| As a vegetarian, you almost certainly already | | | | together well even without the addition of burger |
| know the disappointment involved in trying to find | | | | or ham. When selecting these recipes, it is critical |
| good food to eat at any parties you go to. You | | | | to follow each recipe punctiliously and not make |
| most likely usually offer to bring something for | | | | any substitutions. This is important because items |
| the host so that you know there'll be at lesat | | | | you may substitute into the recipes may contain |
| ONE thing at the party that you can eat. This | | | | animal products. Making these substitutions will |
| year, why not take matters into your own hands | | | | result in your dishes not being totally vegetarian. |
| and host your own New Year's Eve party - with | | | | Alternately an alternative way to offer a various |
| vegetarian food all around. There are tons of | | | | vegetarian menu is to make the event a potluck. |
| wonderful vegetarian dishes to choose from. You | | | | However, if almost all of the guests are not salad |
| could even prepare cards labeling some of your | | | | munchers, they may have difficulty deciding what |
| more exotic dishes on the buffet ( this is | | | | to bring and might also inadvertently include |
| particularly beneficial for ethnic foods ) so people | | | | ingredients with animal products in the food. In this |
| know what they are going to be eating. As a | | | | example, suggest what you'd like your guests to |
| party favor, you could print a little recipe book or | | | | bring -'Jim, you're making a mean guacamole, |
| recipe cards with instructions on how to prepare a | | | | would you mind whipping that up and bring it along |
| couple of your favorite dishes. ( Who knows, | | | | with some salsa and chips?', 'Erin, I loved that |
| maybe they'll make it the next time they invite | | | | hummus and pita bread you served last summer... |
| you over to their house! | | | | Would you mind bringing that along to share?' |
| Though some salad munchers, particularly those | | | | Another important thing to remember when |
| that eat vegetarian for health reasons, rather | | | | planning a vegetarian New Years Eve party is that |
| than moral or environmental reasons may opt to | | | | it is important to make sure the guests are |
| prepare meat-based dishes to serve along side | | | | mindful of your intentions. This is particularly |
| vegetarian foods, many salad munchers do not | | | | important if the event is going to be a potluck. it's |
| like cooking beef and will decide to test their | | | | also pleasantness even if you'll be preparing all of |
| guests with a new and various menu of | | | | the food so that the guests know what to |
| vegetarian party foods. | | | | expect when they attend the party. Some |
| Another nice perk of serving vegetarian food is | | | | meat-eaters are extraordinarily wary about trying |
| that it can be less expensive. Though, if you go | | | | new dishes, so be sure to have some staples out |
| hell for leather for fresh berries and fruit ( which | | | | that everyone will love. Bread, fruit, pretzels, chips |
| isn't in season around New Year's Eve ) or a large | | | | and nuts are great vegetarian options that are |
| amount of fancy wines and cheeses, your party | | | | popular among 'main stream' dieters also. |
| may not be too cost-effective. One way to cut | | | | Remember, as the host of your party, the most |
| back on the cost of the party is to substitute | | | | vital role you can play is to be certain your |
| hearty vegetarian dishes in the place of the more | | | | visitors are comfortable and having a fab time. |
| expensive beef dishes. If properly prepared, most | | | | Inspire them to get to grasp each other by |
| guests won't even miss the presence of the | | | | helping set up new conversational partners, plan |
| meat. Heavy soups that are familiar to | | | | some exciting pastimes (like toasting in the New |
| meat-eaters ( like bean chili, black bean soup, or | | | | Year 'around the world' each time the clock hits a |
| split pea soup ) are a great choice as the tastes | | | | new hour), and confirm everybody driving home |
| and appearance are familiar and the tastes mix | | | | is fit to do so. |