Holiday Guide Star anise and cinnamon: © iStock.com/ClaudioVentrella • Corn: © iStock.com/Gabor Izso • Candles: © iStock.com/robstyle • Garland: © iStock.com/Baks • Gift and bulb: © iStock.com/anilakkus • Dreidel and coins: © iStock.com/tomertu © iStock.com/anilakkus • Dreidel and coins: © iStock.com/Baks • Gift and bulb: © iStock.com/robstyle • Garland: © iStock.com/Gabor Izso • Candles: • Corn: © iStock.com/ClaudioVentrella Star anise and cinnamon:
So you’ve decided to make the compassionate decision to eat vegan this holiday season? Yay! peta2 is here to provide you with easy recipes that you can cook for your family. Shopping List There’s a vegan option for everything. Check out some of the following easy-to-find products and ingredients.
Vegan Turkey ‘Egg’ Nog Pre-Made Desserts • Field Roast Celebration Roast Enjoy your favorite holiday drink Daiya makes frozen vegan • Gardein Savory Stuffed Turk’y and vegan-style by picking up one of these cheesecakes that come in a wide Holiday Roast delicious treats: variety of flavors, such as pumpkin • Tofurky Roast (with wild-rice stuffing) spice, key lime, chocolate, and • Trader Joe’s Breaded Turkey-Less • So Delicious coconut-based nog strawberry. Claim Jumper and Marie Stuffed Roast with Gravy • Silk soy-based nog Callender’s both make “accidentally • Califia Farms almond-based nog vegan” pies in flavors like apple, These ready-made vegan turkey cherry, peach, and raspberry, which alternatives are available at countless You can also find pumpkin-spice can be found at some Walmart, grocery stores across the country, creamers and lattes from So Delicious Safeway, and Target locations. including many Whole Foods, Publix, and Califia Farms. and Kroger locations. Vegan Ham Tofurky’s sweet and savory Ham Roast will trick all your friends and family members. It has a “tender, smoky flavor, complimented by a sweet, tangy glaze” and is the first plant-based ham roast of its kind. Check the Tofurky website to find a store near you that sells it. Nondairy Milk Original and unsweetened varieties of soy milk can replace cow’s milk in any holiday recipe, including mashed potatoes. Soy milk is available at many It’s Easy to grocery stores as well as some Walmart and Target locations. Almond, cashew, Veganize coconut, oat, and rice milks are great options as well. Recipes We’ve put together vegan recipes for some well-known Vegan Stuffing Bananas or Applesauce (and well-loved) holiday Check the ingredients, but many stuffing For baking recipes in which eggs dishes. Concerned about mixes are already vegan. Just substitute are used to add moisture, you can health? By removing the meat, vegetable broth when you’re cooking. easily replace them with bananas milk, and eggs from these or applesauce. Use one mashed festive recipes, you’ll also Vegan Margarine banana or ¼ cup of unsweetened be removing the cholesterol Several brands of vegan margarine applesauce to replace one egg. and a lot of the saturated are available. Here are some of the fat. Don’t worry—these tasty most popular: Egg Replacer or Baking Soda recipes are sure to wow Use these for leavening and binding vegans and nonvegans alike. • Earth Balance in cookies, breads, cakes, muffins, • Smart Balance Light with Flaxseed Oil and cupcakes. Green-Bean Casserole MAKES 4 TO 6 SERVINGS
INGREDIENTS mushrooms in the ½ medium onion, diced vegetable oil in a skillet. Season with the salt and ¾ cup chopped button pepper. mushrooms • Heat the soy milk and 1 Tbsp. vegetable oil the bouillon cube in a Salt and pepper, to taste saucepan, stirring until the bouillon dissolves. 1½ cups unsweetened soy milk Do not allow to boil. 1 vegan bouillon cube Mix the cornstarch and 2½ Tbsp. cornstarch water together and add to the pan, stirring well. 2 Tbsp. cold water • Quickly add the green 1 28-oz. can cut green beans beans, the sautéed 1 6-oz. can French-fried onions vegetables, and about half the French-fried onions and stir well. DIRECTIONS • Pour into a casserole dish and top with the remaining • Preheat the oven to 350°F. French-fried onions. Bake for about 15 minutes, or until • Sauté the onions and the onions begin to brown.
Pumpkin Pie MAKES 4 TO 6 SERVINGS
INGREDIENTS DIRECTIONS 1 15-oz. can pumpkin • Preheat the oven to 425°F. ¾ cup light brown sugar • Blend the pumpkin and brown © Steve Lee Studios 1 12-oz. pkg. extra-firm sugar in a blender or food silken tofu processor. Add the tofu, spices, 1 tsp. cinnamon and salt and blend until smooth. Pour into the unbaked pie shell. ¼ tsp. cloves • Bake for 15 minutes, then reduce ¼ tsp. nutmeg the heat to 350°F and bake for ½ tsp. salt another 60 minutes, or until the 1 9-inch unbaked pie shell filling sets. Vegan whipped cream • Chill and serve topped with (optional) vegan whipped cream, if desired. Classic Holiday Stuffing MAKES 4 TO 6 SERVINGS
INGREDIENTS DIRECTIONS 1 Tbsp. vegan margarine • Melt the vegan margarine in a big pot over medium-high heat. 1 cup chopped onion Add the onions and celery and cook for 2 to 3 minutes. 1 cup chopped celery Remove from the heat. 2 cups vegan broth • Add the broth, cranberries, ½ cup dried cranberries apples, and pine nuts. (optional) • Add the stuffing and mix lightly. ½ cup diced apple (optional) • Spoon into a greased ¼ cup pine nuts (optional) casserole dish. 1 12-oz. bag herb-seasoned, • Cover with foil and bake tcubed vegan stuffing at 350°F for 15 minutes. (try Pepperidge Farm brand, which is available • Remove the foil and continue talmost everywhere) baking for another 15 minutes.
Garlicky Mashed Potatoes MAKES 4 TO 5 SERVINGS
INGREDIENTS DIRECTIONS 5 large potatoes,washed, • Place the potatoes and whole peeled, and diced cloves of garlic in a large pot and cover with water. Bring to a boil 14–16 cloves garlic, peeled and cook for 20 minutes. 2 Tbsp. vegan margarine • Drain, place in a bowl with the remaining ¾ –1 cup soy milk ingredients, and mash until smooth. Salt and pepper, to taste • Serve hot with vegan gravy. Holiday Cookies MAKES 20 TO 25 COOKIES
INGREDIENTS DIRECTIONS 1 cup vegan buttery spread • Preheat the oven to 375°F. ½ cup sugar • In a large mixing bowl, combine the vegan buttery spread ½ cup brown sugar and sugars. Mix in the applesauce, vanilla, and peppermint. 6 Tbsp. unsweetened applesauce • In a separate bowl, combine the flour, salt, and baking soda. Add one cup at a time to the sugar mixture, then stir in the 1½ tsp. vanilla extract crushed candy canes. 2 drops peppermint extract • Scoop about 2 tablespoonfuls 2¾ cups all-purpose flour of the dough at a time onto a 1 tsp. salt prepared baking sheet and flatten with the palm of your hand. ½ tsp. baking soda • Bake for 10 minutes, or until ½ cup crushed candy canes the edges begin to brown. 1 cup melted vegan chocolate Place on wire racks to cool. chips (optional) • Dip in the melted chocolate Additional crushed candy and top with crushed candy canes (optional) canes, if desired.
Gingerbread Cookies MAKES 3 DOZEN COOKIES
INGREDIENTS DIRECTIONS 1 cup vegan margarine • In a large bowl, cream the 1 cup sugar vegan margarine and the sugar. Mix in the egg replacer, Egg replacer equivalent molasses, and vinegar. Set aside. of 1 egg • In a medium bowl, sift together 1 cup molasses the dry ingredients. Add to the 2 Tbsp. apple cider vinegar wet ingredients. 5 cups flour • Chill in the refrigerator for 3 hours or overnight. ½ tsp. salt • Preheat the oven to 375°F. Lightly grease a cookie sheet. 1½ tsp. baking soda • Remove the dough from the refrigerator and roll out onto a floured surface. Cut into desired shapes and place on the 1 Tbsp. ginger cookie sheet. 1¼ tsp. cinnamon • Bake for 6 to 8 minutes, or until the edges brown. Cool for 1 tsp. ground cloves 5 minutes on the cookie sheet then transfer to a wire rack. Divine Latkes MAKES 4 SERVINGS
INGREDIENTS • Warm the oil in 2 large russet potatoes, a frying pan over peeled and grated medium heat. 1 yellow onion, diced • Add the patties and fry until golden ¼ cup flour brown, about 5 1 tsp. baking powder minutes on each side. Salt and pepper, to taste • Transfer to a paper Oil, for frying towel for a few minutes in order to absorb any DIRECTIONS excess oil. • In a medium bowl, combine • Serve hot with all the ingredients except vegan sour cream the oil. Form patties about or applesauce 3 inches in diameter. and enjoy.
Vegan Noodle Kugel MAKES 6 TO 8 SERVINGS
INGREDIENTS DIRECTIONS 12 oz. wide noodles, • Preheat the oven to 425ºF. such as farfalle • Cook the noodles according to package directions and drain. 15 oz. silken tofu • Using an electric mixer or a blender, cream the tofu ¾ cup agave nectar with the agave nectar, vanilla, cinnamon, cardamom, and ginger until smooth. ¼ tsp. vanilla extract • Place in a large bowl 1 tsp. cinnamon, plus and add the noodles, extra for dusting raisins, apples, and 1 tsp. cardamom powder applesauce. Mix well. 1 tsp. ginger powder • Pour into a large 1½ cups raisins baking pan with high sides and bake for 4 apples, cubed 25 minutes, or until ¼ cup applesauce nicely browned. Savory Mixed Greens and ‘Bacon’ MAKES 4 SERVINGS
INGREDIENTS DIRECTIONS 1 pkg. Sweet Earth Benevolent • In a pan, sauté the chopped Bacon, cut into small “bacon” in the olive oil for bite-size pieces 2 to 3 minutes. Set aside. 1 Tbsp. olive oil • Place the broth, water, 2 cups vegetable broth liquid smoke, and seasoning in a large 1 cup water pot and bring to a boil. 1 Tbsp. liquid smoke • Add the collard greens 1 Tbsp. salt and cook for 10 minutes, 1 Tbsp. garlic powder then add the mustard greens, cover, and cook 1 tsp. cayenne pepper for 30 minutes more. ½ lb. collard greens, chopped • Add the onions and ½ lb. mustard greens, chopped “bacon” to the pot and cook 1 onion, peeled and cut into covered for an additional 10 minutes, or until thin slices the greens are tender.
Corn Bread MAKES 9 SERVINGS
INGREDIENTS DIRECTIONS 1 cup cornmeal • Preheat the oven to 350ºF. 1 cup flour • Combine the dry ingredients. 2 tsp. baking powder • Add the oil and soy milk 2 tsp. sugar and mix well. 1 tsp. salt • Pour into a lightly oiled 2 Tbsp. oil 8-by-8-inch pan and bake 1½ cups soy milk for 30 minutes. Common Questions Thinking about making the transition to vegan eating can prompt some questions. Here are some of the ones we most commonly get at peta2. The number one thing to remember is that adopting a vegan lifestyle is the best way to save animals, improve your health, and help the environment.
for a Tofurky Roast or other delicious turkey What’s the difference between a alternative, go for it! vegetarian and a vegan? Vegetarians don’t eat meat—and that includes I’ve heard that following a vegan diet chicken and fish. Vegans avoid anything is unhealthy. How can I make sure that comes from an animal, including eggs, ’ dairy “products,” honey, etc. Luckily, there that I m getting the proper vitamins are vegan alternatives to almost everything, and other nutrients? including sour cream, ice cream, coffee Eating a plant-based diet is extremely healthy! creamer, and more. Wholesome vegan foods contain no cholesterol, are often low in saturated fats, and are full of protein, iron, and calcium. Vegans have, on Isn’t following a vegan diet really average, a lower rate of obesity and are less expensive? I am a student and don’t likely to suffer from heart disease, cancer, and have much money. strokes, which are among the leading causes of Eating meat, dairy “products,” and eggs can death in the U.S. be very expensive. Going vegan means that you don’t have to break the bank. There are My family doesn’t support my new simple, very cheap recipes at peta2.com/Recipes, vegan lifestyle. What should I do? and PETA’s Vegan College Cookbook features more than 275 affordable and delicious recipes Call or sit down with your parents before the that you can easily make. holidays and let them know that this is very important to you. Offer to cook with them Lots of traditional holiday foods—such as so that you can still have a family holiday mashed potatoes, candied yams, cranberry experience and they won’t feel thrown off by sauce, and green beans—just happen to your different way of cooking. Don’t expect be vegan. There are many budget-friendly them to go vegan with you—simply lead by brands of soy milk and tofu, too, so be sure example, sticking to your convictions, and to check those out. And if you want to spring they’ll probably respect your choice.
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