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'turkish delights'
'Happy Christmas'
If you are new to vegetarianism, or veganism, or are catering for animal-free diets at Christmas for the first time, then you may feel daunted by the idea of Christmas without turkey and all the trimmings. We hope that our menu inspired by Turkey (the country rather than the animal) will delight you with the sheer potential for a meat-free Christmas. Planning The most important message, if it's all new to you, is to plan ahead. Tell family and friends that you are serious about having a meat--free Christmas. Print off this info, to help them in their preparations. Think about what you have eaten in the past. There are animal-free alternatives to most of the traditional Christmas options, for example vegan turkey or beef roasts. Don't forget to seek out the trimmings and those all-important little extras - you can even get giblet gravy for vegans now. If you're unfamiliar with some products, try them out before the Christmas holidays. There's nothing more disappointing than finding that you don't like the taste of something or that it doesn't work on the day. |
Look out for the symbols If you're unsure about which products are truly vegetarian or vegan, the best way is to look out for The Vegetarian Society's seedling symbol and The Vegan Society's symbol on food when you go shopping. For more information check out our shopping tips, pitfalls to avoid for your vegetarian or vegan Christmas and a few hints to see you through to a more compassionate new year.....
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Here are a few pitfalls to avoid for your vegetarian or vegan Christmas and a few hints to see you through to a more compassionate new year... A time for sharing Christmas is shared with family and friends but this can present problems for vegetarians and vegans too. Why not offer to cook a meal? Remember to take some meat substitutes with you too. You'll be surprised how popular they are - even with non -veggies - so make sure you have enough to share. You have been warned! Eating out If you're planning on visiting a restaurant, it¹s sensible to ring ahead and check out the vegetarian and vegan options. Given enough notice, most chefs are happy to prepare something different. The Vegetarian Society also allows members of its 'Food and Drink Guild' to use its symbol on menus. Keep smiling Be prepared for the jokes and some mickey taking. There are people who will think you are mad, or from another planet for simply contemplating not eating turkey! Just smile and feel safe in the knowledge that your food is 100% cruelty-free and they are the ones who will be eating the same boring and predictable fare. If, on the other hand, you are just catering for yourself this Christmas, then you really benefit from your decision! No huge turkey to eat for weeks afterwards. What a relief for you, and the turkey! Shopping Most ingredients that you will need to make these recipes can be found in any supermarket but you might like to visit your local health food store to see the wide range of specialist products available (see our Classified Advertising Directory for lots of local places).
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Traditional Christmas Dinner For the main course, vegetarians need to watch out for more than the turkey and meaty trimmings. Roast potatoes should be cooked separately from the meat and in vegetable fat or oil. Vegetarian gravy granules and mixes are readily available in supermarkets. The majority of commercially available stuffing mixes are suitable for vegetarians and vegans. The traditional alternative to turkey for vegetarians and vegans is nut roast. These are increasingly available, ready-made, in supermarkets and health food stores. 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. This years recipe collection offers you a Turkish meze. You can also try many of the meat alternatives on the market from turkey roasts and slices, to bacon alternatives. For those with a taste for luxury you can even get vegan caviar and champagne! Sweet things 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. You can make jelly for your trifle using vegetarian or vegan jelly crystals, but check when you buy your glacé cherries that they don't contain cochineal (E120), made from crushed insects. A toast or two Most of us will enjoy a drink or two over the holiday but check that the beers and wines are suitable for vegetarians. Many will have been fined, that is clarified to stop them being cloudy, with isinglass (from the swim bladder of the sturgeon), gelatine (animal skin and bones) or eggs (often from battery sources). Be particularly careful with Port - only crusted Port can be guaranteed not to have been fined with gelatine. Some supermarkets will clearly label on shelf talkers' the wines and beers that are suitable for vegetarians. Others will supply lists if you contact customer services desks. Most of all, enjoy the Festive Season. Be clear about your choices and enjoy trying new things. No turkey sandwiches, turkey salad and turkey curry for you... the nearest you'll get is these delicious recipes from Turkey. Enjoy. |
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Any questions? original print design stephen bingham photography heather
brown If
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