Serve up a vegan Thanksgiving
The largest autumn holiday celebration in the United States traditionally features a roasted turkey or ham with all the fixings, but vegans not only avoid meat, they bypass dairy and egg products as well. Creating a vegan is possible, although it requires some creativity and basic food preparation knowledge. When your Thanksgiving menu calls for vegan fare, provide a delicious meal that will appeal to your guests, even the non-vegans.
Instructions
1. Start with the main dish. No one will miss the turkey when you serve up TPV with poultry seasonings. TVP is a tasteless soy product that provides substance in foods and takes on the flavors of the other ingredients in the dish. Try a typical TVP meatloaf recipe but substitute sage and rosemary for the seasonings.
2. Serve piping hot butternut squash soup with a side salad for your first course. In any recipe where milk is an ingredient, you can substitute coconut or oatmeal milk for a creamy base that enhances your dish. Oatmeal milk is made by pouring a cup of boiling water over 2 tbsp. of dry oatmeal and allowing it to cool to room temperature before processing on high speed in the blender until it's silky smooth.
3. Tempt everyone's palate with traditional mashed potatoes, served with mushroom gravy. Yukon gold potatoes add a wonderful golden hue to your dish and you can substitute rice milk or soymilk to thin the potatoes to the desired consistency. Consider using your hand mixer to whip the cooked potatoes into a fluffy and delicious side dish. Saute a little diced garlic in olive oil and add to the whipped potatoes, if desired. Top with fresh chives.
4. Remember to offer plenty of traditional Thanksgiving vegetable dishes. Serving a vegan menu doesn't mean you can skimp on variety and taste. Choose at least three vegetable dishes. Some ideas to consider are baked sweet potatoes, cauliflower au gratin made with soy cheese, tossed broccoli and rice salad or a green bean casserole.
5. Include cranberry sauce and bake your own vegan rolls or bread to serve piping hot. Many bread recipes are naturally vegan and are every bit as delicious as those with eggs and milk.
6. Finish your Thanksgiving meal in traditional style with a pumpkin pie. Use a regular recipe and replace the eggs with vegetarian egg replacement powder, prepared as the label directs or following a vegan pie recipe. Apple pie is a vegan delight all year round, so consider adding one to your dessert menu.
7. Provide ice tea, iced coffee or your favorite wine with Thanksgiving dinner. Spiced hot cider is another good choice.
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