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FIRST THANKSGIVING AS A VEGETARIAN

FIRST THANKSGIVING AS A VEGETARIAN

Started by Brandi Sadler on September 28, 2011

23 Comments

TK said #11 Oct 5, 2011 at 1:41pm

Hi Brandi! Last year was my first veg Thanksgiving and it was yummy. We made:

- TKL's Sicilian Collard Greens (but substituted chopped brussel sprouts for the collards, and cashews instead of the pine nuts).

- Trader Joe's 17 Bean Soup (it's a bag of beans with a recipe on the back--add a buttload of vegetables and broth and it turns out like a wonderful minestrone)

- Mashed potatoes with veg broth instead of milk

- Foccacia bread (from the cookbook Veganomicon) formed into little rolls instead of one flat sheet

- Big green salad

- Sweet potatoes and I can't remember what else

There was a turkey for the rest of the family (my mom hosted) but everyone seemed to enjoy the side dishes, which I treated like the main course. Hope you might be able to get some ideas from this menu!

I highly recommend this web site for recipes: http://www.theppk.com/recipes/

She's the author of Veganomicon. Okay, good luck!

Kirsty said #12 Oct 5, 2011 at 3:48pm

To Monidew: I don't understand why people have to get so upset by it all or feel so threatened. I agree with Mary L ... let them make the turkey this year ... I would suggest in their kitchen and to bring it and give yourself a break this year and stand by your beliefs. They can have their food and you can have yours. If they continue to not play nicely and not even try some of your dishes or are very negative and it doesn't feel very festive then perhaps next year invite people that are happy to eat vegan ... do you have any vegan friends that would enjoy the invitation? The meat eaters can go elsewhere and you can enjoy your day in peace. It's nice to spend holidays with family but it's not a must ... sometimes you have to do what you want and it's the more peaceful option. There is always Christmas and all the other days to spend with them....or not ; )

Mary L said #13 Oct 6, 2011 at 9:00am

@monidew I am sending you warm thoughts and cyber hugs! I remember not respecting my mom sometimes, thinking she was being weird...when I was a teenager...and then I grew up!!! Living away from home had a lot to do with it. I think time away definately made me appreciate my parents more and understand their hardships. So stay strong, keep a positive attitude, and set a good example. One day they will come around.

Mary L said #14 Oct 7, 2011 at 1:07pm

Hey guys,

I am now officially ridiculously, insanely excited for Thanksgiving! I just finished up my first run of Roasted Eggplant with Cornbread stuffing and mushroom gravy. Let me just say..AMAZING!! I did do a lot of research and planning before putting together this recipe but I didn't expect it to taste like this. I have had one amazing stuffing experience when a friend did a potluck-style Christmas dinner one year and since then I've said that was the best ever. Now, I am pretty pleased to say that this one may be even better!

Here's the link: http://www.marystestkitchen.com/2011/10/vegan-thanksgiving-2011-roasted-eggplant-with-cornbread-stuffing/

I REALLY hope you guys try this. It was soooooo good.

Cate Robinson said #15 Oct 12, 2011 at 4:16pm

My whole family usually has dinner at my aunt's home for thanksgiving, and in the past I have just eaten what was served to be polite. I really don't want to do that but I feel awkard being either the only family member who doesn't go and snub them, or try and bring my own food. Any thoughts? My family insists on making mass amounts of food, and though they respect the way I eat getting them to even remember that butter is a dairy product and therefore I can't eat their mashed potatoes has been difficult. I feel bad when they try to make an effort for me, but use ingredients I don't eat.

Kaity said #16 Oct 29, 2011 at 9:59am

cate i totally no wat u mean, last yr i did the same i ate the mashed potatos knowin there was butter but had just a little n my mom made me a vegan stuffin so i piled that on, how my fam does it, is one part of the fam brings the apps the other cooks the meal n the grandparents alawys cook a dish n my fam (aka just me lol) does the desserts so i make everythin vegan n they abs love it so i was thinkin the same thing bc i def cant have dairy nemore i found out in dec im allergic to it so its not worth gettin hives n throwin up to have mashed potatos lol so im just gonna again make my own stuffin n my moms gunna just make a veg dish n call it a day with me, n just look foward to dessert:-)...and i know! my fam does not get that butter n milk is dairy lol n theyll tell me oh i didnt put ne milk in this for ex zucchini bread so i devour it n then im sick all nite n wonder n then there like oh i had cheese! im like omggg. so im not trustin ne of them this year lol, good luck!

SmartAssProducts said #17 Oct 31, 2011 at 9:47am

@MoniDew, I'm so sorry you're faced with such unpleasant issues with your family. I would be so hurt, and so disappointed, to be treated that way...I just don't know what I would do. As for living in a self-righteous, religious place where meat rules and veg*ns are looked at like we're from another planet--I get it! I lived in Texas (I'm from California, and am back in CA now) when I had my epiphany, realizing what a hypocrite I was--I always said I loved animals, and I did...or thought I did...until one day when it hit me that you can't TRULY claim to love animals if you're participating in the cruelty of factory farming and the meat industry, and/or you're otherwise eating the flesh of sentient beings (so I'm anti-hunting, too). That was in 1988 and I've never looked back.

Personally, I would not allow a dead animal on my table, regardless of who bought/cooked/carved it. I simply wouldn't. I would be in tears looking at the remains of what once was a beautiful, living, conscious being. :(

I also understand your feeling isolated and mostly staying home. I'm VERY shy and have a difficult time making friends. And for the last several years I've been disabled due to serious health problems, including a brain tumor. I spend most of my time at home now, too--but I'm blessed to have a family that not only accepts my cruelty-free lifestyle but has embraced it. There are NEVER dead animal products in this house and never will be.

When I feel up to it I do have little family get togethers and everybody RAVES about the food--and, without fail!, I get asked "THIS is vegetarian?!"

I'm sorry I really don't have any brilliant suggestions for your situation, but I wanted to lend my support and understanding. You don't deserve to be treated with such disrespect from your FAMILY of all people. Shame on them.

Shannon Cottrell said #18 Oct 31, 2011 at 12:59pm

Love that you asked this question as I'm already debating the Christmas menu!

Tajna Zaninovic said #19 Oct 31, 2011 at 1:17pm

Why don't you make something fun and yummy which others will like as well? Several dishes come to mind which are so delicious and tasty people forget they are vegan!

Here is a delicious soup I made that would great with cornbread

http://www.thekindlife.com/forum/thread/roasted-portobello-mushroom-pumpkin-soup

Lentil patties would be yummy too;simply cook lentilsl,let cool,make a sauce out of ketchup/salsa,nutritonal yeast and olive oil,mix with lentils until they form patties.Lowly fry in oilve oil on medium/low.They taste great with fresh avocado and dill.

Pumpkin pie is vegan! you could also make a pumpkin loaf..or pumpkin chocolate brownies,as seen here on Have Cake Will Travel http://havecakewilltravel.com/2007/08/18/pumpkin-chocolate-brownie-cake/

Steamed vegetables,such as broccoli,string beans,aparagus and brussel sprouts,are dleicious and a great nutrient source.Have with pesto to dip in .Quinoa is delicious and very healthy too!

http://havecakewilltravel.com/2008/06/05/quinoa-with-hazelnut-parsley-pesto/

Sarah O Hara said #20 Nov 8, 2012 at 2:54pm

Hi everyone,
I know this is an old thread but I wanted to ask your opinion on Thanksgiving dishes. I am from Ireland and we dont generally celebrate Thanksgiving but this year I wanted to. I think it would be a great opportunity for my family to give our thanks (I love that whole process) and also I'm going to do it TOTALLY VEGAN cos it's completely new so we don't have any thing to compare it too. Complete genius if I do say so myself. :)
My non vegan husband is actually really up for it too but I have to do the cooking!! I want recipies that are gona knock hteir socks off! I'd appreciate all the help I can get.
Many thanks.

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