You have sent out all the invites, made preparations to house this big event, and are just lacking for one thing. Snack ideas for all your poker-loving, vegan food-eating friends. Yes, the alcohol will be flowing, but who is to say that your guests will not be hungry for healthy, animal-friendly snacks? With that in mind, let us take a look at some great ideas for alternatives to the normally unhealthy appetizers you typically find at casino parties.
Easy Vegan Finger Foods
Nuts
Let us start off simply, shall we? Nuts are about as simple as you can get. They are rich in essential oils, high in protein, easy to purchase and require no preparation whatsoever (save for fans of pistachios or walnuts, which require some shell-cracking). This really could not be any easier – no recipes needed – or more delicious, so as a basic staple, just have some around the house for whatever occasion, really. And do not be afraid to go nuts with different variations: we are talking not just your run of the mill peanuts, but cashews, almonds, or even hazel nuts.
Seaweed
Seaweed is awesome. It is healthy and delicious, also easy to prepare, and is fun to eat thanks to its crunchy texture. A great source of protein and fibre, it is less known for being rich with iodine, an important mineral for the body. This can get salty, so have some kombucha on hand to wash it all down when the time comes.
Roasted Kale
Another dark, leafy green (also good for smoothies, which we’ll get to in a second), this one is just a tad more laborious in preparation, but equally zesty. Simply strip away the stalks of store-bought kale, gently massage a bit of extra virgin olive oil into the plant, and lightly salt them. Note: adding cayenne spice is optional if you want an extra kick to it. Then, simply bake at 250 degrees Fahrenheit for approximately 10 mins, making sure nothing burns. You want it to be crispy, crunchy, and delicious, so make sure not to over or under do it.
Kale Smoothies
You are naturally going to need refreshments, so why not go green with a kale smoothie? Without being cooked, kale naturally has a bit of a bitter taste, so you will want to choose judiciously from any number of sweeter ingredients to freshen things up for the ol’ taste buds. Fruit juice, frozen fruit, or even vegan yoghurt work well in varying degrees to shape texture, taste, and temperature just the way you like it. Be sure to experiment, and above all, have fun!
Kale Salad
Ok, guilty as charged: kale is a bit of a favourite on the menu over here. That is because it is a versatile superfood, able to be put just about anywhere. In this case, it works great in a salad. Again, you will want to de-stalk it, and massage it with olive oil, only this time add lemon juice to the process of softening the leaf. Then, throw in some pine nuts (yes, more nuts), crumbled vegan feta cheese, and blueberries to the mix for good measure. Now, watch the expression on your friends’ faces the first time they eat some of your salad, and watch them go back for seconds. It is that good.
Sweet Potato Fries
Another nutritious snack, these simply require the labour of cutting and oiling, then baking. Pretty simple, and pretty delicious. Your friends will be coming back for more, so make sure to bake enough to satiate all of their appetites.
And there you have it: a few great vegan options for when you have friends over for small parties, or any other particular celebration.
