Summer is the best time to gather friends and host a vegan barbecue. The concept may defy everything you know about barbecues, but it is an easy endeavor when you know go about it. The tricks to hosting a successful vegan barbecue are easy to learn.
Instructions
1. Try new "meats." A wide variety of meat substitutes can be grilled: seitan, which is made of wheat proteins; tofu, which is also known as bean curd; and tempeh, which is soy beans. You can buy these at many health food stores, and they can easily be used in skewers or thrown straight onto the grill.
2. Use lots of veggies to add color to your grill. Most vegetables, such as squash, cucumber, peppers, onions, mushrooms and potatoes, can be cut and placed in foil on the grill or on skewers as well.
3. Advertise your intent. Let all of your friends know that they are coming to a different kind of barbecue. Unless they are all vegan, they may need some tips on what to bring that will complement the meals being served. Suggest fruit or vegetable salads, vegan-friendly breads for soy and vegetable burgers, and lemonade or fruity teas.
4. Make appetizers fun. You can stick with vegan tortilla chips and salsa when you host a vegan barbecue, but you can also make fun dips and condiments for your guests. You can serve hummus with vegetables and chips, or toast some warm pita bread.
5. Give your guests lots of choices. You don't have to make a lot of everything, but having choices will make people feel more comfortable about only trying a small bit of some of the dishes they aren't familiar with.
