Vegan Super Bowl Party 2013

The Super Bowl is just around the corner and its time to start thinking about what to bring to the party.  For one, you don't want to stand out like a sore thumb.  I brought cayenne kale chips to a party last year and was on the receiving end of furrowed brows.  Needless to say the chips were good, people couldn't quite make the leap to kale chips with all the meat and cheese on the table.

On the other hand, you do want to make something that will stand out for its unique taste and memorable ingredients.  The Super Bowl embodies American flare and exuberance.  Everything is over the top, and everyone participates in some way.  Go beyond setting out a crudite tray with hummus and chips and salsa.

Finally, the Super Bowl, like a tailgate, is about sharing.  Be mindful of how much you make, even though you may be the only one eating it, because people want to try new things.  Im sure if you follow these recipes, everyone will remember your dish over Beyonce's halftime show.  Maybe you'll start someone down the path to healthy, plant based eating.  Enjoy! (check Twitter @holdthepigskin the night of the game for my pictures)

Top 5 Vegan Starter Recipes (that'll leave you full and satisfied)

Salad, not included!

Today, I had a friend ask me for my top 5 vegan recipes.  That question is harder than it looks 

because the answer hinges on who is asking and what they hope to discover. 

If you are a newbie vegan, then it means I have to give my favorites at all 3 meal times so you have a full days worth of food.  If you are a vegetarian looking to cut out cheese and eggs, then I want to include things with cashew cream or flax eggs to make it seem like nothing is missing.  If you are a seasoned vegan looking for meat 

substitutes to grill, then I can get into the nitty gritty of seitan or veggie burgers.  The degree of kitchen skill also plays a role too, as you don’t want to scare anyone off from trying a plant-based diet with complex techniques or obscure ingredients.

My friend today was looking for  my favorite vegan starter recipes.  I thought about this long and 

Stir Fry, not included!

hard and have come up with a list, including 2 breakfasts, a sandwich, a soup and main dish as my top 5.  (Honestly, spinach chickpea salad and stir-fry are my go to dishes for lunch and dinner respectively, but since I make it different every time and there is no wrong way to do it, I didn’t include these in the top 5).  Enjoy!  

THE TOP 5

1.    Kale Strawberry Banana Smoothie
2.    Loaded Oatmeal
3.    Spinach Mushroom Hummus Panini
4.    Lentil Soup (with Field Roast)
5.    Black Bean Brown Rice Bowl

Recipes after the jump...

2 Year Anniversary

On this day 2011 Ohio State beat Arkansas in the Sugar Bowl and I decided to try being vegan for a month.  Here I am 2 years later feeling better than ever.  Along the way there have been a few haters, but mostly tons of love from fellow vegans and people just wanting to eat healthier.  

So I propose a toast, to everyone with the courage to go against the grain. I'm with ya!  Together we will change the world.  Plant power baby!