What I actually want to eat.
By: Elsa Wickes
Tags: Vegetarian, Plant Based, Christmas, Vegan, Food

I have been plant-based since I was 12. This was a long time before beyond meat burgers, chicken McNuggets or even good plant-based milk. I used to get my burgers from the frozen section and, they’d be pea and carrot and my soy milk from the “alternative diet” isle alongside the gluten-free crackers. Over the 11 years, I have been plant-based, I have even a lot of Christmas dinners; some good some bad.

If you or a loved one is: plant-based, vegan, vegetarian, flexitarian, pescatarian, dairy-free, gluten-free or a combination of these, then this is the list for you.

I am a dairy-free pescatarian this means, I eat fish and other animal products, just not dairy ones, along with lots of veg. However, as a student, my daily diet is actually vegan. This is because it is cheaper and more financially sustainable for me to eat like this and I save eating fish and seafood for special meals and take out. Furthermore, I have many people in my life who (through medical advice) are on restrictive diets: no gluten, no sugar, no dairy, no soy, no nuts etc. Therefore, I think I’ll be a pretty good guide into this world!

Photo by James Coleman on Unsplash

First, as a plant-based person, I want all the sides and trimmings. I want mash potatoes, roast potatoes (no goose fat thx), all the Veg, Yorkshire pudding (if that’s on offer) and some veggie gravy. There is no need to make me separate sides after all; the person with different dietary habits/ needs probably already feels guilty about causing the chef any extra work as it is.

Second, this list is from the simplest to the most complex, I am also only talking about the Main course. If you want tips or ideas for other courses you may be doing, comment on this article or send me dm on Instagram (same handle as this page).

1.Veggie Sausages — if you want a minimalist dinner these are for you! They cook quickly and easily and go along with every other traditional part of a Xmas dinner. They are also great the next day, cold or hot eaten with leftovers. There are many to choose from so I am sure you’d be able to find soy and wheat-free ones if that’s your thing.

These are some of my faves:

Cauldron sausages

Linda McCartney

Sainsbury’s own brand- shroom dogs (they do multiple versions, all good)

The moving mountains sausage

Vegetarische Slager/ the vegetarian butcher

2. A Pie — you may be thinking “Woah, didn’t you say, we were starting off simple?” and I did, I mean a ready-made one. Pie’s are hearty, comforting and rich; three things which Xmas is all about. They also go great with all the sides and, they are individual. I have found more often than not that other people sitting around the table, get quite curious about what the person with the different meal is eating. A pie solves any attempts for people to steal a bit if they do its quite noticeable.

I like:

Linda McCartney Country pie (this is soy mince, I think they also have a chicken one that, I find weird)

Higgidy Pies Vegan Mushroom and Kale

M&S Made Without Wheat Gluten-free Steak and Red Wine pie (this has meat and gets high ratings from my gluten-free meat-eating mum)

You could also have a Cornish pasty but, that might be a little too much.

Photo by Elena Mozhvilo on Unsplash

3.Fish — You can choose any kind you like and can cook it any way you want. However, if you are having hearty traditional veg you may want to avoid light fish like; cod, plaice and sole. They won’t be able to stand up to the strong flavours and may get overpowered. I like monkfish, it is meaty and holds it own on a traditional Christmas plate.

Photo by Ulvi Safari on Unsplash

4.Polenta/ Corn Meal — It may seem simple as it is just hot water and corn but, the tricky part is *all* the whisking to keep it from going lumpy. It can be found in most high-street or Asian supermarkets. However, check the back of the pack for instructions, you’re looking for one with a short cooking time. Buy the pre-cooked one as or else you’ll have hours of work on your hands. This dish is found all over the world but, for Xmas dinner, I am recommending the northern Italian version of it. It is great served with fish, roasted mushrooms, tomato-based veggie stew — give it a quick google and you’ll find plenty of inspiration. Do not skimp on the salt or fat though, this is meant to be rich, creamy and hearty. I use oat cream and vegan butter along with olive oil. I also add veggie bouillon/stock into the hot water to get more flavour and salt in there. The best part is, is that it is gluten-free and pretty cheap!

5.Homemade pie — homemade pastry with any and all of the filling variations you want! I like Quorn or Linda McCartney mincemeat but you could just do a ton of veg- it is up to you. If making your own pastry is a bit too much then check out the ready-made stuff, a lot of it is vegan.

Photo by Rebecca Matthews on Unsplash

6. Salmon en croute / Coulibiac — This is the toughest level but highest payoff. Salmon en croute is heart, warming and fancy, it goes well with whatever you want on the side and could be for everyone and not just the odd one out. Coulibiac is another pastry-wrapped dish and can be made with salmon or completely vegetarian/vegan. You could experiment or just stuff the pastry with your favourite things.

Lastly- none of these products are sponsored but, if you’re a brand I mentioned, and you like what I am saying, please get in touch. I also didn’t realise how many of my festive foods include something wrapped in pastry! Just remember, you can eat whatever you want for Christmas, its only one day a year, even if it isn’t something traditional.