Amended w/ additional info.!
Hey guys!
Is it too early to plan my Thanksgiving menu? I think not! I find it therapeutic to spend time in the kitchen and I love finding vegan recipes that please even the pickiest omnivores!
But someone tell me — what is with green bean casserole and how did it become part of the American Thanksgiving tradition? Does anyone ever go “mmm green bean casserole!” ? As far as I’m concerned a vegetable dish is no longer a vegetable dish if you put bacon in it and cover it with fried onions. I’m starting a campaign to get this casserole removed from the “Thanksgiving standard rotation.” I think I’ll get tees made that say “Some traditions must die” and it will have a picture of this casserole disaster! 
Anywho! Thanksgiving break can’t come soon enough! I’m looking forward to time off from school and work and plan to enjoy the extra time with my boyf and niece. What I’m not looking forward to? Writing that ginormous paper that’s due right after the break. Big papers should not be due after a holiday vacation, you know what I’m sayin’?!
My family doesn’t have any specific Thanksgiving traditions outside the Hallmark American stereotype of family gathered around a turkey. Which is actually rather awkward now that I don’t meat. And, along with green bean casserole, has got to be a tradition that some day must die.
Last Thanksgiving I made this Sweet Potato Miso Soup. It was so amazing that I considered making it again this year…
but quickly changed my mind – it’s so fun to try out new recipes. So, I scoured the internet, my recipe archives and asked around, and pulled some great dish options listed below. Not sure yet which I’ll actually make, but I’m definitely leaning towards a few. I’ll share pictures after Thanksgiving! 
Entrees
Hazelnut and Chard Ravioli Salad – Make vegan by using vegan ravioli and omitting parmesan
Maple Tofu with Stuffing and Apple Cranberry Chutney – Yes, they’re all together, atop one another. Super cute!
Pumpkin Ravioli with Broth – Make vegan by using non-dairy milk as an egg wash and omitting parmesan
Sides
Broccoli (Roasted) a la Shop Humanitaire: “Place a roasting pan in the oven and pre-heat to 400 F. Cut 1 lb broccoli into bite size pieces. Toss in a bowl with 2 tbsp olive oil, 3 cloves minced garlic, salt/pepper to taste. Put broccoli into pre-heated pan and roast 10 minutes. Toss once during roasting. Good on its own or with vegan cheese sauce. It’s really important to pre-heat the pan – it sort of sears the broccoli a little and makes it even better.” Thanks, dear!
Chilled Asparagus with Mustard Herb Vinaigrette
Fruit and Toasted Almond Stuffing
Mac ‘n Cheese – I love this recipe!
Roasted Pumpkin Salad – Use agave instead of honey to make it vegan
Squash with Wild Rice, Stuffing and Gravy
Vibrant Tasty Green Beans – Five ingredients and no bacon ? Cool!
Desserts
Chocolate Pumpkin Bread Pudding – Recipe by Chloe Coscarelli, vegan chef and winner of Food Network’s Cupcake Wars
Maple Pumpkin Spice Bread – A fave!
Pumpkin Cheesecake with Candied Cranberries
To see my picks from last year, go here
And remember, this season is about gratitude…or the opportunity to parade your dog around in tacky holiday sweaters. Ah the opportunity for the latter certainly makes me thankful! 
Kahlua’s been caught and she’s not too happy about it!
Additional Resources
- Looking for vegan marshmallows to top off your sweet potato casserole? Check these out
- Don’t want to cook? Get your meal from Real Food Daily, Los Angeles for $39.95/person here or pick up a Native Wellington from Native Foods, Orange County, here for $39.95 (comes frozen) and it feeds 6-8 people
- Added 11/19/10 – Check out Quarrygirl.com ‘s Los Angeles Vegan Guide to Thanksgiving here – it’s amazing how many options there are to order out (and vegan) on Thanksgiving!
- Want to give a gift to your host/hostess? Try the Nordic Ware Platinum Collection 3D Turkey Cake Pan
– it’ll be hilarious as a cake! or the Nordic Ware Mini Pumpkin Muffin Pan
.
- Want to do something extra cool? Adopt a turkey!
- My tips on Thanksgiving eating. I wrote these last year and they are super relevant to me this year!
– it’ll be hilarious as a cake! or the 
.Alright, people, what are you cooking (or not) this year? Any cool Thanksgiving Traditions?
<3,
The Cranky One
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