Potluck parties are great way for guests to share their best and favorite dishes. As a host, there’s no need to be sequestered in the kitchen while your friends talk willy-nilly in the other room. A potluck will give you the freedom to join in the festivities. Maybe even get in a round of Scattergories.

A first thought about potluck parties may remind you of oil-laden, creamy, simple carbohydrate-having dishes like macaroni and cheese or lasagna. However, you can bring the healthy and satisfying dishes with a few tips.

1. Organize a potluck party yourself! Invite your most health-conscious friends and let them express themselves through cooking. Encourage everyone to bring their family favorite, healthy dish. There’s no need to stick to a theme and if you’ve been dying to try your friend’s Raw Chocolate Fudge Cake, now is the time! Make sure your Evite includes a section where guests can list the foods they’re bringing so you don’t have too many servings of Rice Pilaf.
2. Look outside the country for inspiration. Many traditional Indian dishes are already vegan. Bring Indian Dahl with Naan or brown rice (if you want added fiber and nutrients). If a dish calls for heavy cream, substitute with coconut or almond milk to increase the flavor and keep it vegan.
3. Dust off your slow cooker. Don’t have time after work to make something before the party starts? Throw some ingredients in your slow cooker in the morning to bring Sweet and Savory Chili (recipe below). Side with some brown rice, to get a full-rounded comfort food without the fuss.
4. Worst case scenario: You’re cutting out the refined sugar in your diet, yet you’ve been allocated to bring dessert to the party. Instead of surrounding yourself with the temptation and potentially hindering your progress, try making these refined sugar-free Snickerdoodles.
5. Win over the guests with a dish they didn’t even see coming. Sure, The Vegan might be invited to the party but, that doesn’t mean we can only bring salad or a veggie tray to the party. (Although, in a pinch it’s an easy alternative, so I won’t knock it.) Mix it up with some Cheezy Spinach and Cilantro Rice.

Sweet & Savory Vegan Slow Cooker Chili

Bring a side of brown rice, vegan sour cream and fresh avocado to top off this chili. Also, this recipe isn’t super-spicy, so you can bring a jar or two of hot sauce for those more adventurous guests.

Ingredients:

• 1 tbsp grapeseed oil
• 1 large vidalia or sweet onion, diced
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 red pepper, diced
• 3/4 cup chopped celery
• 1 tbsp chili powder
• 1.5 cups chopped mushrooms
• 1 cup frozen corn
• 1 (28 ounce) can organic petite diced tomatoes, drained
• 1 (15 ounce) can organic black beans
• 1 (15 ounce) can organic navy beans
• 1 (15 ounce can) tomato sauce
• 1/2 tbsp ground cumin
• 1.5 tsp dried oregano
• 1.5 tsp dried basil
• 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper
• 1/4 tsp paprika
• salt and pepper to taste

Preparation:

1. Place all ingredients into your slow cooker and mix together.
2. Cook on low heat for 6-7 hours, covered. When the veggies are tender, the chili is ready to eat.