5 Plant Based Dishes for the Holidays (That Everyone Will Enjoy)
By: Barb Biagioli
It’s no secret that most plant-based dishes at the holidays are considered “side dishes” rather than the star of the show. But plant-based plates don’t have to be boring at the holidays… or ever. It’s their time to shine!
There are plenty of fun ways to pack a nutritional punch into your holiday meals. Plant-based dishes include lots of color and variety in ways that are actually appealing to a picky crowd and, dare I say, even impressive.
Eating fresh food at the holidays is a return to tradition. Traditional celebrations were a feast of the farmer’s harvest – real food grown from the ground, plant or tree – a celebration of a year’s hard work and an opportunity to relish in the bounty of the season. This year I invite you to celebrate an authentic, kind, intentional, wholesome, healthy holiday. A holiday where you can indulge in flavor and expand your culinary horizons. While these 5 plant-based dishes are great year round, they are particularly favorable among a mixed holiday crowd. Trade in the turkey at Thanksgiving and swap out the Christmas ham for new plant-based dishes that are delicious and satisfying for vegans, vegetarians, and omnivores alike.
Big Kale Salad
A big bowl of hearty and healthy kale salad can be a great addition to a holiday table. It’s easy to whip up quickly and personalize based on the season or preference. Not to mention, kale is a great source of Vitamin K, fiber, antioxidants, and Vitamin C – all important vitamins and nutrients that will boost your immune system at the holiday and ward off unwanted illness. You can get creative and make a kale Caesar salad with Brussels sprouts, a mixed greens and kale salad with a simple shallot dressing or a kale salad with a creamy tahini dressing.
Give it a try:
Kale and Brussels Caesar Slaw with Pine Nut “Parm”
Kumquat Kale Salad with Tahini Dressing
Get the right supplies:
Get the right supplies:
Risotto
Another dish easily made plant-based, risotto is the perfect entrée for an intimate dinner with friends or a big bunch of family. Risotto can be simple or decadent, the ideal dish to serve to hungry bellies. If you are keeping things seasonal, add mushrooms and leeks to your risotto to give it immune boosting properties. The leeks make this dish creamy, no one will know it’s dairy free. Or keep it simple this year and pop your risotto in the oven and enjoy your company. Because risotto can require standing at the stove for an extended period of time, baked risotto is a great option!
Give it a try:
Vegan Mac n’ Cheese
Who doesn’t love mac n’ cheese? Healthify this comfort food for the holidays and share in the love. Many plant-based meals can still be delicious and indulgent, and please a picky crowd. You can’t go wrong with a mac n’ cheese. If you are trying to eat a bit healthier this holiday, experiment with more plant based meals or branch outside of your comfort zone, the mac n’ cheese is a great place to start. This is the perfect swap for traditional mac and a fan favorite. Try a creamy cashew based cheese sauce in your mac n’ cheese or go the more exotic route and try it with butternut squash. Both yield really tasty macaroni and cheese that all your guests will love, particularly the kids.
Give it a try:
Vegan Butternut Squash Mac n Cheese
Get the right supplies:
Get the right supplies:
Stuffed Squash
Adding a stuffed squash to the mix might be just the trick for this year’s holiday gathering. As both a side dish and a main course, stuffed squash may be attractive to a variety of guest palates. The squash itself is really just a vessel for holding all of the other goodies. In celebrating the season, you can keep your stuffed squash harvest inspired – adding kale or spinach to quinoa or wild rice, with garlic, onions or leeks, and pumpkin seeds or walnuts for added crunch. Or you can try your hand at a Mexican inspired stuffed squash, filled with black beans, avocado and quinoa. Or maybe you’ll take a Moroccon approach – stuffing your squash with couscous, chickpeas and warming spices.
Give it a try:
Vegan Lasagna
Vegan Lasagna will not let you down. There are so many fun ways to make a delicious plant-based lasagna, it’s really an opportunity for you to get in the kitchen and get creative. To your lasagna, you can add: mushrooms, kale, spinach, zucchini, eggplant, swiss chard, tomatoes, butternut squash – a plethora of plant foods that are chock full of vitamins and minerals to keep you healthy this holiday season. That’s the thing, you don’t have to sacrifice your health during the holidays to enjoy your food, the company and have a good ole’ time. From this dreamy skillet lasagna to easy baked lasagna, there’s something for everyone. You might even fancy a one pot pasta - lasagna soup. Give it a whirl!
Give it a try:
Get the right supplies:
Articles You Might Enjoy:
