Gluten-Free Vegan Bites for Game Night

Remember all those fun board games that arrived in bright wrapping just a couple of months ago, and how you imagined that you would have a winter filled with friends gathered around the table challenging each other’s skills? It’s quite possible that with the onrush of the New Year, it didn’t turn out quite like that. Now that the holidays are a thing of the past, the time has come to bring festive back by pulling out the Bananagrams and Monopoly, cooking up a fun dinner, and inviting some friends over for a good ol' fashioned game night!

This time of year, the wet and cold weather that keeps you glued to your couch (or at least cooped up in your house) provides the ideal backdrop for a board game get-together. Invite your neighbors over, grab those board games, and kick those winter blues out. But don’t forget the food! One-dish (or bowl) dinners won’t crowd out the table real estate devoted to your Qwirkle or Apples to Apples. Flavorful chili atop a vibrant sweet potato (not to mention a subtle kick of tequila) is not only filling and delicious, but is also appropriate for guests who need to follow a restricted diet. It’s naturally vegan, gluten-free, and free of the top allergens. But don’t forget dessert! Finish off your eighth round of Guesstures with an ice cream sundae topped with a pear-caramel sauce.

Next time you’re sick with cabin fever, remember that a fun, lively evening of activities is only a phone call, board game, and pot of chili away. Now, who’s going to be on my team for Taboo?

You have the games: Now it’s time to cook up the goods!
White and Green Chili
Caramel Pear Sundaes

Kim Lutz creates allergy-friendly, vegan recipes for welcomingkitchen.com and in her book, Welcoming Kitchen: 200 Delicious Allergen and Gluten-free Vegan Recipes.