New Year shenanigans

Over the last several years, I have embraced life as a New Year Grinch. I like to stay in, watch TV, hug my cats and go to bed way before midnight. Last year I was working on NYE, but got home in time to make pizza. So this year I thought I might make pizza again.

However this year, something surprising happened. I was invited to a New Year's party and I actually went. Because it was with a small group of totally rad people, at someone's house, was going to have vegan hotdogs, and they were totally fine with me leaving early.

We had lots of snacks. Including a bag to Tings I had brought back from the US earlier this year and had been saving for a special occasion. There was also some super garlicky hummus and some tapenade with carrot sticks and breadsticks.



Marion, out hostess, turns out to be a hotdog ninja. Check out these beauties! They had Marion's super special 'slop' on the bottom (onions, mushrooms, BBQ sauce and some other stuff), then a hot dog, kraut and Daiya, melted under the grill, then drizzled all over with sauces. I also love her because when she was making them she said the best words: 'Everyone wants to start with two, right?'. None of this one piddly hot dog business!



Marion also made some awesome desserts. These are cute little caramel tarts - gingerbread cookies made into little shells, filled with caramel and a dollop of Soyatoo.



And she also made these super cute mini-cheesecakes. Peanut butter chocolate and mint and chocolate. Yum!



I had a lovely time, and when I started getting too sleepy I headed home, later than I expected, but I was still home in time to begin the new year with my cats. In fact, this is the first time in many years I have been awake at midnight for new year!

My decision to party was a last minute, so I had already bought all the pizza stuff. I made these on New Year's Day instead.

Scalloped Potato Pizza from Vegan Pizza by Julie Hasson: This pizza was amazing! First you layer on some easy to make smoky cheddar sauce, then some grated vegan cheese (I used Follow Your Heart mozzarella), then thinly sliced potatoes. It is pretty much like eating potato bake on a pizza. Just think about about.
Rating: :D



Pepperoni Tempeh Pizza Salad from Salad Samurai by Terry Hope Romero: Instead of making a second pizza, I made this pizza salad. Greens and stuff. This was very satisfying. It involved making a couple of other recipes first - some classic croutons (I used some leftover olive batard for these) and a hemp seed parmesan. Then pepperoni-seasoned tempeh cubes are tossed with greens, olives and a fire-roasted tomato dressing. Yum!
Rating: :)



Group shot!



I hope everyone had a good new year, however you celebrated or slept through it!

Cute Kitty Photo of the Post



Hang on a minute, what is this? THIS IS NOT A CAT! This is Crumpet, Marion's totally sweetheart puppy. She is delightful, and I had some good puppy hug time.



Back on schedule - Marion's kitty Monster is a total delight! So full of purrs and snuggles. He let me rub his tummy! I love him.