1. HOLIDAY VEGAN RECIPES
Whether it’s a religious celebration like Christmas or Hanukkah,a specific county’scelebration like
Thanksgiving in the Americas or Chinese New Year in the Asia, food is the great equalizer that brings
together different families of different
cultures on the dinner table to jointly
partake of a meal.
Linking these celebrations and cuisine,
images that come to mind include
Thanksgiving’s stuffed turkey with
cranberry sauce, yams and pumpkin
pie; Christmas pudding and
gingerbread houses in the West; and
Lenten fish dishes in Catholic
countries. Each country has their own
holiday dishes that signify elements of
the season, observe ancient traditions,
or simply celebrate the joy of that time
of year.
Holidays could very well be the most
frustrating time of the year for vegans if they are celebrating the holidays and its mealtimes with non-
vegans. Holiday fare, being celebratory, in nature are always extra special and thus most likely contains
meat, poultry and rich desserts. If the one preparing the food is not familiar with dishes that not only
exclude meat but eggs and dairy as well, a vegan could very well be left eating a green salad and bread.
Desserts can contain eggs, milk, butter and/or cream.
For vegan gatherings however, it can be a fun time of the year especially if each guest can contribute to a
potluck. It is recommended that a menu be discussed and delegated to the guests so that the resulting
feast will have a balance of appetizers, main courses, desserts and drinks. Vegan potlucks, poorly planned,
can encounter the same situation as other gatherings wherein everyone brings a salad or a dessert.
Simple tips to consider when preparing
holiday fare is to use the flavour profiles of
traditional dishes served. Take inspiration
from the vegan ingredients, herbs and
spices used in the season. Example would
be to useapples, yams and cranberries in
dishes for Thanksgiving. Use nutmeg,
cinnamon and clove to enhance Christmas
fare. For meat dishes, convert it to vegan
by highlighting more on the fruit and
vegetable components. Again for
Thanksgiving, you can prepare the turkey
stuffing only with a variety of sauces and
side dishes.
Ensure that nutritive values are sufficient by infusing protein-rich components such as tofu, nuts, grains
and beans. As a last resort, use texturized vegetable protein which is readily available in many forms
mimicking practically all kinds of meat.
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