If you like hosting small get-togethers with friends but are hesitant to do so during the hectic holiday season, read on for some ideas and suggestions that everyone will enjoy. Keeping it simple and fun will allow you and your guests plenty of time to relax, catch up, and have a really good time.
Beginnings
Everyone wants to escape from the daily grind. Set the mood with candles, twinkle lights and great music playing in the background when your guests arrive. Have a variety of beverages on hand: wine, beer, non-alcoholic drinks, and sparkling water. To make it special, use festive, gem-toned glasses from a retail store such as Christmas Tree Shops. They are inexpensive and if they accidentally get broken, it’s no big deal!
Cheese and crackers are a party staple. In the past, most vegan cheeses left much to be desired. Times are changing and there are many new brands available that are rich, creamy and delicious. I was recently introduced to Miyoko Schinner’s products. She’s from California and has been at it a while, developing the most intriguing flavors like High Sierra Rustic Alpine, French Style Winter Truffle and Aged English Sharp Farmhouse. They are fantastic and getting rave reviews!
Chips and guacamole are easy to prepare and a crowd favorite. Sprinkle pomegranate seeds on top for a colorful touch. A couple of great websites to learn more about these powerhouse fruits are californiaavocado.com and pomegranates.org.
The Main Event
Some entrees and sides take a long time to prepare and coordinate. Baking times vary and keeping everything warm can be a challenge. One way to get around this is to have a pizza party so guests can create whatever they want. Everyone starts with an individual pizza pan and dough (homemade or bought). The secret to a crispy crust is to spray the pan so it won’t stick while cooking, and par-bake it for 5 to 10 minutes at about 425 degrees. Onions can be added so they cook a bit more and don’t have that raw taste when the pizza is done. Set out bowls with sauce, veggies (peppers, mushrooms, broccoli), cheeses (Daiya brand mozzarella, cheddar, and jalepeno) and vegan sausage or “chicken” tenders. Let your guests assemble their personal pan pizza any way they like and pop them all into the oven. In fifteen minutes, dinner is served, each pizza a unique creation.
Sweet Endings
If you’re short on time, bake a batch of brownies and have multiple flavors of vegan ice creams and toppings available. Include standard vanilla along with a fruit flavor like raspberry and something seasonal such as peppermint. Add syrup, crushed candy canes, and coconut whipped cream for a delicious, personalized sundae.
When not in a hurry, take the time to create something fabulous to impress your guests. Plan it out in advance and do as much prep as you can the day before. Pastry chef and Main Street Vegan Academy instructor Fran Costigan is my my go-to gal for decadent desserts. Recently, I made “Brooklyn Blackout Cake” from her latest book Vegan Chocolate. It’s a three-layer fudge cake filled and topped with rich and creamy chocolate pudding. A fourth layer is crumbled and sprinkled on the top for a stunning presentation. I made the cake and pudding the day before assembled it an hour before guests arrived. Everyone ooh’d and ahh’d when they saw it and said it tasted like a slice of heaven!
The holidays are hectic so keep it simple means you can spend more time with friends and family. My wish is for all beings everywhere to be happy and free, and enjoy this special time of year.
Lynne Agnew obtained her Vegan Lifestyle Coach and Educator (VLCE) certification at the inaugural MSV Academy. Since then, she left the corporate world to pursue her passions of travel, writing, and private coaching. She is also a small business counselor and member of the Marketing/Client engagement committee for the greater Binghamton, NY, chapter of SCORE. She is currently working on a new blog, website, and creating fabulous vegan desserts in her upstate New York home.
Such great ideas! It’s so easy to have things ready before guests arrive giving you time to socialize and less time to work!
Lynne, I love it. Little did we know 2 1/2 years ago what a rich and bountiful group of friends and colleagues we were creating when Victoria first launched MSVA. I count you among my blessings.
Carol S.