Vegan Guests at the Table? Here's How to Impress

The moment you realize your dinner guests are vegan, panic often sets in.

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What do you cook? Will your usual menu work? Do you need to shop for exotic ingredients? Relax - hosting vegans doesn't mean serving bland food or sacrificing creativity. With a little planning, you can whip up a feast that's delicious, inclusive, and enjoyable for everyone at the table.

First things first: vegan means no animal products — not just meat and fish, but also dairy, eggs, honey, and gelatin. That may sound limiting at first, but the reality is quite the opposite. Vegan cooking opens up a world of fresh vegetables, grains, legumes, nuts, and plant-based substitutes that can transform your menu.

The easiest way to approach vegan dining is to look at familiar dishes and see how you can adapt them. For example:

Starters: Instead of cheese-loaded appetizers, try hummus with pita, roasted chickpeas, or vegetable spring rolls.