What to Make for Vegan Thanksgiving

This year, I'm pretty excited for Thanksgiving. It's my first vegan Thanksgiving, and we're hosting my mother-in-law, sister-in-law, and brother-in-law, who are always a blast to hang out with and we don't get to see often enough. I can't wait to have them, show them our new home & neighborhood, and share some delicious food with them. There are so many good recipes out there, I don't know what to make. I'm trying to find a balance between the old traditions and new exciting recipes that would make for great holiday additions. Here are some dishes I'm thinking of making for the big spread!

Thanksgiving Day:
Breakfast (after our annual Turkey Trot race!) will definitely be the amazing pumpkin bread.

For the big meal, I'm thinking of a selection from the following:

• Salad or greens: A version of this kale salad, but with cranberries and more oranges, possibly thyme mushrooms similar to the ones from the bruscetta toppings here 
• Braised winter greens with carrots (from the current issue of VegNews).
• Sweet potato & parsnip puree- it's an adaptation of the candied yams I grew up with that's becoming a healthier staple, and I just feel like sweet potatoes/yams are a must for Thanksgiving!
• Roasted cauliflower "steaks" -possibly cornmeal-crusted- and served with a mushroom gravy sauce (from the Thanksgiving VegNews recipes).
• Stuffing, of course. Last year I made one packed with pomegrante seeds, cranberries, broccoli, and greens- for a very veggie stuffing.
• Cranberries, with orange and cinnamon notes- simple but delicious.
• Herbed creamed collards- found through VegNews, they look deliciously decadent!
• Roasted Acorn Squash Slices- similar to these.
• A pumpkin pie- haven't settled on the recipe just yet!

As I said, there are too many good recipes to choose from!

In addition to whatever I end up making from these, I'm sure my husband or brother in law will want to make garlic mashed potatoes. I also acquiesced to my husband just ordering an apple pie, since I realized I *might* be a little busy. (And yes, the others wanted a turkey so they ordered a little one.) And, since my husband just can't help himself, I'd put money on him making a box of Stove Top and opening a can of cranberry. Yes, a CAN. Shudder. Some habits die hard.... but at least there will be plenty of vegan goodness to balance things out :-)

Here are a few more meals I may make for my family throughout the week:

Soups- they always make for good holiday-time meals, since they are warm, simple and quick to make, but filling and healthy.

• Sweet Potato & Roasted Carrot Soup
• Kale & Kabocha Squash Coconut Soup
• Very Veggie Black Bean Soup

Any of these would make for great holiday meals as well:

Clockwise from top left:

• Veggie-stuffed phyllos
• Cauliflower puree with lentils & spinach
• Stuffed squash bowls
• Creamed spinach and cauliflower "steaks"
• Butternut squash orzo with sage brown butter
• Sweet potato & kale bake from Vegan Yum Yum

And some recipes from around the web that I may just have to make:

• VegNew's Pumpkin Parsnip Lasagna and side of Carmalized Brussels Spouts with apple cider sauce. Planning on serving the lasagna on a bed of spinach for even more greens :-)
• Fall Citrus Fruit Salad -looks like it would go great on a bed of spinach for a filling healthy lunch!
• Cranberry Avocado Salad with Candied Spiced Almonds- sounds like the perfect combo!
• Rustic Pumpkin Toasts- would make for a nice easy but beautiful and original lunch or snack!

Can't wait to share some of these great recipes with family!

Happy Thanksgiving!