Still Not Sure What to Cook for Thanksgiving?

I just wanted to hop in real quick because I've received a few emails from folks looking for last minute Thanksgiving recipes.  

There's a playlist on my YouTube channel with recipes for sweet potato pie, macaroni & cheese, rosemary garlic potatoes and cornbread.

Also, I came across a blog post on Healthy Happy Life with a slew of recipes (and tips)

Pic Credit

She has everything from cranberry sauce to how to replace the turkey. I haven't tried any of these recipes but most of them look delicious!

Did you miss my conversation with Tracye McQuirter?

Tracye has been vegan for over 30 years and shared several strategies on how to enjoy a delicious and fun Thanksgiving.

Check out all the resources we mentioned in the episode here

Have an awesome Thanksgiving!

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6 Delicious Vegan Thanksgiving Dishes

Even though I love celeb gossip, I find myself stanning for non-famous people more so than TV folks. Sure, Oprah is my fave, but everyday people doing amazing things inspire me so much more.

Colleen Patrick-Goudreau is definitely one of those everyday people doing amazing things.

With Colleen (middle) at DC Veg Fest

I'm reading her book, Vegan Daily Companion and wanted to share one of her quotes...

"May our daily choice be a reflection of our deepest values, and may we use our voices to speak to those who need us most, those who have no voice, those who have no choice.  It’s up to each of us to create the world we want to live in. If not you, then who? If not now, then when?”

With Thanksgiving coming up, I know a lot of us are scrambling with meal planning, cooking and making sure that travel arrangements are in order.

Will your plate be compassionate? Even if you don’t see completely eliminating meat, eggs, and dairy as an option right now, consider serving at least one vegan side dish.

Check out these 6 awesome recipes....

This is my favorite macaroni & cheese recipe. It's creamy and sooo delicious. Get the recipe here

I love this cornbread recipe from Hungry Folktale. It's moist, simple and delicious. I used 2 tsp of baking soda instead of the 1 tbsp in the recipe (too much baking soda flavor with the 1 tbsp). I also added 1 tbsp of Earth Balance vegan margarine to the batter. Get the recipe here

Like Michelle, I wasn't the biggest fan of collard greens growing up because they were usually cooked to death. Substitute your ham hocks with liquid smoke (usually found in the same aisle as the BBQ sauce) and cook up some greens this Thanksgiving. Get the recipe

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A simple no-bake cheesecake? Yes, please! Get the recipe

Ain't nobody got time for dry ass biscuits, so you won't be disappointed with this veganized Popeye's biscuits on your Thanksgiving table. Get the recipe here

I didn't grow up eating green bean casserole, but last year I made this one for the fam and we loved it. Get the recipe here

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What's going on your Thanksgiving table?

3 Vegan Turkey Alternatives

“When a turkey dances, jumps, gobbles, and flaps its wings, others join in celebration. Turkeys also mourn together, sharing each other’s sadness. They’re so sensitive that they even blush. Their snoods change colors depending on their mood. When the moon rises wild turkeys fly to the treetops to roost, for the night, gathering together beneath each other’s wings. A factory farm turkey will never get to use her wings at all. Turkeys raised for meat are fattened until they become too heavy to fly.”

— That's Why We Don't Eat Animals

This year, I challenge you to explore a few vegan options for your Thanksgiving dinner table.

Field Roast makes a delicious roast that is great for Thanksgiving or any other time of year. Click here to find a grocery store near you that offers it. Even though the roast is small, it's my favorite turkey alternative.

I haven't tried the Tofurky Roast but they're larger than the Field Roast brand. I also notice they're more accessible than the Field Roast brand.

If vegan meat alternatives aren't your thing, consider this homemade lentil roast.

It looks a bit time consuming (so is a conventional turkey though) but a beautiful and filling centerpiece for any Thanksgiving table.

Thanks for reading!

I'll see you a few days with a post on some delicious vegan side dish recipes.

Cornbread Recipe-Moist & Slightly Sweet

Update: I made a better cornbread here. Check out that recipe instead. ----> Recipe

While hanging out with my parents a few weeks ago, I asked my dad about the yummy cornbread he always made growing up.

His response, "I use Jiffy." I gasped. Boxed cornbread? He makes nearly everything from scratch and all these years I've been duped by boxed cornbread. lol

Anyway, he did give me a few tips to use in this recipe. :-)

This cornbread is moist, slightly sweet and delicious. 

Check out the full recipe and watch me make it in the video below.

If you try this recipe, please let me know what you think.

Song playing while I baked....

P.M. Dawn-Looking Through Patient Eyes

Cornbread-Moist & Slightly Sweet

by Brown Vegan

Cook Time: 20

Keywords: bake bread vegan

Ingredients (Serves 5)

• 1 cup all-purpose or spelt flour
• 1 cup cornmeal
• 1 cup almond milk
• 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar
• 2 tbsp ground flaxseed
• 4 tbsp water
• 1/3 cup canola oil or melted vegan margarine (I prefer the margarine)
• 1 1/2 tbsp maple syrup (or agave nectar)
• 2 tsp baking powder
• 1 tsp baking soda
• 1 tsp salt

Instructions

Preheat oven at 400º

To make flax "eggs":

In a small bowl mix together flaxseed and water and allow to sit for about 10 minutes.

To make "buttermilk":

In another bowl, mix together almond milk and vinegar and allow to sit for 10 minutes.

Meanwhile, in a large bowl, combine the dry ingredients of flour, cornmeal, salt, and baking powder & baking soda.

In a separate bowl, mix together the flax "eggs", "buttermilk", canola oil, and maple syrup.

Add the wet ingredients in with the dry ingredients and mix together until evenly combined.

Pour into a baking dish and bake for 20 minutes.

Once ready, top with vegan margarine or coconut oil.

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Sweet Potato Pie Recipe

"Gotta get a piece of that sweet potato pie..." 

Pumpkin gets all the glory, so today I'm showing sweet potato some plant-based love. 

The recipe is delicious and the taste is just like traditional sweet potato pie. 

Here's what Simon (my 11 year old) said about the leftovers.... 

Simon: (after eating a bowl of cereal, an apple, and a bagel) "I don't understand why we can't eat pie for breakfast...it's made from sweet potatoes."

Nice try. #thesekids

Sweet Potato Pie

by Brown Vegan

Cook Time: 40

Keywords: bake dessert vegan

Ingredients (Serves 7)

• 2 large sweet potatoes, cooked with skin removed (about 2 cups)
• ½ cup vegan margarine
• 2 Ener-G "eggs" with warm water (check the box for measurements)
• ½ cup organic brown sugar
• 1 cup non-dairy milk (coconut, almond, hemp, or soy)
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 tbsp ground cinnamon
• 1 teaspoon ginger
• ½ teaspoon nutmeg
• ½ teaspoon salt
• 9-inch pie crust

Pecan Cream Topping

• 1 (13 oz) can coconut milk
• 1 vanilla bean or ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 tbsp maple syrup
• ¼ cup pecans or walnuts, toasted and chopped

Instructions

Preheat the oven at 400º

Mash the sweet potatoes until creamy.

In a small bowl mix together the Ener-G "egg" and water until smooth.

In a large mixing bowl, cream together the vegan margarine and brown sugar. Then blend in the "eggs" non-dairy milk, vanilla, cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, salt and sweet potatoes.

Pour the mixture into a premade pie crust and bake for 40 minutes until golden brown.

Allow the pie to cool for at least an hour before serving.

Topping Directions

Put the unopened can of coconut milk in the refrigerator for 24 hours to allow the coconut fat to rise to the top of the can. Open the can and scoop out the layer of coconut fat leaving the water at the bottom. You can use the water later in a smoothie.

Whip the coconut milk, maple syrup and vanilla together in a bowl. Fold in the pecans and chill in the refrigerator until ready to serve.

Makes about 1 cup of topping

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Update me when you try this recipe. :-)

Song playing while I baked two pies...

Elton John-Rocket Man