A Vegetarian Christmas Feast...?

[umjreon88]

Ok people, what do you think of having a Vegetarian Christmas meal?

Any suggestions?

I am thinking of "Honey-glazed Tofu Chicken". Does that even exists?

[MissAnne]

Well we have had a veggie Thanksgiving 2 years in a row. We're not big on Christmas but there will be no meat there either.

You can google lots of recipes.

I dont know if a Honey GlazedTofu Ham exists but big dishes could include veggie lasagna or veggie ribs.

[MoufOfKhaos]

I personally would never - but I do have a good vegetarian friend here, and do need ideas for what I can make for him while still making honey glazed ham for me.

Tofu chicken? That... don't sound altogether good.

[mikey3000]

What about tofurkey?

[eastofeden]

Check out some of Greens Menu...it is always a good fit for both vegetarians and meat eaters because the food is so good.

http://www.greensrestaurant.com/the-menu/the-menu

[xbuzzerx]

Ok people, what do you think of having a Vegetarian Christmas meal?

Any suggestions?

I am thinking of "Honey-glazed Tofu Chicken". Does that even exists?

I've never had a full on "non-traditional Christmas", but since you're Asian and going for vegeterian, I always thought soon dobu would be a great Christmas food. Warm, hot, filling, tasty, vegetarian, healthy, and like a stew kinda.

[xbuzzerx]

Plus it's Christmas colored lol.

[star-warrior]

I've not tried this, but it looks really easy to do.


You could do traditional veggies, roasted potatoes and gravy to go with that, so it doesn't look too much like black eye peas and rice going on in that video.

[Harke the Boeotarch]

Prior to the Reformation there were scores of days in the year where meat wasn't allowed on the table in Christian Europe and there is a plethora of vegetarian and pescaterian recipes from that era. Don't use tofu unless you're making something Asian and you don't care about getting moobs.

[umjreon88]

Check out some of Greens Menu...it is always a good fit for both vegetarians and meat eaters because the food is so good.

http://www.greensrestaurant.com/the-menu/the-menu

That place doesn't exist here in London! If only I live in the States!

That Vegan Chicken sounds delightful!

Thanks Anne for the Vegetarian Lasagne, checking out recipes now. I still have two weeks to go so I've got time.

I am Asian but I am cooking for a friend who is vegetarian and I don't wanna roast a whole chicken only to not finish it and it might seem offensive to him. So I decided on a vegetarian feast. One or two Western style dishes and an Asian one. Loads of potatoes and steamed veggies, oh yeah!

@Buzzer: What is Soon Dobu? Sounds Korean.

People, more suggestions please!

[umjreon88]

Prior to the Reformation there were scores of days in the year where meat wasn't allowed on the table in Christian Europe and there is a plethora of vegetarian and pescaterian recipes from that era. Don't use tofu unless you're making something Asian and you don't care about getting moobs.

Thank you so much my Dutch neighbour!

[xbuzzerx]

That place doesn't exist here in London! If only I live in the States!

That Vegan Chicken sounds delightful!

Thanks Anne for the Vegetarian Lasagne, checking out recipes now. I still have two weeks to go so I've got time.

I am Asian but I am cooking for a friend who is vegetarian and I don't wanna roast a whole chicken only to not finish it and it might seem offensive to him. So I decided on a vegetarian feast. One or two Western style dishes and an Asian one. Loads of potatoes and steamed veggies, oh yeah!

@Buzzer: What is Soon Dobu? Sounds Korean.

People, more suggestions please!

It's Korean spicy tofu soup. It's great over rice.

[seven2go]

Vegetarian and feast have no business being in the same sentence....... .......

[MissAnne]

Just dont do tofukery. Its nasty. Ive tried it.

[72-Jay]

what do you think of having a Vegetarian Christmas meal?

No thanks...but I'd be fine with a meat-atarian(is that the word?) one LOL

[zoltanspawn]

I loathe vegetarian cooking in which the objective is to imitate meat.

I loathe it so much that I often find myself loathing vegetarians, and I used to be one.

Please, just cook your food without meat with care. Make some extraordinary rice. Lavish attention on your pulses. Let fruits sing whilst your vegetables dance. The delusion that vegetarian food is ersatz meat is a delusion.

Enjoy your food for its most excellent qualities, not for how it might otherwise masquerade.

/uphill battle

[MoufOfKhaos]

^I always found that funny as well. You don't like the taste of meat or you don't like eating the flesh, that's fine... but why mold something into the very thing you're trying to avoid eating?

[MissAnne]

^I always found that funny as well. You don't like the taste of meat or you don't like eating the flesh, that's fine... but why mold something into the very thing you're trying to avoid eating?

Because we like the taste without the killing.

[sixthson]

Bring on the real ham, lamb and turkey, please.

[MoufOfKhaos]

Because we like the taste without the killing.

It seems perplexing that you enjoy the look of meat and the simulation of the taste(smell? feel?), but not the real thing. It's not for me to get really, but I do wonder about it from those that are really hardcore about the whole vegetarian/vegan thing.

[xbuzzerx]

There's a lot of legitimately delicious, filling vegetarian food. The fact that from what I can read most people's experiences with it here has been garden burgers, tofurkey or various disturbing meat substitutes doesn't really represent everything out there that counts as vegetarian.

I'd get a little queasy looking at an all-meat substitute meatloaf too. Which is why if I was going to do an all vegetarian dinner party or something, I'd chuck the idea of trying to fake-replicate meat dishes and just go all out with stuff like Thai dishes and other delicious stuff.

Don't confuse "i've had nasty stuff I tried to fool myself was meat" with "all vegetarian food is unfilling gross nonsense."

[zoltanspawn]

Because we like the taste without the killing.

You don't get the taste, though.

What you get is subpar cooking.

There's excellent vegetarian cooking. It's just not based on the idea of crappy, fake meat.

[Ram]

Chickpea curry and roasted aubergines. Hmmmm, fuck me Santa.

[Hard-up1]

No thanks...but I'd be fine with a meat-atarian(is that the word?) one LOL

It doesn't have to be a word, we already have "carnivore," although more completely expressed, we're omnivores.

I wish the OP great success with the meal, as I would anyone.

Vegetarianism, especially the ones without injunctions against EVERYTHING (like my strictly vegan friend) seems do-able enough if so inclined. Frankly, my vegan friend is so extreme she sounds like a science experiment now rather than ever actually enjoying food. I worry that she may eventually eat nothing.

[JohnnyAnger]

I have been vegetarian for about 3-4 years now and Christmas is pretty damn easy. Just everything normal except the Turkey (and don't pour your animal fats all over anything). Nut roast while being a bit of a joke in UK is actually really good, its got nothing to do with faking meat just a load of things roasted together. This is the one I have got down - http://www.waitrose.com/home/recipes...nut_roast.html
Seems like all the other suggestions here are that vegetarians or vegans (above recipe is not vegan, but I have made it vegan before) just should eat some other weird stuff by themselves.

[AlmondMilk]

This sounds delicious. I know I'll never be able to have a vegetarian Christmas at home, but I'll definitely try it once I'm out on my own.

[guyfromNY]

We always have lasagna.

[bankside]

I would never serve a fully vegetarian meal, probably not just on a special occasion, but ever. But I would like to know how to cook delicious vegetable dishes to accompany the turkey.

[JayHawk]

I agree with some of the folks above. While I am a omnivore I am also open to all kinds of foods and plenty of vegetarian foods are delightful. The ones that attempt a facsimile of meat are not so tasty in my ever so humble opinion....

SO just create a feast of delicious veggies...

[JohnnyAnger]

Why do non vegetarians always try and decide what we are fine to eat, oh you can have that it looks different. Meat purely means "solid food" with no mention of animals. I mean most cuts of animal meat have no matching to the animals they come from, should animal eaters not have them?

Sorry to get so defensive but when you have to defend against this sort of argument every day with people you get kind of stuck in the corner...

[Paws]

Let fruits sing whilst your vegetables dance.

You totally made my day

[lambdaboy]

My partner is a vegetarian. I make the normal Turkey or chicken all the fixings and for him tehre are soy and corn chicken like products works out great. Do not think I could handle Vegan but my partner is Lacto Ovo eats dairy products

[Hard-up1]

Why do non vegetarians always try and decide what we are fine to eat, oh you can have that it looks different. Meat purely means "solid food" with no mention of animals. I mean most cuts of animal meat have no matching to the animals they come from, should animal eaters not have them?

Sorry to get so defensive but when you have to defend against this sort of argument every day with people you get kind of stuck in the corner...

Perhaps in the 1600's it was commonly used to be a generic reference, but today, a poll would quickly demonstrate that 99% of users intend it to mean animal flesh.

[zoltanspawn]

They die so we may live.

[JohnnyAnger]

Yes true, but my annoyance here is that everyone seems to feel vegetarians should not be eating things like quorn. Like minced beef and chunks of chicken is the shape meat should be thus vegetarians should not eat anything of the same shape.

[MissAnne]

Yes true, but my annoyance here is that everyone seems to feel vegetarians should not be eating things like quorn. Like minced beef and chunks of chicken is the shape meat should be thus vegetarians should not eat anything of the same shape.

Yes! Quron and MorningStar has really good fake meat. I was never a big meat eater anyway and some of the cruelty free meat is even better. I dont get the protesting, especially from those that arent going to eat it.

Peope always want to shove a salad in my face.

[bankside]

Yes true, but my annoyance here is that everyone seems to feel vegetarians should not be eating things like quorn. Like minced beef and chunks of chicken is the shape meat should be thus vegetarians should not eat anything of the same shape.

I tried making tacos once out of texturised vegetable protein and I went through a billion steps of hydrating, par-cooking, soaking in broth, yadda yadda, and ended up with some very tasty convincing tacos. Then I realised that it seemed kind of pointless to go to all that trouble when I could have just tipped some fresh ground beef into a pan and be done with it. From my own experience, I decided I wanted to appreciate vegetables as vegetables and not as pretend meat. What other people make of that observation or whether they share the sense that imitating meat seems pointless, who can say? I don't want convincing imitations; I want to enjoy ingredients as themselves.

[zoltanspawn]

Yes! Quron and MorningStar has really good fake meat. I was never a big meat eater anyway and some of the cruelty free meat is even better. I dont get the protesting, especially from those that arent going to eat it.

Peope always want to shove a salad in my face.

Well, the reason I protest is because I cook for a living. I care about the aesthetics of food, in much the same way a director might care about the aesthetics of film or a violinist might care about the aesthetics of music. When I take a vacation, it has been for the purpose of dining. When I read books, they are often about the history, science or practice of cooking. When I teach people how to cook, it is with the end goal of creating a maximum of pleasure for the customer.

People are free to eat what they want. I'm not interested in denying people the liberty to eat as they choose. And I don't think fake-meat eaters are the worst eaters. But as food is such a significant part of my life, I'm not going to withhold either praise or criticism when it's due. I am openly interested in shaping the dining habits of people. I think it's fair to advocate for better food.

So, that being said, in my opinion, Quorn and Morningstar may make fake meat, but I find the idea that there is somewhere a fake meat product which is "even better" than real meat total poppycock. I have tasted plenty, all the major varieties and brands. It does not exist. If you think it does, you have not tasted good meat.

What I don't understand about so many vegetarian cooks is their desire to create a cuisine which is hellbent on imitating the food they are eliminating from their diet. Fake chicken, tofurkey, tvp, soy curls, fake pepperoni, bad luncheon meat, on and on. The colors are bad, the aromas, the textures and the flavors. There is more virtue in a single carrot than in the entire Gardenburger empire. And there is nothing essential or natural about vegetarian cooking developing along these lines; rather, it is a choice to cook this way, and one which is quite popular.

On the other hand, there are varieties of vegetarian cuisine which are out and out ignored. How often do I talk with a vegetarian who knows anything about the greatest vegetarian cuisines conceived (those in India)? Cuisines which lavish love on veggies, which are sophisticated, interesting, playful and delicious? Almost never. What about a working knowledge of a variety of grains? A love of good vegetables? Elementary techniques? Accomplished vegetarian chefs? No. What so many know about is Soyrizo. There is an entire world of vegetarian cooking to be explored, to be developed, to be remembered and enjoyed.

But instead fake-meat consumers eat what is ultimately a subcuisine of fast food.

Sorry for the rant. I told you!

[xbuzzerx]

Yeah I kinda got at that earlier. Screw fake meat dishes. Go grab (or make) some Thai, Indian or Korean food. Most or all of the best dishes can be made without meat, or don't have meat to begin with. People who are only used to a wholly western diet will be the ones struggling with stuff like "how do I have a turkey dinner with fake turkey" or whatever. Gross. People who diss vegetarianism on how nothing vegetarian tastes good need to try them some soondobu, pad see ew or vegetable curry.

[MissAnne]

So, that being said, in my opinion, Quorn and Morningstar may make fake meat, but I find the idea that there is somewhere a fake meat product which is "even better" than real meat total poppycock. I have tasted plenty, all the major varieties and brands. It does not exist. If you think it does, you have not tasted good meat.

Im allowed my opinion. Im also allowed to enjoy Morningstar and Quorn. Ive never been fond of meat. Never had a burger or anymore than a couple bites of someone's steak. Some of the fake meat is better and Im sticking to my opinion. Plus I really dont care about the delicious meaty possiblities that I am missing out on. I can't get as passionate about this as you.

[swerve]

I agree with some of the folks above. While I am a omnivore I am also open to all kinds of foods and plenty of vegetarian foods are delightful. The ones that attempt a facsimile of meat are not so tasty in my ever so humble opinion....

SO just create a feast of delicious veggies...

I WHOLE HEARTEDLY agree!!!

BOTH my partner and I have been vegetarians SINCE WE WERE BORN!!!

NEITHER of us LIKE vegetarian food that TRIES to be MEAT...

It is just SILLY to us...

And -- OF COURSE you can have a vegetarian Christmas Feast...

MANY of us do it EVERY YEAR...

OH...

And since I'm QUOTING Jayhawk -- HE MIGHT BE the BEST person to HELP you prepare it...

As evidenced in THIS thread...

http://www.justusboys.com/forum/thre...GO-Halliburton!!!

[zoltanspawn]

Im allowed my opinion. Im also allowed to enjoy Morningstar and Quorn. Ive never been fond of meat. Never had a burger or anymore than a couple bites of someone's steak. Some of the fake meat is better and Im sticking to my opinion. Plus I really dont care about the delicious meaty possiblities that I am missing out on. I can't get as passionate about this as you.

You can be neither as passionate, nor as rational:

If you've never had a burger, nor more than a few bites of steak, then you are hardly in a position to claim that the fake meat you like "is better" than real meat.

That is a logical absurdity.

On the other hand, you ARE entitled to enjoy your Morningstar and your Quorn! No one will, or should, take those crappy things away from you.

[Beachguyj]

Eggplant parmigiana is one of the only entrees that I enjoy without meat. Also some kind of portabello mushroom dish.

[MissAnne]

You can be neither as passionate, nor as rational:

If you've never had a burger, nor more than a few bites of steak, then you are hardly in a position to claim that the fake meat you like "is better" than real meat.

That is a logical absurdity.

On the other hand, you ARE entitled to enjoy your Morningstar and your Quorn! No one will, or should, take those crappy things away from you.

I really dont understand why you are getting so angry over my opinion.
Cruelty free meat is better for me, to me.

You dont have to like it. Im not forcing it on you.

[zoltanspawn]

I really dont understand why you are getting so angry over my opinion.
Cruelty free meat is better for me, to me.

You dont have to like it. Im not forcing it on you.

No, I know you're not forcing it on me. No more than I'm forcing my opinion on you!

I am not asserting that you are not entitled to your opinion.

I AM asserting that your opinion is bad: that fake meat is as good as, or better than, real meat.

If I've incorrectly assumed you have some rational reason to take that position, correct me.

[Beachguyj]

Eggplant parmigiana is one of the only entrees that I enjoy without meat. Also some kind of portabello mushroom dish.

Also vegetable fried rice and vegetable lomein are yummy.

[MissAnne]

No, I know you're not forcing it on me. No more than I'm forcing my opinion on you!

I am not asserting that you are not entitled to your opinion.

I AM asserting that your opinion is bad: that fake meat is as good as, or better than, real meat.

If I've incorrectly assumed you have some rational reason to take that position, correct me.

Im the irrational one because I said that some of cruelty free meat that Ive tasted is better than some of the meat that Ive had.

Yet, you write an angry dissertation on my opinion trying to explain to me that Im wrong ?

[zoltanspawn]

Im the irrational one because I said that some of cruelty free meat that Ive tasted is better than some of the meat that Ive had.

Yet, you write an angry dissertation on my opinion trying to explain to me that Im wrong ?

Let me try to focus the problem this way then:

The very best fake meat is not better than lower/middle-quality real meat.

I think this is a fair and generous assessment.

Where do you disagree with this proposition? Why?

[umjreon88]

I WHOLE HEARTEDLY agree!!!

BOTH my partner and I have been vegetarians SINCE WE WERE BORN!!!

NEITHER of us LIKE vegetarian food that TRIES to be MEAT...

It is just SILLY to us...

And -- OF COURSE you can have a vegetarian Christmas Feast...

MANY of us do it EVERY YEAR...

OH...

And since I'm QUOTING Jayhawk -- HE MIGHT BE the BEST person to HELP you prepare it...

As evidenced in THIS thread...

http://www.justusboys.com/forum/thre...GO-Halliburton!!!

Why don't you guys (JayHawk, Swerve, MissAnne) share your favourite festive vegetarian recipes?!

Would love to hear from you guys and more people? I have 2 week more to go so please contribute!

[bankside]

I think it's strange to protest against "angry dissertations" while implying that other people's perfectly acceptable food choices are inherently cruel.