There is a good chance that the omnivores in your life outnumber those who are on a plant-based diet. This alone can be enough to make you think that hosting a vegan party is off the table for you.
Well, this isn’t necessarily true. Just because your non-vegan friends don’t share your views on food (and cruelty-free lifestyle) doesn’t mean that you can’t entertain at your home.
Sure, you are going to have to get a little creative but this can actually be rather fun.
So, if you want to host a dinner party that is suitable for vegans and omnivores alike, this can certainly be done. Just follow the tips mentioned here:
Consider a Cuisine Theme
Do you want to distract your guests from the fact that you are throwing a vegan dinner party?
Then you may just want to consider following a theme. In particular, consider sticking to a particular type of international cuisine.
So, what makes this such a genius idea? Well, the fact that there are many countries that boast amazing vegetarian cuisines.
With a little tweaking, these traditional dishes can easily be made vegan.
For instance, India is a country that has numerous vegetarian options. By swapping out the ghee, yogurt, and paneer, you will have unlimited opportunities for flavorful vegan fare.
Israel, too, is another region known for vegetarian options. With hummus, pita, falafels, and more to choose from, your guests will certainly not go hungry.
Of course, there’s no need to limit yourself with traditionally vegetarian cuisines. If you do a little digging, you will discover that many cultures have a few vegetarian or vegan gems.
Take Italy for example – from flatbreads to vegan pasta, there are a surprising number of vegan dishes to prepare.
As you can see, by sticking with just one cuisine, you can make your job as a host or hostess a lot easier.
Potluck or No?
The problem with hosting a dinner party as a vegan is that you often have to balance your beliefs with being a good host(ess). This means that you have to consider the possibility that some of your guests are really not going to be looking forward to eating vegan fare.
In fact, there may be some that will not enjoy the dishes, regardless of how tasty they are.
In such a scenario, you have two options. The first is to simply to go ahead and only make vegan dishes anyway.
After all, if those individuals don’t want a vegan experience, they have the option of simply staying away from the party altogether.
Or, they can choose to come and have their horizons broadened a little bit.
Then there is the second option. In this scenario, you can ask individuals to bring their own dishes to the party.
As you can imagine, this isn’t something many vegans would be happy with.
After all, you have worked hard to keep your household vegan. The thought of someone bringing meat into your home can be rather revolting.
In the end, it is up to you to decide which route you are most comfortable with. If you decide that you want the meal to be completely vegan, there is absolutely nothing wrong with that.
It is your home and your guests should respect your wishes.
Pick Vegan Alcohol
If you thought that all alcohol was vegan, think again. Yes, most liquor is derived from plants and in this sense, it is cruelty-free.
However, it is the manufacturing and filtering process that you have to watch out for.
Here, there are a number of alcohols that can be filtered with the help of gelatin or egg whites.
Now, there is no point looking at the label to discover what these ingredients are.
Companies that make alcohol aren’t actually required to put them down. This is why you may have been in the dark about which beverages were vegan or not.
Fortunately, figuring things out has gotten a lot easier thanks to vegan directories such as Barnivore.com.
This site has done an impressive amount of research to determine what brands are vegan and which ones you should stay away from.
The good news is that most hard liquors like vodka, tequila, whiskey, and rum are completely vegan.
So, you can always whip up some delicious cocktails to get the evening started off. Or, set up a bar with vegan ingredients so that your guests can help themselves.
Choose Your Ingredients Carefully
Most vegans will quite happily eat “mock meats”. This, of course, is because you have made a conscious decision about your new diet and lifestyle.
Omnivores, on the other hand, haven’t taken this leap. So, if you present these kinds of dishes to them, there is a good chance they will not go for it.
This is why your best option is to opt for a few “meaty” vegetables instead. These are veggies that have a texture similar to that of various meats.
At the same time, they are quite wholesome and filling as well, making them perfect for mains. These vegetables include mushrooms, jackfruit, beets, cauliflower, and eggplant.
So, what about vegan cheeses, milk, and similar products? Well, for these, you may want to get the opinion of an omnivore friend. Run a taste test and try to figure out which ingredients are most suitable as alternatives.
By getting unbiased opinion, you will find it easier to pick items that will appeal to everyone around your dinner table.
Inquire About Allergies
On a similar note, think about some of the common allergies that people may have. Now, if it involves something like dairy, shellfish, or eggs this will not be a problem.
However, if one of your guests is allergic to nuts, tree nuts, or soy, you do need to be aware of it.
After all, there are many vegan foods made from soy. There are also plenty of dairy-free cheeses that are made of nuts.
To avoid making anyone ill, inquire whether there are certain items that will make them ill if ingested.
Have a Balance of Traditional and Non-Traditional Dishes
Then, it is about figuring out what dishes to make. Before doing this, you may want to think about the people you are inviting.
Are they people with adventurous taste buds who don’t mind experimenting with new foods? Or, are the individuals who tend to stick with traditional fare?
Your dishes should suit the people you are inviting. If your guests have conservative tastes in food, present them with options that they are familiar with.
This way, there will be a greater chance that they enjoy what they’re eating.
If you end up with a more courageous bunch, though, this is excellent news. In this case, you can afford to get a little creative with your dishes.
Of course, avoid making your food too bland as the flavor is key when dressing up vegetarian dishes.
Have a mixed group? Well, then balance it out with both traditional and non-traditional foods.
This way, if anyone is interested in trying something new, the option will be available to them.
Stick with What You Know
If you are an avid cook, then it can be tempting to want to experiment with new dishes to impress your guests.
However, if a majority of them are omnivores, you are already treading on thin ice.
Now is not the time to try out a dish you have never cooked before.
Remember, at your dinner party, you have just one shot to get things right. Therefore, it is best to stick to the dishes that you have been complimented on many times before.
This will guarantee that your food is well-received.
If you really want to try out something new, give yourself time to work on that dish. Flex your cooking skills a week or two before and see how it turns out.
If you get rave reviews, then you can go ahead and serve it at your party as well.
Make an Impact with Dessert
Ah, dessert. The crowning moment of any dinner party. Therefore, make an effort with dessert rather than serving up what’s easiest.
A great way to rid people of notions of vegan desserts is to opt for something that is chocolate-y and indulgent.
Brownies, cakes, and pies are all an excellent way to go. If baking isn’t your forte, though, you should look up vegan bakeries or home bakers.
They are sure to provide more options than you could have possibly imagined. What’s more, they may be able to do a better job as well, such as with presentation.
If you have been dying to throw a vegan party for a mixed-group, these are the guidelines you will need. With these in hand, you are sure to make any event you throw a complete success.
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