Friday, December 17, 2010

Omni-Friendly Party Food

I’ve received some e-mails asking me to suggest the most “omni-friendly” appetizers in Party Vegan. The fact is, it was my goal to make all the recipes in the book omni-friendly since many of us have occasion to feed vegan-resistant omnivores. Most of the omnis I cook for maintain a “don’t ask, don’t tell” policy. They love to eat my food, but would rather not discuss the fact that it’s vegan.

With the holidays upon us, I thought it would be appropriate to give a quick rundown of the appetizers in Party Vegan. Of the 39 hors doeuvres and appetizers in the book, I’d rate 36 of them “extremely omni-friendly” (nothing that would visibly scare off an omnivore); with only 3 suggested “for adventuresome omnis” (read: those who don’t scream and run away at the mention of tofu, tempeh or seitan).

Here’s the list — Let me know which of these recipes you’d like to try out on your favorite omnis. The recipe getting the most votes by Monday will get posted on Tuesday — just in time for the holidays.

Omni-Friendly Appetizers and Hors d'oeuvres:
Artichoke Tapenade
Sun-Dried Tomato and Green Olive Biscotti
Olive-cado Dip
Chickpea Artichoke Bites
Collard and Red Bean Fritters
Spinach Potato Quesadillas
Vegetable Dippers with Ranch Dressing
It’s My Party Mix
Mutant Ants on a Log
Mini Blue Corn Pancakes with Chipotle-Streaked Sour Cream
Curried Pakora Puffs
Black Olive Tapenade
Baked Potato Skins
Five-Story Bean Dip
Sherried Mushrooms
Olive and Caper-Stuffed Cherry Tomatoes
Pearl Balls
Spinach Phyllo Cigars with Walnuts and Figs
Artichoke-Stuffed Mushrooms
Polenta Crostini with Eggplant Tapenade
Truffled White Bean Hummus
Pastry-Wrapped Stuffed Cherry Peppers
Fava Bean Hummus
Smoky Baba Ganoush
Spiced Pita Dippers
Mini Falafel
Stuffed Dates
Edamame
Japanese Pancakes
Teriyaki Shiitake Sticks
Sushi Rice Balls
Antipasto Skewers
Mini-Focaccia with Tapenade
Zucchini Cups with Tomato Concasse
Pesto-Stuffed Baby Potatoes
Arugula and White Bean Crostini

Adventurous Omni Appetizers:
Finger Lickin’ Tempeh Fingers
Chorizo en Croute
Gingered “Crab” Cups with Wasabi Cream Cheeze

So, what do you think? Omni-friendly? Leave a comment for a random chance to win a random prize!

If you need a last minute gift idea: Party Vegan makes a great holiday gift for any cooks on your list: especially those omnivores who never know what to make for you when you visit! (And it’s not just “party” food — the book also has loads of recipes for main dishes, salads, soups, sides, and desserts that can be enjoyed anytime.)

42 comments:

  1. Sorry I can't choose just one!
    My vote(s) are for:
    Artichoke Tapenade
    Chickpea Artichoke Bites
    Baked Potato Skins
    Gingered “Crab” Cups with Wasabi Cream Cheeze

    Thanks!

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  2. Chickpea Artichoke Bites! My two favorite foods, united. :)

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  3. Chickpea Artichoke Bites

    but actually all of them! Love your food. Just wondering about the recipe on Vegan Unplugged...it's not in the book! Just want to know how much broth and what spices!

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  4. Nancy, The comment notification is now working on the Vegan Unplugged blog, so you can leave a comment for Jon there about the soup -- he made it! (You're right, it's not in the book...just another experiement with the dehydrated ingredients!)

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  5. Mmmm potato skins sound good or the mini falafel

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  6. i'm a sucker for tapenades. do i really have to pick only one? what to do? what to do? artichoke or black olive?? oh it's just too hard!
    ok
    ok
    the black olive tapenade gets my vote!

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  7. I vote for chickpea artichoke bites!

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  8. To me, the gingered "crab" cups with wasabi cream cheeze sound like the ticket!!!!! Perfect end of year food too, with champagne....

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  9. Teriyaki shiitake not only rhymes but sounds fabulous in stick form!

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  10. Another vote for Chickpea Artichoke Bites!

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  11. I really want to know what goes into a Mutant Ant on a Log. The name alone is awesome.

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  12. I have to go with Sushi Rice Balls. I mean, they all sound amazing, but I can never pass up anything that has to do with sushi.

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  13. I like the idea of the Sherried Mushrooms!

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  14. I love anything potato related!

    Baked Potato Skins

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  15. I've gotta go with the mini falafel! Just typing that makes me want to make some right this minute!!

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  16. I think they all sound fabulous and I'm practically licking the screen! I vote for baked potato skins and chickpea artichoke bites (which is what I'm making for Christmas by the way).

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  17. Olive-cado dip! Two of my favorite things in one dip- Yum.

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  18. Um, everything?

    Curried Pakora Puffs sound lovely.

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  19. Pakora Puffs all the way! They're unique and definitely a happy surprise.

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  20. All of the appetizers look and sound great! I will be happy to get the recipe for any of them but I think I will vote for the pakora puffs!

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  21. Curried Pakora Puffs sound so delicious!

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  22. I vote for Chickpea Artichoke bites - sounds YUMMY!!

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  23. I think I'm gonna go for the Sushi Rice Balls....I'm always thinking I want something like that, but can't quite figure out how to do it and I never have the right rice either.

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  24. Gingered “Crab” Cups with Wasabi Cream Cheeze!!! PLEASE! This sounds fascinating! Love your work :)

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  25. artichoke tapenade, and mini focaccia. Tiny bread!

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  26. Chickpea artichoke bites for sure! They sound so yummy.

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  27. I have to pick the Chickpea Artichoke Bites. Everyone loves chickpeas!

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  28. All sound super delicious! But I gotta go with Arugula and White Bean Crostini!

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  29. I'm voting for Chickpea Artichoke Bites. I love chickpeas and artichokes.

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  30. Mmmm, they all sound good! I'd probably be happy with any of them but the Mini-Focaccia with Tapenade has my vote.

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  31. Sun-Dried Tomato and Green Olive Biscotti ! Definitely

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  32. Sundried Tomato and Green Olive Biscotti with Artichoke Tapenade! Sounds fantastic

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  33. My vote is definitely for Mini Falafel! MelissaB

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  34. It's a tough choice, but I have to vote for Artichoke Stuffed Mushrooms.

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  35. My vote is for Olive and Caper Stuffed Cherry Tomatoes. I'm a sucker for anything with capers!!!

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  36. Five-Story Bean Dip is my favorite!!!

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  37. I am torn between the Baked Potato Skins and the Arugula and White Bean Crostini!

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  38. I vote for the Gingered “Crab” Cups with Wasabi Cream Cheeze. These are the most interesting and elegant of the recipes.But then I run with an adventurous crowd.

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I'd like to hear your comments What do you think?.