What the heck am I gonna' cook for Thanksgiving
Posted by jessesmum on Oct 07, 2006 · Member since Mar 2006 · 1088 posts
Hi, it's Thanksgiving in Canada this weekend & I'm stumped as to what I'm going to cook. I've got my menu planned out all except the main protein (where the turkey used to be). I'd like to keep it as close to a traditional meal as possible but I'm open to suggestions. So far I'm planning on making the vegan green bean casserole, baked squash, vegan stuffing, tossed salads & of course the tofu pumpkin pie for dessert ;D
Any ideas?
There's an excellent nut loaf on this site under Thanksgiving, called "Yummy Nut Loaf"--and it sure is! It's very rich (all those nuts!) but certainly a protien source. Serve with a rich vegan gravy, and maybe some roast potatoes. And call me, I'll be there to help you mop up the leftovers! LOL The loaf freezes very well, btw.
I get crazy festive at Thanksgiving. This is my line-up for this year, all from this site, and none of which I authored:
Cranberry Salsa and crackers: http://vegweb.com/index.php?topic=7136.0
Green Beans with Lemon and Pine Nuts: http://vegweb.com/index.php?topic=10853.0
Sweet Potato Gnocchi with Cider Dressing: http://vegweb.com/index.php?topic=8063.0
Barley and Wild Rice Pilaf with Pomegranate Seeds: http://vegweb.com/index.php?topic=7449.0
and probably lemon sorbet for dessert.
Last year was Maple Whole Wheat Rolls (from this site-- delicious), a butternut squash quiche with ginger and curry paste (I can't remember where I found that one), a wild rice and mushroom soup with fried sage leaf garnish, and green salad, with green tea and ginger sorbet for dessert. It was glorious, and I enjoyed turning the meal a little upside down-- the pie was the main course.
My approach is to go for the fall flavors and festivity that I love, and not worry about snuggling the traditional side dishes up around SOMEthing... although I do enjoy a good veggie/nut/grain loaf!
There's a grape nuts loaf on this site that's also quite delicious: http://vegweb.com/index.php?topic=7537.0
I know I've plugged this line of products before, but I swear I have nothing to do with these people, I just love this stuff...
The Celebration Roast!
Cover it with your favorite vegan gravy, and man, this stuff is belly-rubbin' delicious. It doesn't even really need the gravy, it's already so packed with flavor, though the added moisture is nice. Some mashed potatoes on the side, maybe some squash or green beans or bitter greens... a glass of vegan wine ;)...
http://www.celebrationroast.com/
It might not be available everywhere, but it's worth ordering online if need be, I promise. I actually carried one back with me from San Francisco to New York last year to make sure I had it for a holiday dinner. My family tasted it and approved but were too busy with their brisket. My one veggie brother, though, was whole-heartedly thrilled!
yabbitgirl, thanks for the suggestion. I'm going to give the Nut Roast a try. It sounds real yummy.
veganunderground, your roast sounds awesome but after checking the link, they aren't available in Canada :( I'm going to call them anyway to see about ordering one for Christmas...if I can have it shipped up here.
Happy Thanksgiving everyone :)
jessesmum let me know what you find out about shipping that celebration roast! I need one in germany! it looks awesome
Thanks for posting about the celebration roast. I'm having my parents in for (USA) Thanksgiving this year and although I know I don't really need a centerpiece o' fake meat, this will look pretty enough to sub for poor dead Tom Turkey on the table. Make my mom happy and give dad something to "carve" ewww. Looks like I can buy it at Wild Oats.
Jennifer, I finally got around to calling about the Celebration Roast & at this time, they don't ship outside of the US :( There are Whole Foods Markets in the UK but that won't help you in Germany. The closest any store is to me would still be at least a 5 hour drive!....I'm thinking about it ;)
Sorry, I don't have better news for you.
Thanks for letting me know. I actually decided to just go with a ton of different dishes (listed in the US Thanksgiving Topic) and not even do the whole fake main protein.
I still want to try it out though so boo! :'(
Where can I go to order this online???
I'm not sure that you can order online. I checked the link again & I can't find it but you can call them or email them to find out.
I sure wish they would bring their products to Canada.
Robin's Thanksgiving Casserole is really good! Last time I made it I added little bits of seitan.
http://vegweb.com/index.php?topic=7429.0
I have a special request in to my health food store for the Celebration Loaf. Hope they can get it!