Vegetarian New Year

Dick Clark isn’t the only one who should have a “rockin’ New Year’s Eve” this year. Spread some holiday cheer by inviting your friends to a vegan party that just might inspire them to make a resolution to go vegetarian in 2005. It’s easy to plan your celebration with these must-have party products and recipes.

Kick off your New Year’s Eve party with hors d’œuvres that your guests won’t believe are vegan. Even the swankiest connoisseur will be fooled by the faux caviar from Caviart, and the truly posh can nosh freely—that’s right, no fish eggs! Satisfy everyone’s sweet tooth with dairy-free cheesecakes from Delicious Choices, and wash it all down with a glass of Silk Nog, a thick, creamy, egg- and dairy-free nog available in most supermarkets and natural foods stores. Then, raise your glasses of vegan wine or champagne from Smithfield Wines or the Organic Wine Company as you toast the New Year at midnight.

Our elegant international appetizer recipes will have your guests too busy savoring every bite to sing Auld Lang Syne:

Scallion Pancakes

4 cups all-purpose flour
1 1/2 cups cool water
3 Tbsp. vegetable shortening
Salt, to taste
2 bunches green onions, finely chopped
Vegetable oil for frying
Soy sauce, to taste (optional)

Method

In a medium bowl, mix the flour with the water until it forms a dough. Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface and knead it for a few minutes. Place it in a bowl, cover, and set aside for 30 minutes.

Roll the dough to 1/8-inch thickness. Spread a thin layer of vegetable shortening over the entire surface, then sprinkle generously with salt. Top the entire surface with the green onions, pressing them lightly into the dough. Beginning at one edge, roll the dough into a long jelly-roll shape. Pinch or twist off (do not cut) fist-sized pieces of dough. On a floured surface, using a floured rolling pin, roll each piece to 1/8-inch thickness. If some of the green onions come out, just push them back into the dough.

Pour vegetable oil into a skillet until it is about 1/4 inch deep. Heat the skillet over medium heat then add 2 or 3 of the pancakes. Cook for approximately 3 minutes on one side, then flip and cook for 2 more minutes before placing the pancakes onto a paper towel-lined plate. Salt to taste and serve immediately with soy sauce for dipping, if desired.

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