Have a Very Vegan Xmas!

Although some of us are old hands at cooking Veggie or vegan for Xmas many people are facing their first major hurdle ……………

                                   The first meat free XMAS!!

Its such a big deal, it’s a monumental shift in the way we see Xmas, which as a holiday is really more about the food than the gifts.

Like lots of traditions (Putting up your tree, carolling, watching specific Xmas movies) food is one of those things that really sets the mood.

So here is a quick guide to animal free eating this year!



Mince pies

Most store bought pies have butter in them, but lets face it, its much nicer to eat homemade pies!! You don’t have to be a pastry chef either! My homemade pastry leaves a lot to be desired so I cheat. A jar of mince (check the ingredients but MOST are OK) and some pre-made short crust pasty are all you need to make delectable mince pies. Use as glass to cut round if you don’t have pastry cutters, grease a pie tin, put it all together and bake at @ 180oC for @ 15-20 mins or until golden. Sprinkle icing sugar over the top when they come out the oven, allow to cool slightly and then remove from the pie tin!



Nibbles

What can you make a bee line for at a party buffet??? Not much if “Mums gone to Iceland”. Stick to breadsticks and veggies then pig out on mince pies when you get home!!! Even better have your OWN party. You can make seasonal favourites vegan in a flash.

Use veggie sausages and pre-rolled puff pasty (Not butter pastry!) to make sausage rolls.

Make cheese straws with pastry and nutritional yeast.

Mini quiche with tofu.

Cheese boards with fake cheese and crackers.

Pates are easy to make with mushrooms and nuts (and taste heaps better!)

Some crisps are vegan friendly (although for their association with Procter and gamble I have to say no to Pringles!)

And of course don’t forget veggies and dips!!!



The BIG day!

What about Xmas lunch?????

Can you eat it without the ghost of Turkeys past??

The traditional nut roast is a bit of a joke in many circles but whatever… I love them! Try the Magical loaf studio for basic ideas and then make them festive by using chestnuts, cranberries etc.

The trick is (like cooking meat!) to make sure the loaf doesn’t dry out, you want a firm but moist loaf, not a crumbly heap! Veggie loaf is much tastier the next day so make one on xmas eve then heat the next day, wrapping it in foil to prevent burning and drying.

Remember as well, everything tastes good in puff pastry, so go wild!

Loved pigs in blankets??

No problem.

This year I am wrapping Vegi Deli sausages in Vegi Deli slices and cooking with the potatoes…. Should work, but we’ll see!

The rest of it is generally easy…..

Potatoes roasted in veg oil, carrots, sprouts and chestnuts, sage and onion stuffing, mashed swede, homemade gravy….. Nope, no animals here!

Even store bought xmas pudding often has no egg, dairy or other animal products in it, enjoy with a dollop of vegan cream like Grano vita.

This year I made my own xmas cake from an adapted recipe from the Down-to-earth blog. Just replace the eggs with a cup of milk that’s sat for a few mins with a tbsp of cider vinegar in it. It rose well and was light and smells very xmasy!!!



Booze!!

Lots consumed over the festive period!

Although its hard to check your alcohol when your out and about you can at least make sure the stuff you buy in is veggie or vegan. The Co-op labels all its wine (all its products in fact) clearly as veggie, vegan or not and their own brand vegan wine is cheap and very cheerful!



Xmas away?

If your staying with a none vegan family over xmas it can be hard….. Remember to pack your deflector shield!!!!

Make sure your host knows exactly what you won’t eat BUT make sure you say it nicely! The most sensible thing to do is to offer to bring your own main meal and help with the cooking. If they like to cook veg and then slather it in butter ask then to set a little aside for you before they do. If they cook potatoes in goose fat ask if you can cook your own, or if maybe they could pop a few potatoes in with the stuffing (in a tin!) and cook those with veg oil.

Be aware that a kitchen at xmas is stressful.

It may be easier for you to take a whole meal with you (one that is quick and easy to heat up) than to stand over your stressed hosts shoulder pointing out their mistakes.

Be sure to bring plenty though, amazing how often other diners will want to try a fork full!



Lastly, remember this is a time to get together with the ones you love.

Your family, your friends, its NOT a time to pick fights about what’s on every ones plates.



Remember how you used to eat what they are eating now?

Show them how much you enjoy the food you are eating, answer sensible questions and ignore anyone who tries to bait you.



Make 2011 the year of learning how to be a great cook and invite them all over for xmas dinner next year!



And remember…. If all else fails….. There’s always Bingo!!!!

Merry Xmas!