Thanksgiving dinner...?

Question

I'm originally from Aussie, but this year I have to make a thanksgiving dinner for my husband's parents and family. I'm a vegetarian, and kinda a health-nut, so is there any way that i can do this thing without the poor bird and all the fat? I looked at some American cook books, but EVERYTHING is loaded with butter or meat. I need some help here. Please.......

Answer 1

This is easy! My husband is vegan and I have to prepare thanksgiving dinner for a huge family. Tofutti makes a fake turkey called tofurky and fake gravy, its doesn't taste too bad. Also you could check recipes for chicken or turkey stuff on vegan websites such as http://www.vegan-food.net. Some healthy must haves at thanksgiving are:
Potatoes
Cranberry Sauce
Green beans (preferably green bean casserole)
Rolls
Corn
Stuffing
Apple Pie
Pumpkin Pie

Answer 2

I suggest looking at magazines. Real Simple always does a Thanksgiving special and also Martha Stewart. Those magazines are not health magazines, but they won't be the pure butter and lard of Betty Crocker or other cookbooks. I don't know if Moosewood has a Thanksgiving cookbook, but that is my favorite healthy cook book series.

Tofurkey is really not that bad. However, you should consider a turkey if most of your guests eat meat. You can even just order one from a grocery store or check out a place like Honeybaked Ham (they do more than ham)

You should have some sort of stuffing, but every family does that differently.

Corn, prepared however you want.

Green Bean Casserole -- check out the South Beach Cookbook version for health reasons

Potatoes -- you can skip most of the butter if you really want to. I like rosemary to spice it up.

Cranberries = not so bad.

Dessert -- you need pie.

Answer 3

I just want you to know that Thanksgiving is about the three F's Family, Food(Fattening), and Football(American). You may be able to get away without the bird (try typing in vegetarian thanksgiving), but fat is another matter. I must warn you, if your in-laws are red blooded Americans you risk offending them for years to come if you don't do the bird or meat...just make the alternative dish for you and other like minded family members.

Overindulging is as American as apple pie. In fact the holiday season from T-Day to New Years is about maxing out your credit card, your blood alcohol as well as your cholesterol levels...then in January, the resolution to lose weight in time for the summer bikini season, and income tax season, starts....but there's always the Super Bowl, V-Day, and other holidays to get you through to the holiday season.

Answer 4

No. Thanksgiving is classic turkey and trimmings. cakes are generally pumpkin and candy potato pies. Christmas is the two a status rib roast or baked ham. in specific situations the two - and all the trappings for those. Christmas cookies notably lots make up cakes, inspite of the incontrovertible fact that there may be some cheese muffins or pecan pies.

Answer 5

I have a similar problem with my family. I usually make a turkey and then make half of the side dishes vegetarian.

Answer 6

make up your own thanksgiving dinner "tradition"
like a gourmet salad. Or make the stuff for them and you get the vegitarian dinner. I may not be vegan but mom makes great salads and my dad is a wonderful cook

Answer 7

Forget cooking it - pick up the feast from Paul's Restaurant and make yourself a yummy pumpkin or squash soup

Answer 8

just think of a dish that you think your husband's family will like since it's a thanksgiving dinner....provide them the food that they'll really love...

Answer 9

Cook it for everyone else (because you love them) and eat what ever you want. The bird is grown for the purpose of eating it. So don't go off on about the bird's feelings. Turkeys are dumb as cows! Thanksgiving is for giving thanks for a great meal and life. Read up on your American history.

Answer 10

Suspend being a health nut for the holidays. You'll be glad you did.