A Vegan Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving is sometimes an ordeal, not because I want it to be but because my family is concerned that I will have nothing to eat amongst a table of carnivores.  It's a valid concern.  I get it.  However, I kind of look at Thanksgiving as a day to bond with loved ones and spend quality time.  Food is important but I don't enjoy overeating to oblivion anyway (or the extra pounds that come with it).  If it were completely up to me, I would just bring a plate of my own "everyday" food to pop in the microwave and call it a day while everyone else pigged out.  Sharing is another important part of the holiday, though, and I chose to take the opportunity to share my goodies with everyone involved and show them that I don't have to eat salad, fruit, and smoothies 24/7 (and that my "bird food" doesn't taste like dirt).  

This year I made what I would consider a full vegan feast, enjoying creamed spinach, a Veggie-Lentil Loaf with Avocado-Tahini dressing, rolls with Earth Balance Buttery Spread, latkes (potato pancakes), and roasted vegetables.   

Top Center: Creamed Spinach, Right: roll and Veggie-Lentil loaf with Avocado-Tahini Dressing, Bottom Center: Latkes, Left: Roasted vegetables, Top right corner: Moscato and Hummus, Top left corner: Earth Balance Original

My mom actually made the roasted vegetables, which included squash, broccoli, onions, and potatoes.  I put the hummus on the latkes, along with ketchup.  The latkes, unfortunately, were the only fail, as I premixed the fresh ingredients two days ahead of time and by Thanksgiving day the mixture was, well, not so fresh.  The potatoes had turned grey for some reason and, when cooked, tasted a little funky.  They would be tasty if made fresh on the day-of, though, I'm assuming.  The Veggie-Lentil loaf was a HUGE hit and I would make that in the future for an everyday dinner, as well as the creamed spinach.  You would never guess, in my humble opinion, that the creamed spinach was even vegan!  

While everyone else enjoyed their pie and what-not, I ended the meal with some So Delicious Coconut Milk Vanilla Ice Cream, a yummy treat for me!  Let me know if y'all want recipes to any of the dishes I made.  Hope you had a great Thanksgiving as well!