Christmas Feast

Soon we won’t be able to watch TV without an ad about what to buy, cook and eat come Christmas day. Obviously 99% of what is shown on these ads a Tarian can’t eat unless you are a vegan who eats turkey, ham and dairy.

So what do you eat come Christmas day?

 

The Christmas feast is always the focus of the day and with that comes stress especially if your household has a Tarian coming together, which may rock the boat. I am here to take the stress and anxiety out of the Christmas menu; after all it is just another day in the calendar year.

At this early stage I’m easing my way into what to cook but I won’t be stressing about it, too many more important things to worry about than how perfect the meal being served up on the table is. Although the food being served will benefit many including the farmer direct, as we will be doing majority of our festive food shopping at our local farmers market. Part of us making our dollar count again this year.

Now that you know the source of your meal, you need to think seasonal. What is the key produce items around on the 25^th December: zucchini, broccoli, lettuce, potatoes, carrots, silverbeet, spinach, and kale to name a few. My promise to you on this festive day is, you will never go hungry on a vegan diet, if anything you will be spoilt for choice. Don’t you just love that?

Festive feast ideas:

Breakfast

• Muesli with coconut yoghurt and seasonal fruit (cherries for example)
• Fresh fruit medley with ground pistachio nuts
• Porridge made with almond milk and topped with fresh figs
• Grilled tomatoes and avocado on sprouted bread sprinkled with hemp seeds
• Buckwheat pancakes served with maple infused berries and coconut yoghurt
• Scrambled tofu with greens & mushrooms

Lunch

• Rocket, avocado and walnut salad with toasted pumpkin & sunflower seeds
• Chickpea and snow pea sprouts with mixed leaves
• Potato and leek soup with sautéed kale
• Sweetcorn and onion tart
• Open tofu burger with grated beetroot, carrot & dill pickles

Sides

• Roasted Brussels sprouts, potatoes and pumpkin
• Steamed green beans drizzled in olive oil and sprinkled with fresh dill
• Peas with mint
• Quinoa and lentil salad with pomegranate

Dinner

• Roasted vegetables seasoned with pesto
• Vegetable and lentil quinoa lasagne
• Baked potatoes with beans and kale
• Asparagus tart with a cheesy sauce

Dessert

• Festive trifle
• Mince Pies
• Watermelon with mint and raw chocolate flakes

 

To start

• Hummus with carrot & celery sticks
• Tamari almonds with nori flakes
• Watermelon and mint
• Trail mix (pepitas, sunflower seeds, currants, almonds and goji berries)
• Cashew cheeses with lavosh and dried fruits

 

Are you hungry?

I hope I have got your taste buds salivating and your tummies rumbling because that is what food should do. Food is about enjoyment and being social and there is nothing more social than everyone chopping, mixing, and creating in the heart of the house – the kitchen.

Cook, create and laugh with your family and friends close by, a much better way to bring everyone together and enjoy the festive feast, a far cry from one person slaving away in the kitchen. Oh and remember, what ever you think you are going to cook – reduce by half. Lets not be wasteful this year especially when it comes to mealtime.