Plant-Based Junkies

Thanksgiving is ONE WEEK AWAY….anyone else drooling yet? 

This will be my second Plant-Based Thanksgiving.  I do not know about you, but I am excited to try some new, delicious meals!  The reason I am posting this, is partly due to last year’s Thanksgiving.  I had only been “plant-based” for two months, so I honestly had NO CLUE what I could munch on for Thanksgiving.  As usual, my mother invited me over to her house.  Well, my mom did the “traditional” Thanksgiving, so I obviously could not partake in her festivities, but of course I wanted to spend time with my family.  So, while they consumed their dinner, I brought a can of organic vegetable soup (which I thought would be healthier than the alternative), and slurped that down, along with a bit of her cranberry sauce.  That was the extent of my Thanksgiving festivities.  Sounds delicious, right?

With that being said, I refuse to have another one of “those” Thanksgivings.  I have stumbled across some amazing plant-based meals, developed and planned by the BEST of the BEST!  I thought I would share these phenomenal, and “hard to believe they are healthy”, recipes with you. 

On a side note:  The tradition of Thanksgiving is about getting together with family and giving thanks.  It does not have to be about eating turkey.  I have officially made the decision, that from this year going forward, “traditional” Thanksgiving will now be the delectable whole food, plant-based meals I prepare, not the other way around.  Who is with me?  Let’s start a NEW TRADITION!  

Also, maybe your son or daughter has changed their lifestyle and gone vegan or plant-based. Perhaps you have an in-law visiting that’s taken the dietary plunge into veganism. No matter who it is, hosting a vegan can seem a little daunting, but fear not! Any dish can be veganized and there can be plenty of food for everyone. Here are some tips to hosting a vegan during the holidays (or any other time)!  Here is a great post from my friend Kelsey:  “Hosting a Vegan for the Holiday”

Enjoy the following mouth-watering, plant-based dishes!

(click on the main title in each section, for recipes)

RECIPES FOR THANKSGIVING DINNER FROM HAPPY HERBIVORE

By Lindsay S. Nixon (11/13/12)
CLICK HERE to get Lindsay S. Nixon’s books

Here’s my go-to Thanksgiving menu full of easy, no fuss plant-based recipes. Start with a delicious (only 3 ingredient!) butternut soup, then head to the main event: a “meatloaf” made from pantry staples, with cornbread, mashed potatoes, savory green beans and mushroom gravy that captures all the flavors of Thanksgiving! I’ve also included a recipe for stuffed acorn squash that’s a perfect side or potluck dish and a pumpkin sage pasta that’s unexpected but perfect for those short on time. Enjoy!

Table of Contents:

1. Butternut Soup
2. Hippie Loaf
3. Thanksgiving Gravy
4. Dirty Mashed Potatoes
5. Harvest Cornbread
6. Dijon-Herb Green Beans
7. Stuffed Acorn Squash
8. Pumpkin Sage Pasta

THANKSGIVING TIME

By VegNews (11/2012)

In this special issue of the VegNews letter, VegNews editors share their favorite tips, tricks, and suggestions for making November 22 the best Thanksgiving ever.  From must-make sides to show-stopping desserts to resources to help make sense of it all, VegNews has your back on what may be the biggest (veg) holiday of the year.  Happy cooking (and eating)!

Table of Contents:

Awesome Appetizers

1. Hot Caramelized Onion Bacon Dip
2. Jalapeño Cheddar Biscuits
3. Melty Cheese Fondue
4. Tangy Macadamia Sour Cream Herb Dip
5. Grilled Eggplant Wrapped King Oyster Mushrooms
6. Mushroom Puff Pastry Bites

Simple Sides

1. Lemon Garlic Rosemary Potatoes & Brussels Sprouts
2. Garlicky Whipped Sweet Potatoes with Herbs (Gluten-free!)
3. Garlic Mashed Potatoes (Gluten-free!)
4. Roasted Root Vegetables
5. Classic Cranberry Sauce
6. Spinach Roasted Fingerlings
7. Butternut Squash Baked Risotto
8. Broccoli Rabe Almondine (Gluten-free!)

Festive Centerpiece

1. Cheesy Pumpkin Baked Potato Casserole
2. Smokey Butternut Mac ‘n’ Cheese
3. Lentil and Mushroom Loaf with Savory Potato Filling
4. Pumpkin Chili
5. Sumptuous Shepherd’s Stew
6. Two-Cheese Lasagna
7. Thanksgiving Tart
8. Roasted Acorn Squash Filled with Wild Rice
9. Stuffed Maple Tofu

Decadent Desserts

1. Pumpkin Cookie Dough-Studded Caramel Cheesecake
2. Easy Chocolate Custard
3. Butternut Squash Pie Bars
4. Flourless Chocolate Cake with Whipped Cream
5. Cranberry Orange Ice Cream Pie (Gluten-free!)
6. Sticky Toffee Pecan Pudding
7. Pumpkin Cinnamon Bun Layer Cake
8. Pumpkin Bread Pudding
9. Pumpkin Praline Cheesecake
10. Peanut Butter Cup Pie

VEGAN THANKSGIVING MENU WITH RECIPES

By Dreena Burton’s Plant-Powered Kitchen (11/12/12)
CLICK HERE to get Dreena Burton’s Books

Today I’m going to share with you a SLEW of recipes that are ideal for your Thanksgiving menu – but also for Christmas.  You see, in Canada, while Thanksgiving is celebrated, it is nowhere near as large and festive as it is in the US.  So, I have always viewed American Thanksgiving dinner to be very similar to our traditional Christmas menu.  So, I will share with you the plant-powered dishes I make for both our Canadian Thanksgiving AND our Christmas dinner – pretty sure you will find at least a few to add to your own menu!

My menu is based on flavors and ingredients that were (somewhat) traditional from my childhood.  I say somewhat because there are parts of my Newfoundland food heritage that I didn’t care for and don’t try to preserve (salt beef, boiled cabbage).  But, the elements I loved – like dried savory in a moist breadcrumb based ‘dressing’ I did love.  So, I have reinvented some dishes in more compassionate, healthy – and flavorful ways, plus added my own menu components.  And, I’ll note that our families (my mom, my parents-in-law, and sisters) have said that our vegan dinner is tastier than their traditional turkey dinners (and that they feel better after eating it).

Table of Contents:

1. Festive Chickpea Tart
2. A phyllo pastry savory main course
3. Dressing
4. Gravy
5. Side Vegetables
6. Mixed Green Salad
7. Cranberry Sauce *
8. Dessert

HOLIDAY MENU WITH THE CHEF & THE DIETITIAN

By Chef AJ & Julieanna Hever (11/9/12)
CLICK HERE to get Chef AJ’s and Julieanna Hever’s books

Happy Holiday Season! The time has come where you get to share the magic of eating a health-promoting whole food, plant-based diet with your loved ones…Chef AJ has created an entire menu of SOS-free (sugar, salt, and oil-free), delicious recipes for you to show off and enjoy, including: Hearty Lentil Loaf, Twice-Baked Stuffed Sweet Potatoes, I Can’t Believe It’s Not Tuna Pate, Spinach Waldorf Salad with Reduced-fat Hail to the Kale Dressing, Almost-Instant Pumpkin Pudding, Maple-Glazed Brussels Sprouts, and Holiday Nog (plus the Cranberry Relish we made with Dr. Joel Fuhrman in Episode 10 as the bonus recipe).

Happy, healthy holiday season from The Chef and The Dietitian!!!

Table of Contents:

1. Hearty Lentil Loaf
2. Twice Baked Stuffed Sweet Potatoes
3. I can’t believe it’s not tuna pate
4. Spinach Waldorf
5. Reduced Fat Hail To The Kale Dressing
6. Almost Instant Pumpkin Pudding
7. Holiday Nog
8. Maple Glazed Brussels Sprouts

FORKS OVER KNIVES PLANT-BASED THANKSGIVING LIVESTREAM

By Julieanna Hever (11/28/11)
CLICK HERE to get Julieanna Hever’s books

This Thanksgiving, Forks Over Knives came into my kitchen and I demonstrated how to make an entire whole food, plant-based Thanksgiving meal live. The recipes I made were: Fall Harvest Chowder, Stuffed Acorn Squash, Tempeh Italiano (from The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Gluten-Free Vegan Cooking), Kale Salad with Maple Mustard Dressing, Berry Apple Relish, and Chocolate Chip Pumpkin Muffins (based off of my Blueberry Oat Breakfast Muffins in the Forks Over Knives book). Click here for all six recipes and I hope you enjoyed a happy, healthy Thanksgiving!

Table of Contents:

1. Fall Harvest Chowder
2. Stuffed Acorn Squash
3. Tempeh Italiano
4. Kale Salad with Maple Mustard Dressing
5. Berry Apple Relish
6. Chocolate Chip Pumpkin Muffins*

The video of Julieanna making the recipes is available on our YouTube page.

FORKS OVER KNIVES:  RECIPES FOR A PLANT-BASED THANKSGIVING

By Del Sroufe (11/14/12)
CLICK HERE to get Del Sroufe’s books

Thanksgiving is my favorite food holiday, full of rich flavors and bright colors. I always have my basics like Whole Grain Stuffing with Pecans and Currants, or Mashed Potatoes, but I like to change around the rest of the menu every year. Cranberry Orange Biscotti (recipe by Isa Chandra Moskowitz) is a great introduction to the evening for my guests. Chestnut Soup, usually a Christmas favorite, is creamy without added fat. Cauliflower Bechamel is my go to sauce for everything, and tastes great with Delicata Squash Boats. The Autumn Mixed Greens Salad is the perfect way to open up the taste buds for the dinner to come. And the finale, No Bake Cranberry Pear Tart has been a most requested dessert in my family for many years.

Table of Contents:

1. Autumn Mixed Green Salad
2. Chestnut Soup
3. Vegetable Stock
4. Mashed Potatoes
5. Cranberry Orange Biscotti
6. Delicata Squash Boats with Cauliflower Bechamel
7. Cauliflower Bechamel
8. Whole Graine Stuffing with Pecans and Currants
9. No Bake Cranberry Pear Tart

A PLANT-STRONG THANKSGIVING

by Engine 2 Team (11/16/12)
CLICK HERE to get Engine 2′s books

Worried about what you’ll be serving for Thanksgiving? We’ve got you covered! We have gathered up our FAVORITE plant-strong recipes from some of our favorite bloggers!

Appetizers and Soup: 

Happy Herbivore: Zucchini Sticks

Straight Up Food: Kabocha Bean Dip

Straight Up Food: Roasted Carrot and Fennel Soup

Happy Herbivore: Acorn Apple Soup

Plant-Powered Kitchen: Tamari Roasted Chickpeas

Fat Free Vegan: Lentil Soup with Coriander and Cumin

Dreena Burton: Pumpkin Hummus

Side Dishes: 

Happy Herbivore: Mashed Potatoes

Fat Free Vegan: Ginger Glazed Carrots

Fat Free Vegan: Stuffing

Plant-Powered Kitchen: Roasted Sweet Potato Puree 

Main Dishes: 

Fat Free Vegan: Seitan Stuffed with Walnuts, Dried Cranberries and Mushrooms

Fat Free Vegan: Tofu Stuffed with Brown Rice and Mushroom Gravy

Engine 2 Meatloaf

Engine 2 Sweet Potato Lasagna 

Engine 2 Shepherds Pie

Desserts: 

Plant-Powered Kitchen: Pumpkin-Chia Raw Chocolate Pudding Parfait Cups

Happy Herbivore: Pumpkin Pie 

Straight Up Food: Pumpkin Pie Squares 

Engine 2 Chocolate Ice-Box Pie

Thanksgiving Recipes

By Susan Voisin (FatFree Vegan Kitchen)

Make your Thanksgiving delicious and healthy with these sinlessly delicious recipes! You can also find more holiday recipes here.

Vegan Thanksgiving Recipes

By Kathy (The Lunchbox Bunch) (11/17/12)

Here is my annual recipe guide to help you host a healthy, happy, Vegan Thanksgiving feast!

A very vegan holiday. I remember my very first vegan Thanksgiving quite well. My homemade cranberry sauce was chilling in the fridge, my sweet potatoes were baking and caramelizing in the oven. I pulled my heavy, ice-covered Tofurky box out of the freezer and started reading the instructions, yanking out the box components. Some vegan “wishbones” and vegan gravy and that round firm Tofurky. I must say, I do love the Tofurky. But I haven’t made one in a few years. I remember it baking up a tad dry. I slathered it in gravy and Dijon mustard sauce. My meal was pretty good, but in the end I just felt so satisfied to have celebrated an entire meal, cruelty free. I had such a light and happy heart. A vegan meal can be delicious, easy, fun and life-changing. If you have never done “vegan Thanksgiving” before, I highly recommend you give it a try!  For even more Thanksgiving Recipes, visit: http://www.findingvegan.com/tagged/holiday.

Table of Contents:

1. Beverages
2. Appetizers/Sides
3. Salads/Veggies
4. Entrees
5. Soups
6. Desserts
7. Festive Breakfast

The Veggieducken

By Laine Doss (11/16/12)

Let’s just say it — vegetarians get screwed on Thanksgiving. Frankly, on a holiday nicknamed “turkey day”, you’ve got a problem if you’re not into tucking into a golden roasted bird.

But fret, not ye gentle of soul and spirit -Clean Plate Charlie has discovered something so awesome your carnivore friends will quake in envy of the immense majesty of the:

Veggieducken!!

The Veggieducken or the Squashleekotato Roast, is a vegetarian take on the mythical and rare Turducken.  It’s a sweet potato inside leeks inside a squash – with lots of delicious stuffing around every layer.

True, it’s labor intensive.  But this, dear sweet gentle friends of animals everywhere, is a labor of love.  Plus, the Veggieducken has magical powers designed to bring even meat eaters to their knees with its sheer coolness.  This is a good day for vegans, vegetarians (and turkeys), indeed.

The FullyRaw Holiday Salad

By FullyRawKristina (11/14/12)

Excited for Thanksgiving but not sure what to bring to the table? Everyone you know will go CRAZY for this FullyRaw Holiday Salad of EPIC proportions! It’s crunchy, sweet, and creamy, and it hits every taste bud, keeping you in a state of smiling bliss! I know that I will be sharing this with my loved ones this Holiday season, and I hope that you do too! A thumbs up means you like it…let me know what you think!Recipe at: http://www.rawfullyorganic.com/content.php?section=recipes&id=121

There are plenty more recipes out there, but this should give you a good start, right?  Lets give thanks to the bountiful amounts of healthy foods available to us, and enjoy time with our families.  I wish all of you a HAPPY, HEALTHY THANKSGIVING!

 

 

 

 

***P.S.***

Check back, because I might just add MORE RECIPES as I find them!!