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Friday, November 18, 2011

Vegan Thanksgiving

Guess who's bad at blogging lately?? Oh, that would be me. With two jobs it's a little difficult to make time for my blog sometimes. So sad. Anyway...

Thanksgiving is just around the corner!!

Less than a week away! Eek!

So when you think of Thanksgiving, you probably think of turkey, right? Eating turkey on Thanksgiving is considered "normal" and "traditional." Well that doesn't have to be true.

Save the turkeys!!

So I wanted to write a blog dedicated to vegan/vegetarian Thanksgiving food. I know it seems strange to some people, but it can be done!!



Let's start with Tofurky...

You can buy it as a "feast" that includes sides or just the Tofurky alone. It even comes with stuffing inside.


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Another idea, if you're a little weirded out by the Tofurky, a vegan "meatloaf". I found this recipe on the Kiss Me I'm Vegan blog that sounds pretty simple. She said it was "father-in-law approved." Apparently this meat-eater got seconds! I think I'm going to try making this for Thanksgiving!


Father-In-Law Approved Vegan Meatloaf

1 14oz. package GimmeLean sausage 
 (make sure to get sausage, not beef)
3/4 cup finely chopped onions
1/2 cup quick-cooking rolled oats
1/3 cup ketchup
1 tbsp of dried parsley 
1 tbsp garlic powder
1 tbsp onion powder
1/2 c. nutritional yeast
1/2 tsp. thyme
1/2 tsp. salt
1/4 tsp. black pepper
2 servings of EnerG Egg Replacer 
 (mixed with water according to directions on the package)
3 tbsp applesauce
1 tbsp olive, safflower, or coconut oil
1 tbsp all-purpose white flour

Mix all ingredients together in a big bowl with your hands until they just come together.  Put in a lightly oiled loaf pan and sprinkle some extra nutritional yeast on top. Bake at 350 degrees  for 45 minutes, or until loaf is heated completely through and browned nicely on top.



Stuffing:

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Stove Top Pork Stuffing Mix is actually vegan. I'm not sure about the other varieties of this brand, but I know that this one is pork-free!

Also, Whole Foods sells a vegan stuffing if you don't trust the Stove Top stuff.


Side ideas:

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Mac & "Cheese"! Such a delicious side to go along with Thanksgiving dinner.

Mashed potatoes can be made just like traditional recipes if you use vegan butter and unsweetened soy or almond milk. Along with some mushroom gravy, mmm talk about tasty!

Vegetables are easy. My family always makes black eyed peas and green beans for sides. Just DON'T ADD BACON!!! 

Collard greens. I've made the best collard greens in the world using this recipe. Before trying this one I didn't even like collard greens.

Cranberry sauce, if you like that stuff... ew.


Desserts:

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I've made this pumpkin pie a couple times. It's your basic pumpkin pie, but veganized and just as tasty!

And I reeeeaaally want to make this Sweet Potato Cake! It looks fabulous!



Alright, I hope you can see now that Thanksgiving doesn't have to be all about the turkey! I hope everyone has a lovely holiday and enjoy the time with your family!