I am taking this opportunity to give you a list of 10 top “Sexy Fit Vegan Approved” holiday recipes, covering foods in every course.
Hi and Happy Holidays!!! Thanksgiving has passed, but December is a time full of holiday parties, festive events, and of course, tons of tempting, unhealthy food. My Thanksgiving Survival Guide applies to all the challenges you face this month sticking to a plant-based diet, so use it!
The holiday recipes I have chosen here are all either gluten-free or easily modified to be. You can be confident that by choosing any of these recipes, you are nourishing your body, and the bodies of your friends and family with nutritious, delicious, and satisfying delights. Enjoy!!!
1. Golden Australian Cauliflower Cream Soup
From Nutmeg Notebook: “We eat a lot of soup around here and I am always trying new recipes. If a soup recipe gets made again it has to be awesome and this Golden Austrian Cauliflower Cream Soup is just that – awesome. It’s another recipe that calls for carrot juice – the magical ingredient that makes things taste special. The list of ingredients is fairly short but does include leeks and I keep it simple by buying the frozen ones at Trader Joe’s that have already been cleaned and sliced for me. Love that!”
From Chef Chloe: This easy spring dip is the perfect appetizer for any occasion.
3. Kale Slaw with Curried Almond Dressing
From Dreena Burton’s Plant Powered Kitchen: “I’ve never cared much for traditional coleslaw, as I’ve never cared much for cabbage. But this slaw is a fresh take with nutrient-rich kale, along with crunchy carrots, fennel, and a touch of sweetness from apples and cranberries. The dressing really brings this slaw to life—don’t skip it!”
From the Vegetarian Times: “This recipe, created by Leah Matthews, won Best Side Dish in VT’s 2011 Chefs’ Challenge. Matthews came up with this tabbouleh-inspired saladwhile working as a sous chef at Twist, a Rhode Island restaurant specializing in gluten-free food. When the summer menu needed an additional item, she worked out a recipe in a matter of hours. “I grabbed seasonal and versatile ingredients from the refrigerator, knowing that cucumbers, tomatoes, lemon, and parsley form a flavor profile,” she says. Using quinoa instead of wheat-based bulgur or couscous keeps the dish gluten-free.”
From Dreena Burton’s Plant Powered Kitchen via Fat Free Vegan: “I’m not exaggerating when I say that I’ve been obsessed with this No-fu Love Loaf ever since I made it. I’ve served it for dinner once and made “meatloaf” sandwiches out of it twice (using my Tofu-Cashew Mayonnaise, of course). I made it exactly as written, with the small exception of the blackstrap molasses, which I omitted because I didn’t have any. I didn’t miss it because my loaf came out full of flavor, dense with grains and lentils, and very satisfying. Served with a side of mashed potatoes and some mushroom gravy, it was the ultimate comfort food.”
6. Roasted Fingerling Potatoes and Brussels Sprouts with Rosemary & Garlic
From Oh She Glows!: “I absolutely adore brussels sprouts, but this wasn’t always the case. Growing up, I despised them as most children do. In my early twenties, I gave them another shot and they slowly grew on me over the course of many holiday dinners. I’d place a few on the edge of my plate “just to try” and eventually they grew on me. They’re now one of the first vegetables I make a beeline for at holiday dinners. This past weekend was no different!
My absolute favourite way to enjoy them is roasted. I have no idea why there isn’t a recipe on the blog, but I decided this had to be remedied immediately. This recipe today features my favourite potatoes of all time (fingerlings), a generous amount of fresh rosemary and garlic, and of course, hearty brussels sprouts. Tossed with a touch of extra virgin olive oil and roasted for about 38 minutes, it was just about too good to share. It’s the ultimate comfort food on a chilly fall day.
A little roasting goes a long way, especially when it comes to brussels sprouts. They get slightly charred and caramelized in the oven and have a dense “meaty” texture that you wouldn’t expect from a green vegetable. If you’ve ever crossed this vegetable off your “want to eat more of” list I encourage you to give this recipe a shot; you might be surprised at how quickly they disappear. I knew this dish was a keeper when Eric – who is not a big fan of brussels – gobbled them up quickly.”
7. Harvest Stuffed Portobella Mushrooms
From Chef Chloe: “The lentil stuffing can be made up to 3 days in advance and stored covered in the refrigerator. The mushrooms can be stuffed and assembled on a baking sheet the day before. Bake and finish the stuffed-mushrooms right before serving.”
8. Sun-dried Tomato, Mushroom, and Spinach Tofu Quiche
From Oh She Glows!: “This was my first time making a tofu quiche and it really surprised us with how amazing it turned out! Even Eric went crazy for this quiche, often enjoying leftovers twice a day until it was finished. Enjoy it for breakfast, lunch, dinner, or a snack. I’ve made this a few different ways simply by changing up the vegetables used. One version used asparagus (1 cup diced) and broccoli (1.5 cups diced), which was also very nice. The only thing I would advise against is using a high-water vegetable, like fresh tomatoes as it might result in a water-logged quiche. Best of all, it reheats well. Simply place leftover quiche on a baking sheet and pop it in the oven for 15-20 minutes at 350F. Inspired by the Sprouted Kitchen Cookbook.
9. Strawberry Lime Nutty Flax Coconut Muffins
From Kathy Patalske, Healthy Happy Life: “Strawberry Lime Nutty Flax Coconut Oil Muffins. Sweet strawberries, warm zesty lime, nutty flax, a generous coating of caramelized sugar on top. And silky coconut oil, all luscious and amazing. Fan-tab-u-lous.
This recipe is similar to the blueberry version, but I think these sassy sweet lime and strawberry flavors just scream summertime muffins. Make these or my double coconut blueberry version and have yourself a very cozy, summer-is-coming sort of weekend..”
10. Creamy Dreamy Peppermint Patties
From Oh She Glows: “Luxurious, invigorating, melt-in-your-mouth peppermint patties made from scratch! Even better than store-bought versions. I suggest keeping these in the fridge or freezer for the best texture. The chocolate coating gets all snappy which is a wonderful contrast to the creamy middle.
Ella Magers, MSW
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