In my opinion, the holidays are all about two things:<\/p>\n
Spending quality time with family and friends, and indulging on good food and drink.<\/p>\n
A few weeks ago I shared tips on how to stay happy and healthy<\/a> this holiday season<\/a>, so this week I thought I’d shift gears and focus on the good stuff — the indulging. More specifically, the best plant-based<\/a> holiday meal, drink, and treat recipes to get you — and your non-vegan family and friends — through the holidays.<\/p>\n To do so, I reached out to the full No Meat Athlete team, including Matt and Erin, Esther, Susan, and Stepfanie, and together we’ve compiled a list of our favorite recipes to indulge in throughout the holidays.<\/p>\n Let’s start with my favorite meal:<\/p>\n For my family, Christmas day revolves around a giant brunch. Aside from stockings, we even hold off on opening gifts until brunch is served and savored, making it one of the meals I look forward to most all year.<\/p>\n Here are a few of my favorite recipes:<\/p>\n 1. Tofu Quiche<\/a><\/strong> — Nothing says brunch like a delicious, savory quiche, and this simple plant-based version gets even the non-vegans in my family excited.<\/p>\n 2. Pumpkin Apple Muffins<\/a><\/strong> — Every good brunch needs something sweet. Muffins are easy to make, fun, and so very comforting. Tired of pumpkin? Try these vegan blueberry muffins<\/a> instead.<\/p>\n 3. Coffee Cake<\/strong> — Long after brunch is over you’ll want to keep munching on this coffee cake treat.<\/p>\n 4. Ginger Mimosas<\/strong> — I’m not afraid to admit I love a good brunch mimosa. Give the traditional recipe a twist by adding ginger, and swap out the champagne with sparkling water for an alcohol free version.<\/p>\n Doug’s Ginger Mimosa Recipe<\/strong><\/p>\n — 2oz Orange juice<\/p>\n — 4oz Brut champagne<\/p>\n — Splash of bitters<\/p>\n — 2 thin slices of ginger<\/p>\n Add bitters, ginger, and orange juice to the glass, top off with champagne.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n The holidays typically come with their fill of down time — either between activities, or while you’re waiting for the big meal to finish cooking. I’ll fill the quiet with a good book<\/a>, holiday movie<\/a>, or board game (Settlers<\/a> anyone?).<\/p>\n But no matter what I’m doing, down time always means breaking out snacks<\/a> and apps.<\/p>\n 5. Stuffed Mushrooms<\/a><\/strong> — With the never-on-time holiday dinner in mind, it’s important to have a few hearty appetizers on hand, like these stuffed mushroom caps.<\/p>\n 6. White Bean Spread with Pomegranate and Mint on Crostini<\/strong> — Simple and delicious. Put this white bean spread on your crostini and garnish with pomegranate seeds and chopped mint.<\/p>\n Sardinian White Bean Spread Recipe<\/strong><\/p>\n — 1 medium clove of garlic<\/p>\n — \u00bd teaspoon salt<\/p>\n — 2 cans (or 3 cups cooked) cannellini beans, drained and rinsed (almost any bean will work, so feel free to try others)<\/p>\n — Juice of one medium lemon<\/p>\n — 1-2 teaspoons dried herbs (any you like \u2014 usually an Italian blend plus fennel seeds)<\/p>\n — 2 tablespoons olive oil (If you don\u2019t mind oil, you can use use up to a quarter-cup for a richer spread. If you want to it to be totally oil-free, substitute liquid from the beans or water.)<\/p>\n Use a food processor or blender to first mince the garlic, then add all remaining ingredients except for oil (or your substitute liquid) and pulse to form a very rough paste. Then, with the motor running, stream in the oil or other liquid with the motor running. Do it quickly so that the spread retains a bit of texture.<\/p>\n Serve with veggies or pita wedges, or spread on pizza crust, bagels, or just about anything else where you want to add some heft and nutrition.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n 7. Mushroom Crostini<\/a><\/strong> — For something a little heavier, this recipe uses rosemary lemon cashew cream as the spread, and a nice serving of mushrooms on top.<\/p>\n Holiday feasts can be tricky when your family isn’t also vegan<\/a>, so I make sure that whatever I cook is approachable and exciting to everyone around the table.<\/p>\n Here are a few of the team’s favorite vegan sides and entrees for the holidays:<\/p>\n 8. Cauliflower Steaks<\/a> <\/strong>— Stepfanie suggests adding thyme and rosemary to the herb blend for the cauliflower, and to serve it up with her Dijon Butternut Squash Sauce<\/a>.<\/p>\n 9. Butternut Squash Risotto<\/a> with Cheesy Sprinkle<\/a><\/strong> — Matt’s go-to holiday entree is risotto, and a creamy butternut squash adds fantastic flavor.<\/p>\n 10. Glazed Lentil Walnut Apple Loaf, Revisited<\/a> <\/strong>— Each year Katie and I cook two lentil loaves\u00a0— one for Thanksgiving and one for Christmas — since they make for the perfect meat substitution on a holiday plate (Esther thinks so too, since we both suggested this one!).<\/p>\n 11. This Ain\u2019t Grandma\u2019s Sweet Potato Casserole<\/a><\/strong> — Everyone loves a good comfort food side, and this suggestion from Esther should do the trick.<\/p>\n 12. Holiday Soup for the Soul<\/a><\/strong> — My family keeps a big pot of soup ready at all times, for whenever someone gets hungry. Thanks to Esther, we have a new recipe to try this year.<\/p>\n 13. Bourbon Maple Apple Cider<\/a><\/strong> — The cocktail your holiday has been missing. Trust me. (Here’s a non-alcoholic version<\/a>.)<\/p>\n Bonus:<\/strong> Don’t forget the sauces<\/a>!<\/p>\n Let’s be honest, everyone’s favorite holiday food indulgent is dessert. Yeah, these should do it:<\/p>\n 14. Vegan Gingerbread Stout Cookies<\/a> <\/strong>— Susan admits that she usually eats the whole batch before Santa arrives, so she’ll make a second batch. Or sometimes a\u00a0third. No judgement here … it’s Christmas!<\/p>\n 15. Sinless Sticky Toffee Pecan Pudding<\/a><\/strong> — A dessert you don’t have to feel (as) guilty devouring.<\/p>\n 16. Saltine Butter Toffee<\/a><\/strong> — Erin’s favorite holiday gifts are edible ones, and the vegan treats from\u00a0Joni Marie Newman’s Vegan Food Gifts<\/a><\/em> never disappoint (trust me, I always love receiving a tin of treats from her around the holidays). This toffee is one of the best.<\/p>\n 17. Mulled Wine<\/strong> — I first learned how to make mulled wine during a cold winter (in July) studying abroad in Chile, and if you drink alcohol, it’s the perfect sipping drink to warm the body and soul.<\/p>\n Doug’s Mulled Wine Recipe<\/strong><\/p>\n — 1 bottle of red wine (nothing fancy, I usually grab a $10 bottle of Cabernet Sauvignon or Carmenere)<\/p>\n — 1 whole cinnamon stick<\/p>\n — 8-10 cloves<\/p>\n — 2 cups of apple cider<\/p>\n — 1 cup Port or Brandy<\/p>\n — 1 orange, zested and juiced (save peel for garnish)<\/p>\n — 1 apple, sliced<\/p>\n Combine in a large sauce pan and simmer before reducing heat for at least 15 minutes before serving. Alternatively, combine in a slow-cooker and leave on low throughout the evening.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n Because what’s a holiday without a delicious treat?<\/p>\n From everyone on the No Meat Athlete team, we wish you have\u00a0a happy, healthy, and delicious holiday.<\/p>\n About the Author:<\/strong> Doug is an ultrarunner, coach, and the co-host of NMA Radio<\/a>. Pick up his free eBook, Why Every Runner Should Be a Trail Runner (And How to Become One)<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" In my opinion, the holidays are all about two things: Spending quality time with family and friends, and indulging on good food and drink. A few weeks ago I shared tips on how to stay happy and healthy this holiday season, so this week I thought I’d shift gears and focus on the good stuff […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":9,"featured_media":33442,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"wprm-recipe-roundup-name":"","wprm-recipe-roundup-description":"","_genesis_hide_title":false,"_genesis_hide_breadcrumbs":false,"_genesis_hide_singular_image":false,"_genesis_hide_footer_widgets":false,"_genesis_custom_body_class":"","_genesis_custom_post_class":"","_genesis_layout":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[71],"tags":[],"class_list":{"0":"post-28788","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-nutrition","8":"entry"},"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\nBrunch<\/h3>\n
\n
Appetizers<\/h3>\n
Sides and Entrees<\/h3>\n
Desserts<\/h3>\n
This Christmas, Bring on the Food and Drink<\/h3>\n