Any Ideas for a Vegan Christmas Meal?!
Answers: My family is celebrating the holiday with me this year and I am the only vegan. I would like to show them how filling and delicious a vegan Christmas meal can be, but I'm not sure what to serve. I'd like to stay away from Tofu/ mock meat products. The entree should really stand out. I am serving a carrot-ginger soup. Any ideas of what would go nicely with it?
I think that Vegetarian nut loaf is very nice with a delicious gravy and mashed potatoes. It is something that everybody enjoys. You can also serve some stuffing.
Really good vegetables seasoned really well.
Eat ham, turkey, steak.
Seriously, the human body isn't biologically meant to process only vegan foods.
Buy organic, hunt yourself, if it's moral or healthwise.
But really, teh animal's dead, don't let good meat go to waste.
Beans and whole grains are the secret. There are a lot of recipes for "mock meatloaf" and "tofurkey" but the key towards being a good vegan is to appreciate the food for what it is. A mock meatloaf should appropriately be named a baked tempeh loaf or a roasted white bean casserole, etc.
These days there are a lot of people who are turning into vegetarians, which is not a bad thing. The thing to being a vegetarians isn't to try to make people hate meat, but it should be more of an effort for people to try and appreciate where those animals come from and the earth. Since you are a vegan, avoid the recipes that include eggs and milk, which shouldn't be a problem. If serving vegetables, be sure to steam them or roast them. This ensures that they do not lose their nutrients and retain/concentrate their natural flavor. Be sure to season properly with salt (sea salt is my preference) and pepper (if desired) and a good extra virgin olive oil.
Some ideas:
Roasting:
potatoes - become caramelized, tender and very delicious
asparagus - concentrated flavor with a natural sweetness, add lemon zest for a zing and/or toasted pine nuts/almonds for texture
tomatoes - compare a sun dried tomato to a slice of fresh, the flavor is very sharp and concentrated; makes an excellent addition to pasta dishes
root vegetables - sweet potatoes, turnips, parsnips, etc. all of these vegetables become very sweet; add a splash of cider vinegar for a pop, and a sprinkle of brown sugar for sweetness
Baking:
pastas - in any size, shape, form, consistency; add vegan cheese if you like and you think your guests will like
squashes - butternut/acorn/spaghetti are all popular choices; also excellent additions to casseroles when the potato has become overdone
Go to your local book store and page through the various vegetarian cookbooks (Alice Waters, Moosewood, etc. are some prime examples)
How about a pot pie w/mushrooms, potatoes, broccoli, beans, other veggies? It might be a little filling with the soup, though. Vegetarian lasagna is a great main dish. You can also stuff bell peppers with wild rice, topped with chopped walnuts and dried cranberries. Serve with salad, breadrolls and or baked potatoes. Do you have any vegan cookbooks? If not, check at your local library. Have fun!
wow!! Your family must really love you if they are willing to forego eating good food on Christmas day and go vegan instead. Imagine, the many (them) sacrificing for the good of one (you). I guess that's the true spirit of Christmas on their part..wonder who's the grinch?
I think if your calling them flesh eaters, it only shows that your forcing your veg*n beliefs on them.
I would try a nut roast with tofu-bacon rashers. WIth veg*n gravy.
You can have the standard x-mas dinner vegetables followed by a veg*n x-mas pudding.
Make a change...
Western, Chinese, Indian cuisine, all in vegan.
I've done once my guests totally unbelieved they were vege. Out of suspicion my friend inquired, I told them all are vegan diet, prepared in their way. I also included alot of raw lettuce, cucumber, tomatoes, broccoli, celery.
I think a dish of roasted winter vegetables would be appreciated; turnips, potatoes, parsnips, and celery root seasoned with salt, dry herbs, and sugar. Easy to prepare, filling, and Christmas-y.