Are you having a New Year’s Eve party or potluck and a little tired of traditional holiday fare? I thought I’d give you suggestions for 13 healthy, delicious, and less-traditional recipes to make your 2013-welcoming shindig utterly fabulous!
The countdown (in no particular order other than ending with a dessert!) begins…
13. Rawesome Nut Dip. Serve it a bowl with crackers (raw or otherwise), or tucked into mini bell peppers, endive leaves, or cherry tomatoes. Or, use it as a filling for rolls for finger food (ex: baked mini phyllo rolls).
12. Creamy Artichoke Dip. I know I’ve talked about this one a lot, but that’s only because it is freaking amazing, and readers are LOVING it!
Photo from review on 86 Lemons, link to read.
11. Falafels with Smoky Tahini Sauce. I served these for a holiday get-together last year, along with the Quinoa Nicoise (in LTEV), and the Lemon-Rosemary Potatoes and Creamy Hummus (both from Vive le Vegan!) – HUGE hit!
10. Moroccan Phyllo Rolls with Balsamic Maple Sauce. Rather than make these entree size, follow the recipe instructions to adapt them for appetizer-sized rolls.
From “eat, drink & be vegan”
9. Mini-Burgers. Take a favorite burger recipe, and make mini-patties, for sliders, or for dipping. Try Mediterranean Bean Burgers from LTEV, Nutty Veggie Burgers, or these Mushroom Pecan Burgers.
8. Chickpea Salad Rolls. These are fresh and fast, and the salad mixture is a little like a mock tuna salad, but far lighter without vegan mayo. Roll in leafy greens like chard or romaine leaves (or collards, they are a little more assertive in flavor, so depends on your guests), or make into small sandwiches.
7. Moroccan Bean Stew. If you are having a cozy, homey New Year’s Eve and want a soup, this is one of my favorites. It is special and elegant enough to serve to guests, and is also delicious paired with breads with the Truffled Cashew Cheese from LTEV.
6. Vegveeta Dip. I need to say little other than – YUMMY! 
Mix in a few spoonfuls of salsa, and serve up with tortilla chips. Easy as that.
5. Cannellini Bean Sweet Potato Hummus. What’s a party without hummus? Skip the traditional puree and try this sweet and smoky version.
4. Kale Slaw. Even less adventurous foodie guests will enjoy this salad because the dressing coats the ingredients so scrumptiously! The 3-Bean salad pictured would also be a great potluck salad – so simple you could throw it together last minute!
From “Let Them Eat Vegan”
3. Jerk Chickpeas. Add some kick to your night! Double this recipe, have it potluck style with tortillas, rice, and avocado – you’re set!
Jerk Chickpeas
2. Creamy Cashew Dip. Most folks are little tired of sugar-laden cookies at this point in the holidays. Why not try Creamy Cashew Dip with fresh fruit.
1. Frosted Brawnies. While folks are tired of cookies, I don’t think you ever tire of the brawnies! Or the Banana Nut Squares with Cream Cheese Frosting (also pictured) – I just made them for a get-together this evening!
These are all very ‘omni-friendly’ recipes too. I usually do not choose tofu or tempeh-based recipes when serving to guests, just to keep things more familiar. Here, you simply have really good food – made with really good ingredients.
Wishing you a blessed and Plant-Powered New Year! And, of course much fun for your NYs Eve parties. ♥
What favorite dishes are you making to ring in 2013?
And THIS is why some vegans are still overweight (um, guilty as charged!). Your recipes all look so good, I want to try them all…then I keep going back for seconds…and thirds…and fourths…LOL!
Where can I find the Banana Nut Bar with Cream Cheese Frosting recipe? I may just make some of those brawnies and bars for our get together. Thanks! We will also be using the Veg-Veeta. That stuff makes an appearance at our house multiple times each month! ;o)
Nevermind!
Found it in my copy of LTEV.
Was about to reply to you, and saw your second note – glad you found it!
Dreena, Thanks for giving us these delicious recipes to try!! It is so kind of you and so helpful for all of us!! You are a genius in the kitchen and I’ve learned so much from you! Happy New Year!
That is so lovely of you Laurie! It is my pleasure, to know that my recipes are helping people cook and eat healthier everyday, and to get this kind of feedback – most awesome! Happy New Year to you as well.
Wow! These all sound wonderful!!
I was at a vegan restaurant today and they served Kelp noodle pasta. Have you tried that?
On my way home we picked up some kelp noodles from whole foods and tossed them in your lemony cashew basil pesto and topped it with brazil nut parm. Absolutely delicious! Thank you Dreena! By the way your books arrived today..I am so excited to get started
Hi Tiffany! Yes, I have – I’m not a huge fan of them myself, but our daughters love them. But, I should really give them another try – sometimes it just takes a couple of tries to adjust to a new food, and also find pairings to make it sing! Happy New Year, have fun cooking!!!
I have to make that spinach and artichoke dip! I saw it on Livvy’s site and her photos made it look divine!
Herbivore Triathlete recently posted..Weekly Rewind~Christmas & Birthday Edition
Yes, Livvy did my dip some photographic justice!! Hope you love it – thanks!
Your recipes always sound so good that it’s hard to choose which I should make! I made your festive chickpea tart for both Thanksgiving and Christmas, and my whole family went for seconds (moving away from the big ham and turkey that were also available)!
jodye @ chocolate and chou fleur recently posted..Gingerbread Biscotti with Sparkling Lemon Glaze
How wonderful, Jodye, I’m so pleased your whole fam enjoyed it! I think many people are tired of the ‘same ol’ during the holidays, but we are so stuck in traditions. Maybe you’ve convinced a few of your family to join you with more vegan dishes next year…?… fingers crossed!
Testimony:
I served Kale Slaw at my birthday party brunch a few weeks ago and had everyone going back for seconds, including my meat-and-potatoes-only-guy friend from Green Bay. He was also spotted chowing down on crudite with copious amounts of your curry hummus.
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Way cool Robin!! That is some vegan food testimonial awesomeness, thank you.
I’m so glad, Rachel, thanks… Sometimes we just need a few ideas in one place to start some planning. Enjoy your party!
This is exactly the type of post I needed today. I have a party to go to on Monday and needed some good vegan finger food.
I hope you have a wonderful weekend with your family Dreena!
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