the whole plate.

On Thursday evening, I once again played what is apparently my new favorite role: hostess.  The affair this time?  Potluck tapas and wine for six fabulous New York blogging ladies.

yum.

The concept had three parts.  One: wine.  Two: appetizers.  Three: girl talk.

It was a success on all fronts – I mean, what else do you do when you work hard in the office all day?  You pour a glass of red or white, eat wonderfully homemade food, and laugh about the highs and lows of adult life [with a few nudges to food blogging thrown in].

The talented chefs in attendance produced quite the spread of food:

Beginning with 2 dips – along, of course, with crackers and crudités: Katie’s was peanut hummus from Eat, Drink, and Be Vegan; my own creation was a coconut sweet potato dip [click for an easy recipe].

We had two platters of vegetable balls, fritters, croquettes – whichever term pleases you.  Danielle’s, at the top, were broccoli-quinoa bites from Veganomicon, and Jenny’s, to the right, were savory spinach balls.

Sofia prepared lentil and roasted tomato bruschetta from Spices of Life, which may look unassuming, as lentils often do – but trust me, they were unbelievably tasty.

I also whipped up a white bean pesto, served with asparagus [can't get enough] and roasted peppers.  If you glance back at the photos of this table, anywhere you see abundant vegetables, I probably had a hand in the dish.  Typical.

Megan provided dessert, which somehow escaped my camera lens.  But she created dark chocolate peanut butter cups from scratch, which deliciously melted all over our fingers in the midst of deep twentysomething chatter. [Seriously, you may know I'm not much of a chocolate-pb person, but these were goooood.]

I really believe there are few things in life that can top story-swapping over quality food and wine.  Plus, the second best part of a dinner party for accomplished amateur chefs?  Eating the leftovers the following day.  Ladies, let’s do it again soon!

—

And finally, according to Random.org, the winner of the Aurorae yoga mat giveaway is:

Comment #7, Rachel!  A healthy piece of her lifestyle: “heated vinyasa yoga! i always feel refreshed, energized and happy after every class i attend.”

Me too. :)  Congrats, Rachel!  Send me an email with your mailing address, and Aurorae will be sending you your package!

I hope the weather is as beautiful where all of you are as it is here.  I’ve got a weekend of my favorite activities planned, including soaking up as much vitamin D as possible.  Happy spring!

Are you a fan of potlucks?  What do you bring to the parties you attend?  Unsurprisingly, I always offer to provide wine and vegetables.

Related posts:

1. on blogging.
2. bus blogging.
3. twentysomething tales: sofia.