BS: veggies and vegans ONLY

Subject: BS: veggies and vegans ONLY
From: Sooz
Date: 18 Dec 03 - 05:11 AM

OK - so can we try to keep a thread to ourselves?
One question the omnivores throw in with monotonous regularity is "What do you eat at Christmas?" This drives me mad but I would like to share the answer with other people of like mind.
To start us off; in our house it has become a tradition to eat deep fried camembert with a huge mixed salad on Christmas Eve and a cashew and pine-nut roast on the day itself. What about the rest of you?

Subject: RE: BS: veggies and vegans ONLY
From: Ethereal Purple
Date: 18 Dec 03 - 06:45 AM

I can't say much here - because I live in India, and we don't really celebrate christmas here - not the way you people do. Kind of convenient I guess :-).

Subject: RE: BS: veggies and vegans ONLY
From: Sooz
Date: 18 Dec 03 - 06:47 AM

A neat trick you might say. Mike and I always dreamed of spending Christmas somewhere where they don't have it!

Subject: RE: BS: veggies and vegans ONLY
From: freda underhill
Date: 18 Dec 03 - 07:28 AM

I was in Calcutta one Christmas, as resident artist at an ashram, painting in the garden every day. On Christmas day, as I painted away (hmm) I had to listen to a very cutesy version of "I saw Mummy Kissy Santa Claus", again and again.

my christmas lunch there was mangoes and sweet curd.

fred

Subject: RE: BS: veggies and vegans ONLY
From: Dave Hanson
Date: 18 Dec 03 - 08:44 AM

duck.
eric

Subject: RE: BS: veggies and vegans ONLY
From: the lemonade lady
Date: 18 Dec 03 - 08:53 AM

Usually (for the past 23 years) I've eaten Dolmades (Stuffed vine leaves), home made of course. For a change I think I'll have Stilton and Walnut pie. It's wonderful.

Sal

Subject: RE: BS: veggies and vegans ONLY
From: GUEST,MMario
Date: 18 Dec 03 - 09:09 AM

Sooz - "What do you eat at Christmas (or Easter, or Halloween, or on your Birthday) is a question we omnivores throw at each other with monotonous regularity as well.

Subject: RE: BS: veggies and vegans ONLY
From: Sooz
Date: 18 Dec 03 - 10:14 AM

How about a recipe for the Stilton and Walnut pie, Sal?
MMario - that may be true, (although I doubt it,) but the incredulity index will be missing in the tone of voice!

Subject: RE: BS: veggies and vegans ONLY
From: mooman
Date: 18 Dec 03 - 10:20 AM

The pine nut roast is a regular for us (well...me, the other Clan McMoo members eat turkey) but I have other nut and veggie Christmas recipes for anyone interested!

Peace

moo

Subject: RE: BS: veggies and vegans ONLY
From: harlowpoet
Date: 18 Dec 03 - 10:33 AM

Probably be a nut roast as well. Its the only time I ever really eat it to tell the truth.

Subject: RE: BS: veggies and vegans ONLY
From: GUEST,Songlines
Date: 18 Dec 03 - 11:02 AM

We have no problem with holidays. This is a great excuse to be creative. A sample menu may include a seed & nut loaf...garnished with a faux worcheshire sauce and capes, mashed 'potato' cauliflower seasoned with black pepper and fresh herbs(contains raw cashews...very creamy! Then the mushroom gravy and various veggie dishes, ie., squash, fresh peas, greens...maybe chopped w/garlic and a dash of sesame oil & cider vinegar & nama shoyu. The cranberry, orange sauce...done in the blender, yum!
May change my mind and we might have mock salmon croquettes with avacado dressing.
The dee-zert you ask? How about walnut pecan chocolate cake with banana cherry ice cream, and mango pie with date nut pie crust!
The best part...no cooking. Yes folks....no stove. All is totally raw and full of nutrients...all vegan! Check out www.living-foods.com for fascinating info and wonderfully creative recipes to get you started on a colorful and delicious holiday season!

Subject: RE: BS: veggies and vegans ONLY
From: GUEST,JohnB
Date: 18 Dec 03 - 11:03 AM

We gave up with a regular sit down type of Christmas dinner years ago.
It's way too much trouble and who are you realy doing it for?
So what we do is, buy all sorts of snacky type of things, Cheeses, Veggie Pate, Crackers, Fruit, Trifle, Chocolate of course. Generally we buy the more expensive things, that we normally don't buy. It ALL then gets put on the Table and we graze all day long. The rest of the time is spent watching movies, playing games etc.
JohnB

Subject: RE: BS: veggies and vegans ONLY
From: GUEST,Songlines
Date: 18 Dec 03 - 11:08 AM

We agree.....that is what we do...sans the processed & animal items.
There are plenty of things you can have....some all washed & arrenged on platters & some that take minimal prep at home. No more excess time in kitchen. Rather munch & watch movies all day! We're with you.

Subject: RE: BS: veggies and vegans ONLY
From: GUEST,Songlines
Date: 18 Dec 03 - 11:21 AM

That was capers....not capes on the nut & seed loaf, ya'all!
Just a spell check, sorry.

Subject: RE: BS: veggies and vegans ONLY
From: GUEST,Sirloin
Date: 18 Dec 03 - 11:22 AM

I can't believe this thread has not been bombarded yet with turkey recipes!

Subject: RE: BS: veggies and vegans ONLY
From: CarolC
Date: 18 Dec 03 - 12:01 PM

Yes, (non-turkey) recipies please. I prefer to try to ignore Christmas all together, but JtS likes to celebrate it, so it'd be nice to have some more recipies that people enjoy for the holidays.

For myself, any kind of special occasion is a good excuse to eat expensive olives.

Subject: RE: BS: veggies and vegans ONLY
From: Blackcatter
Date: 18 Dec 03 - 12:46 PM

Spam, Spam, Spam, etc.

Subject: RE: BS: veggies and vegans ONLY
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 18 Dec 03 - 01:00 PM

We eat meat without guilt, but I have a quart of capers (great sale, but an awful lot of them!) that I would love to have a good recipe for, avec or sans meat. I have always put capers in things like beans that are eaten over rice (the capers added at the end are a wonderful little vinegar/salt explosion on your tastebuds). I look forward to any recipes posted!

SRS

Subject: RE: BS: veggies and vegans ONLY
From: GUEST,ClaireBear
Date: 18 Dec 03 - 02:57 PM

Ever since spending a Christmas in Spain as a child, I've always favored Spanish food at Christmas. For my veggie husband, therefore, I make a sumptuous paella with artichoke hearts, garbanzos, and asparagus -- and any other veggie I happen to think of -- as the star attractions. (Mushrooms, eggplant...) Here in California we have access to some pretty good flavored (grilled or baked) tofu choices, so I add one of those if I can find one that isn't too Asian in character.

I make the paella with brown basmati rice, peas, tomatoes, onion, lots of saffron, enough olive oil and veggie broth, sprinkling it with sherry several times while it's baking.

Along with being festive and Christmas-colored, it's easy AND it's a one-dish dinner!

(Flan for dessert for non-vegans; fruit compote for those who are -- very Spanish.)

Mmmmm!

Subject: RE: BS: veggies and vegans ONLY
From: Peter K (Fionn)
Date: 18 Dec 03 - 03:48 PM

Most of us get more than enough protein anyway, so for Christmas dinner I'im willing ti settle for what everyone else is having, but without the turkey and gravy. The Stilton and walnut thing sounds tempting, but having just had a heart attack, I'll skiop it for this year.

Subject: RE: BS: veggies and vegans ONLY
From: open mike
Date: 18 Dec 03 - 03:56 PM

the british rave about brussles sprouts and mushy peas
as christmas faves--perhaps will try those this year..
and what is the recipe for imitation salmon croquettes?

I often make an elaborate, delicate, delicious casserole
layers of this yummy greek pastry can't remember what it
is called at the moment...the light flaky stuff that is
in layers of baklava....and brushing each layer with butter
and putting ricotta, pesto, peppers, mushrooms, olives,
sun dried tomatioes...sort of like a light version of those
la5rge flat noodles that casseroles are made of..golly,
can't remember what to call those either...also adding
parmesan, mozzarella, other ingredients..and pine nuts!

Subject: RE: BS: veggies and vegans ONLY
From: Ed.
Date: 18 Dec 03 - 04:10 PM

Ms Lemon,

I'll second Sooz's request for your Stilton and Walnut Pie recipe. Sounds lovely. A few hints on stuffed vine leaves would be appreciated too!

Subject: RE: BS: veggies and vegans ONLY
From: Liz the Squeak
Date: 18 Dec 03 - 04:41 PM

We would make an exotic nut roast in the restaurant I worked at - pine nuts, cashews, walnuts and the like. We made nut and rice rissoles with mixed nuts and brown rice, very good in burgers.

Mince pies were made with vegetable suet mincemeat, or a mix of sultanas, glace cherries, lemon and orange peel, crushed cashews and thick spiced syrup - they weren't as sickly as some commercially available mince pies, but it's not a preserve so they had to be made fresh each time. The smell when making up the mincemeat was heavenly!

I'm actually quite annoyed at the labelling of this thread - not all carni or omnivores are anti veggie. Some of us are quite nice and won't mind at all if there is no meat on our plates.

LTS

Subject: RE: BS: veggies and vegans ONLY
From: open mike
Date: 18 Dec 03 - 05:51 PM

yes, seems it needn't be exclusive..fruits and veggies are quite universal! barricading this thread will jsut serve to incite or
entice negative comments...

and i jsut remembers the ingredients in my earlier thread..
Filo (Phillo?) dough and Lasagna...fillo is a light pastry
sometimes used to line quiche like cups and also for honey
walnut goodies...lasagna is much heavier...so the Filo is
an elegant holiday treat..

Subject: RE: BS: veggies and vegans ONLY
From: Ed.
Date: 18 Dec 03 - 06:07 PM

Totally agree with you Mike and Liz:: trying to make rules on a forum that isn't your own is plain silly

Subject: RE: BS: veggies and vegans ONLY
From: Peace
Date: 19 Dec 03 - 03:28 AM

Sorry folks. I truly dislike the term 'veggies'. What the heck is difficult about calling them vegetables? Veggies sounds so darn cutsie. Sorry, missed supper--vegetable or meat or both.

Subject: RE: BS: veggies and vegans ONLY
From: GUEST
Date: 19 Dec 03 - 07:21 AM

Sorry, can't stop, have to go get the turkey from the Butcher's.

Subject: RE: BS: veggies and vegans ONLY
From: The Fooles Troupe
Date: 19 Dec 03 - 07:30 AM

Stuffed vine leaves (forget the Greek name!), Black Calamatta Olives, Feta Cheese, and Fried Haloumi Cheese with crusty bread grilled with olive oil and sun dried tomatoes - those Mediterraneans know how to eat - and then, there's the seafood... Calamari, etc

I'm on a Seafood Diet - I See Food: I eat it!

Robin

Subject: RE: BS: veggies and vegans ONLY
From: CarolC
Date: 19 Dec 03 - 11:18 AM

Sorry folks. I truly dislike the term 'veggies'. What the heck is difficult about calling them vegetables? Veggies sounds so darn cutsie. Sorry, missed supper--vegetable or meat or both.

Assuming you're not being ironic (which you might very well be doing, since I get the impression you might be Canadian), I'll address your question. The term "veggies", in this case, looks to me like it's refering to "vegetarians" rather than to "vegetables". If so, I use "veggie" in that way myself quite frequently. It's easier for my clumsy tongue to say, and it doesn't seem to carry quite the same tone of taking oneself and one's dietary inclinations all that seriously. Works for me.

Subject: RE: BS: veggies and vegans ONLY
From: Sooz
Date: 19 Dec 03 - 11:22 AM

Sorry about the label. I didn't mean to be exclusive to readers - but I wanted to encourage posts only from like-minded people. We've had enough comment in the other vegetarian thread! This thread was a selfish attempt to take my mind off my sciatica.
BTW the subject line was too short for the word vegetarians so it had to be abbreviated. Perhaps our most hated abbreviations would be a good subject for a new thread. (Mine is "uni" for university which I think is worth the whole word every time even in Britain in 2003!)

Subject: RE: BS: veggies and vegans ONLY
From: Leadfingers
Date: 19 Dec 03 - 06:15 PM

Open Mike -- You are way too late for sprouts this year. They really should have been started cooking in May at the latest.

Subject: RE: BS: veggies and vegans ONLY
From: Rapparee
Date: 19 Dec 03 - 07:13 PM

I'll eat Brussels sprouts whenever I like, thank you! With a little butter and lemon...ummmmm!

By the way, I'm using butter instead of margarines these days whenever I can. Something about trans-fatty acids....

And yes, we use olive and other oils -- butter is used in great moderation.

Subject: RE: BS: veggies and vegans ONLY
From: GUEST,Songlines
Date: 19 Dec 03 - 07:25 PM

Mock Salmon Croquette(s)you ask?
I find the recipe for Mock Salmon Pate
is a good one....located in recipe section
of web page www.living-foods.com
You may make 'croquettes' or form the mass into a 'salmon'
with one of those expensive olives for an eye and some capers
to festoon the fins & gills. Final touch...a few hours in
a dehydrator at about 100-115 degrees may give a nice crunch
to the outer surface of the dish...no matter which shape you choose:
croquette, loaf or fish shape.
In the absence of dehydrator, you may use your oven set on warm.
To maintain the nutrients, one may after 'warming' the dish, serve it immediately. Or, you may serve this dish as a pate with crackers & the like.
Before I had a champion juicer I processed the almonds(soaked overnight)and the carrots in a Cuisinart with the 's' blade.
Any questions, feel free to ask.

Subject: RE: BS: veggies and vegans ONLY
From: GUEST,Songlines
Date: 19 Dec 03 - 08:17 PM

I like your spirit of inclusiveness...vegetarians & vegans.
Before the term vegan was introduced to indicate a diet comprised of vegetables,fruits,grains and nuts, all who did not eat meat and sometimes not dairy were all vegetarians. Now we have this distinction. It is very gratifying to have this thread which is inclusive. Also, I want to thank you for allowing me to be a guest on your thread. I am also a vegan(from the planet vega {<; ). In addition, my husband and I are sometimes 100% and at present 95%
raw/living foodists....vegan of course in this category. The 5% includes those foods which have been processed by heating above 108 to 115 degrees F.
The journey through vegetarianism has been an interesting one with many discoveries,increasing good health & many new friends. Thank you all for sharing your thoughts & recipes! We can all share and get along. That's what veggie vegetarian vegan raw & living foodists do!

Subject: RE: BS: veggies and vegans ONLY
From: GUEST,Songlines
Date: 19 Dec 03 - 08:25 PM

Yes, those trans-fatty acids....there is something about them and you are taking notice. The non-processed oils are a better path to take. Then there is moderation in all things.....my caveat....even moderation.

Subject: RE: BS: veggies and vegans ONLY
From: John P
Date: 19 Dec 03 - 11:14 PM

This year for Christmas we are seeing the Return of the King and then going to a Chinese restaurant here in Seattle that is completely vegan. It's also the only kosher place in town (I think), and is a favorite for the Chinese-speaking crowd. Makes for an interesting mix -- granola heads, orthodox Jews, and Chinese expatriots. My vegan wife is in heaven there -- a 10 page menu, all of which she can eat. Most restaurants don't have much for her. Even vegetarian places often have only a couple or three vegan dishes.

Last year we ate a Tofurkey. It was pretty good. I don't know if it tasted like turkey or not, as it's been so many years since I've eaten meat that I don't remember what it tastes like. You may notice that not spending all day cooking on Christmas usually seems like a good idea to us.

John Peekstok

Subject: RE: BS: veggies and vegans ONLY
From: Ed.
Date: 20 Dec 03 - 12:19 AM

I don't know if it tasted like turkey or not, as it's been so many years since I've eaten meat that I don't remember what it tastes like.

Cooked well, Turkey tastes good (I won't say great). Cooked badly, it's dreadful, dry and horrible.

Subject: RE: BS: veggies and vegans ONLY
From: GUEST,allie kiwi, who just can't get her cookie wo
Date: 20 Dec 03 - 03:29 AM

One of the good things about living in the Southern Hemisphere, and having Christmas in the summertime, is that there isn't really a 'traditional' dinner to have. Unless you want to call a BBQ the new tradition. so no one really questinos what it is you're going to eat.

Last year I made a lentil and mushroom lasange, while the more carnivorous had chicken kebabs and giant prawns cooked on the barbie. But all the lasagne went as well, eaten by the non-vegetarians as well.

This year I'm on desserts, so I'm not sure what will be provided by my vegetarian sister in law - no doubt something delicious made with aubergines, which are one fo her favourite things to cook.

For dessert we're having a tamarillo and sponge pudding

Allie

Subject: RE: BS: veggies and vegans ONLY
From: Big Tim
Date: 20 Dec 03 - 06:23 AM

My wife's just handed me our Christmas menu, so here goes!

Creamy carrot and celeriac soup

Red wine nut roast with brie,
Wild mushrooms and potato pithivers,
Veg chipolatas with veg streaky [bacon flavoured but non animal, of course] strips,
Deep fried mushrooms in veggie banger mix,
Rosemary roast potatoes with garlic buttered sprouts,
Red cabbage braised in red wine and allspice [whatever that is!],
Tomato and whisky sauce,

Vin santo trifle with figs and cherries, or,
Christmas pudding and brandy cream.

Coffe, liqueurs, mince pies and Christmas Cake.

Washed down with some special wines that we got in France earlier in the year.

Happy veggie Christmas to all!

Subject: RE: BS: veggies and vegans ONLY
From: Ed.
Date: 20 Dec 03 - 06:57 AM

Sounds delicious, Tim. I'm not too sure about sprouts with garlic though...

Subject: RE: BS: veggies and vegans ONLY
From: Folkiedave
Date: 20 Dec 03 - 09:16 AM

Earlier in his thread someonemetioned "faux Worcestershire Sauce" presumably because the original one contained anchovies. For Vegetarians needing that flavour then may I heartily recommend one of Sheffield's most famous products the inimitable "Henderson's Relish"http://www.hendersonsrelish.com/
which contains no meat or fish.

Regards,

Dave

Subject: RE: BS: veggies and vegans ONLY
From: Big Tim
Date: 20 Dec 03 - 10:53 AM

Well spotted Ed! That should be: rosemary roast potatoes with garlic, buttered sprouts. I missed out the all-important comma. Mrs Tim has rapped my knuckles quite severely!

Subject: RE: BS: veggies and vegans ONLY
From: Peace
Date: 20 Dec 03 - 02:30 PM

CarolC: Thank you for the clarification. I don't know why, but when I hear people calling vegetables "veggies", I roll my eyes toward the sky. The locution, "I seen it" does something similar. I think I need more B-complex in my diet.

Subject: RE: BS: veggies and vegans ONLY
From: the lemonade lady
Date: 19 Feb 04 - 12:10 PM

Bit late I know but if anyone wants to pm me about the stilton and walnut pie or stuffed vine leaves I'll dig out the recipies.

Sal

Subject: RE: BS: veggies and vegans ONLY
From: Ed.
Date: 19 Feb 04 - 12:54 PM

PM sent!

It might be nice if you posted them in the thread as well, so that others might enjoy.

Subject: RE: BS: veggies and vegans ONLY
From: Amergin
Date: 19 Feb 04 - 01:37 PM

i ate a vegan once....tasted just like chicken...

Subject: RE: BS: veggies and vegans ONLY
From: Teresa
Date: 19 Feb 04 - 01:56 PM

Usually I don't like things that pretend to be meat, like veggie sausages etc. ... i prefer to eat vegetables as cooked in Indian food or roasted eggplant, etc. But my friend made a tofurkey from scratch that was incredible. I'm not a vegetarian, and I absolutely loved it.

Teresa

Subject: RE: BS: veggies and vegans ONLY
From: Allan C.
Date: 19 Feb 04 - 02:25 PM

I once thought that vegans spent their careers trying to create stuff that tasted like meat, but wasn't meat, while always failing miserably. I have learned a lot since then. Still, I do have to chuckle at the zinger I heard once, "This isn't meat. This is what meat eats!"

All that aside, I wanted to tell you that I visited a Chinese grocery store recently and discovered a plastic wrapped, sausage-like roll of faux ham. This stuff beats the heck out of any other fake meat I have ever tasted. (Which, come to think of it, isn't that hard to do when I flash back on the gawdawful flavor of the Morningstar "bacon" I tried recently! Bleah!) For those of you who recall meat flavors, the "ham" is soy based and has the texture and flavor of something in the middle ground between real ham and spam. This Chinese "ham" has suited very well in every recipe I have attempted with it so far. I suspect it is imported to a wide variety of locales and so I will post the brand name I use as soon as I purchase a new package of it.

Subject: RE: BS: veggies and vegans ONLY
From: dianavan
Date: 19 Feb 04 - 11:21 PM

I'm not vegetarian but I learned to cook delicious food without meat, poultry or fish because my children decided that they were vegetarian at a very early age. My daughter was also lactose intolerant so I was definitely challenged. I, myself, will eat free range and organic meat, poulty and fish. Anything wild that has been prepared lovingly by friends and family.

I'm now exploring oils (especially the Omega brand).

Christmas? Substitute mushrooms, nuts, lentils, cheeses, etc. We had it all because there were always so many special diets going on.

Big Tim: You are a very lucky man. Be nice to your wife. I don't know too many men who are presented with a menu, let alone such a delicious and healthy menu. I envy you. Does she have a brother?

d

Subject: RE: BS: veggies and vegans ONLY
From: mooman
Date: 20 Feb 04 - 11:17 AM

Well I did have my nut roast as planned but this time with the added and unexpected bonus of a lovely vegetarian bake from a Finnish friend I'd helped with some paperwork. Going to try and get the recipe for that although I did lend her a tin of treacle which she needed!

Peace

moo

Subject: RE: BS: veggies and vegans ONLY
From: GUEST,rump steak
Date: 20 Feb 04 - 11:42 AM

What do vegetarians eat at christmas?