The holidays can seem like an endless smorgasbord of foods not fit for your diet if you're a vegetarian. Between the turkeys and hams and an endless selection of other meats, vegetarians may feel like just staying home next holiday season. But there are plenty of options you can bring to the next holiday party that will have you and your vegetarian friends feeling full and festive.
Tofurkey
If it's just not Thanksgiving without that slice of turkey on your plate, one company has come up with the perfect solution: tofu shaped and flavored to resemble real turkey, but without any of the animal protein. A Tofurkey roast gives you an experience similar to a classic Thanksgiving feast, but with only 6 g of fat per serving, making it a sentimental favorite for vegetarians all across the country.
Gravy
One of the most popular toppings at holiday meals, gravy nevertheless is usually made with the fat drippings from meat, meaning it's a no-no for vegetarians. Instead of preparing gravy with turkey or other drippings, use vegetable stock to make a tasty gravy.
Stuffing
Stuffing, by its nature, is not vegetarian-friendly, since it's cooked inside a roast and infused with drippings and juices. Instead, make homemade dressing on the stovetop by cooking celery, onions and other vegetables in light oil, then mixing in breadcrumbs and vegetable stock to make a veggie version of everyone's favorite holiday side dish.
Casseroles
One of the best ways to enjoy your favorite holiday flavors while sticking to your vegetarian lifestyle is to use the classic holiday spices and ingredients, like nutmeg, walnuts, chestnuts and cinnamon in a vegetarian casserole. You'll get all the flavor of the holidays without having to resort to using meat, butter or other non-vegetarian-friendly ingredients.
Desserts
For many vegetarians, anything containing dairy is off limits, which makes it tough when a whole table is filled with pies, cakes and other desserts. If you're looking for a vegetarian dessert, try using soy milk instead. It contains no dairy and tastes similar to regular milk, especially when incorporated with other ingredients and flavors in the dish.
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