Posted on December 19, 2014 by Kate Halsall

I’m a vegan and I’m constantly asked ‘What Does A Vegan Eat At Christmas?’ so I thought I’d blog about it!

We’re catering for 3 Christmas meals this year – ones with friends and the others with family. I’m in charge of the veggie options – and I don’t just mean roast potatoes! So let me start by telling you what there won’t be! There won’t be nut loaf or cutlets, any “fake meat” substitute, vegetables smothered in pastry or any parsnips (sorry, I can’t stand them)! But on the flip side, there HAS to be sprouts (love them), some garlic and chilli (what meal is the same without them) and lots of vegetables!

If you’ve read any of my vegan food blogs before, you’ll know that there is often a battle to keep vegan and vegetarian food healthy – especially at Christmas. Just googling recipes on some websites you’ll find you’re surrounded with pastry recipes and cheese laden food stuffs. Whilst I want to enjoy my Christmas meal as much as the next person, I want it to be a tasty and healthy treat! I’m all for making easy adjustments to the traditional meat + potatoes + vegetables + trimmings. This year I got some of my inspiration from some supermarket magazines – who’d have thought!

The starter is going to be a salad with avocado, chargrilled aubergine and spinach.
The main is a roasted, stuffed butternut squash with quinoa, cranberries, pomegranate, chestnuts & walnuts.
The sides are steamed green beans, stir fried sprouts with garlic & chilli, and mushrooms with shallots and sherry (well it is Christmas!)

I’ll admit that the menu is slightly high on the carb side (root vegetables & quinoa), but it also provides a balance of good fats and protein.

And what about dessert I hear you ask! Well, being the fitness professional I am, I don’t have pudding of course…..honestly, I’m more a savoury person than sweet, but if I have any room left, I’ll probably have a spiced winter fruit salad!

If you’re catering for a veggie or vegan this year, hopefully this will provide you with some inspiration.

Recipes & Further Reading
http://your.morrisons.com/Recipes-and-Ranges/Recipes/Index/J/Jewelled-stuffed-squash/
http://inspiration.sainsburys-live-well-for-less.co.uk/recipes/stuffed-roast-butternut-squash/
http://inspiration.sainsburys-live-well-for-less.co.uk/recipes/mushrooms-with-shallots-and-sherry/
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/foodanddrink/3831750/Mary-Berrys-Christmas-recipes-Chilled-winter-fruit-salad.html
http://www.yummly.com/recipes/winter-spiced-fruit-salad