Favorite vegetarian main dish for Thanksgiving

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Not a vegetarian, but I really like thanksgiving sides better than the turkey. I'd think there is plenty to eat without making something special.

But most people like a protein source in a meal, especially if it is the main meal of the day.

I'm assuming that is what OP is asking about.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Not a vegetarian, but I really like thanksgiving sides better than the turkey. I'd think there is plenty to eat without making something special.

But most people like a protein source in a meal, especially if it is the main meal of the day.

I'm assuming that is what OP is asking about.

Speaking as a lifelong vegetarian, the prevailing notion has always been that vegetarians can/will eat the sides, with no thought to the fact that sides are usually salads, vegetables or carbs, and generally not as filling. So I really appreciate your quest, OP, to provide an actual main meal for your guests.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Not a vegetarian, but I really like thanksgiving sides better than the turkey. I'd think there is plenty to eat without making something special.

But most people like a protein source in a meal, especially if it is the main meal of the day.

I'm assuming that is what OP is asking about.

Speaking as a lifelong vegetarian, the prevailing notion has always been that vegetarians can/will eat the sides, with no thought to the fact that sides are usually salads, vegetables or carbs, and generally not as filling. So I really appreciate your quest, OP, to provide an actual main meal for your guests.

So true! We are going to our annual dinner at my aunt's again and this year, I am bringing our own veg main dish regardless of the flack I'm going to get. I don't mind eating sides for one meal but my kids need protein, and anyway, why shouldn't we have a special meal just like everyone else.

[Anonymous]

http://www.sporkful.com/veggieducken-in-full-video-turducken-vegetarian-thanksgiving/

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Not a vegetarian, but I really like thanksgiving sides better than the turkey. I'd think there is plenty to eat without making something special.

But most people like a protein source in a meal, especially if it is the main meal of the day.

I'm assuming that is what OP is asking about.

Not this particular meal. And to the person who said the sides aren't filling--the sides have a ton of fat, which is filling. Again, they will bring their own dish, if it is that important to them.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Not a vegetarian, but I really like thanksgiving sides better than the turkey. I'd think there is plenty to eat without making something special.

But most people like a protein source in a meal, especially if it is the main meal of the day.

I'm assuming that is what OP is asking about.

Not this particular meal. And to the person who said the sides aren't filling--the sides have a ton of fat, which is filling. Again, they will bring their own dish, if it is that important to them.

I am the OP. I want to serve a great-tasting vegetarian main dish with protein. I should have said protein is important in my OP.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:20+ year vegetarian here. Don't go too crazy here. I love pigging out on the sides at Thanksgiving. I cannot stand when people make a big production over having a vegetarian at Thanksgiving dinner. One year, the host made Eggplant Parmesan, "just for me". Although I normally like this dish, I had to make a big enough dent in it so as to not be rude, which left barely any room for those sides I love so much. Worst Thanksgiving ever. Besides, if your vegetarian guest is picky, they will/should be bringing a dish that they know they can eat.

This is the OP. We are actually vegetarian, so it's not just for guests. Hoping to try something new.

[Anonymous]

Pie. So no one will be too sad.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Pie. So no one will be too sad.

Why will anyone be sad? We will serve pie. We will serve turkey for the turkey eaters.

[Anonymous]

Lasagna. Probably store bought would be easier to manage when you are cooking a turkey and sides. Stouffers has a delicious white lasagna.

Don't do meat substitutes that are shaped like a large piece of meat/poultry -e.g. Tofurkey, etc. Most vegetarians I know don't like these.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:20+ year vegetarian here. Don't go too crazy here. I love pigging out on the sides at Thanksgiving. I cannot stand when people make a big production over having a vegetarian at Thanksgiving dinner. One year, the host made Eggplant Parmesan, "just for me". Although I normally like this dish, I had to make a big enough dent in it so as to not be rude, which left barely any room for those sides I love so much. Worst Thanksgiving ever. Besides, if your vegetarian guest is picky, they will/should be bringing a dish that they know they can eat.

This is the OP. We are actually vegetarian, so it's not just for guests. Hoping to try something new.

Here are some of the mains I'm considering that have higher protein. I'm not vegan, but hate eggs; so may swap out for easier-to-find, 'real' ingredients like ricotta instead of cashew cream etc.

http://thenourishingwell.com/herb-crusted-tofu/
http://ohsheglows.com/2011/01/01/ultimate-vegan-lentil-walnut-loaf/
http://www.loveandlemons.com/vegan-butternut-squash-stuffed-shells/ (but with smoked tofu in there too to up the protein & savoriness)

[Anonymous]

I'm not op and not a vegetarian, but I think the lentil shepherds pie idea sounds great, and very seasonal. You could make it with sweet potatoes as the topping, and use it as a main dish but also in lieu of the standard sweet potato side (and then have butternut squash as a side). I am not a fan of nut, tofu, quinoa, etc used to make a faux meat like a "meat"loaf (I do like the her ed tofu triangles at WF that someone else suggested).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Last year I made a vegetarian Shepard's pie with lentils. Went over well. This year I'm considering making vegetarian pot pies with seitan.

By definition, shepherds pie has lamb. There cannot be a vegetarian version.

Well, there is. Get over it.

Lol. No there isn't. You can have a veggie pie. But without lamb it's not Shepards pie.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Last year I made a vegetarian Shepard's pie with lentils. Went over well. This year I'm considering making vegetarian pot pies with seitan.

By definition, shepherds pie has lamb. There cannot be a vegetarian version.

Well, there is. Get over it.

Lol. No there isn't. You can have a veggie pie. But without lamb it's not Shepards pie.

Can't believe I am weighing in on this . While technically you are correct, you are not speaking with common sense - you know there are many meat dishes that are called a "vegetarian (insert meat dish name)" a la vegetarian meatloaf or even vegetarian chili!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'm not op and not a vegetarian, but I think the lentil shepherds pie idea sounds great, and very seasonal. You could make it with sweet potatoes as the topping, and use it as a main dish but also in lieu of the standard sweet potato side (and then have butternut squash as a side). I am not a fan of nut, tofu, quinoa, etc used to make a faux meat like a "meat"loaf (I do like the her ed tofu triangles at WF that someone else suggested).

I'm the PP who suggested the lentil shepherds pie. I used regular white potatoes and made sure they were super fluffy and buttery -- it was really tasty! I'm not a fan of sweet potatoes and personally I think the flavor could be overwhelming here. If I recall the recipe I used called for lots of red wine in the lentil mixture, which also gave the dish a nice flavor. I do like the suggestion of a butternut squash side -- a few years ago I made a butternut squash polenta with sage and that was good, too.