Turkey is famously the traditional centrepiece of a Christmas meal, and it can be difficult to find options that do not contain any meat products. This blog will offer different approaches to a meatless Christmas dinner and will list some sides which can be eaten in combination with these main meals. Even if you are not vegetarian or vegan, these dishes may prove to be an interesting and delicious alternative to your current recipes.
Vegan Turkey
The advancements that have been made in the creation of plant-based products have allowed for the availability of a wider variety of meals for vegetarians and vegans. Vegan turkey makes use of the soya plant to form the texture and taste of turkey without any meat products. Vegan turkey can usually be found in local supermarkets, meaning that it is accessible during this festive season.. Without the need for preparation, this is also a meal which is less time-consuming and allows for more time to be spent celebrating. For a burst of flavour, cranberry sauce is ideal for this dish and vegetables are always the perfect side.
The mushroom wellington is a plant-based adaptation of the beef wellington: a dish in which a portion of beef is coated in pâté and duxelles. The ingredients which combine to form the duxelles are mushrooms, herbs and shallots. The dish is then enveloped in puff pastry and cooked in the oven. Turkey can be used instead for a more festive variation of the beef wellington. The structure of the wellington means that the filling can be experimented with and plant-based products can be used instead, including soya products or a mushroom-based mixture. You could even add cranberries to the filling for extra flavour! The image above depicts a soya-based centre which is coated with the mushroom duxelles and puff pastry. For a more festive look, a cookie-cutter can be used on any leftover puff pastry to create shapes which can then be added onto the top of the wellington.
The most popular Christmas meal for vegetarians and vegans is the nut roast. This typically describes a mixture of nuts, breadcrumbs, leeks, onions, broth and either oil or butter. However, this recipe is malleable and offers the opportunity for many alterations according to personal preference. Some recipes include the addition of rice or orzo to create a different texture to this meal. Cranberries or pomegranate provide a flavour which enriches this dinner. To save on time, these nut roasts can be bought ready-made in supermarkets. As a personal recommendation, I would argue that gravy is the best sauce for a roast because it allows for a richness whilst preventing the dish itself from being overwhelmed with too many different flavours.
Pithivier
A pithivier is a pie which consists of a filling that is contained within puff pastry. It usually has a mounded shape and decorated with a spiral from the centre. This dish would make an excellent alternative for Christmas dinner as it allows for a more creative and flavourful approach to this meal. For instance, the filling could contain any vegetables that you would like to include, for example, a caramelised onion, butternut squash and spinach filling. So, if you are looking for a new recipe, then this may be the perfect option for you!
Sides
Christmas dinner is incomplete without sides and thus I will describe some of my personal favourites which I consistently serve every Christmas. Roasted carrots and parsnips are improved vastly with a sprinkle of cinnamon and two teaspoons of honey. The key to making Brussel sprouts delicious is the choice to roast them with chestnuts. This pairing is guaranteed to be a success! Cranberries are no doubt a festive favourite, but any form of dried fruit is equally perfect. Fruit and vegetables are not the only side that are brilliant. Cheese is also a popular addition to the dinner table, especially brie or camembert, as long as you check the label to make sure it is vegetarian, then these are an excellent addition!
Hopefully this blog has not only helped inform you of plant-based alternatives but has also inspired you to be creative with your meal choices this season!
Try one of our best-ever vegetarian Christmas dinner recipes, from roasted butternut squash with butterbean and goat's cheese mash to spinach and ricotta lasagne roll-ups – or an impressive spiral vegetable tart. Serve up plenty of greens on the side, and it will be a merry Christmas all round.
Nut Roast. The most popular Christmas meal for vegetarians and vegans is the nut roast. This typically describes a mixture of nuts, breadcrumbs, leeks, onions, broth and either oil or butter. However, this recipe is malleable and offers the opportunity for many alterations according to personal preference.
Not far behind Brussels sprouts are roasted parsnips and carrots when you think of traditional Christmas vegetables. Roasted root vegetables can be delicious but perhaps always suffer from being shovelled onto your plate alongside roast potatoes, which are of course one of the highlights of Christmas day dinner.
1. Shepherd's Pie. This traditional Irish dish featuring a layer of mashed potatoes atop a rich beef stew might not be a common Christmas menu item, but it's so festive and comforting it probably should be.
People tend to want to avoid heated arguments and tense conversations at Christmas, so it's best to avoid talking about controversial topics at the dinner table. Stick to topics that everyone can agree on, such as the weather, the food, or current events that aren't too polarising.
Other protein-filled vegan options that could replace turkey in your vegan Thanksgiving table are tempeh, tofu and seitan. Choose one of these plant-based turkey alternatives, or combine more than one in your table, complimenting with veggies, rice, salads, or any other plant-based whole foods ingredients you want.
Due to the Nativity Fast, no meat, eggs or milk (including cheese) are allowed during the supper. Thus fish, mushrooms and various types of grain are the main offerings. In Poland, the Wigilia supper begins with eating soups, traditionally mushroom soup or barszcz.
In Northern Italy, Lasagne Bolognese and filled pasta like manicotti and ravioli are traditional Christmas fare. Next comes the main event, the meat. Roasted veal, baked chicken, sausages or braised beef are common Natale entrées worth celebrating.
Discover the perfect amounts of potatoes, carrots, parsnips, sprouts, peas and red cabbage to serve with your roast turkey. Need help planning your Christmas dinner?
Intake and status of vitamin B12, vitamin D, iron, zinc, iodine, calcium and bone turnover markers were generally lower in plant-based dietary patterns compared to meat-eaters. Vegans had the lowest vitamin B12, calcium and iodine intake, and also lower iodine status and lower bone mineral density.
Well, the short answer is yes! Unless they are vegan (meaning they don't eat dairy products, eggs, or any other products which are derived from animals), some vegetarians do eat eggs and belong to a group known as lacto-ovo-vegetarians which according to the Vegetarian Society is the most common type of meatless diet.
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