Throwing a Vegan Dinner Party for Omnivores

I'm not sure when the idea started, but I've had it in my mind for some time now to invite my boyfriend's family over to my mom's house for a vegan dinner. Even though we're from the same hometown and we've been dating for about two years, our parents had never met yet. I decided that a party at which I introduce them to each other and to vegan food would be a good way to go about it. I figured if they have nothing else to talk about, they can always talk about the food (and how amazed they are that it's so delicious).

I'm sorry that I didn't wind up taking any pictures--my only excuse is that I was crazy busy trying to get everything ready and also a little anxious about the Clapper's meeting the McAtee's.

But, here's the run-down of the meal. I knew that I wanted to keep things simple and familiar for my picky eater-loved ones. I wasn't really concerned with giving us the most balanced meal ever, more that it would be something with lots of options. There are also quite a few packaged and processed foods that I don't use on a normal basis, but I needed their convenience. Seriously, what's a better cream cheese substitute than Tofutti?

Appetizers:

• Mixed Vegetable Tray with Sour Supreme-Based Dip. There was a lot left over and I ate the whole thing the next day while I watch a marathon of Secret Life on TV. It's spring break; leave me alone. PS, I love how Molly Ringwald is preggo but they make her look like she's just kind of fat on the show. Mean.
  

• Mixed Fruit Board with Better Than Cream Cheese-Based Dip. B was obsessed with this dip, and ate a ton of grapes with it after the meal

Salad Station

• Mixed greens

• Shredded Follow Your Heart Gourmet Mozzarella

• Chopped Carrots and Onions

• Cherry Tomatoes

• Dairy-Free Ranch Dressing ZOMG YUM!

• Vegan Italian Dressing

Pizza

• Veggeroni and Mozzarella. I heard the Yves brand can dry out so I drizzled them with EVOO before baking the pizza and it worked great. The cheese totally melted, to my amazement.

• Homemade TVP Sausage, Bell Peppers, Onions, Mozzarella

• Cheese-free with Veggeroni, Tomatoes, and Fresh Garlic

Pasta

• Whole-Wheat Spaghetti with Tomato Sauce and Homemade TVP Meatballs

Dessert

• Oreo Truffles based on the lovely Britta Sirgo's Recipe.

My only crisis was that the pizza dough I tried to make with a bread-maker turned out absolutely terrible. I wound up running to the grocery store at the last second and buying some refrigerated dough that just happened to be vegan (but not whole-wheat like I wanted). The crust worked great and everyone seemed really pleased (and pleasantly surprised, I'd say) with their meals, even my Mom who hates everything! She has major texture-phobia, but she liked my meal just fine. We ended the night with a few rounds of Quip-it! and some tasty Whiskey Slushes courtesy of Mrs. Clapper. There's nothing like good food and a few board games to bond new people together!