Family Game Night with a Veggie Twist

About once a month my family gets together for a Game Night. It started out on Friday nights meeting with my aunt for dinner somewhere then often going back to her house and playing boardgames. It expanded from there with other family members included and eating mostly at her house. Some nights are more extensively planned than others, but it all comes down to sharing food, games, and time with family. Of course there is added planning when it comes to the lone vegetarian... me. I uslaly make something that compliments the rest of the spread, but highlights the yumminess of not eating meat. Last night was no exception. They planned to make 'haystacks' which basically comes down to a layered personal taco salad with homemade ice cream. Instead of taco meat for me I made a taco inspired mushroom mix by sauteeing mushrooms with garlic, then added some popper flakes and a mix of spices (all to taste). The spice mix included some onion powder, cumin, paprika, pepper, and chili powder. Added a touch of tomato sauce to give a little liquid and color. Then I let it all cook down and cook nicely together into a lovely spiced bit of mushroom taco yumminess. We had a very nice selection of additions for our 'haystacks,' that included corn chips (like fritos or the prefered), the taco mixture, cheese, nacho cheese, tomatos, sliced black olives, onion, sour cream (not a big fan, but my mom is), and shredded lettuce. Then everyone layers it on their plate or in their bowl to their own preferance.

My aunt has an ice cream recipe that does not include raw eggs. (Something that has always made be rather cautious about a lot of homemade ice cream.) We ended up making two beautiful bathches of vanilla and then has a selection of thigns to put in it; multiple candy bars to crush up onto it, carmel, peanut butter sauce, multiple chocolate sauces, pecans, toasted almonds, peanuts, whipped cream, and cherrries.

We did what we did best... we ate, we aggravated each other, we played board games, and we spend time together that a lot of families can not hardly begin to understand.

Quote attributed to George Bernard Shaw: "If a group of beings from another planet were to land on Earth - beings who considered themselves as superior to you as you feel yourself to be to other animals - would you concede them the rights over you that you assume over other animals?"