Christmas holiday is coming near infront of
us, during the holiday the temptation to fall off
the wagon is everywhere for a vegan, specifically a new vegan who still hasn't
fully overcome the meat addiction. You're looking at the array of foods that
you once consumed in sheer bliss and thinking what exactly am I trying to prove
here? Well, rest assured that you're not alone. It happens to the best of us.
My weakness used to be mac and cheese. Nonetheless, you can beat it and successfully survive the holidays without slipping. Here are some effective strategies for doing so.
My weakness used to be mac and cheese. Nonetheless, you can beat it and successfully survive the holidays without slipping. Here are some effective strategies for doing so.
1.
Do
your own vegan holiday feast -There are
various ways to accommodate vegans and omnivores at the same meal, but for
Christmas dinner I recommend the approach of just cooking a vegan alternative
to the piece of meat and making sure that at least most of the side dishes are
vegan-friendly, rather than cooking a separate self-contained meal for your
vegan guest(s). It's easier just make a meat alternative than a whole
additional meal and it's nicer socially
if everyone can share most of the same food. This year was the first time that
I did this and I must admit that I was really proud of myself. I held nothing
back. From tofurkey and dressing to collards and yams I brought it and made it
the best vegan Thanksgiving ever! Try this on your own and you'll find that the
feeling from being able to eat everything at the table is exhilarating. There
are shop-bought meat alternative products available if you don't have time to
do something home-made.
2.
Ask
the host to hold the meat - Usually, if you ask nicely the host won't mind
doing this for a few of the veggie dishes. Pitch it as a healthier alternative
to the traditional way of cooking veggies and she may even continue the
practice beyond the holidays.
3.
Bring
your own - It always amazes me at how curious people are about vegan food.
Whenever I bring a vegan dish it's always a hit and people rave about how it
taste just like ‘regular' food as if vegans eat some type of alien food or
something. Also, if I bring a tossed salad there are always those who are grateful
as there is rarely a salad option available during this time of year.
4.
Offer
to host - Use the holidays as an opportunity to educate your family and close
friends on veganism by playing host. Serve an all-vegan feast and be sure to
include something for the die-hard meat eaters such as tofurkey as well as
dishes that appeal to the less meat-addicted. Not only will your guests get the
benefit of a healthy holiday feast, but they'll be more knowledgeable about
veganism.
5.
Issue
a challenge - Challenge your family and friends to a meat-out holiday. If
they're competitive they'll be up for it. Moreover, they'll swear that they
aren't addicted to meat the way that you say they are so they'll be anxious to
prove you wrong.
6.
Dine
out at a vegan restaurant - I know its not the most ideal solution, but it is a
viable option. Many vegan restaurants open during the holidays with you in mind
so if all else fails you can always enjoy a nice, vegan holiday feast at your
favorite vegan restaurant. The food is sure to be scrumptious and you won't
have to worry about not getting your fill or having a nice selection of
vegan-friendly food options to choose from.
Holiday feasts
usually present the best reasons for people to enjoy and spend wonderful moments
together. For vegans if you happen to be a host and have to
cook for everyone that will be a challenge for you , especially for new vegan. Not everyone may associate the concept of
"meatless" with "celebration." However, because of the
growing awareness of the healthful properties of a vegetarian diet, there are
more meat substitutes that are available on the market today, such as Tofu
Turkey (a.k.a. "Tofurky") that
help people prepare a hearty holiday feast that both vegetarians, vegans, and
meat-eaters alike will enjoy.
Here's a few Christmas recipes for those on an egg-free or
dairy-free diet this Christmas.
Carrot & Coriander Soup
2 tbsps vegetable oil
3 medium onions, chopped
4 garlic cloves, crushed
1 kg/2 lb 2oz fresh carrots, chopped
2 or 3 sweet potatoes, chopped
1.4 litres/21⁄2 pints water
2 tbsps vegetable bouillon ground nutmeg salt
1 bunch fresh coriander
Directions :
1. Heat the oil in a pan and add the onions. Saute for
about ten minutes or until the onions are translucent. Add the garlic and saute
for one minute.
2. Add the carrots, sweet potatoes and water to the pan.
3. Bring to the boil and simmer for about 30/35 minutes,
until the carrots and potatoes are very soft and you can easily mash them with
a spoon.
4. Add the bouillon and 3⁄4 of the coriander, roughly
chopped.
5. Remove from the heat and blend it to a smooth creamy
soup.
6. Put back on the heat, add the nutmeg and salt to
taste.
7. Reheat and then serve with some of the remaining fresh
coriander as a garnish.
Leek and Mushroom Pie
2 leeks
675g/1.5 lb
mushrooms
115g/4 oz
margarine
115g/4 oz fi
ne fresh breadcrumbs
500g/1 lb 2
oz puff pastry
4 tbsps fi
nely chopped parsley
Directions :
1. Preheat
oven to 200°C/400°F/Gas Mark 6.
2. Fry leek
in 30g/1 oz of the margarine until soft not brown. Add mushrooms and cook for a
few minutes; allow to cool.
3. In
another pan heat 55g/2 oz margarine and fry the crumbs until crisp.
4. Roll 2/3
of puff pastry to fi t a medium to large pie dish. It should go up the sides as
well.
5. Put the
leek and mushroom mixture into the dish, then sprinkle 3⁄4 of the crumbs and
the parsley.
6. Roll the
remaining pastry to fi t the top. Moisten with water around the edges so it
sticks to the bottom pastry. Put some holes with a fork.
7. Melt
remaining margarine in a small pan, then brush over the top, and sprinkle with
the remaining crumbs.
Bake 40
minutes or until golden and crisp.
Serves 4-6
Smoky Tofu and Cashew Nuts in Tomato Sauce
1 small
onion
1 small
garlic clove
1 tablespoon
olive oil
200g/7 oz
smoked tofu
250 ml/9 fl
oz apple juice
4 tsp tomato
puree
3 tsp
marjoram
250g cashew
nuts
Directions :
1. Chop the
onions and crush the garlic. Heat the oil in a pan and add thegarlic and onion.
Sauté for 2-3 minutes.
2. Cut the
tofu into cubes and add to the pan and sauté for a further 2-3 minutes.
3. Add the
apple juice, tomato puree, marjoram and cashew nuts.
4. Bring to
the boil, then lower the heat and simmer, covered, for about 15 minutes.
Add more liquid if needed.
Christmas
Fruit Cake
Ingredients :
4 tbsp water
1/4 cup vegan margarine
1/2 cup sugar
6 ounces candied fruit mix
1 1/4 cup water or orange juice
1 3/5 cup flour
1 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp baking soda
1 tsp allspice
Directions :
Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
Briefly whip the Egg Replacer in 4 tablespoons water
until fluffy.
Place vegan margarine, sugar, dried fruit,
whipped Egg Replacer and 1-1/4 cup water (or orange juice) in a saucepan. Bring
to a boil and allow cooling for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally.
Sift the flour, baking powder, baking soda and allspice
together. Mix in boiled mixture and transfer to a greased loaf tin or a greased
8inch diameter cake tin.
Bake for 35 to 40 minutes. Let cool in tin.
Vegan Eggnog
Ingredints :
4 cups soy milk
1 tbsp instant vanilla pudding powder (make sure it's
vegan)
1 cup nondairy whipping cream or heavy cream
1 tsp vanilla extract
1/4 tsp salt
1/4 tsp nutmeg
1/4 tsp cinnamon
Directions
:
Whisk together half of the soy milk and instant pudding
untill thickened. Add the remaining soy milk and the cream and mix well. Add
the remaining ingredients, except cinnamon. Allow to chill overnnight before
serving, and sprinkle with cinnamon just before serving
Vegan
Gingerbread Waffles
Ingredients :
1/4 cup sugar
1/4 cup vegan margarine
Egg replacer for 2 eggs
1/2 cup molasses
1/2 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp ginger
1/4 tsp ground cloves
1/4 tsp nutmeg
dash salt
1 1/4 cups flour
3/4 tsp baking soda
1/2 cup hot water
Directions :
Combine the sugar, veganmargarine and replacer, mixing until smooth and creamy. Add molasses and
stir to combine.
Combine the remaining ingredients, except the hot water.
Slowly add to the sugar and margarine mixture, stirring to combine. Add hot
water and beat until a smooth batter is formed.
Bake in a waffle iron until done.
More Vegan Recipes see the followingwebsites:
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