Vegan Dinner Party Success

I did it!! The non vegans loved my vegan taco party! There was only was unsure eater and her least favorite was the chorizo seitan that she referred to as meat.  All of the plates were cleaned and in some cases the diners even went back for seconds.  I must tell on myself and say that it was not all made from scratch.  This girl is still learning and if I can grab a can of re-fried organic black beans..well then a girl has to do what a girls gotta do..for now.  I am open to learning and I am excited to!! Here are the unsuspecting diners!!

On the menu is a blue corn taco station and spicy brown rice. My amazing friends brought over dessert in the form of Coconut Bliss and pieces of vegan cake and pie from Whole Foods!!

Ingredients:
3 ripe avocados
1 red onion
2 cloves garlic
1 medium bunch of cilantro
2 medium tomatoes
Tofutti sour cream
Blue corn taco shells
Teese cheddar (shredded- I finally got a cheese grater!!)
2 bags Brown rice (yeah yeah yeah I know I used instant brown rice. That is just how I roll)
3/4 cup Vegetable broth
romaine lettuce
hot sauce of choice
2 packages Chorizo Seitan
2 cans Refried black beans
paprika
salt & pepper
cayenne pepper

Start by chopping veggies.  I chopped tomatoes, onions, cilantro, and lettuce and put them in bowls in the refrigerator.  Next I started on the guacamole. Mash 3 avocados in a bowl.  I added a  handful of tomatoes, a pinch of cilantro, a half of a clove of garlic and salt and pepper to taste. Ahhhhh I sound like my grandma. She used to measure in pinches and handfuls.  I guess it was passed down to me.  My next project was the rice.  I precooked the bags and placed them in a pot with the veggie broth, teaspoon of paprika, half a clove of garlic, half a teaspoon of cayenne pepper and salt and pepper to taste.  Let simmer for 20 minutes.  Just a couple more quick steps.  I then heated a pan to medium high and added a tablespoon of olive oil.  I cooked the seitan in that pan for approx 5 minutes. Last but not least I opened the two cans of beans and evened them out in a saucepan.  I then added my shredded teese and placed the pan under the broiler for a few minutes.  I left the oven on warm and added the taco shells until everything else was ll set.  So easy and so good.  My guests arrived and I said "there are the plates make some tacos"!!!

This was a huge success. People were saying this is all vegan for real?  This is sooo good. I think I could eat like this.  Two of the women brought me flowers and since they did not try to take them back at the end of the night I must have done well.  My friends are very honest.  I respect that the most in any relationship.  I want both my strengths and weaknesses pointed out so that I can utilize my strengths and challenge myself in my weak areas.

My goal is to make more items from scratch at my next dinner party!!