Barbecued Stuffed Acorn Squash

Use six simple ingredients to make a hearty vegetarian and vegan main dish on the grill - stuffed acorn squash. Stuffed squash is a great vegetarian entree, whether it's grilled or not.

Barbecued Stuffed Acorn Squash recipe courtesy of Bush'sR Beans.

Ingredients:

• 3 acorn squash
• 1 28 ounce can vegetarian baked beans
• 4 tbsp barbecue sauce
• 2 tbsp maple syrup
• 4 tbsp dark brown sugar
• 2 tbsp butter or margarine
• 1 cup hickory or other wood chips, soaked in water for 1 hour then drained

Preparation:

Cut each squash in half widthwise. Slice 1/4 inch off the rounded end of each half so the squash sits upright without wobbling. Scrape out the seeds with a spoon and discard.

Mix baked beans, barbecue sauce, maple syrup and brown sugar in small mixing bowl. Divide mixture evenly among squash halves and top each half with 1/2 tablespoon butter. (The squash can be prepared several hours ahead to this stage and refrigerated.)

Set up charcoal or gas grill for indirect grilling and preheat to medium. Arrange the squash halves on the grill away from the heat. Cook until squash is tender (the sides will feel soft when squeezed) and the filling is browned and bubbling for about 1 hour. Remove squash from grill and serve immediately.

If using a gas grill place wood chips in smoker box or smoker pouch under the grill grate directly over the burner. Run grill on high until smoking then reduce heat to medium. If using a charcoal grill preheat to medium. Toss wood chips on coals prior to grilling.

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Low-fat Coffee Cake Recipe

This low-fat and vegan coffee cake uses applesauce for moisture and a healthy amount of spices for flavor. Perfect for a weekend vegan brunch.

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Total Time: 10 minutes

Ingredients:

• 1/4 cup vegan margarine
• 2 cups applesauce
• 1 cup flour
• 1 1/2 cups wheat bran flakes or oat bran
• 1 cup sugar
• 1 tsp baking soda
• 1 tsp cinnamon
• 1/2 tsp nutmeg
• 1/4 tsp cloves
• 1 cup raisins
• 1 cup chopped nuts (optional)

Preparation:

Pre-heat oven to 350 degrees and grease the bottom of a 9-inch square baking pan.

In a large saucepan, heat the vegan margarine and applesauce together until margarine is melted. Remove from heat.

Add the remaining ingredients and mix until well combined, then pour into baking pan.

Bake for 25-30 minutes, until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Enjoy!

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Happy Thanksgiving, Canada!

Happy Thanksgiving, Canada! Hope your harvest is bountiful this year and every year! If you haven't already planned your menu, here's everything you need to know to have a wonderful meat-free Thanksgiving meal, and, of course, I can't forget the most important part - the Thanksgiving desserts! For my American friends curious about Thanksgiving in Canada, you can learn more here.

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Sweet Cranberry Stuffing

Depending on where you're from you may call it stuffing or dressing, but whatever it is, no a Thanksgiving meal isn't complete without it! If you're vegetarian or vegan, this sweet cranberry stuffing recipe is a great way to add a bit of color and Thanksgiving flavor to your stuffing. I love making stuffing because the aroma in the kitchen is simply heavenly, and this recipe is no exception! See also: More vegetarian stuffing recipes

Ingredients:

• 14 slices bread, lightly toasted or pre-dried, chopped into cubes or crumbles
• 1 1/2 cups dried cranberries
• 2 1/2 cups apple juice
• 1 red onion, diced
• 2 stalks celery, diced
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 tbsp vegan margarine
• 1 tsp thyme
• 1/2 tsp sage
• 1 tbsp dried parsley (or 2 tbsp fresh, chopped)
• 1/4 tsp black pepper
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/4 tsp ginger
• 1/4 tsp cinnamon

Preparation:

Pre-heat over to 350 degrees.

In a small bowl, pour apple juice over cranberries and set aside.

In a large skillet, sautee the onion, celery and garlic in the vegan margarine until soft, 3-5 minutes. Add thyme, sage and parsley and sautee for one more minute.

In a large bowl, combine bread, onions and celery, and cranberries and apple juice, stirring to combine well.

Bake for 20-25 minutes. Add additional spices, if desired, and enjoy!

Like cranberries? Check out more healthy holiday cranberry recipes.

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Stuffing with Cranberries

Sneak some healthy protein and fiber into your vegetarian stuffing and add colorful cranberries with this easy recipe for vegetarian stuffing with cranberries and kidney beans. Stuffing recipe and photo courtesy Bush's R Beans.

Like cranberries? Check out more healthy holiday cranberry recipes.

Ingredients:

• 1 package pre-toasted bread cubes (14 - 16 ounces)
• 3 tbsp butter plus extra
• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1 large yellow onion, diced
• 1/2 red onion, diced
• 1 cup celery, diced
• 3/4 cup cranberries, chopped
• 4 cups low-sodium vegetable broth
• 1 cup wild rice, pre-cooked
• 2 tbsp fresh sage, minced
• 2 tbsp fresh thyme, minced
• 2 eggs, beaten
• 2 tbsp poultry seasoning
• 1 16 ounce can red kidney beans, drained and rinsed
• salt and pepper to taste

Preparation:

Pre-heat oven to 375 degrees.

Heat a large skillet and add 2 tablespoons butter and oil.

Add onions, celery and cranberries and cook on medium-high heat until soft, about fifteen minutes.

Add vegetable broth and bring to a boil.

Place toasted bread, rice and herbs in a large bowl, stir in eggs.Pour hot liquid mixture into bowl; add poultry seasoning, beans, salt and pepper and mix.

Grease two 8-inch pans with butter, pour mixture, dot with extra butter. Cover with foil and bake for 25 minutes.

Remove foil and bake 10 minutes more or until top is crisp.

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Vegetarian Turkey Subsitutes

Vegetarian turkey substitutes reviewed, listed and pictured. A complete guide for a turkey-free meatless Thanksgiving celebration for vegetarians and vegans. They're not all made from tofu, don't worry!

1. Gardein Stuffed Turkey

Gardein's "Savory Stuffed Turk'y" is a welcome addition to the growing family of vegetarian turkeys

From the makers of Gardein brand mock meats (the stuff Whole Foods uses at their deli) comes this seasonal product" Stuffed Savory Turk'y. Look in the frozen foods aisle to find this veggie turkey or try your natural foods store or Whole Foods. Want to get more details about the Gardein turky? Read on!

2. Tofurky

The original and most popular of the vegetarian turkey substitutes, Tofurky!

Learn more about the name that revolutionized Thanksgiving and mock for every. Sold alone, as just the mock turkey, or with stuffing as part of a complete vegetarian Thanksgiving meal (the Tofurky "feast"), which includes the Tofurky roast, stuffing, gravy, dessert, a "wishbone" and? even a "Happy Tofurky Day" card. What's not to love? Learn more about Tofurky here, including vegetarian and vegan Tofurky recipes and pros and cons of this mock turkey product.

3. Quorn Turk'y Roast

• Pros: Quorn products are always reliably tasty, and the Turk'y Roast is no exception. Probably the best priced option of all those listed here. The loaf serves five, and costs less than $8.
  
• Cons: Just like a real turkey, Quorn's turkey substitute needs to be spruced up with gravy, and perhaps even a spice rub or basting sauce. Not vegan
  ?

4. "Vegetarian Plus" Whole Turkey

• Pros: Shaped like a turkey! Comes with stuffing which you can place inside the bird, or, use your own homemade stuffing. Vegan
• Cons: You won't be able to stop laughing at how it's shaped like a turkey! A bit pricier than other options, but it is a full 6 pounds, and should feed 12 - 16 people. Plenty of leftovers!

5. Harvest Celebration Field Roast

• Pros: Pre-spiced, no basting or spice rub needed. About one pound and less than $10, so good for smaller Thanksgivings. Like the Gardein brand, this roast is made from all-natural ingredients that you'll be able to recognize, and is also soy-free.
• Cons: Might not be for everyone. Some people rave about it, while others find it simply mediocre.?

6. Stuffed Hazlenut and Cranberry Roast

• Pros: A lovely centerpiece that doesn't pretend to be a turkey. Hazlenuts! Cranberries! Perfect for vegetarians who want a centerpiece dish but don't like fake meats.
• Cons: While this is a lovely centerpiece, it's not really a turkey substitute, so if that's what you're looking for, this won't quite do it.

7. Homemade Tofu Turkey

A homemade vegetarian "turkey" loaf can be prepared at home with your choice of stuffing and spices.

• Pros: Healthier and less processed. You control the spices. Fun!
• Cons: More work. Likely to be less aesthetically pleasing than the store bought turkey substitutes.

8. Vegan Ham Substitute

• Pros: People that like ham say that vegan ham is really darn tasty. Makes a nice substitute for the turkey, and might also be nice for Easter or Christmas, not just Thanksgiving. Looks quite real.
• Cons: I never like ham, so the thought of vegan ham is a bit much for me, but plenty of other people like it.?

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Vegan Pumpkin Pie with Cloves

The secret to the perfect vegan pumpkin pie is to use plenty of spices for maximum flavor. This recipe uses cloves, ginger, allspice and nutmeg for an aromatic healthy Halloween dessert or for a vegetarian Thanksgiving feast. Using tofu instead of eggs for a vegan pumpkin pie also means that this recipe is much lower in fat than other pumpkin pies, and is also cholesterol free.

Ingredients:

• 2 10.5 ounce packages silken (soft) tofu
• 1 pre-made pie crust
• 1 16 ounce can pumpkin
• 3/4 cup sugar
• 1/4 tsp ground cloves
• 1/4 tsp ginger
• 1/4 tsp allspice
• 1/2 tsp nutmeg

Preparation:

Pre-heat oven to 375 degrees.

In a blender or food processor, process all ingredients, except for the pie crust, until smooth.

Pour into pre-made pie crust. Bake for one hour, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Chill before serving, if desired.

Enjoy your vegan pumpkin pie!

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