Quick And Easy Vegan Potluck Ideas For Every Season

As told by someone who does not cook or bake often/ by choice, at all.

My sister's office is having a potluck, and she wants to bring something vegan. The thing is, she also wants everyone to eat it. This inspired me to put together some vegan potluck ideas that are good for every season.

Autumn

Heidi Vielhaber

Appetizer- Cashew Pumpkin Dip

Via kblog.lunchboxbunch.com

Yeah, get excited.

http://kblog.lunchboxbunch.com/2010/10/pumpkin-spice-cashew-cheese-dip-fall.html

Main Dish- Vegan Mac and Cheese.

"Oh She Glows" has this amazing butternut squash mac and cheese that I have made a lot. It is impressive how great it tastes. I made it again last night, added some hot sauce to the recipe and it was perfect.

http://ohsheglows.com/2011/10/03/butternut-squash-mac-n-cheeze/

Dessert- Pumpkin Cookies

None of my friends believed me that these were good. I don't know if it was the recipe they didn't trust or my baking, but either way everyone liked them.

http://kblog.lunchboxbunch.com/2012/09/pumpkin-cookies-pecans-chocolate-oats.html

Winter

Appetizer- Brussel Sprouts

Via myrecipes.com

The only key to brussel sprouts is making sure you don't overcook them. I check mine every 20 minutes, just to be sure. Also, add garlic. It isn't in this recipe, but trust, it's awesome.

http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/ina-garten/roasted-brussels-sprouts-recipe2.html

Main Dish- Spaghetti Squash with Kale and Chickpeas

Via pamelasalzman.com

Spaghetti squash is a great alternative to pasta, and it seems really fancy so people will be impressed.

http://pamelasalzman.com/spaghetti-squash-with-kale-and-chickpeas/

Dessert- Slutty Brownies

Via girlguydogcat.wordpress.com

Slutty brownies are a layered cake of 1) cookie, 2) Oreo, 3) brownie. Yeah. It's as good as it sounds.

First, make the cookie dough, layer it on the bottom of a glass dish or whatever you want to use. Second, lay Oreo cookies on top of it. Third, pour brownie mix over it. Bake it for however long the brownies need, but check it with a toothpick every once in a while because it sometimes cooks a little differently.

Vegan chocolate chip cookie recipe: http://www.tasteofhome.com/recipes/vegan-chocolate-chip-cookies

Oreos are already vegan

Brownies: I always get a box brownie mix, you just have to check that there isn't dairy in the mix already. Use unsweetened apple sauce (a little under ¼ cup for a box of brownies) instead of egg.

Spring

Appetizer- Succotash

Via homeiswheretheholmansare.blogspot.com

You can make this with pretty much anything, and in fact I had been making it for a couple years before I knew it had a name; I always called it Lazy Salsa. What I put in it: edamame, corn, every color of bell peppers, tomato, onion, cilantro, onion, black beans. I often season it with hot sauce, salt, pepper, stuff like that.

http://homeiswheretheholmansare.blogspot.com/2010/05/edamame-succotash.html

Main Dish- Buffalo Cauliflower

Via momendeavors.com

I made this for the Superbowl last year, and with the exception of the actual buffalo wings, it was the most popular food. This recipe is great, however I suggest using Earth Balance butter instead of olive oil (with the Franks).

http://www.alexaeatsclean.com/2014/09/recipe-buffalo-cauliflower-bites.html?m=1

Dessert- Peanut Butter Balls

Via ohsheglows.com

Yeah, these are awesome. If you can't tell, I trust "Oh She Glows" a lot.

http://ohsheglows.com/2013/12/16/peanut-better-balls/

Summer

Appetizer- Baseball Field Dip

For this one, I don’t have a web site, but it’s pretty easy.

1) Salsa base layer. I bought salsa, the idea of making it is overwhelming, and store bought salsa rocks.

2) Guacamole. Everyone makes guac differently; just don’t forget the garlic and salt. Two tricks I have recently learned- cut the onion in a food processor, and use an immersion blender to get avocados smooth. I like the avacados kind of chunky, so I only do half in the blender, but it's fun to use and works well.

3) Refried bean dip. I combined refried beans, a can of jalapeno peppers, onion, tomato and peppers in a saucepan and cooked on low heat until I became impatient.

4) Frito Scoops for players.

I made a makeshift baseball field out of this. The salsa made everything else kind of sink down, so if you want it to look better than mine, maybe don’t do the salsa.

Main Dish- Potato Salad

I love anything mayonnaise, so I have made a lot of variations of this. This one is the most legit, however you can be simple and just make potato salad and substitute vegan mayonase for regular mayonnaise. Veganaise is good, but if you can get your hands on "Just Mayo," by Hampton Creek, do it. It's amazing. http://www.hamptoncreek.com/

http://www.thebloomingplatter.com/index.php?s=cauliflower

Dessert- Peanut Butter Cups

Via ottawalife.com

You literally just 1) melt chocolate, pour a little in cupcake tins (line them with papers), 2) put in a spoonful of peanut butter, 3) add more melted chocolate. 4) Freeze for a bit, and you're good.

I don't fill the entire cupcake tin, so I cut the excess paper with scissors. The only problem with this is that they melt quickly, so keep them in the fridge at the potluck. Also, you can get creative with what you put inside of it. Go nuts, amirite? Literally, you can add nuts or rice-crisps or whatever.

The recipes I found online are all much fancier than this, but here is the closest I could find to something plain. http://pureella.com/3-clean-ingredients-homemade-peanut-butter-cups/