Vegan guests for Christmas … No problem!
Christmas is, traditionally, all about ham, turkey and all the trimmings. How do you cater for a vegan family member without making them feel singled out or burdensome to the host? Read on to find out more.
Plant-based eating is mainstream these days, and so you can just about guarantee that someone on your guest list on Christmas day prefers a vegan diet. So how do you plan a Christmas lunch that’s going to keep everyone happy?
The answer is to include dishes which are plant-based but that have appeal to all your guests, rather than cooking one separate dish for the vegan member(s) of the family only.
Think of Christmas as a buffet style or shared-plate style of event rather than a series of entrées and mains plated by the host. This way, all family members can choose what they would like to eat, making vegan choices if they wish. You can still cook a turkey or ham but be sure you include a few dishes which are substantial enough to stand alone as a dish a vegan family member would enjoy.
If you want to serve a soup as a starter, this is an ideal way to serve a plant-based course without having to cater separately for vegan choices. So, a Cauliflower and Chickpea Soup which features on p108 of our Christmas and Summer Food magazine (available in store or online here) is a great way to start.
Next, you’ll want to serve shared mains with some side dishes. If you want to serve a turkey or ham, balance this offering with a vegan centrepiece dish – a plant-based roast, loaf, or tart. The following are some very festive choices which are truly delicious and will appeal to vegan and non-vegan guests alike.
Our Lentil Roast with Cranberry Glaze is an easy-to-make dish cooked in a loaf tin. It features lentils, mushroom, nuts and sweet potato, topped with a festive cranberry glaze. Find it on p109 of our Christmas and Summer Food magazine.
We also have a number of pre-made, heat- or finish-at-home dishes on our Hill Street Festive Food Order form which make great festive vegan centrepieces. Our Hill Street Festive Wreath features beetroot surrounded by mushroom duxelles, spinach, herbs and walnuts, encased in a golden vegan puff pastry. It serves 6-8 and comes ready to finish in the oven for 35-45 minutes. Our Pumpkin, Miso and Maple Tart is filled with roast pumpkin, miso and maple syrup, topped with vegan Persian feta, walnuts, oregano and cherry tomatoes. It serves six and can be eaten cold or heated through for 30 minutes.
When it comes to side dishes, many of these are, by their nature, vegan – so roast vegetables and salads, of course, will be vegan as long as they are prepared without dairy or animal fats or other animal-based products such as cheese. Consider a Vegetable Carpaccio with Chive Oil, which you can find in our Christmas and Summer Food magazine at p113.
Some side dishes will do double duty as a side dish for those who are having traditional Christmas fare such as a ham or turkey, and a main dish for those preferring a vegan option. Have a look in our Christmas and Festive Food Magazine at our Herby Baked Mushrooms (p107), Zucchini Rollatini with Tofu Ricotta (p111), and Marinated Grilled Tofu (p112) for some inspiration.
Vegan desserts can be slightly more challenging. For a traditional Christmas Pudding, Kosie Country make a vegan pudding, which is available on our Hill Street Festive Food Order form. If you want to try your hand at making a vegan dessert have a look at our recipe for Lemon Tart on p115 of our Christmas and Summer Food magazine. It’s made with a filling of silken tofu, lemon juice and maple syrup, with an almond meal base. On p116, our Fruit and Nut Cake on a hazelnut-meal base and featuring colourful fresh summer fruit is visually beautiful and will appeal to vegans and non-vegans alike.
Of course, a summer fruit platter, or a plant-based cheese platter (we have many options in-store), make fabulous alternatives too.
