While most people would say that the centerpiece of Thanksgiving is the turkey there are still those people who could pass it up. If you are expecting vegetarians at your Thanksgiving table this holiday there are ways to make them feel welcome. And if you are a vegetarian guest there are things you can to help your hosts understand your dietary needs. Here are some vegetarian Thanksgiving tips-
• If you are the host of Thanksgiving and expecting vegetarian guests-
1. Dressing versus stuffing-If you are planning on cooking stuffing (dressing), inside of the turkey, you can easily save a portion to be baked in a separate pan. This can more than likely make your stuffing suitable for vegetarians, depending on your recipe. Keep in mind that you can easily substitute vegetable broth for a meat-based broth in your recipe if needed.
2. Mashed potatoes-To make this vegetarian friendly you can try using soy milk and a vegan margarine or 100% soybean margarine instead of dairy milk and butter. Keep in mind though that you can also substitute the exact amount of soy milk for dairy milk, but you may want to add about a tablespoon more margarine than your recipe calls for when substituting for butter, in order to add more flavor.
3. Candied yams or sweet potatoes-This is a great Thanksgiving tradition and an easy vegetarian or vegan side dish, just be sure to omit the marshmallows (they contain gelatin, which vegans and most vegetarians will not eat), or add to a portion after cooking.
4. Edit your dishes-Whenever possible, you can simply set aside a portion of a dish to be prepared meatless. For example, if you’re preparing a sausage and potato casserole, save a portion to be baked separately before adding the sausage.
5. Get educated-If you are unsure, be sure to communicate directly with your vegetarian guest or do not be afraid to take a local cooking class to help you become familiar with vegetarian dishes.
• If you are a vegetarian guest-
1. Communicate and prepare in advance. This may be the single most important thing to remember at the holidays or when you are a guest of a non-vegetarian host. You need to both let your host know of your dietary needs well in advance, and take responsibility to ensure that your needs are met.
2. Take on some of the work-You might offer to prepare a few side dishes that everyone can enjoy or provide your host with some simple recipes or substitution ideas. If you end up preparing food for yourself, just be sure to bring along a bit extra, as everyone else is certain to be curious and want to taste! Many hosts would be more than happy to have you help share in the work of preparing the meal.
3. If you are unable to cook there are still options. If you will be traveling or unable to cook, be sure to bring some pre-prepared foods that can easily be reheated. There is vegetarian gravy, and many instant stuffing mixes are vegetarian or vegan. Many high end grocery stores offer ready-made veggie Thanksgiving meals, and you can check with your local health food store or vegetarian restaurant to see if they have a similar service. Depending on where you live, you may be able to order an entirely vegetarian or vegan Thanksgiving feast delivered right to your door, with no assembly required.
4. Compromise, and be reasonable-Remember that the importance of the holidays is about coming together with friends and family. If you are having some difficulty with your menu plans, try thinking of a compromise, and don’t be afraid to get creative! And if your host has prepared something that you are unable to eat, try to be as polite as possible about the situation and alleviate it the best you can. If there is only bread and cranberry sauce for you to eat, try to be quiet when you sneak out later for a veggie burger, rather than complaining loudly and announcing it when you leave!
More posts like this one in Recipes.