Plotting For The Next Big Dinner

 As we're finishing off the Tahnksgiving leftovers our minds turn to - the next big meal or party. it seems almost too much. Yet  December First is just around the corner.It's going to be Christmas Chanukah and Knwanzaa before we know it. Throw in parties and tree trimming get togethers and then it really is time to come up with  menu plans.

It pays to map out the month ahead. Keep in mind people will be busy with finishing up semesters and getting ready for their office parties.It's good to plan parties and dinners on Saturday and Sundays. If people are occupied on Saturday night, then think a holiday brunch on late Sunday morning.Another must is figuring out what people will eat. Take into account that you may have  vegans and vegetarians invited.One idea is having both meat and meatless options like nuggets . You can get Tyson and Gardein or Impossible plant based chicken. These are great with all sorts of dipping sauces from ranch to barbecue.Impossible Meats also has plant based ribs for a fun appetizer.A great tree trimming meal is chili .This can be made quickly and it can have all sorts of ingredients in it.It could have beef turkey, beans and even tofu.It could be as spicy hot  as you and your guests want or comfortingly mild. Serve with crackers or cornbread.This last could be homemade or bought at your local grocery store. Finish with Mexican hot chocolate.

Hosts must also choose between sit down dinners or buffets. Sit down dinners require more planning. the other requires more food. What do you order for a sit down dinner? Is this also for Christmas? Do you serve turkey or ham? What about the sides? Will it include elegant vegetables along with a first course of soup or salad?Will guest have to dress up to enjoy this meal along with cups of punch? Buffets are much more informal but require a good choice of dishes, both savory and sweet. Here's where planning has to come in. A buffet lunch or dinner can be made easier if everyone is assigned a recipe. Make sure that there's an equal balance of savor and sweet along with hot and cold. You don't want ten guests to bring salads or variations of baked macaroni and cheese. Assign what each home chef is good at. If there are dupes then ask them what their second go to recipe is and they can make that. (you may have to have them go to their third and fourth dishes in some cases or switch them from savory to sweet and vice a versa if too many have the same specialty).

Is it time to plan so soon after Thanksgiving? Surprisingly yes! Start now for a month of parties and dinners. All that planning will pay off when you have a good dinner or party.

Vegan Tailgating Go Meatless

 Yes, it's tailgaiting time in the US. it's where rabid fans camp out in their local arean's parking lot and cook like crazy. There's a wide array of meats , from sausages to hot dogs, wings to hamburgers. Yet what do vegetarians and vegan have? Their own equally delicious menus!! It's time to go meatless!! Yay team vegan!

Of course you can have the same yummy burgers that meat loving fans enjoy. Beyond Burgers, Gardein and Impossible Burgers carry plant based patties that grill up just as good and crispy as the real thing. if you want a more authentic hjommade burger taste just give the burgers a very light dusting of onion powder.  They'll taste like those homemade ones with the chopped onion added to the mix. You can even make bacon cheeseburgers too.  Top the burgers with slices of Go Veggie cheddar and slices of Morningstar Farms bacon. The last should be made in the microwave ahead of time. They get their crispiest there. You can pack them in paper towels os they don't break or get crumbly.  Hot dogs are another fun tailgating food. Go for Field Roast ones that have a smoky flavor. These are also tasty grilled. You can turn them into cheese dogs with the addtion of vegan cheese or turn them into Chicago dragged through the garden dogs complete with chopped white onions, tomatoes , pickles and peppers.A squirt of mustard completes this. Try Field vegan sausage too with peppers for a Sicilian treat.

Chili always figures in tail gating parties. A vegan one is just as tasty and fun as one containing beef or turkey.The best soy "beef" crumbles come from Morningstar Farms or Gardein. Both brands have crumbles that cook up juicy and tender. Keep in mind this is one for hardy crowds so make it a two or three alarm one. What about  that staple of many an arean cookout chicken wings? There really aren't any comprable ones on the market yet however you can create your own version. Use seitan to emulate the chicken meat and bamboio sticks for the "bones". It's basically a dough made with flour and water and then boiled in vegetable bouillion, They're then fried in either peanut or grapeseed oil because these oils have a high smoke temp. Once they're done you can slather them in a spicy or bought homemade sauce. Another idea is cauliflower wings.First give them a thorough washing and then pat them dry.  Coat  them in a barbecue sauce and grill for a few minutes until the edges become charred.

Vegans can als have a delcious feast as they cheer on their favorite teams. It's easy with all the meat substitutes out there. You can have a tasty time with all sorts of fun vegetarian dishes.

No Meat Allowed Barbecue

 It's easier than ever to have a vegan barbecue these days. Impossible Burger and Beyond Meat make it possible along with some Morningstar Farm products.These are a healthy alternative to the real thing.

Beyond Meat and Impossible Meat have patties that taste just as beefy as any animal based hamburger. If you want to jazz them up a bit then dusr both sides with onion powder before grilling.This brings to mind our mothers and grandmothers; recipes that combined  ground beef with minced onions.  You could also try a dusting of chili powder to give them heat.For those dog lovers , try Morningstar Farms hot dogs. Brush with olive oil or melted I Can't Believe It's Not Butter for a crisper skin. Also think about adding Miyoko's vegan Shredded Cheddar along with chili sauce for an over the hot dog. Use the cheese on the burgers too for a tasty good for you cheeseburger.

Nowadays it's easy to have a meat free barbecue. There are so many plant based products to make this happen. Try them for a healthier grilling experience.