Under pressure but need some homemade cookies? Try some of my super quick stress-free no-bake cookies or, grab some cake mix, and make some cake mix cookies. Go ahead, you can still tell people they're homemade. Happy holidays, everyone!No-bake cookies:
Like butternut squash? Scroll down for more ways to prepare a butternut squash meal.
Cover and cook on low for 6 to 7 hours.
More Easy Vegetarian Crock Pot Recipes:
Vegetarian Crock Pot Chili
Cheesey Scalloped Potatoes
Vegetarian Baked Beans
Split Pea Soup
Vegetable Minestrone Soup
Crock Pot Sweet Potatoes
One Pot Rice and Veggie Pilaf
Mexican Refried Beans
Very Veggie Crock Pot Chili
Barbecue Tofu
Vegetarian Barley Chili
Curried Rice and Lentils
Crock Pot Lentil Soup
Vegan Tofu and Spinach Lasagna
Easy Spanish Rice
Crock Pot Rice Pudding
Quick Crock Pot Apple Cobbler
Sweet Pineapple Baked Beans
Easy Crock Pot Green Bean Casserole
Hot and Spicy Artichoke Dip
Easy Crock Pot Potatoes with Cheese
Crock Pot Spinach Casserole
Easy Cheesy Bean Dip
You can create this quick and easy vegetarian spinach dip with just four very simple ingredients, and in less then five minutes. Although it is best to allow this spinach dip to sit in the refrigerator before serving. A quick and easy spinach dip recipe is perfect for a vegetarian appetizer when served with crackers or vegetables.
You might also want to try making this recipe vegan. Here's how. Scroll down for more spinach dip variations to try.
Yes, I know, it's Christmas, but Kwanzaa is much more complex, in deciding what to eat, if you are a vegetarian who happens to celebrate Kwanzaa, that is.Kwanzaa is a fairly new holiday celebration that has spread beyond the African American community in our multicultural United States. As a celebration of the unique traditions, culture and arts of African and African American culture, food plays an important part! Although there's no traditional Kwanzaa meal (such as a Thanksgiving turkey), a themed feast of African, Cajun and Creole, 
or Southern foods is central to the festivities. That means there's plenty for us vegetarians to indulge in! Try out this African-inspired peanut butter and greens soup (pictured above, left), whip up a quick healthy side dish of creamed mustard greens (pictured, right), or, scroll through this collection of vegetarian Kwanzaa recipe ideas.
Do you celebrate Kwanzaa? I'd love to know what you're eating! Email me your favorite vegetarian Kwanzaa recipes or leave a comment below, and I will post them to the website.
Link: Vegetarian Kwanzaa menu ideas
See also: Learn more about Kwanzaa
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Layer the sliced beets in a lightly oiled 7-inch baking dish and sprinkle with the sugar, salt and paprika. Dot the beets with the margarine, then add the lemon juice, ginger, water and onion.
Cover and bake for 30 minutes or until tender. Remove from the oven once during baking and stir well.
Reprinted with permission from The Compassionate Cook Cookbook.
Cranberries add a colorful holiday touch to bread, muffins, even vegetable side dishes, as in this pictured green beans with cranberries recipe. A simple side dish of homemade cranberry sauce adds a colorful sophistication to a homecooked holiday meal. They're so easy to make fresh, so get rid of that canned jelly-like stuff and try it! Thinking about Christmas cookies? Add cranberries, as in these cranberry oatmeal cookies.Browse through these lovely, colorful and healthy cranberry recipes and start thinking about cranberries for Christmas.
Link: Ten Healthy Cranberry Recipes
Pictured: Holiday green beans with cranberries
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I've put together a list of vegetarian and vegan Hanukkah recipes from around About.com and the web, including, of course vegan latkes and homemade applesauce. Many traditional Hanukkah foods, such as latkes and donuts, are already vegetarian and can easily be made vegan with just a few simple substitutions, so there should plenty to fill up your table with this Hannukah!Link: Vegetarian Hannukah Recipes
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The other day, I posted a few ideas for gifts for vegetarian cooks, but there's one gift idea in particular that I'd like to highlight, since it is, after all, the holiday season. People are always looking for meaningful presents, and there are many vegetarian nonprofit charities that do amazing work which would benefit immensely from a holiday donation. Part of the fun of the holidays is shopping and wrapping, of course, and a donation takes away some of that fun. Consider a small purchased gift, perhaps a vegetarian cookbook or something small, along with a donation?Here are some of my favorite vegetarian charities who are busy encouraging grocery stores to stock more vegetarian foods, saving abused farm animals from slaughter and running healthy vegetarian orphanages in some of the poorest regions in the world.
Photo courtesy of Farm Sanctuary
The cranberries sort of melt and almost form a sweet caramelized sauce with the mango juice. Of course, if you don't trust me, you could omit the mango juice and just use a bit of water to deglaze the pan. Plan on having some extra cranberries to toss on for garnish, if you'd like. This recipe is vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free.
Melt margarine over medium low heat in a large skillet, and add green beans. Allow to cook for a minute or two, then add cranberries and mango juice, gently tossing to combine well. Season with salt, and simmer for 3-4 more minutes, stirring occasionally, until most of the liquid has been absorbed.
Enjoy this unusual green bean side dish with at your Thanksgiving or Christmas dinner.
Like cranberries? Check out more healthy holiday cranberry recipes.
This is a particularly hearty pizza recipe that will satisfy your cravings for meat. Soon, instead of meat, you'll be craving this vegetarian barbecue "chicken" wing pizza! Use vegan cheese to keep this pizza recipe vegan.See also: More vegetarian pizza recipes
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Ingredients:
Preparation:
In a separate large bowl, combine the flour and salt. In a third bowl, combine the 1/3 cup sugar and remaining ingredients, except for oil. Add the yeast mixture, and then gradually add the flour and salt. Combine until a stiff dough forms.
Cover and allow to sit for one hour.
On a floured surface, knead the dough for about one minute, then roll out to about 3/4 inch thickness. Cover with a dish towel or cloth and let rise for about 20 minutes, until doubled in size.
In a deep fryer or a deep pan, heat several inches of oil over high heat. Test the temperature by placing a small piece of dough in the oil. The oil is the right temperature when the dough rises to the surface almost immediately. If it doesn't rise to the top, the oil is not yet hot enough.
Fry the donuts in oil for a minute or two, turning over as needed, until browned on both sides. Allow to drain on paper towels.
Makes about 12 vegan Chanukah donuts.
For those of you who have "always wanted to go vegan", but didn't quite know where to start, here's your opportunity. The Daily Vegan Planner is the first of it's kind: a guided meal plan and journal filled with recipes and foods for busy people, with easy to find ingredients, and, it's filled with the foods I actually eat on a regular basis (REAL foods, no rutabega salsa or seven-layer cakes). I consulted with several other vegans to get an understanding of how most people actually eat. Not how we should eat, or how we wish we ate, but we vegans all actually eat in our real lives on a daily basis.I also often receive emails from people asking me for nutritionally balanced meal plans. Along with 12 full weeks of meal plans, The Daily Vegan Planner provides nutritional information for each of the meals, snacks and recipes, along with several hundred common vegan foods, space to monitor your progress and tips about what to expect each week. If you're new to eating vegan, you'll be eased in with some familiar foods, and, if you've been eating vegan a while, it's a great way to find out just how healthy you've been eating.
This book is designed to help busy people easily transition into a healthy, balanced vegan diet for life. It's my sincere hope that it does just that. Shop online: The Daily Vegan Planner, by me!
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Here's a few of my favorite vegan Christmas cookies:
Vegetarian coconut rice is a flavorful side dish that can be eaten on its own or with a stirfry or sauce. The coconut and lemongrass flavors are inspired by traditional Thai recipes, yet this vegan dish has very few ingredients and is a breeze to prepare.
Carefully add water to rice. Allow to boil before reducing heat and covering. Continue to stir occasionally for about 15 minutes.
Add coconut milk and cook 10-15 more minutes, until rice is cooked through. Remove lemongrass stalks.
Top with toasted coconut flakes, if desired, and enjoy!
More Vegetarian and Vegan Thai Recipes
Thai-Inspired Carrot Dish
Thai Peanut Sauce
Raw Pad Thai Salad Recipe
Coconut and Tofu Curry Recipe
Thai Style Spring Rolls
Easy Thai Coconut Soup
Light and Crispy Spring Rolls
Basic Spring Roll Dipping Sauce
Thai-Style Stir Fry Recipe with Hoisin Sauce
Vegetarian Hot and Sour Soup
Pineapple Fried Rice
Thai Yellow Vegetable Curry
Vegan chocolate chip cookies, just like everyone should have when they're kids! By using dairy-free chocolate chips, a basic egg substitute and vegan margarine in place of butter, it's really unliekly that you'll even be able to taste the difference. This recipe is quite versatile as well. One reader left a comment saying "I sub out the margarine for applesauce, the egg substitute for flaxseed and water, and use half the brown sugar. Dough comes out well for me." Enjoy these homemade vegan chocolate chip cookies!Subscribe to the weekly vegetarian newsletter
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Isn't this green bean salad absolutely beautiful? It's from Jennifer, our raw food writer. Here's what she has to say about it:It's filled with an abundance of Indian-flavored spices, including garam masala and cumin, and dressed with a healthy mix of olive oil, agave nectar and lime juice. I love that she decided to add carrots to this recipe. They add not only a boost of color, but also extra vitamins and a layer of chewy texture to the beans. Thanks, Jennifer!When the green beans are dripping off the vine, it's time to come up with a raw green bean salad recipe! So here she is. I love coriander, but if you don't have it ground you may want to leave it out; the crunchy seeds will not soften in this raw dish.
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amount of pocket change in the long run. Plus, you can always grab muffin for a quick and easy breakfast on the go. Here's a few homemade vegan muffin recipes to try:In a saucepan over low heat, simmer cranberries, dates and water, stirring constantly. Simmer until all water is absorbed; remove from heat. Stir in 1 teaspoon of vanilla; set aside.
In a medium bowl, combine whole wheat flour, all-purpose flour, oats, brown sugar, baking soda and salt. Stir in butter or margarine until well blended.
Spread half of the flour mixture into ungreased 9 x 13-inch pan; bake in oven for 8 minutes.
Remove from oven and spoon cranberry/date mixture over crust; sprinkle with remaining flour mixture, pat gently.
Bake 20 to 25 minutes or until lightly browned; cool.
Optional: Combine powdered sugar, vanilla and orange juice to make a frosting. Drizzle over cereal bars.
Servings: Provides 3 dozen bars
Calories/Serving: 155 calories/bar
Nutrition: Nutrition analysis: One bar provides approximately: 155 calories, 2 g protein, 26 g carbohydrates, 2 g fiber, 6 g fat (2 g saturated), 7 mg cholesterol, 10 mcg folate, 1 mg iron and 108 mg sodium.
Like cranberries? Check out more healthy holiday cranberry recipes.
Cover and cook on low for 5 to 6 hours.
Top with remaining onions just before serving.
More Easy Vegetarian Crock Pot Recipes:
Vegetarian Crock Pot Chili
Cheesey Scalloped Potatoes
Vegetarian Baked Beans
Split Pea Soup
Vegetable Minestrone Soup
Crock Pot Sweet Potatoes
One Pot Rice and Veggie Pilaf
Mexican Refried Beans
Very Veggie Crock Pot Chili
Barbecue Tofu
Vegetarian Barley Chili
Curried Rice and Lentils
Crock Pot Lentil Soup
Vegan Tofu and Spinach Lasagna
Easy Spanish Rice
Crock Pot Rice Pudding
Quick Crock Pot Apple Cobbler
Sweet Pineapple Baked Beans
Easy Crock Pot Green Bean Casserole
Hot and Spicy Artichoke Dip
Easy Crock Pot Potatoes with Cheese
Crock Pot Spinach Casserole
Easy Cheesy Bean Dip
See also: More Thanksgiving desserts for vegans
Combine all ingredients, except for pie crust, in a food process or blender and process until smooth. Pour into pie crust.
Bake for one hour.
Chill before serving and top with whipped cream or non-dairy whipped cream if desired.
In a small bowl, stir together the soy milk and lemon juice.
In a separate large bowl, combine the flour, cornmeal, baking powder, salt and diced jalapeno peppers.
In a food processor or blender, puree the corn, vegetable oil and maple syrup until smooth and well combined. Add the soymilk and lemon juice, then slowly add to the flour mixture, stirring just until combined.
Pour the batter into the greased skillet, and bake for 25 minutes, or until golden brown. Enjoy your vegan skillet cornbread!
Turn the heat down to low and stir in the margarine, coating the beans well.
Add the garlic and stir a few more minutes. Add the bread crumbs, walnuts and salt and pepper and serve while still warm.
Reprinted with permission from The Compassionate Cook Cookbook.
Like fresh green beans? Scroll down for more easy green bean recipes to try.
Vegetarian stuffing made with vegetarian mock meat "sausage" and hazelnuts for Christmas, Thanksgiving or any time. If you'd like to try a vegetarian or vegan hazlenut stuffing recipe, or if you just really like mock meat, this is a good vegetarian stuffing recipe to try. For a vegan version, use a dairy-free margarine instead of butter.
Crumble the GimmeLean vegetarian sausage into pieces, and sautee in ollive oil for 3 to five minutes, until lightly browned. Set aside.
In a separate large skilled, melt the butter and the onion and celery. Sautee, stirring frequently, for 3 to 5 minutes. Reduce heat to medium, and add the sage, thyme, marjoram, celery salt and black pepper, stirring to combine.
Transfer to a large casserole dish or pot and add the bread, vegetable broth, hazelnuts and sausage, and toss gently to combine. Bake, covered, for 30 minutes.
The vegetarian turkey substitute options range from a four-pound vegetarian substitute shaped to resemble a real turkey, legs and all (pictured), to individually portioned turkey substitutes, breaded and stuffed. Each of them is pretty tasty, and it's really up to you which you prefer. Not all options are available everywhere, so your choices might also be limited by what you can find. Try Trader Joe's and Whole Foods or your local independent natural foods store for the best selection.
Have you tried any of these turkey substitutes? Which do you prefer? Leave a comment to let me know!
Link: Seven vegetarian turkey substitutes for Thanksgiving
See also: All vegetarian Thanksgiving recipes
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Leftover mashed potatoes can keep for 3-4 days in the fridge, but they'll also be just fine in the freezer. A spoonful of mashed potatoes can help thicken a homemade soup. Here's a few ways to transform leftover potatoes into a whole new dish:
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Everyone's favorite vegetarian celebrity chef for the stars, author of The Conscious Cook cookbook and the guy who cooked for Oprah when she tested out a vegan diet, Tal Ronnen, has put together a full all-vegan Thanksgiving menu, including a salad, 
sides and a gourmet dessert. Lucky for us, he's decided to share so we can indulge ourselves and eat like the Hollywood celebrities that Tal cooks for. Hey, if it's good enough for Oprah....Link:Chef Tal's gourmet Thanksgiving menu
The dessert? Banana Maple Rum Vegan Cheesecake
See also: More gourmet Thanksgiving menu ideas
More Thanksgiving food photos
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Over the next few blog posts, I'll be featuring a few simple and healthy ways to enjoy fresh seasonal squash.Squash makes a great entree for vegetarians and vegans. So colorful and such a great presentation! Mildly flavored squash lend themselves well to being stuffed with any number of things. Try stuffing roasted squash with your favorite rice salad, lentil salad, or even a fruit medley. Here's a few recipes to get you inspired:
Part of the fun of Halloween is eating the fresh warm toasted pumpkin seeds when you're done carving jack-o-lanterns. Celebrate this fun festive food with a few ways to spice up plain pumpkin seeds. Here's a few variations to try:
Squash, whether fresh or frozen, makes a healthy side dish, and is easy going down for those picky eaters who don't like to eat their vegetables. Here's a few variations to try:Mix together the whole wheat flour, sugar baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg and salt in a large mixing bowl.
In a separate small bowl, combine the soy milk, vegetable oil, maple syrup and pumpkin puree. Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and combine to make a smooth batter.
Mix in nuts/seeds and dried fruit.
Spoon the batter into muffin tins about 2/3 full, then bake for 20- 25 minutes. Muffins should be golden brown, and a toothpick inserted in the center should come out clean. If not, keep them in the oven a few more minutes.
Makes 12 muffins.
See also: More healthy pumpkin recipes to try
If you like a "saucier" pesto, you can add a bit more liquid. I like my pesto a bit thick, so I usually add a bit less olive oil.
Bruschetta is my favorite excuse to buy an expensive good quality oil! Shop for fresh organic tomatoes and enjoy the natural flavors in this simple vegetarian and vegan bruschetta appetizer. Bruschetta is a simple vegetarian appetizer that most peope are familiar with. You can use toast points, sliced baguettes, or any artisan bread. You might also want to try this gourmet grapefruit and blue cheese brushetta or this bruschetta with balsamic vinegar.
Photo by Bush'sR Beans
Spice up some easy sweet potato fries with cayenne pepper and other spices. This recipe is baked rather than fried, so it is also very low fat, as well as vegetarian and vegan.
If you`re not finding what you`re looking for here, scroll through these dozens of vegetarian and vegan appetizer recipe ideas and get inspired!
Pictured: Spicy Southwestern Two Cheese Fondue
