Vegetarian For The Holidays

Sharing the abundance of the vegetarian or vegan table with friends and family can be a highlight of the holidays. Here are some tips for meatless meal planning that will leave you plenty of room for the joy and traditions of the season.
Choosing a Centerpiece for the Meal
Looking for a meatless main course with glamour and grandeur, maybe even something to carve? Here are some other main-course ideas to consider:

• Serve an autumn vegetable stew or ragout in a hollowed-out pumpkin; place the pumpkin on a baking sheet, brush it lightly with oil and sprinkle the interior with sea salt. Bake at 350°F until just softened, about 35 minutes for a small pumpkin, 50 to 60 minutes for a medium one. Fill with hot stew.

• Use an oversized tart pan (12 inches in diameter or larger) to make a jumbo version of your favorite savory vegetable tart.

• Make up a big batch of homemade veggie burger or falafel mixture and stir in diced onion, celery, and thyme or savory. Form the mixture into a loaf or roast shape and bake in a 350°F oven until lightly browned on the outside and heated through. Slice and serve with a rich, flavorful mushroom gravy.

Sides to Love
The best news about planning a meatless holiday menu? All those glorious side dishes! How closely you stick to the traditional roster of supporting dishes is a matter of choice. You may feel comfortable cooking and serving just the classics, particularly if your fellow diners are less than adventurous, or you might take the opportunity to branch out..

Vegan Variations
No need to reinvent the wheel — a few tweaks to many traditional recipes will make them holiday heaven for vegans.

• Puree silken tofu in a food processor and use it in place of dairy products like sour cream in dip recipes.

• Try sunflower oil to replace butter in vegetable sides; its light, nutty flavor generally blends better with traditional holiday flavors than olive oil.

• Use coconut milk in place of cream to enrich soups, purees, sweet potatoes or
  pumpkin pie.

• Replace honey with sorghum or cane syrup; you can also use maple syrup in desserts and other dishes where its distinctive flavor won’t be overwhelming.

• Make a cheese plate vegan-friendly with the addition of roasted nuts and some traditional fruit pastes like quince or fig.

Not up to a foray into vegan baking this holiday? Check your local grocer,  you may find delicious pies, cakes and cookies using absolutely no animal products, so consider picking up one of these outstanding holiday options.