What gluten-free, vegetarian/vegan small bites/snacks/desserts can I make for a party this weekend in an underequipped kitchen (no oven, mixer, etc.)?

My kitchen is very limited--no oven, food processor, mixer; minimal bowls, etc.--and I want to make some easy gluten-free, vegetarian/vegan snacks for a Hanukkah/housewarming party. Help please?

meraviglia
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12 Comments

nancy E. December 17, 2014
A lovely date with a candied pecan in place of the pit. sprinkle with icing sugar. yum
 
luvcookbooks December 17, 2014
Oh and soup in small cups. Just had a puréed cauliflower soup w garlic and red pepper flakes that was vegan and gf.
 
luvcookbooks December 17, 2014
Stuffed grape leaves.
 
diana G. December 17, 2014
I forgot to add...she has a category for gluten free to make navigation easier. Everything here is vegan and gluten free... many of her recipes only require a blender.
 
diana G. December 17, 2014
Check out Angela Liddon's vegan website "oh she glows": http://ohsheglows.com/categories/recipes-2/
Every single recipe I've tried from this site is amazing. I'm sure you will find things to make.
 
Donna M. December 16, 2014
I'm not a big appetizer person, but I just saw these over on smittenkitchen and think they look terrific - beautiful and delicious both! They're vegetarian, but not vegan (goat cheese). http://smittenkitchen.com/blog/2014/12/endives-with-oranges-and-almonds/
 
trampledbygeese December 16, 2014
Hummus with rice crackers is always a happy food for the gluten free and vegan crowd.

Hummus: can chick peas, drained. Drizzle sesame oil (optional). Garlic (to taste). Salt (to taste). Pure or blitz until smooth, adding olive oil as needed for texture to make smooth paste. Tahini optional (but I usually leave it out as it can trigger allergies). But how to make it without a blitzer? Got a potato masher? Once I made this by combining the ingredients, then mashing the heck out of it with the back of a wooden spoon. Took about 30 min, but was this most delicious textured dip.

Have a gander at the justbento site: http://justbento.com/recipes Most of these can be easily made a head of time, travel well and are good at room temp. She labels the ones that are vegan appropriate.

My personal holiday favourite for this time of year is severely bowls of nuts (so long as no nut allergies) in shell with nutcracker, dried fruits, tiny oranges, dates, figs, &c. It's surprising how well this can satisfy and fill up a crowd. You might have to eat a few in front of the other guests so that they know it's food and not just display.

A couple on this site that have caught my eye:
https://food52.com/recipes/919-smoky-fried-chickpeas
https://food52.com/recipes/15317-orange-blossom-candied-cranberries (may not be vegan with the sugar - but looks delicious and could be coated in something like coconut instead of sugar)

I've never had a Hanukkah, but I always associate it with fried foods(which is stove top and good for someone without an oven) - perhaps you could make miniature versions of some of the more popular dishes as finger food? This looks vegan: https://food52.com/recipes/32569-sweet-potato-latkes-with-wilted-fenugreek-greens . I don't know if sweet potato or yams have gluten in them though.

Let us know what you make.
 
dinner A. December 16, 2014
Spanish tortilla (veg. but not vegan) is simple to make and cooks on the stove. It's often served at room temperature in small wedges as a tapas snack, so it works great for a party buffet. It tastes good on its own, but you could spiff it up with a dollop of store-bought romesco sauce.
 
ktr December 16, 2014
You could make stuffed dates. Stuff them with almonds or pecans (maple roasted pecans are great for this.)
 
trampledbygeese December 16, 2014
Great idea.

Just one word of caution, some dates are coated with sugar which most vegans won't eat due to animal products used in the processing. Best to buy dates with an ingredients list (ie, not bulk bin) so you can be sure they are unsweetened.
 
jilhil December 16, 2014
There's always hummus or white bean dip - since you don't have a food processor buy a good one and add in flavorings like lemon zest or chopped green olives, or minced green onion. Serve with assorted vegetables and gluten free crackers.

For an easy to dessert you can make these raw coconut cookies:

3 cups shredded, unsweetened coconut
2 cups almond flour
3/4 cup cocoa power, sieved to break up any lumps
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon instant espresso powder (optional, but really nice)
2 tablespoons vanilla
1/2 cup maple syrup
Scant 1/2 cup coconut oil

Mix the coconut, almond flour, cocoa, salt and espresso powder together in a large bowl. Combine the maple syrup, coconut oil and vanilla in a small bowl then stir into the dry ingredients. Roll spoonfuls of the mixture into truffle sized cookies - makes about 3 dozen. Store in the refrigerator.
 
jilhil December 16, 2014
Sorry - I forgot to specify that the coconut oil should be melted....
 
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