Vegan Holiday Recipes

Throughout the holiday season continuing a vegan lifestyle becomes increasingly difficult. Chocolates, cakes and other seemingly delicious treats are in abundance, and it can be annoying to have to miss out on enjoying the snacks along with everyone else. However, just because you may be a vegan, does not mean you have to miss out on enjoying delicious food. Listed below are some vegan recipes which will allow you to not miss out this holiday season. These recipes are also good for those who are not vegan and are looking for a somewhat-healthy alternative to regular holiday recipes.

Nut loaf

What you will need:

• 1 medium sized onion, chopped
• 1 tbsp vegetable oil
• 2 tsp yeast extract in 1/4 pint/ 118 ml hot water
• 1 cup chopped mixed nuts
• 2 tbsp ground almonds
• 1/3 cups wholemeal breadcrumbs
• 1 tbsp sage
• Pinch cayenne pepper
• Salt and pepper to taste

Directions:

1. Pre-heat oven to 180C /350F
2. Saute the onion in vegetable oil until soft, not browned.
3. Combine all of the ingredients together; the mixture may be slightly slack. Turn into an oiled ovenproof dish and bake for 30 minutes until golden brown.

Eggnog

What you will need:

• 2 cups of nondairy milk of your choice
• 1/2 cup full fat coconut milk
• 1/3 cup raw cashews, soaked for at least 30 minutes 
• 4-6 Medjool dates, pits removed
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• pinch of ground cinnamon
• pinch of sea salt

Directions:

1. Combine all ingredients into a blender
2. Blend until smooth
3. Serve immediately, and add ground nutmeg to the top

Gingerbread Cookies 

What you will need:

• 1⅓ cups whole wheat flour
• ¾ cup unbleached all purpose flour
• ½ tbsp baking powder
• 1 tsp baking soda
• ½ tbsp cinnamon
• 2 tsp ginger
• ½ tsp nutmeg
• ½ cup coconut oil
• ½ cup ground sugar 
• ¼ cup water
• ½ cup molasses
• ½ tsp vanilla

Directions:

1. Combine all dry ingredients into a medium sized bowl
2. In a separate larger bowl, combine all the wet ingredients and beat until all ingredients are mixed together thoroughly
3. Gradually sift dry ingredients into the wet mixture and mix until dough is formed 
4. Wrap the dough in plastic wrap and let sit in the refrigerator for 2+ hours
5. Preheat oven to 162C/ 325F
6. Roll the dough onto a lightly floured surface. Use cookie cutters to cut out the gingerbread shapes
7. Bake cookies for 8-10 minutes, or until the cookies are lightly browned around the edges but soft in the center 
8. Let the cookies cool, then decorate and enjoy! 

Hopefully these recipes provide some festive, inspiration, I had great fun making them. Good luck to anyone who would like to try them out. I wish you all a great holiday season and a happy New Year!