How to Have a Vegetarian Holiday Dinner

There are over 7 million vegetarians in America, according to a 2008 poll from Vegetarian Times. It has also been reported that following a vegetarian lifestyle lowers your risk of developing many types of cancer, but it can mean a bit of sidestepping around the dinner table during the holidays. Even if most of your family eats meat, chances are you will have at least one guest at your table that leans toward a vegetarian lifestyle.

Traditionally, a Holiday dinner is an event that revolves around turkey and stuffing, cranberry sauce, sweet potatoes and pumpkin pie. Just because you have sworn off meat does not mean that you have to give up tradition (notice only one of the “traditional” items above involve meat and you can even make vegetarian gravy to go with the stuffing), but it doesn’t mean you have to fill up on side dishes either. There is also no need to stoop to tofurkey, unless you really and truly enjoy it.

While a vegetarian might at least enjoy the cheesy potato casserole, the vegan at the table might go to bed a little hungry. Adding vegetarian or vegan friendly dishes to your holiday table opens up a whole new world of possibilities that will allow you to create your own cornucopia of unique and flavorful dishes that probably get overlooked in a household of meat eaters. Adding some yummy veggie dishes will also keep you young, not to mention the added dose of heart health to all who partake. There are ways to add a little variety to your traditional dishes. In fact, there are more than 25 variations on some fairly traditional holiday potato recipes.

For a beautiful centerpiece and a wholesome meal, try making the main dish a vegetable or root stew that you serve in a hollowed out pumpkin. There are several variations of this recipe, so find one that works for you or get creative and make your own flavor combinations. Use the pumpkin meat to make a spicy pumpkin soup that is sure to heat you up on a chilly day. While in the creative groove, you might experiment with some different types of garnish to make your dish especially presentable. If you are not inclined to fashion a fruit into a butterfly, try garnishing with some edible flowers. Lavender, dill, thyme, cilantro, day lily, squash blossom, or Nasturtiums make attractive garnish and can be munched on right alongside the meal.

A delicious complement to any meal that includes more veggies, protein, and complex carbohydrates (when you add rice) is carmelized tofu over brussel sprouts, sweet and sour roasted winter squash, or colorful red cabbage with cranberries.

There are many ideas for your bread side, mix and match your favorites to give your guests plenty of choices. Purchase organic ingredients when possible.

Here are some recipes to try:

• Sweet Potato Biscuits

• Herb-Cheese Biscuits

• Rice Balls*

• Almond Butter Bread*

• Orange Cranberry Loaf*

For a sweet drink the youngest dinner guests will enjoy, try one of the recipes from the Harry Potter stories. Madam Rosemerta’s Magical Recipes includes a recipe for pumpkin juice, a popular drink from the story that can be made using natural juices and raw honey. There are plenty of other holiday drinks that can be modified slightly to make them vegan friendly and healthier for everyone.

For dessert, there is pumpkin pie or cupcakes for the kids. You may garnish with chocolate leaves by coating some edible leaves with smooth melted vegan chocolate and let them dry on wax paper.

No matter which dishes you decide to include in your festive celebrations, if you are contributing some veggie laden platters to a family gathered round a roasted bird, everyone will be eating healthier. Have fun, get creative, and go hollow out that pumpkin!

*Gluten-Free