Once a month my craft group of about 20 senior citizens ladies has a buffet birthday lunch. I need some recipes that are a little special, thrifty, use common ingredients, and suitable for diabetic diets. Because we have a 2 hour class before the luncheon, the food must be prepared early in the morning or the night before. A refrigerator and microwave is available. If the recipe serves 6 to 8 it would be enough, as one spoonful from each dish soon fills a plate. I prefer veggie or salad recipes, but one using some meat would work for me also.