Vegan Thanksgiving ideas?

[laurie]

We are hosting T-day this year, including several vegan family members. I have some good side dishes planned, but need help with an elegant vegan main dish that I can make ahead (since I will also be making turkey and ham for the omnivores). Thanks in advance for your suggestions.

[theveg]

If no one has guten intoeance there are lots of roulades I've fun that look really good. I'm planning on trying this one for thanksgiving this year.

http://www.vegan.com/recipes/vegan-thanksgiving-recipes-robin-robertson/roasted-wheatmeat/

Or this tofu based "tukey" looks like it will be yummy.

http://www.gentlethanksgiving.org/gui...

[districtSW]

Last thanksgiving I made a vegetarian mushroom gravy it tasted great with the stuffing or would work well with Tofu. It calls for butter but I'm sure you could substitute something else for it. Here's the recipe. http://www.epicurious.com/recipes/foo... I'm not sure that it fits the elegant bill but it tastes great.

[laurie]

Thanks, these are all great ideas.

Question: Any thoughts about vegan substitutions for dishes that take some dairy, such as cream-based soups? Do nut milks make a good substitute?

[amy_wong]

Coconut milk may work, especially in soups. I like the taste of MimicCreme too, which is a cream substitute. BTW, MimicCreme has almond and cashew milk in it.

[jsaimd]

depends on the soup. Squash or pumpkin take coconut milk well. Unsweetened cashew cream might work in something like a mushroom. Potatoes or blended rice in others provide creaminess.

[lgss]

We like almond mylk or hemp mylk as a dairy substitute.

[PamelaD]

I made this quinoa butternut squash dish for our vegan entree last year and it was a hit:
http://www.marthastewart.com/recipe/q...

[jsaimd]

Lentil stuffed acorn squash is always a hit. You can make a green lentil salad (or beluga) ahead of time, stuff the precooked acorn squash and bake off last minute. If the vegans want something more rich - they may like topped with cashew cream or a vegan cream/cheese substitute. Add nuts to the salad...

[lexpatti]

I recently made a butternut squash lazagna and we loved it. I didn't follow a recipe just layered lazagna noodles, roasted butternut sq, ricotta - hmmmmm, do vegans completely stay away from dairy??? If so, there has to be a great soy sub.

this was part of my inspiration but didn't want all the heaviness:
http://closetcooking.blogspot.com/200...

[hotoynoodle]

vegans don't do any dairy.

[lgss]

We make savory pumpkin pie as the main dish. Sides generally include wild rice pilaf, greens, etc. We made cranberry relish one year. Sweet potato/ pecan/ cranberry bread (ExtraVeganza by Laura Matthias) can be dessert (or breakfast). My sister and brother-in-law own a CSA so we incorporate whatever fruit and veggies they bring. They often bring apple pie. The omnivores always try what we bring and often ask for the recipes.

[mokee]

I just hosted a lacto-vegetarian thanksgiving and this was our menu -trying to stay seasonal (easily made vegan) Everyone liked it but I would remove the acorn squash and just serve the stuffing solo as a rice dish - too much squash flavor all around.
Potato leek soup, wild mushroom tart, wild rice stuffed acorn squash, warm spinach salad with sweet potatoes, red cabbage with apples, cranberries, tofu pumpkin pie, rubarb-strawberry custard.

[nofunlatte]

How about some sort of vegan harvest stew served in a pumpkin shell? That would have the visual appeal and make a lovely centerpiece.

[enbell]

Here is a search page to start you off
http://search.chow.com/search?query=%...