Baking is a favorite holiday pastime of mine and this year I’m trying something new: seasonal vegan comfort food! I’m really excited to try this because, although I am not vegan, I’m looking forward to sharing these treats with my friends who are. I feel confident that these recipes will help me feel better about what I’m putting into my body, as well as have an extrinsic positive impact!
So, I encourage you to say goodbye to the conventional holiday dinner this year and try some of these new recipes that put a fun, vegan twist on the most quintessential holiday dishes:
1. Butternut Squash Chili
This has become one of my favorite dinners for cold nights because it’s super easy to make. You can let it cook in an Instant Pot all day and even though it tastes like a treat, it’s packed with protein and vitamins!
2. Butternut Pecan Sweet Potato Casserole
This dish takes a spin on the traditional sweet potato/marshmallow casserole; it uses both sweet potatoes and squash for the base, and the walnut topping adds the perfect crunch. It may taste like a dessert but, don’t worry, because it’s filled with healthy fats and vitamins.
3. Chai Spiced Banana Carrot Cake Bread w/ Vegan Cream Cheese Icing
And now for my favorite part: dessert! This cake is absolutely amazing and the spices are perfect for this time of year. It’s also super easy to substitute whole wheat flour with almond meal to turn it into a vegan and gluten-free treat!
4. Roasted Squash Balsamic Salad
Don’t forget the greens! Your guests will never know how quick and easy this seasonal salad is. It’s sweet, crunchy, savory, and is sure to please everyone at the table (vegan or not!).
5. Jalapeno Cornbread Muffins
This one goes out to all the people who say that vegans only eat vegetables… These are my absolute favorite because they are naturally gluten-free and some of the most flavorful biscuits I’ve ever tried.
See, being vegan doesn’t mean that you need to have limited options! Try any of these recipes for a healthy and fun addition to your Thanksgiving, Christmas, or Chanukah table.
Want to keep up with HCBU? Make sure to like us on Facebook, follow us on Instagram, check out our Pinterest board, and read our latest Tweets!