Vegan Dinner

Create a calming zen atmosphere for a detox-inspired vegan dinner. Several hours before the party, light a fire in the fireplace. It will fill the house with warmth and make everything feel cozy. Instead of using a formal tablecloth, place an intricate table runner, inspired by leaves, in the middle of the table. Add white plates, green napkins, beaded napkin rings, polished utensils, and etched green tumblers. Fill a clear dip bowl with the chickpea spread and place the warmed pita on a platter nearby. Serve the lentil stew family style and let guests scoop heaping spoonfuls onto their plates. Set the pound cake with lime glaze on a rectangular plate and place on a buffet table. To complete the look, light candles and arrange bamboo in low vases.

It seems like everyone I know is detoxing this week. People are working out, staying in, and eating healthy. To support my sister and friends, who are on a 10-day vegan cleanse, I'm making a figure-friendly meal full of vegetables. Since they've also given up drinking, I'll have to serve a nonalcoholic beverage. Instead of offering something boring like water, I'm whipping up a round of this uplifting refresher. It's a combination of muddled mint and pineapple and pomegranate juice. It's fruity, but not too heavy and will pair perfectly with chickpea, mint, and parsley spread. To look at the easy recipe, keep reading.

Just because they don't eat meat or diary, doesn't mean vegans don't enjoy sweets. When hosting a vegan dinner — like the one I'm making for my detoxing sister and friends this weekend — do serve dessert.

Instead of using eggs, this easy vanilla pound cake with lime glaze, calls for silken tofu. It's a good substitute for vegan baked goods that results in a moist, soft-textured cake.

The recipe is adaptable, if you don't have limes on hand, simply use lemons or orange as any citrus goes well with pound cake. To look at the make-in-advance recipe, read more

Much to my dismay, my sister and girlfriends are going on a 10-day detox where they'll eat vegan and give up alcohol. Since I'm not participating (what can I say? I can't live without cheese and a glass of wine!), I'll get in on the fun by hosting a vegan dinner. This flavorful meal that's chock-full of vegetables starts with a chickpea, mint, and parsley spread slathered on pita bread. For the first course I'll offer a colorful beet salad with tangerines.

The star of the show is a curried red lentil stew with vegetables and rice. It's a menu that's hearty, healthy, and downright scrumptious, so get the recipes after the break.