Tips for a Tasty Vegetarian
Thanksgiving
If you’re
hosting Thanksgiving at your house and are expecting vegetarian
guests this year, don’t worry about preparing one large meat
eating meal, and another separate vegetarian meal. Most
vegetarians do not require a ‘meat equivalent’ at Thanksgiving.
Yes, traditionally
Thanksgiving
has largely about the food. But more importantly it’s about
family, togetherness, happiness and peace. And if this is your
first Thanksgiving after transitioning to a vegetarian
lifestyle, try some of these ideas to incorporate healthy food
preparation into your meal that your vegetarian guests, and you
as host, will be thankful for this Thanksgiving:
- Bake some stuffing outside of the turkey.
- Make a small portion of vegetarian gravy.
- Keep cooking utensils separate to prevent
"cross-contamination" between meat foods and vegetarian foods.
- When recipes are adaptable, use substitutions like vegetarian
broth, soy margarine (the formulations without whey are suitable
for vegans), soy milk, and kosher marshmallows which are made
without gelatin.
- Use vegetable oils instead of animal fats for frying, and
vegetable shortening like Crisco for pie crust.
- Read ingredients lists carefully on pre-packaged foods, being
aware of terms like gelatin, whey, and "natural flavors" that
can be animal-derived.
- Prepare plenty of vegetable and fruit side dishes, but leave
them plain.
- Offer plenty of breads, beverages, fresh fruits, and
non-gelatin desserts, which are suitable without modification
for most vegetarians.
- Invite your vegetarian guest to prepare a “Tofurky” or
vegetarian ‘turkey equivalent’ entrée to share with you the rest
of your guests, or if you’re hosting Thanksgiving, prepare a
small one. Your meat-eating guests might just be curious enough
to want to try it!
- Ask your
vegetarian guest for help, tips, or recipes that would
complement their vegetarian choice. You may find that your guest
offers to help out in the kitchen or bring a dish from home.
Please don't take a dish from home as an insult to your cooking;
take it as a desire to share traditions at Thanksgiving. Even
meat-eating homes can benefit from a healthy, nutrient-dense
vegetarian recipe idea any time of the year!
- Most
importantly – make TONS of new, delicious (not overly cooked)
vegetables that are perfectly in season like squashes, sweet
potatoes, and green beans, etc.
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