

i will think some more....
congrats you raw chef you!!!!
xoxoxoxo
snow

[raw_danceruk]

How about mini quiches?? carmella's little ones..those look great-- perhaps do the two different bases??

Eeee I am so excited for youuu :D Such an awesome opportunity..you will raw-k as always Star :D

[beppa66]

Go STAR GO!!! PS. I sent you an email.

[Ginger]

I would do spring rolls, nori rolls and stir'fry' one day and a mexican feast the other day. It's all easy stuff and not alot of dehydrating depending which recipes you choose.

GOODLUCK!! Sounds like a LOT of fun!! :D

[KittyMommy]

It's touching to see that, after sticking it out through your December "rough spot," you're getting confirmation of your path and choices. :-)

[rawgreenyogini]

Way to go girl!!!

Woo-Hoo!


Sending you and email.....

[shashibala]

Congratulations!!!! StarFire is breakin' out!!!!!!!!!
Do you have helpers?? Gather the willing and delegate as possible.
We are all there chopping next to you in spirit!
;) :) ;) :)

[subbacultcha]

You could make the veggies and sauce from Snowdrop's sesame chicken recipe! They are so insanely good and don't need long in the dehydrator or anything. I made them yesterday and I'm still thinking about them :rolleyes:

[subbacultcha]

Also - everyone loves desserts, you could try the raw versions of the classic American ones - cheesecake, brownies, pumpkin pie, apple pie, or ice cream!

[Conscious Midwife]

Assorted pates that you can wrap in nori, bib lettuce or romine

Basic flax crackers

Alissa Fudge Balls rolled in coconut

Pull out the vitamixer for a soup and an icecream

Remember presentation is everything, ganish with edible fleurs and have big chunks of avacado available oh plus babay cocunuts with umbrellas and straws.

$20 per person is probabaly enough for the food but may not be profitable enough for your labor.

But it will be fun!!

take lots of pics and build yourself a portfolio:D :D

KUDOS

[rawstrawberry]

Yahoo, I would up the price though I get a lot of events catered and wow that is low!

Raw food takes so much time, work and love...really.

You could do mexican Tacos in romain leaves, with spicy walnuts, refried beans, guacomole, crackers etc. Pini Colodas

Dessert, Keylime Avocado mousse or make it chocolate. Mini cheesecakes or walnut fudge.

You could do mini pizzas with stuffed collard wraps with fruit fondue for dessert.

hmm all I can think of for now...

YOU CAN DO IT!

rs

[Raw Jewelrylady]

Star, Congrats !!!!:) You can do this!

I would make this simple on myself & stick to theme meals(same menu for both days) with any type of dessert. I may be repeating some of the other suggestions, but here goes~

Example for Italian:

pesto stuffed mushrooms are a great hit, a big salad, maybe a ranch dip & veggies, lasagne & date nut torte for desert.

Mexican:

Guac & veggies, taco (romaine) roll-ups with refrieds, salsa & cheese & brownies for dessert.

You're getting my drift. Stay away from long to dehydrate things as you just don't have the time.

Have fun & you'll be the HIT of the party!!!:)

Lana

[StarFire]

I cannot tell you how grateful I am for these suggestions...and after beppa's comment about cutting it close - I did call the guy back - and he was so cool... didn't even let me explain - just said 'howz about $40 per person!'.... so I think I'll be okay there!

Sunday will also involve some teaching and kids -- I'm not as stressed about that day b/c I mostly had that planned out.

The morniing will start out by showing them how to set up the kitchen for ease of un~cooking (at least what's logical to me). continue soaking some cashews for cheesecake and macadamia nuts for the crust. (actually - they will already be soaked - but I want them to learn how to do it)....

once the kitchen is set up and the nuts are 'soaking' it's out to the garden. I will be doing everything from showing them the proper way to gather flowers and greenery in Hawaii (according to our culture), we will be making a center piece for the table -- along with head leis, wrist leis - (and ankle leis if time permits.)

then back to the kitchen to make the dessert -- get that into the freezer

back out to the lanai to finish our leis and flower arrangements...

then back to the kitchen to make some of Alissa's fudge balls, Ani phyo's donut holes.... and my corn salsa salad -- put that all in the fridge - and start chopping the veggies for the spring rolls, get them marinating ...
well -- I guess you don't need a play by play of my plan -- lol -- sorry!!

I'll take pics of the kids making leis and uncooking - it should be fun!

All of your comments calmed me down -- I'm narrowing it down to Mexian or Asian -- I'm leaning towards asian -- it will be very different than the spinach quiches they ate here today. (I was kinda not wanting to duplicate both meals - but really -- neither one will know what the other is having! So- I might duplicate some of the items!

okay... I soooo appreciate all of you.... thank you sooo much!!

http://i149.photobucket.com/albums/s43/FireStar_830/ththliloandstitchhug.gif btw - I choose the fudge balls cuz I'm sure the little girls present will be able to do that all by themselves!!!

[herbalgirl]

$40 a person! That is great! Wow. :D

I was going to suggest Alissa's crepes as I loooooooove them, but those dang bananas take a while to dehydrate. Maybe that'd work for the Sunday crew??

I agree about making things that YOU like. You have the recipes down pat and you know they taste great, etc.

I'll be thinking of you this weekend. What an awesome opportunity!

[StarFire]

$40 a person! That is great! Wow. :D

I was going to suggest Alissa's crepes as I loooooooove them, but those dang bananas take a while to dehydrate. Maybe that'd work for the Sunday crew??

I agree about making things that YOU like. You have the recipes down pat and you know they taste great, etc.

I'll be thinking of you this weekend. What an awesome opportunity!

I would soooo love to make the crepes -- those RAWK!! but I'll be needing the dehydrator for the spring roll wrappers - but at least those dehydrate quick - good thing cuz I'm gunna have to make about 3 batches I think! :eek:

I really wish I had gotten the 9 tray dehydrator from Alissa rather than the 5 tray!!!

That will be on my wish list - right after VITAMIXer!!! :D

http://i149.photobucket.com/albums/s43/FireStar_830/smiley_dance.gif

[kaleidoscopeeyes]

:eek: You don't have a VitaMix? WHOA, you're doing all this without one? That's amazing!


And way to go for taking on this challenge! I'll be thinking of you and sending out good rawvibes ^^

[beckx]

congrats star! that's awesome.

i've read that you can dehydrate at slightly higher than 115 because the temperature of the food isn't going to be as high. in the last week i've gone as high as 130 and the internal temperature of the food was warm but not too hot to go right into my mouth so i figured it was true... i say that because it can really speed up drying time.

(and if someone knows otherwise and i'm actually killing my food, please let me know!)

[Marcus]

Romaine and Iceburg Lettuce salad with raspberry vinaigrette dressing.

Go get 'em girl!!!! :)

[Raw Jewelrylady]

Sounds so good to me Star that I may fly in for a visit & taste !!!!:) :D :)

I'm sure it will be a Megga hit & $40 is GREAT~You deserve it!!!:)

RJL

[StarFire]

:eek: You don't have a VitaMix? WHOA, you're doing all this without one? That's amazing!


And way to go for taking on this challenge! I'll be thinking of you and sending out good rawvibes ^^


kaleidoscopeeyes.... LOOOOVE THE AVATAR PIC... WHAT A CUTIE YOU ARE!!!:D thanks for the good rawVibes - I'll need it... and no -- no vitamix....

my cheesecake is never as smooth as it should be - but if you soak the cashews longer - they will get a bit 'smooth' in a fp! But I always explain that if they had a vitamix or high power blender of some sort - the chessecake will be wonderfully silkie and smoooooth!! yummm.... :D

http://i149.photobucket.com/albums/s43/FireStar_830/23_30_109.gif

[StarFire]

thanks so much for the tips everyone!

I love raspberry vinegarette dressing Marcus - it's one of my favorites!!

and thanks beckx - I did up the temperature on my D - beppa let me know that b/c of the moisture here in Hawaii (high humidity I guess is the proper way to say it!) that I could up the temp - so i've been experimenting with that and I am amazed at what a difference that makes!

and RJL..... hop on a plane and comeon over! get you out of that snow for a while!! I'll teach you how to make a lei!

rawk on!

Every one - thank you so much - I seriously panicked there and my mind DID GO COMPLETELY BLANK!! so glad to have you here to come running to!!

http://i149.photobucket.com/albums/s43/FireStar_830/grouphugsmiley1.gif

[eachpeachpearplum]

Sorry don't have time to read through all posts but her it goes, all WITHOUT a dehydrator:

1. I use snowdrops S & S sauce for Chop Suey (Carmella site)
2. RFRW chocolate Ganache
3. RFRW Carrot lime soup (you will need 1 coconut & 1 avocado here)
4. Basic date nut torte - might be an old stand by but they will love it!
5. Ginger lemon spritzer (grate ginger, juice lemon plus agave & bubbly water)
6. Almost Tuna in marinated mushrooms
7. Pasta premavera - Carmellas site

Well done and congratulations! PLEASE TAKE PHOTOS! I'm so happy for you:p

Cheers,

EPPP
http://i171.photobucket.com/albums/u294/rawfood/Congratulations.gif

[blaqberry]

How did everything go?? Inquiring minds want to know! :)


hahaha... I just noticed that rhymed! :p

[subbacultcha]

Yeah, please tell us what you made and how it went :)

[ReneeH]

CALLING STAR!!!!! CALLING STAR!!!! WHERE ARE YOU!!!! Oh, :o it's only one in the morning in Hawaii!!!! :o Sorry!!!!! (WHISPERING....) Hey, post when you get up!!!! :)

[snowdrop]

check out star's blog for the update from saturday!!!!
:) :p :D