This Week: New Year's Eve Celebration!
- In This Issue:
- Recipe Spotlight |
- What's Hot on VegWeb |
- Cooking with Webmistress Laura |
- Superstar VegWebber |
- Weekly Giveaway!
Make it a New Year's Eve to remember!
Recipe Spotlight on New Year's Eve!
We've almost made it through the holidays, it's the home stretch. In fact, you've made it through an entire year and it's time to celebrate! Whether you're throwing a party, going to one, or staying home, you need to do something special to ring in the new year. And, per usual, when I say do something special, I mean eat something special. We've got foods on VegWeb that will service a huge party or a party for one. I'm not above making an entire batch of creamy, cheesy mushroom pastries for myself. It's the new year! Let's go crazy! Why not celebrate with vegan jello shots? And don't forget to eat some black eyed peas on New Year's Day. It means good luck will be yours in the coming year. I mean, I'm not superstitious or anything but I did this last year and the next day, I won the lottery. Five bucks but still.
Check out some more of my favorite party recipes on VegWeb:
What's Hot on VegWeb
New Year's Eve! Whether you're partying down until the break of dawn or falling asleep at 11 pm, New Year's Eve is still a special night. Come talk about your NYE plans in what is everyone doing for new years?
Supper Sounds Do you like to make chutney to country or boil pasta to punk rock? Come see what other VegWebbers jam out to in the kitchen and share your own favorite stove side tunes in Music to cook to.
Seriously Belated Xmas? If you've seriously slacked on getting out your holiday gifts, there is still time to hit the VegNews Store. It's overflowing with more awesome stuff than I can possibly list here, including the most freaking adorable holiday cards I've ever seen (complete with a recipe for soy nog tucked inside). They've also got chocolate marzipan bars, a holiday cookie cookbook, oversized tote bags, and my favorite, VEGAN MARSHMALLOWS! Best part? Shipping is always FREE! There is no word in the English language I enjoy more. Go check it out NOW!More belated holiday shopping! We've got the greatest store filled with goodies to display your VegWeb pride. Perfect for the food-obsessed vegan in your life. Um, that would be every vegan in your life. From soft, organic cotton shirts to super handy aprons, you have to check out all the goodies immediately at The VegWeb Store.
Check out our Monday Night Chats! Every Monday from 6–7pm PST, head to the chat room for discussions ranging from vegetarian travel to cooking tips. This week (January 4), we'll be talking New Year's resolutions. From healthy eating to a plan to deal with procrastination, we'll talk about everything you need to stick to your new year's goals. Bring your thoughts, tips, advice, and more to the VegWeb Chat Room.Do you tweet? Well, I do! I'm crazy about Twitter. More specifically, I'm crazy about twittering deals, recipes, giveaways, and the latest and greatest news from the VegWeb HQ. Follow me on my VegWeb Twitter.
Perfect pink popcorn balls!
Cooking with Webmistress Laura!
Any proper new year's celebration requires plenty of Champagne (or sparkling cider!) and many festive snacks. I can think of no snack more festive than fun, fabulous popcorn balls. They're extremely easy and inexpensive to make and impressive to serve. Guests will marvel at the fact that you were able to whip up the tastiest of popcorn balls, without the help of butter. Plus, you can throw them at each other at midnight. And then eat them. Added bonus? Throw in some food coloring and make them pink. So festive! The simple recipe below can easily be jazzed up by adding chocolate chips, raisins, or peanuts. Happy New Year!
What You Need:
1/2 cup water
1/2 cup agave
1-1/4 cup sugar
1 teaspoon salt
1/4 cup margarine (I like Earth Balance)
1 teaspoon vanilla
8 cups popcorn, popped
What You Do:
1. In a pot, mix the water, agave, sugar, and salt. Heat on low until mixture is warm. Remove from stove and stir in margarine and vanilla.
2. Place the popcorn in a large bowl. Pour the mixture over popcorn and stir until combined.
3. Roll into balls with greased hands and let cool. Serve!
Superstar VegWebber!
Each week, we'll highlight a member of the VegWeb community who goes above and beyond to make VegWeb a truly excellent place to spend time on the internet.
This week, "Tweety!"
VegWebber since? I'm going to guess and say 1996 or 1997. VegWeb was one of the first sites I visited regularly when I first got internet.
What do you do when you're not on VegWeb? I'm a registered nurse at the local not-for-profit here. I have a desk job but am returning to bedside nursing, my true love, in January.
Favorite VegWeb recipe to make for non-vegans? General Tao's Tofu
Favorite VegWeb recipe for New Year's? Anything with tofu. Great way to end the year and ring in the new.
Tempeh, tofu, or seitan? Tofu, always tofu. Morning, noon, and night!
Read Tweety's entire interview and tell him how awesome he is in the Superstar VegWebber thread!
Weekly Giveaway: 1,000 Vegan Recipes by Robin Robertson
Need a challenge for the new year? How about working your way through 1,000 Vegan Recipes by VegNews columnist extraordinaire Robin Robertson? If you can conquer this masterwork, you'll have my undying respect. Also, if you need recipe testers, I'm totally into it. I'll bring the wine! Not only is it filled to the brim with 1,000 vegan recipes, it also has a wealth of tips, techniques, and ideas for creating lively vegan cuisine. It's pretty much a must-own. To win a copy, just head over to our Weekly Giveaway Thread and let us know what your New Year's Eve plans are!
Good luck!
Peace in your kitchen,
Webmistress Laura
VegWeb.com
San Francisco, CA