Veggie Xmas Any Ideas Please

[ClaryS]

Someones coming to us for Xmas who is a vegetarian - I know I could just go look up some recipes but are their any veggies on here that have a really nice recipe suitable for Xmas Lunch? Thanks!

[knowabit]

We have 2 veggies with us every xmas.. thay just have the same dinner as us without the meat.. my uncle usually brings a pack of veggie sausages with him that I cook to go with their dinners.

[mallyh]

iceland do a selection of veggie meals

[Kanewood]

You can get a veggie roast in the freezer cabinet

[Kanewood]

From any supermarket I mean!

[EcclesCake]

I've made a strudel type thing with spinach, mushrooms and chestnuts for veggie guests.

[maggiebee]

I always make a Brazil Nut and Red Pepper loaf for my son. Will dig it out and post it for anyone interested.

[chelle7272]

similar to Eccles, I've done spinach and mushroom stuffed filo pastry.

maggiebee that sounds lovely yes please post :)

[ClaryS]

maggiebee and Eccles -sounds lush -any chance of the recipes please? x

[EcclesCake]

Bugger! just typed it up switched screens and lost it.......grrrr!

I'll do it again this afternoon and post it later.

[EcclesCake]

Spinach, Mushroom & Chestnut Strudel

250g Spinach, washed and stalks removed
Splash Olive oil
1 onion, finely chopped
2 Cloves garlic, crushed
Few sprigs thyme
200g Mushrooms, roughly chopped
200g Chestnuts, roughly chopped (Fresh if you prefer, tinned or vac packed are fine)
Glug of Sherry or Madeira
40g Butter, melted
4 Sheets filo

Wilt the spinach in a saucepan and when done spread on a clean tea towel to drain and cool.
Cooke the onion in olive oil over a medium heat until translucent, add the thyme and garlic and cook for a further minute or two. Increase the heat and add the mushrooms, continue cooking until any moisture has been driven off.
Add chestnuts and sherry and cook for a few more minutes until sherry has evaporated. Season to taste and leave to cool.
When filling has cooled lay the filo out on a damp tea towel to 2x2 with the sheets over lapping slightly. Brush lightly with melted butter.
Spread the mushroom mix over the bottom ¾ of pastry leaving a 1” border at the sides. Top this with the wilted spinch.
Fold the side borders over the filling and carefully roll the strudel into a sausage and carefully transfer to a baking sheet lined with parchment, brush with butter.
Bake in the oven 200C/180fan for 30mins or until golden.
Can be made one day ahead and kept in fridge.

[ClaryS]

Thank you very much Eccles for typing out all that. I know its a while off Xmas but I want to test drive a few recipes first so I'll try this one maybe over the weekend I've got some filo in the freezer. Do you serve a sauce with it?

[ethandron]

The vegetarians in our family have all the usual Christmas veg and chestnut stuffing, plus a slice of one of those strudel type (I used to make it but now there are ao many nice ready made ones i dont bother)things plus some quorn sausages wrapped in pretend bacon...I have no idea what it's made of but you buy it in the vegetarian section and it goes down well. I don't like it but then I'm not vegetarian.
I also make the Christmas pud with vegetarian suet although it depends on how strict a vegetarian your guest is as to whether you'd want/need to do that. Same with mince pie filling which also contains suet.

[EcclesCake]

A creamy madeira style sauce goes quite well. Fry off finely chopped onion and garlic, add a few chopped mush add madeira, reduce, add stock reduce. Strain off return sauce to pan and add cream reduce until you've got a good consistency. Season to taste.

If you can get mushroom stock cubes they work as a good base or soak some porcini (which you could finely chop and add to finished sauce), but be careful you don't incorporate the grit at the bottom of the soaking water.

[diddlydo]

I very much doubt if a veggie could tell where the suet came from in Xmas pud or mince pies so why worry. There are an awful lot of veggies out there who think that any cheese is OK whereas in fact most cheese aren't made from veggie rennet. Don't spoil the game or life will become even harder for all us non-veggies.

[lyall]

mushroom stock cubes!? where would i get those from plese?

[ethandron]

Of course they can't tell where the suet comes from, it tastes just the same but if they ask then I wouldn't lie. It's no hardship to substitute it and personally I'd rather do that so everyone can enjoy all aspects of the dinner.
Many vegetarians are very particular about the ingredients of not only food but things like toothpaste and sweets too, it depends on why they're vegetarian. For some it's an ethical thing, some for health reasons, some just don't like the taste or texture of meat.

[boxtops]

Eccles, that sounds gorgeous, I'm going to give that a try.

... and re the reasons, some religious restrictions make it easier for people to eat veggie, it's easier than trying to avoid certain meats (or alcohol) - so veg suet is a must.

[craft1948]

I just wouldn't invite them.............

[boxtops]

LOL craft :-)

[ClaryS]

eccles do you hire yourself out for special events ;-) can I tempt you for Xmas....