The holiday season is the time where most of us tend to indulge more liberally than usual. Calorie counting is no longer part of the agenda—at least temporarily. It’s as if the holidays cancel out all our better judgement when it comes to food choices, but hey, it’s only once a year, right?
There are so many tasty treats and delicious meals this time of year, but those with dietary restrictions can sometimes feel limited in their choices. That does not have to be the case this year.
You can always prepare a Christmas dish for vegans. Animal- and dairy-free options do exist and we have a list of vegan main dishes that you will want to serve at your holiday party this year. Let’s take a look.
Vegan Christmas Food Dishes
As previously mentioned, the holidays can be a time where we over-indulge, but that doesn’t always have to be the case. You can still make healthy choices with foods that include more veggies—for instance, vegan meals.
Here is a recipe for a Bread-Crusted Creamy Tomato Soup that is both vegan and dairy free. It is a creamy and comforting soup, which makes it perfect for warming up during the cold winter season. Fresh Thai basil takes the soup to the next level.
Bread-Crusted Creamy Tomato Soup
Serves: 6-8 people
Cook time: 45 minutes
Ingredients
For the soup:
- 1 yellow onion, finely diced
- 4 garlic cloves, minced
- 2 Tbsp olive oil
- 1 28-ounce can whole peeled plum tomatoes
- 1 28-ounce can diced tomatoes
- 1 cup vegetable broth
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- 4 cups canned coconut milk
- 1/2 cup Thai basil, chopped
- 1 1/2 tsp sea salt
- 1 tsp cayenne pepper
- 1 Tbsp coconut sugar
For the topping:
Directions
- Heat up the oil in a large soup pan. Then add in the garlic and cook for about 30 seconds or until fragrant. Next, stir in the onion and 1/2 tsp of sea salt. Cook for 3-4 minutes and stir frequently until all is softened.
- Pour in the whole and diced tomatoes, vegetable broth, spices, coconut milk, remaining salt, and coconut sugar.
- Bring it all to a boil and then reduce to low heat. Cover and let simmer for 35-40 minutes, stirring occasionally. Use a wooden spoon to break apart the tomatoes.
- After 40 minutes pass, use an immersion blender to puree the entire mixture into a creamy blend.
- Now, pour the mixture evenly into ramekins/bowls three-quarters of the way full.
- Make the breaded topping.
- Preheat your oven to 400°F.
- Top each ramekin/bowl with the bread mixture and bake it in the preheated oven for 30-35 minutes or until the edges turn a golden brown.
- Serve these soup bowls with coconut cream, non-dairy yogurt, and pesto. Bon appétit!
This recipe can be used as a Vegan Christmas dinner main course if you want to keep your meal light and comforting, without being overly filling (you’ll want to save room for sweet treats!). Or you could use this recipe as part of a Vegan Christmas starters selection.
If, instead, you are looking for a vegan recipe that is suitable for Christmas breakfasts like Christmas breads, check out this link. It provides you with 10 recipes that are suitable for a memorable holiday breakfast, sans animal products, making it extra heart-healthy.
If you would like to try some vegan Christmas baking, then check out this recipe for Hot Cross Cookies. You can never go wrong when serving yummy vegan cookies to your guests! They will thank you for your unique and health-conscious take on a Christmas classic.
Sources:
Luther, A., “45 vegan recipes that’ll make your plant-based holiday meal amazing,” She Knows web site, December 15, 2016; http://www.sheknows.com/food-and-recipes/articles/998735/top-vegan-christmas-recipes, last accessed December 15, 2016.
“Recipes for The Ultimate Vegan Christmas Menu: From Meatless Pies to Dairy-Free Cakes,” One Green Planet web site, December 17, 2015; http://www.onegreenplanet.org/vegan-food/meal-guide-by-holiday-christmas/, last accessed December 15, 2016.
