A Merry, Meatless Thanksgiving
The traditional Thanksgiving table is normally piled high with fresh dinner rolls, creamy mashed potatoes and succulent turkey. However, with veganism and vegetarianism on the rise, here are a couple of Thanksgiving comfort foods with a twist to replace the nauseatingly buttery dishes.
Just because a dish is meatless does not mean it cannot be mouth-watering. It turns out that healthy, meatless substitute dishes are not just reserved for the 3 percent of Americans who are vegetarian, some of the finest restaurants in the nation are following the popular trend of vegetarianism.
“It makes for good eating to reconsider and create dishes that let vegetables play a major role,” said Michael Anthony, executive chef of Gramercy Tavern in New York City.
By Julia Poppy
Ingredients:
2 pounds kale, stemmed and cut into bite-sized pieces
1 pinch red pepper flakes
1/3 cup dried cranberries
1/3 cup walnuts
Sea salt and pepper to taste
Steps:
Combine all of the ingredients in a bowl. To make the dressing, mix equal parts olive oil and balsamic vinegar and stir in a touch of mustard.
Festive Kale Salad
(serves 6-8)
Cranberry Sauce
Dairy-Free Pumpkin Pie
(serves 6-8)
Ingredients:
1 (15-16 oz.) can pumpkin
3/4 pound tofu
1 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
3/4 tsp. ginger
1/2 tsp. nutmeg
1/3 cup oil
1 tsp. vanilla
1 cup light brown sugar
1 1/2 Tablespoon molasses
2 Tablespoons flour
1 unbaked pastry crust
Ingredients:
1/4 cup water
1/4 cup orange juice
2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
1/4 cup dried cranberries
1/4 teaspoon guar gum (or substitute 2 teaspoons olive oil)
3 tablespoons walnut halves or pieces, toasted
2 large ripe pears, each cut into 8 to 12 slices
4 to 6 cups greens, including bitter ones like arugula or cress
Freshly ground pepper to taste
Steps:
Blend until smooth. Pour into crust.
Steps:
- Combine the water, orange juice, balsamic vinegar, mustard and 2 tablespoons of the cranberries in a food processor. Process. Add the guar gum and process. Set aside.
- Put washed and dried greens in a large bowl. Pour half the dressing over the greens and toss. Arrange pears over greens and sprinkle walnuts and cranberries over pears.
- Add remaining dressing if you like. Top with freshly ground pepper. Serve right away.
The traditional Thanksgiving table is normally piled high with fresh dinner rolls, creamy mashed potatoes and succulent turkey. However, with veganism and vegetarianism on the rise, here are a couple of Thanksgiving comfort foods with a twist to replace the nauseatingly buttery dishes.
Just because a dish is meatless does not mean it cannot be mouth-watering. It turns out that healthy, meatless substitute dishes are not just reserved for the 3 percent of Americans who are vegetarian, some of the finest restaurants in the nation are following the popular trend of vegetarianism.
“It makes for good eating to reconsider and create dishes that let vegetables play a major role,” said Michael Anthony, executive chef of Gramercy Tavern in New York City.
The traditional Thanksgiving table is normally piled high with fresh dinner rolls, creamy mashed potatoes and succulent turkey. However, with veganism and vegetarianism on the rise, here are a couple of Thanksgiving comfort foods with a twist to replace the nauseatingly buttery dishes.
Just because a dish is meatless does not mean it cannot be mouth-watering. It turns out that healthy, meatless substitute dishes are not just reserved for the 3 percent of Americans who are vegetarian, some of the finest restaurants in the nation are following the popular trend of vegetarianism.
“It makes for good eating to reconsider and create dishes that let vegetables play a major role,” said Michael Anthony, executive chef of Gramercy Tavern in New York City.
Some excellent vegetarian side dishes include: pear and toasted walnut salad with cranberry vinaigrette, contemporary candied yams, and a festive kale salad (vegkitchen.com).
Just because you are vegan does not mean that you have to miss out on the classic Thanksgiving pumpkin pie. Look below for an easy, tasty pumpkin pie recipe that is completely dairy free. Care to top it with some vegan coconut cream? Look right below the pumpkin pie recipe and a delicious coconut whipped cream recipe 100 percent vegan awaits.
One does not have to be a vegetarian to enjoy these meatless dishes. In fact, anyone with a penchant for healthy and tasty food is sure to enjoy these scrumptious, heart warming, delights during autumn.
(serves 6-8)
