All I Want For Christmas Is Some Tasty Plant-Based Eats!
OK! It’s starting to feel a lot like Christmas in my household… The Christmas tree is up, the kids have finished school and I am ridiculously disorganised as per every other year!
That’s how I know Christmas is really close… when I start to wish I had followed through on my wonderful plans to start shopping in October.
But… I didn’t, I never do. Anyway…
I will worry about that shortly, but for now, I need to plan what is going to be on the menu. You see, I am very happy with my choice to eat plant-based, however, I realise and respect that others are not yet ready to make that decision. Hence I try to avoid wherever possible creating a ‘situation’ (for my own sake first and foremost), where I have to sit and not eat. #Awkward
This year I have three occasions to prepare for:
- Christmas Eve nibbles at home with my in-laws
- Christmas Day breakfast with my in-laws
- Christmas dinner at my parent’s house
I have been plant-based for quite a while now and both my parents and my in-laws are quite open to exploring more plant-based options, and I am always guaranteed a range of tasty and creative salads and vegetable dishes. They also always have a few packets of Quorn or other packaged Vegan options in the freezer if the situation called for it. I always feel very grateful that they consider me and my family’s choices but secretly I’m pretty sure they enjoy the healthy stuff too.
Having said that, I really like to take advantage of occasions like this to wow them with some tasty plant-based options that are a bit out of the ordinary.
So, here is what I’m planning…
Christmas Eve nibbles at home with my in-laws
Cheese platter featuring Garlic & Rosemary Baked Camembert, Noshing Naturally Spiced Gouda and Noshing Naturally Cheddar with Caramelised Onions as well as some mixed nuts and Chilli, Garlic Olives.
BBQ Vegetable Kebabs & Walnut Lentil Salad
Ginger, Mint & Soda Cocktails (with or without Gin/Vodka)
Pecan Pie & Coconut Whipped Cream (Pecan Pie recipe to be finalised before Christmas Eve! Eeek!)
Gingerbread – this is a tradition in our house that has been going on for nine years, since the birth of my daughter. It was our first official family tradition. I make two upright trees of star cookies and then a heap of extra cookies! We end up with excessive amounts but manage to devour it all with limited effort. (Christmas Cheer eBook)
Christmas Day breakfast with my in-laws
Mushrooms, tomatoes, avocado, hash browns, and Vee Baked Beans with a crusty sourdough loaf
Iced Tea from T2 (image courtesy of T2tea.com)
Gingerbread – Yes, we eat Gingerbread for breakfast also… there are no rules when it comes to Gingerbread at Christmas! (Christmas Cheer eBook)
Christmas dinner at my parent’s house
Potato Salad (Christmas Cheer eBook)
Chickpea Roast Loaf with B-Gravy (Christmas Cheer eBook)
Nectarine Summer Salad (Christmas Cheer eBook)
More Gingerbread!
Beyond this, I am going to make sure I have a range of snack options in the fridge and freezer including Rum Balls (Christmas Cheer eBook), Buckwheat Granola and heaps of seasonal fruit that can be quickly whipped up into a platter.
Phew!
At least now I have a plan! 🙂
