Hints and tips for making the most of this menu

Christmas Eve Get-together

Our Frosted Fizz drink would be a fab welcome to any party, served with homemade sweets and a few party nibbles.

Tips and hints

Plonk! - All that socialising is the perfect excuse to stock your cupboards full of the juices of the vine - whatever your poison red, white, or a drop of bubbly. Vegetarian wine is free from finings such as gelatine and isinglass (the swim bladder of tropical fish), frequently used to clarify wine. Look out for the Vegetarian Society’s seedling symbol, guaranteeing a product is 100% vegetarian or ask in your supermarket or off-licence if they have a list of vegetarian wines, beers and spirits.

Soft Drinks - Some canned Orange drinks use gelatine as a carrier for added Beta Caratine. (This would not appear on the ingredients panel).

Olives - An acquired taste granted, but the stuffed varieties filled with garlic or sundried tomatoes can be favourites , check you haven’t got anchovies in them though. Veggies don’t eat fish.

Crunchtastic – Crisps often use whey as a flavour carrier, ready salted are the only clearly vegetarian flavour, though some beef crisps are flavoured with yeast extract and are therefore suitable.

Chocolate - Watch out for whey and emulsifiers.

Christmas Day

Main course

Well what can we say – everyone wants roast potatoes and these are savoury, sweet and crispy. Sprouts you either love them or hate them but this recipe just may convert the most clearcut sprout hater, try it and see. Sage flavoured carrots give an unusual twist and a beautiful accompaniment to the main dish – the nut roast.

From our straw poll withinin the staff at The Society the nut roast was a top choice for a main Christmas meal. But this isn’t just a nut roast. - it’s a Cordon Vert nut roast. Flavoured with fennel, halloumi cheese and olives.

Tips and hints

Ready made - Ready-made vegetarian main courses can be found in the supermarkets and health food stores.

Nuts to nut roast? - However, if nut roast doesn't appeal to you, don't worry... there's more than nut roast to a vegetarian or vegan Christmas. One of the great things about being vegetarian or vegan is being able to challenge traditions about what you should eat, and enjoy whatever you fancy.

Roasty heaven - Roast potatoes should be cooked separately from the meat and in vegetable fat or oil.

Stuff your gravy - Vegetarian gravy granules and mixes are readily available in supermarkets. The majority of commercially available stuffing mixes are suitable for vegetarians and vegans.

Pudding

Dessert is a lighter Christmas pud, using exotic fruits, and is served with boozy white sauce or spicy rum custard.

Tips and hints

Mince pie magic - Christmas puddings and mince pies are no longer a problem for vegetarians since many brands now use vegetable suet and this doesn't affect the taste, so meat- eaters will enjoy them too. Some brands will be suitable for vegans too - look out for The Vegan Society symbol on packs.

Trifle-ing matters - You can make jelly for your trifle using vegetarian or vegan jelly crystals.

Rudolph knows - check when you buy your glacé cherries that they don't contain cochineal (E120), made from crushed insects

Boxing Day

If you can’t polish everything off on the day the feast happens then don’t worry pop it in the fridge and have it the next day. So, it’s not just the meat eaters who get to eat leftovers!

Tips and hints

Recycle your recipes - use the left overs to make a few buffet type dishes. Great for next day or for a late supper :

Carrot Pate - Herby Creamed Carrots
Patatas Bravas (sort of) - Sweet Rosemary Roasties with a dipping sauce of Fiery Red Wine Gravy
Mature (day old) Not Just a Nut Roast – the leftover cold roast really brings out the flavours well.

Delicious Dips - Hummus is always a fab dip, avoid Taramasalata though as it has fish roe in it.

Choice Cheese - Most supermarket cheeses now use vegetarian rennet, so just make sure you choose one with a label indicating that it is suitable for vegetarians.

To find products that have been approved by The Vegetarian Society - follow this link