Atlas had Vegetarian Celebrations on shelves 20 years ago, but the current crop of all-vegan tomes was led by Robin Robertson, whose Party Vegan (Wiley, $17.95) came out late last year.
Robertson thinks practically as well as aesthetically, and offers party advice well beyond menu planning - not just her usual great recipes but also quick tips, sidebars, even a list of to-do lists. You get complete menus for holiday gatherings as well as "any time gatherings."
If Party extends the range of festivities, Celebrate Vegan (Lyon's, $17.95) by Center City's Dynise Balcavage shreds the envelope with four dozen "occasions." These include lesser-known international holidays as well as "Tailgate party" and even "Snow Day."
Balcavage tweaks the pious stereotype with wine pairings and even a few vegan cocktails. But no one does a better job of proving that vegans get tipsy than John Schlimm, with his The Tipsy Vegan (Da Capo, $17).
Schlimm's great-great-grandfather founded Pennsylvania's Straub Brewery, and he does his legacy proud in this good-time primer mixing cocktails, beer braising, vodka sauce and just about any other excuse for including alcohol with delicious vegan food. (Verify a brand is vegan at barnivore.com.)
From the cozy Veg Kitchen of Nava Atlas to Schlimm's over-the-top booze-infusions, there's something for everybody here. Which is part of the point, as friends and family show up with dietary restrictions. Besides providing an option for the gluten-free or soy-allergic, you'll be feeding, and pleasing, the most people with plentiful vegan offerings.
As we share good times, let's extend our love and generosity to all of our current and potential friends - both human and non.
V FOR VICTORY: Congrats to Ann Nunziata, of Edison, N.J., who won the Celebrate Vegan giveaway with her "Three Sisters" dish ideas for our Thanksgiving table.
V-NEWS TO USE: Party down with comic Myq Kaplan at the Peace Advocacy Network's Comedy Night Saturday at Tabu Lounge, 200 S. 12th St., 215-964-9675.
Vance Lehmkuhl is a cartoonist, writer, musician and 10-year vegan.
"V for Veg" chronicles the growing trend of plant-based eating in and around Philadelphia. Send your veg tips to VforVeg@phillynews.com and follow @V4Veg on Twitter.
