Thanksgiving with two vegan guests; please help me plan!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What is really strange about conversations like this is that people are assuming a lot of things about guests with food restrictions allergies or choices. This host is asking for suggestions on how to modify a menu with minimal change. Which is an awesome thing to do. Making up the stories about folks rejecting chili or fruit pie or needing to eat salad shut up and be happy are hyper over the top.

I take it you’ve missed the posts where people have said “no no don’t serve tofurkey” and “put almonds in your green beans” (great for OP’s nut allergy kids) and…wait for it…don’t make mushrooms. Well-intended suggestions to add a tofurkey-type product are then met with “we don’t like processed fake meat,” etc., etc. And “no your plan to make extra vegan pie filling isn’t enough, make an extra vegan pie,” etc. What OP is already offering to do is more than enough. And then the conflicting comments come in from people who apparently mistake other people’s homes for restaurants.

Hello there. The vegans are saying they don't like tofurkey and they do like green beans. Precisely the input op asked for. Op is a good person who seems to be able to peruse a variety of info and make a decision. This is the point. You wish for every answer to be "don't do anything extra for the vegans." And for op to only see your advice. That's not how it works.

It’s amazing that, if apparently all vegetarians and vegans hate fake meat products so very much, they…continue to exist.

It is amazing. Tofurkeys are a special category. But also a lot of the fake meat is disgusting to actual vegetarians and vegans. Some of it will depends on how long a person has been meat-less - I've been veg for over 40 years, so I am really disgusted by a lot of the more realistic fake meats. Newer vegetarians and vegans may feel differently. And even some longstanding ones.

Just like meat eaters have all kinds of different preferences, so do vegetarians and vegans.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:You will provide salad and vegetables and drinks. They can bring the rest for themselves. You have enough on your plate. Plus, you won't make it right no matter how hard you try. If they want a vegan turkey, they can bring one to serve on the side.

No one wants vegan turkey. Even us disordered vegans 😂

Oh, but you want to feel included! You want to be treated like other guests! How dare there not be as many vegan options for you as there is a full spread for other guests. And how are you supposed to live without some type of protein?! Your lazy, lazy host made vegan chili AGAIN?

Wow. Your mind goes to strange places.

I suggest you buy yourself a Tofurkey and try it out before serving it to any guests. It is not some thing you’ll repeat.

But please do go on excessively.

The threshold isn’t “would you enjoy it, OP,” because vegan food is not enjoyable. The threshold is provide some vegan options because you must, but none of it is good so why bother.

Except there's a lot of really good vegan food. So the standard shouldn't be, is this garbage free of animal products, but is this food that my vegan guests - who presumably I invited over because I want them there - like to eat.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:You will provide salad and vegetables and drinks. They can bring the rest for themselves. You have enough on your plate. Plus, you won't make it right no matter how hard you try. If they want a vegan turkey, they can bring one to serve on the side.

No one wants vegan turkey. Even us disordered vegans 😂

Oh, but you want to feel included! You want to be treated like other guests! How dare there not be as many vegan options for you as there is a full spread for other guests. And how are you supposed to live without some type of protein?! Your lazy, lazy host made vegan chili AGAIN?

Wow. Your mind goes to strange places.

I suggest you buy yourself a Tofurkey and try it out before serving it to any guests. It is not some thing you’ll repeat.

But please do go on excessively.

The threshold isn’t “would you enjoy it, OP,” because vegan food is not enjoyable. The threshold is provide some vegan options because you must, but none of it is good so why bother.

Except there's a lot of really good vegan food. So the standard shouldn't be, is this garbage free of animal products, but is this food that my vegan guests - who presumably I invited over because I want them there - like to eat.

I get that you feel this way, but in that case you probably don't have a lot to add to OP's quest to feed her guests. You'd be great at a dinner party where the aim is to alienate everyone such that they never want to come over again, however. Please weigh in when that is asked of you.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:You will provide salad and vegetables and drinks. They can bring the rest for themselves. You have enough on your plate. Plus, you won't make it right no matter how hard you try. If they want a vegan turkey, they can bring one to serve on the side.

No one wants vegan turkey. Even us disordered vegans 😂

Oh, but you want to feel included! You want to be treated like other guests! How dare there not be as many vegan options for you as there is a full spread for other guests. And how are you supposed to live without some type of protein?! Your lazy, lazy host made vegan chili AGAIN?

Wow. Your mind goes to strange places.

I suggest you buy yourself a Tofurkey and try it out before serving it to any guests. It is not some thing you’ll repeat.

But please do go on excessively.

The threshold isn’t “would you enjoy it, OP,” because vegan food is not enjoyable. The threshold is provide some vegan options because you must, but none of it is good so why bother.

Except there's a lot of really good vegan food. So the standard shouldn't be, is this garbage free of animal products, but is this food that my vegan guests - who presumably I invited over because I want them there - like to eat.

I get that you feel this way, but in that case you probably don't have a lot to add to OP's quest to feed her guests. You'd be great at a dinner party where the aim is to alienate everyone such that they never want to come over again, however. Please weigh in when that is asked of you.

Or I can just comment on this thread as much as I want! See how that works?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:You will provide salad and vegetables and drinks. They can bring the rest for themselves. You have enough on your plate. Plus, you won't make it right no matter how hard you try. If they want a vegan turkey, they can bring one to serve on the side.

No one wants vegan turkey. Even us disordered vegans 😂

Oh, but you want to feel included! You want to be treated like other guests! How dare there not be as many vegan options for you as there is a full spread for other guests. And how are you supposed to live without some type of protein?! Your lazy, lazy host made vegan chili AGAIN?

Wow. Your mind goes to strange places.

I suggest you buy yourself a Tofurkey and try it out before serving it to any guests. It is not some thing you’ll repeat.

But please do go on excessively.

The threshold isn’t “would you enjoy it, OP,” because vegan food is not enjoyable. The threshold is provide some vegan options because you must, but none of it is good so why bother.

Except there's a lot of really good vegan food. So the standard shouldn't be, is this garbage free of animal products, but is this food that my vegan guests - who presumably I invited over because I want them there - like to eat.

I get that you feel this way, but in that case you probably don't have a lot to add to OP's quest to feed her guests. You'd be great at a dinner party where the aim is to alienate everyone such that they never want to come over again, however. Please weigh in when that is asked of you.

Or I can just comment on this thread as much as I want! See how that works?

It's a free website, yes.

[Anonymous]

Is OP still reading? I had three thoughts:

1) if you make pie crust with crisco, it’s vegan and delicious. I’d do the apple pie with crisco crust and it will be vegan.

2) my favorite thanksgiving vegetable—roast Brussels sprouts in olive oil and salt. Todd with a little bit of real maple syrup and Dijon mustard. So delicious and vegan.

3) my vegan niece makes a great mushroom Wellington that others also like to eat for thankskigijv. Maybe another local relative could be tasked with this as a favor? I think if you Google it you’ll find a recipe. My meat eating daughter loves it.

4) Trader Joe’s sells precooked lentils. If you want something quick, you could get precut pumpkin chunks, roast them with olive oil and salt, and toss them with the lentils with either a Dijon vinaigrette, or some farro that’s been precooked with veg bullion and maybe some sage. (Trader Joe’s has 10 minute farro). That’s a very delicious salad or meal.

[Anonymous]

If I like you enough to invite you to my house and you have dietary restrictions, I’m going to make an effort to accommodate them. It doesn’t mean the whole meal will work for you, but I want people who come to my house to be comfortable and enjoy the food. There are tons of great recipes for thanksgiving sides that are vegan or can easily be made vegan that this seems like a silly thing for so many PP to be so resistant to working around.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Here is my favorite vegan/vegetarian holiday entree:

Make this soup:
https://heartfultable.com/lentil-and-sage-stew/
But add an extra half tsp salt and at the end, add 1/4 cup dry quinoa and cook until you see the little spirals come out. Then hollow out a small pumpkin (like pie sized), but keep it whole. Just cut off the top and scoop out the seeds and strings as if you were going to make a jack-o-lantern. Fill it with the soup and bake for about an hour at 375.

Looks very festive and is a hearty entree but other guests will actually enjoy it too!

For sides:
Dave’s Killer bread is vegan and they have a variety of products. Grabbing a loaf also means you can offer them toast for breakfast if they are staying a few days.

Scoop some of the potato mash out before adding butter and milk and instead add vegan versions.

I think it’s fine if you skip including them in the dressing.

Offer a nice side salad or other veggie dish (roast Brussels sprouts, green beans)

You can also make simple roast sweet potatoes and just serve in their skin, topped with vegan butter and salt and pepper. Very simple but an easy way to add another option.

For dessert, rather than having apple pie filling in a dish, why not put some of the filling into a small glass baking dish and top with a crumble topping (vegan butter, brown sugar and rolled oats, for example). Cover with foil for the first 30 minutes of baking. Only a little more effort but then it feels like you went out of your way vs. just giving them half a dessert. You can also buy a container of vegan ice cream to serve with their apple crumble and it would give them the option of an alternative dessert if they prefer just ice cream.

How are yeast and enzymes vegan?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Vegans are so annoying. Serve what you normally would and let them deal. Your menu sounds lovely.

+1

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP Trader Joe’s sells a vegan French onion dip. I would try and do as much as you can vegan except the turkey. You can make the same potatoes for everyone using a plant based milk and butter.

Why should everyone else suffer?

why is it suffering?

Because no one wants watered-down versions of their favorite foods on a holiday. Seriously, once or twice a year, we should get to indulge in traditional fare with no compromises and no guilt. Just like I don’t want a “diet version” of Thanksgiving, and I don’t want an “alternative meal” for people who don’t like the turkey dinner, I don’t want vegan versions served to everyone. I can’t pronounce the ingredients in vegan “cheese” and vegan “butter,” so no thank you. If you want to eat that stuff, fine. If you want to serve it to your guests, fine. But I’m not eating it and I’m not serving it to the majority of my guests. There are plenty of foods like roast vegetables that are naturally vegan and delicious, and that’s great. But when you start getting into fake processed foods, no thanks.

I think OP’s plan and a few of the suggestions here sound really nice. There’s no need for a host to make extra work for themselves or serve weird food to all the guests just because some of the guests choose to be difficult.

+1

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP Trader Joe’s sells a vegan French onion dip. I would try and do as much as you can vegan except the turkey. You can make the same potatoes for everyone using a plant based milk and butter.

Why should everyone else suffer?

why is it suffering?

Because no one wants watered-down versions of their favorite foods on a holiday. Seriously, once or twice a year, we should get to indulge in traditional fare with no compromises and no guilt. Just like I don’t want a “diet version” of Thanksgiving, and I don’t want an “alternative meal” for people who don’t like the turkey dinner, I don’t want vegan versions served to everyone. I can’t pronounce the ingredients in vegan “cheese” and vegan “butter,” so no thank you. If you want to eat that stuff, fine. If you want to serve it to your guests, fine. But I’m not eating it and I’m not serving it to the majority of my guests. There are plenty of foods like roast vegetables that are naturally vegan and delicious, and that’s great. But when you start getting into fake processed foods, no thanks.

I think OP’s plan and a few of the suggestions here sound really nice. There’s no need for a host to make extra work for themselves or serve weird food to all the guests just because some of the guests choose to be difficult.

+1

NP who also agrees with this. I would make a few accommodations for the vegan guests, since they deserve to have something to eat too, but I would not veganize the overall menu for everybody else. As a guest (or a host) who is not vegan, I have no interest in eating veganized versions of indulgent holiday foods - especially things like mashed potatoes, stuffing, pie, etc.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP Trader Joe’s sells a vegan French onion dip. I would try and do as much as you can vegan except the turkey. You can make the same potatoes for everyone using a plant based milk and butter.

Why should everyone else suffer?

why is it suffering?

Because no one wants watered-down versions of their favorite foods on a holiday. Seriously, once or twice a year, we should get to indulge in traditional fare with no compromises and no guilt. Just like I don’t want a “diet version” of Thanksgiving, and I don’t want an “alternative meal” for people who don’t like the turkey dinner, I don’t want vegan versions served to everyone. I can’t pronounce the ingredients in vegan “cheese” and vegan “butter,” so no thank you. If you want to eat that stuff, fine. If you want to serve it to your guests, fine. But I’m not eating it and I’m not serving it to the majority of my guests. There are plenty of foods like roast vegetables that are naturally vegan and delicious, and that’s great. But when you start getting into fake processed foods, no thanks.

I think OP’s plan and a few of the suggestions here sound really nice. There’s no need for a host to make extra work for themselves or serve weird food to all the guests just because some of the guests choose to be difficult.

+1

NP who also agrees with this. I would make a few accommodations for the vegan guests, since they deserve to have something to eat too, but I would not veganize the overall menu for everybody else. As a guest (or a host) who is not vegan, I have no interest in eating veganized versions of indulgent holiday foods - especially things like mashed potatoes, stuffing, pie, etc.

Exactly no one is asking or expecting this (in this thread). We know absolutely nothing about this family other than they are getting together at thanksgiving and two of the potential guests are traveling from out of state and they are vegan. Oh, also op would like to make them feel welcome without changing too much of feel of menu. Which is hospitable. They’re setting aside portions of certain dishes to make vegan, not serving everyone tofu soufflé.

I’m not a vegan and I really don’t understand the pushback. We all can be rigid, but we can also adapt and be gracious. Op has it under control.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP Trader Joe’s sells a vegan French onion dip. I would try and do as much as you can vegan except the turkey. You can make the same potatoes for everyone using a plant based milk and butter.

Why should everyone else suffer?

why is it suffering?

Because no one wants watered-down versions of their favorite foods on a holiday. Seriously, once or twice a year, we should get to indulge in traditional fare with no compromises and no guilt. Just like I don’t want a “diet version” of Thanksgiving, and I don’t want an “alternative meal” for people who don’t like the turkey dinner, I don’t want vegan versions served to everyone. I can’t pronounce the ingredients in vegan “cheese” and vegan “butter,” so no thank you. If you want to eat that stuff, fine. If you want to serve it to your guests, fine. But I’m not eating it and I’m not serving it to the majority of my guests. There are plenty of foods like roast vegetables that are naturally vegan and delicious, and that’s great. But when you start getting into fake processed foods, no thanks.

I think OP’s plan and a few of the suggestions here sound really nice. There’s no need for a host to make extra work for themselves or serve weird food to all the guests just because some of the guests choose to be difficult.

+1

NP who also agrees with this. I would make a few accommodations for the vegan guests, since they deserve to have something to eat too, but I would not veganize the overall menu for everybody else. As a guest (or a host) who is not vegan, I have no interest in eating veganized versions of indulgent holiday foods - especially things like mashed potatoes, stuffing, pie, etc.

Exactly no one is asking or expecting this (in this thread). We know absolutely nothing about this family other than they are getting together at thanksgiving and two of the potential guests are traveling from out of state and they are vegan. Oh, also op would like to make them feel welcome without changing too much of feel of menu. Which is hospitable. They’re setting aside portions of certain dishes to make vegan, not serving everyone tofu soufflé.

I’m not a vegan and I really don’t understand the pushback. We all can be rigid, but we can also adapt and be gracious. Op has it under control.

DCUM hates vegans almost as much as it hates dogs. I'm surprised no one has yet suggested pepper spraying the vegan guests to really teach them a lesson.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP Trader Joe’s sells a vegan French onion dip. I would try and do as much as you can vegan except the turkey. You can make the same potatoes for everyone using a plant based milk and butter.

Why should everyone else suffer?

why is it suffering?

Because no one wants watered-down versions of their favorite foods on a holiday. Seriously, once or twice a year, we should get to indulge in traditional fare with no compromises and no guilt. Just like I don’t want a “diet version” of Thanksgiving, and I don’t want an “alternative meal” for people who don’t like the turkey dinner, I don’t want vegan versions served to everyone. I can’t pronounce the ingredients in vegan “cheese” and vegan “butter,” so no thank you. If you want to eat that stuff, fine. If you want to serve it to your guests, fine. But I’m not eating it and I’m not serving it to the majority of my guests. There are plenty of foods like roast vegetables that are naturally vegan and delicious, and that’s great. But when you start getting into fake processed foods, no thanks.

I think OP’s plan and a few of the suggestions here sound really nice. There’s no need for a host to make extra work for themselves or serve weird food to all the guests just because some of the guests choose to be difficult.

+1

NP who also agrees with this. I would make a few accommodations for the vegan guests, since they deserve to have something to eat too, but I would not veganize the overall menu for everybody else. As a guest (or a host) who is not vegan, I have no interest in eating veganized versions of indulgent holiday foods - especially things like mashed potatoes, stuffing, pie, etc.

Exactly no one is asking or expecting this (in this thread). We know absolutely nothing about this family other than they are getting together at thanksgiving and two of the potential guests are traveling from out of state and they are vegan. Oh, also op would like to make them feel welcome without changing too much of feel of menu. Which is hospitable. They’re setting aside portions of certain dishes to make vegan, not serving everyone tofu soufflé.

I’m not a vegan and I really don’t understand the pushback. We all can be rigid, but we can also adapt and be gracious. Op has it under control.

DCUM hates vegans almost as much as it hates dogs. I'm surprised no one has yet suggested pepper spraying the vegan guests to really teach them a lesson.

And calling it dinner.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Here is my favorite vegan/vegetarian holiday entree:

Make this soup:
https://heartfultable.com/lentil-and-sage-stew/
But add an extra half tsp salt and at the end, add 1/4 cup dry quinoa and cook until you see the little spirals come out. Then hollow out a small pumpkin (like pie sized), but keep it whole. Just cut off the top and scoop out the seeds and strings as if you were going to make a jack-o-lantern. Fill it with the soup and bake for about an hour at 375.

Looks very festive and is a hearty entree but other guests will actually enjoy it too!

For sides:
Dave’s Killer bread is vegan and they have a variety of products. Grabbing a loaf also means you can offer them toast for breakfast if they are staying a few days.

Scoop some of the potato mash out before adding butter and milk and instead add vegan versions.

I think it’s fine if you skip including them in the dressing.

Offer a nice side salad or other veggie dish (roast Brussels sprouts, green beans)

You can also make simple roast sweet potatoes and just serve in their skin, topped with vegan butter and salt and pepper. Very simple but an easy way to add another option.

For dessert, rather than having apple pie filling in a dish, why not put some of the filling into a small glass baking dish and top with a crumble topping (vegan butter, brown sugar and rolled oats, for example). Cover with foil for the first 30 minutes of baking. Only a little more effort but then it feels like you went out of your way vs. just giving them half a dessert. You can also buy a container of vegan ice cream to serve with their apple crumble and it would give them the option of an alternative dessert if they prefer just ice cream.

How are yeast and enzymes vegan?