Thursday, November 16, 2017

Our Vegetarian Thanksgiving Menu

We love Vegetarian Thanksgiving!  Honestly-- I think we get more veggies in (compared to the traditional meal) by about 200% and still feel so full we take a family nap in the afternoon!

More than half of our Thanksgiving meal is vegan-- but all of our desserts are vegetarian and my two little ones' favorite dish on Thanksgiving is mac & cheese.



 We may try to slowly veganize that mac & cheese, but over the last 10 years we went from full out turkey and everything to vegetarian Thanksgiving, and now (mostly) vegan.  So these recipes were slowly added in and eventually the ones I grew up with became unappealing to me after a few years of Thanksgivings.

Take a peek (or taste!) at all the recipes that end up on our Thanksgiving table and see if there's anything you can replace to start having a more plant-based Thanksgiving holiday.


Our Thanksgiving Menu (scroll down for recipes):


  • 365 brand vegan stuffing
  • Vegan gravy
  • Mashed potatoes
  • Mac & cheese
  • Big chunky salad (avocado, nuts, greens, cranberries)
  • Green beans almondine
  • Roasted veggies
  • Cheese plate


Dessert:  


  • Vegan pumpkin pie (vegan crusts)
  • Chocolate pie (vegan crusts)

I can honestly say-- I have never tasted a better gravy than this vegan gravy.  And having a huge chunky salad instead of a turkey feels so much better in my body.  And it was hard for me to part with Pepperidge Farm stuffing a couple years ago-- but HOLY COW-- 365 brand vegan stuffing BLOWS IT AWAY!  Like, but a LOT!  Better tasting AND no crap added.





  • Vegan stuffing:
    In a hot pot, melt 1 stick Earth Balance
    Saute 1 cup finely chopped celery + 1 cup finely chopped yellow onion
    Add 2 cups water + 1 vegan Rapunzel boullion cube
    Add 2 bags 365 brand Vegan Multigrain Stuffing and mix
    Bake 25 minutes at 350 and serve!


    Vegan gravy:
      • 1/2 cup oil (avocado, oil, grapeseed)
      • 1/3 cup chopped onion
      • 5 cloves garlic, minced
      • 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
      • 4 teaspoons nutritional yeast
        
      • 4 tablespoons light soy sauce
      • 2 cups vegetable broth
      • 1/2 teaspoon dried sage
      • 1/2 teaspoon salt
      • 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper

      1. Heat oil in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Saute onion and garlic until soft and translucent, about 5 minutes. Stir in flour, nutritional yeast, and soy sauce to form a smooth paste. Gradually whisk in the broth. Season with sage, salt, and pepper. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat, and simmer, stirring constantly, for 8 to 10 minutes, or until thickened

      2. Mashed potatoes:
      3. 5 lbs (1 bag) russet or yellow potatoes
      4. 1/2 stick Earth Balance
      5. 1/2- 1 cup 365 brand unsweetened almond milk (to desired consistency)
      6. Real Salt to taste
      7. Boil potatoes (put cut in large pieces in a pot of cold water, then turn on high)
      8. Put Earth Balance & milk in large bowl. Once potatoes come apart when you stick a form in them, scoop with wire skimmer into the bowl. Mash with hand masher.

      9. Mac & cheese recipe is here

      10. Big chunky salad (avocado, slivered almonds, greens, cranberries, arugala, kale, goat cheese, purple cabbage)

        Optional: Roasted veggies: Brussels sprouts, cauliflower, sweet potato-- toss in avocado oil, salt and roast at 400 for 35 mins

      1. Green beans almondine:
      2. Fresh green beans
      3. Slivered almonds
      4. Lemon
      5. Salt
      Steam beans-- toss in the rest!

      Roasted veggies:
      Chop up cauliflower, Brussels sprouts-- any other veggies you like (carrots, sweet potato, onion, etc)-- toss in avocado oil & salt-- roast for 35-45 min at 400

      Pumpkin pie-- I use Minimalist baker's recipe, but with pre-bought vegan crusts

      Chocolate pie, click here

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