Novice or nouvelle – have yourself a merry, meat-free Xmas.

Six dishes for Christmas 2008.

The Vegetarian Society has created two brand new menus for this year's Christmas festivities called Novice and Nouvelle. Each has a starter, main and dessert. They each use similar ingredients such as leeks, chestnuts, oranges, raspberries, white marzipan and are packed with gorgeous flavours.

The Novice meal is aimed at first time veggies or individuals who don't want to spend too much time in the kitchen. Start with tangy leek and ginger soup, followed by festive fillet with orange and pomegranate sauce, while dessert is in the shape of raspberry frangipane tarts.

For those who like to be creative in the kitchen there is the Nouvelle menu – created by the Cordon Vert cookery school. Start with crunchy leek and chestnut purses with ginger and red pepper relish. The main is a carrot and cashew bare flan on a bed of hot puy lentil and dill salad with an orange and cardamom sauce. Then, if you have room, round off the meal with a few scoops of raspberry, marzipan and brandy ice cream served with lemon palmiers.

The two menus Novice and Nouvelle are available as recipe cards, readers can get hold of them by calling 0161 925 2000. Grassington's – official sponsor of the Vegetarian Society's Christmas Campaign 2008.

Our cookery school also runs Christmas cookery courses too, for more info visit www.cordonvert.co.uk

NOTES TO EDITORS

* For free recipes and full colour hi-res images or for more information please contact the Press Office on 0161 925 2000 or email press@vegsoc.org

* Tips and hints on a meat-free Xmas are available. Both menus are dairy and egg free.

* Outside office hours the Vegetarian Society Press Office can be contacted on 07973 108 165/7. Alternatively visit the website for information at www.vegsoc.org/press

* Grassington's – are launching a fantastic meat substitute range made with Gardein. Gardein is made from ingredients you will recognise (soya, wheat, peas, beets and carrots) grown naturally on the farm, and suitable for both vegetarians and vegans. For more information on Grassington's please contact Lucy Allen, Clarion Communications on 0207 343 3202 or LAllen@clarioncomms.co.uk