My Vegetarian Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving is one of my favorite holidays. It brings people together, and makes it acceptable to totally overindulge on wonderfully delicious foods!

Usually my big sis was the one planning our Thanksgiving Feast. However she moved to New York about 4 years ago, so I've happily taken over the cookin' queen's crown. Of course, now that most of our family is vegetarian it has created a new & exciting challenge. I have also had to be sympathetic to my lil' sis who is lactose intolerant. A Thanksgiving without a turkey, and mostly without cheese? WHAAA??

Well I promise you - it is entirely possible. I am no cook, but I have compiled a list of recipes that I've gathered from some of my favorite websites. Here are my favorite ones to visit (I usually modify the recipes that include meat pretty easily):

http://browse.realsimple.com/food-recipes/browse-all-recipes/index.html (I used to get the Real Simple magazine - the food photos are just gorgeous)

http://www.vegcooking.com/index.asp

http://veganyumyum.com/ (how can you beat a name like that?)

http://www.epicurious.com/recipesmenus?mbid=rss_epinr (some of these look like more trouble than they are worth, but a few modifications can make them much easier. And every one I've tried has been amazing)

Anyhoodle - after going through the numerous recipes I've collected over the years, I've come up with a menu that sounds both exciting and enticing - even though it's all vegetarian & mostly dairy free! If you would like for me to share any particular recipe with you, just ask in my comments, and I'll see what I can do for ya.

Here it is!!

BETH'S AWESOME 2009 THANKSGIVING MENU
Appetizers
Dates with Goat Cheese wrapped in Veggie Bacon (Smart Strips)
Cinnamon Roasted Almonds


Side Dishes
Winter Fruit Salad with Lemon Poppyseed Dressing (with swiss cheese on the side)
Simple Herb Stuffing
Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Tempeh Bacon and golden raisins
Apricot Cranberry Sauce
Mashed Potatoes with Caramelized Shallots
Maple Glazed Sweet Potatoes with Pecans
Vegan Gravy


Main Dishes
Tofurkey with Peppery Fig & Cider Compote
Seitan with Mushrooms & Port

Dessert
Baked Pears with Vegan Vanilla Ice Cream

Doesn't that all just sound splendid! Yeah, I'm pretty proud of myself. Now I just have to cross my fingers that it will all come off without a hitch! (HA!) Well, a couple of glasses of wine makes up for any cooking mistakes, right? :)