[elizabeth99]

So, I'm a christmas fanatic and this is my first year as a veggie at Christmas. Any tips/recpies for having as 'normal' a Christmas as possible with ref to veggie food? Thanks!

 

[madder]

We usually have a nut roast or something similar in place of turkey, and then all the usual 'trimmings' - carrots, brussel sprouts, roast potatoes, stuffing etc.

 

[jeezycreezy]

I loooooooooooooooooooOOOOOOOOooooooove Christmas. <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="/images/smilies/elf.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title=":elf:"><img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="/images/smilies/santa2.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title=":santa:"><img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="/images/smilies/elf.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title=":elf:"><br><br><br><br>
Um, yeah.<br><br><br><br>
Soy nog is the balm.<br><br><br><br>
I don't care for Tofurkey myself, but it seems to fill a void for some people.<br><br><br><br>
A lot of Christmas dishes are in the Thanksgiving vein, so:<br><br><br><br><a href="http://www.boutell.com/vegetarian/Thanksgiving.html" target="_blank">http://www.boutell.com/vegetarian/Thanksgiving.html</a><br><br><br><br>
Christmas cheers!<br><br>
TJ

 

[codemonkey]

I'm planning to just cook all the "side" stuff and no turkey. Cornbread stuffing (I'm toying with the idea of stuffing it inside a pumpkin), mashed potatoes with lots of mushroom gravy, butternut squash, some good crusty bread, some kind of green vegetable and then a few pies for desert.<br><br><br><br>
It sure will be nice not having to babysit a turkey all day.

 

[compassionate1]

Yeah, Tofurkey can take a little getting used to.<br><br><br><br>
In my mind, the best thing about Thanksgiving and Christmas meals is eating my weight in Mashed Potatoes and Mashed Sweet Potatoes. Throw in a little veg stuffing and some warm bread and I'm doin' this: <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="/images/smilies/hump.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title=":hump:">

 

[jeezycreezy]

<div class="quote-container"><span>Quote:</span>
<div class="quote-block">Originally Posted by <strong>compassionate1</strong> <a href="/forum/post/0"><img alt="View Post" class="inlineimg" src="/img/forum/go_quote.gif" style=""></a><br><br>
Yeah, Tofurkey can take a little getting used to.</div>
</div>
<br><br><br>
But for the price, who can afford to?<br><br><br><br>
The gravy alone is enough to induce vomitting. <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="/images/smilies/spew.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title=":spew:"><img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="/images/smilies/toilet.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title=":flush:"><br><br><br><br>
Me no likey.<br><br><br><br>
Cheers!<br><br>
TJ

 

[codemonkey]

I have a vegan friend who prefers the Unturkey. She says her family likes it a lot better than tofurkey. I'm afraid to try it. I always like all the other stuff more than the actual turkey anyway.

 

[jeezycreezy]

<div class="quote-container"><span>Quote:</span>
<div class="quote-block">Originally Posted by <strong>codemonkey</strong> <a href="/forum/post/0"><img alt="View Post" class="inlineimg" src="/img/forum/go_quote.gif" style=""></a><br><br>
I have a vegan friend who prefers the Unturkey. She says her family likes it a lot better than tofurkey. I'm afraid to try it. I always like all the other stuff more than the actual turkey anyway.</div>
</div>
<br><br><br>
Yeah, mashed potatos and stuffing and sweet potatoes are the shiznit.<br><br><br><br>
I've never heard of <a href="http://www.nowandzen.net/home.html" target="_blank">Unturkey.</a><br><br><br><br>
Huh.<br><br><br><br>
Well, to each his own, but even if that was good I just find I can cook a lot of delicious vegan foods for less money.<br><br><br><br>
And while I do eat some meat substitutes (less and less these days) having a tofurkey or an unturkey smacks too much of the notion that you have to have "meat" at the center of your meal.<br><br><br><br>
It's almost kind of sad, like veg*ns are all trying to pretend we're something we're not kind of thing. Like when Eddie Murphy's mom made him something better than 'Donalds. You know?<br><br><br><br>
Not that I care one iota if other people eat faux poultry.<br><br><br><br>
Just sharing my POV, bitter and twisted as it is.<br><br><br><br>
Cheers!<br><br>
TJ

 

[cookingVeg]

I've had tofurky. I like everything about it except the stuffing, which I find bland. I've made stuffed seitan roasts using recipes from Bryanna Clark Grogan. This year I'm thinking of making a nut roast. Really, it's all about the fresh homemade bread anyway.

 

[bethann]

Two dishes I like:<br><br><br><br>
Stuffed Onions: hollow out and bake a red onion/person. Mince garlic, some of the leftover onion, mushrooms, and tofu and saute until browned. Mix with salt, plenty of sage, and breadcrumbs. Put the mixture into the onions, top with extra bread crumbs, and bake around 15-20 minutes.<br><br><br><br>
Shepherd's pie. Cook 1/2 cup french lentils (green) and 1/4 barley (I use unpearled) in water for about 30 minutes with a bay leaf. Then add chopped onion, carrot, parsnip, peas, corn,... whatever appeals to you and cook until the vegetables are tender. Mix in some herbes de provence, and some flour until mixture thickens. Pour into a casserole dish.<br><br><br><br>
Meanwhile, make mashed potatoes however you usually like them (personalyl I like lumpy garlic mashed potatoes for this) or use leftovers, spread them ontop of the casserole, and bake about 30 minutes.

 

[Ravenfire]

The side dishes always meant more to me than the actual turkey. Especially the dressing! This year we're thinking of having a big pan of dressing, mashed potatoes, cranberry sauce, mushroom gravy, & I'm going to make my first attempt at veganizing green bean casserole.

 

[sunshinegal]

OHHHHH! All of these ideas sound wonderful. Over the past 7 years I have never tried to replace the turkey, I just make the sides and pig out! <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="/images/smilies/lick.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title=":lick:"> I love stuffing and cooked carrots and mashed potatoes or sweet potatoes. The turkey was never a big part of my meal anyway.<br><br><br><br>
Last year my boyfriend and daughter and friend ended up getting like some honeybaked ham because I will not cook meat and they ate the sides with me. It worked out fine cause the ham just came home, no cooking and I got all the sides I wanted!

 

[sunshinegal]

<div class="quote-container"><span>Quote:</span>
<div class="quote-block">Originally Posted by <strong>Ravenfire</strong> <a href="/forum/post/0"><img alt="View Post" class="inlineimg" src="/img/forum/go_quote.gif" style=""></a><br><br>
The side dishes always meant more to me than the actual turkey. Especially the dressing! This year we're thinking of having a big pan of dressing, mashed potatoes, cranberry sauce, mushroom gravy, & I'm going to make my first attempt at veganizing green bean casserole.</div>
</div>
<br><br><br>
By the way, what is this mushroom gravy I have been hearing about? I miss gravy around the holidays! Do share or point me in the right direction! <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="/images/smilies/cool3.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="">

 

[WonderRandy]

wow. Christmas already?<br><br><br><br>
if you do a search, you'll find LOTS of threads on holiday meals. Not saying we can't discuss it again, but you'll find plenny resources here!<br><br><br><br>
wow. Christmas already....