| If you have just gone vegetarian and are coming | | | | you need to think about vegetables. Decorate |
| up to you first vegetarian holiday season, or if | | | | your table with a variety of vegetable dishes. |
| you find yourself cooking for a vegetarian this | | | | Baked squashes make a spectacular centre piece. |
| holiday season this is the article for you. A | | | | Stuffed vegetables will show that you have taken |
| vegetarian holiday season need not be a gloomy | | | | that little bit of extra care about the meal. |
| series of substitutes for meat. Vegetarian fare | | | | If your meal is to be entirely vegetarian give the |
| can be festive in its own right. | | | | vegetables centre stage on your table. Their |
| A good nut roast is one of the delights of the | | | | colours will delight the eyes of your diners. If you |
| vegetarian table. It takes some time to make so | | | | are entertaining vegetarians and non-vegetarians |
| it is not something that vegetarians eat every | | | | then the turkey will have to take pride of place. |
| day. But it takes much less time than a turkey. | | | | But all your guests will be able to tuck into the |
| You will need a selection of nuts and this is | | | | vegetarian dishes. Your meal may open their eyes |
| season of nuts. You will also need a food | | | | to the world of vegetarian cuisine. |
| processor to grind them to a paste. The kind of | | | | Remember that your vegetarian guests may be |
| nuts you use influences the flavour and colour of | | | | vegan. If you cannot ascertain this in advance |
| the finished roast. Almonds, walnuts, cashews and | | | | then it will be as well to avoid the use of eggs |
| some hazel nuts make an excellent vegetarian | | | | and milk in your vegetarian dishes. A nust roast is |
| roast but be guided by your own tastes. | | | | often bound together with eggs but this is not |
| Grind the nuts and season them with salt, pepper | | | | essential. Cream sauces for dessert can be made |
| and spices. Nutmeg is an ideal spice to use. Add | | | | from ground nuts. Cashews are always popular |
| some liquid such as vegetable stock and put the | | | | for this. Soya cream is also available. |
| mixture into a tin. It should be baked in the oven | | | | When creating a cheese board take care to |
| for about an hour depending on size. | | | | ensure that at least one cheese is made without |
| To accompany your vegetarian roast you will | | | | rennet. Rennet comes from the lining of a cow's |
| need sauces. Cranberry sauce is fine for | | | | stomach and many vegetarians will not eat it. You |
| vegetarians and non-vegetarians alike. An onion | | | | might also like to have a few soy based cheeses. |
| gravy made with vegetable stock will be eaten by | | | | The soft soy based cheeses are an excellent |
| all your guests. | | | | option for guests who are watching their |
| Stuffing can be cooked in a separate dish. A | | | | cholesterol levels as well as vegetarians and |
| combination of brown rice, dried fruit, chopped | | | | vegans. |
| apples and spices will make a delicious | | | | The whole point of a holiday season is to share |
| accompaniment to the vegetarian roast. Just | | | | with friends and family. So if you are a |
| avoid adding meat fat. Rely on vegetable fat such | | | | non-vegetarian cooking for vegetarians or you are |
| as vegetarian suet. | | | | a vegetarian cooking for non-vegetarians make |
| For the visual aspect of a festive vegetarian meal | | | | your festive table welcoming to all. |