Animal-Friendly Festive Feast
The festive season is a time of good company and celebration - but this time of year can be extremely difficult for vegans, as festivities often revolve around food and animal suffering.
Whether you're vegan, plant-based, or a meat-eater, we've put together some ideas to help you, your friends and your family create the perfect festive feast. From arancini balls and grazing platters to mock roasts and prawns, smashed potatoes, corn ribs, pavlova, and eggnog - there is something for everyone to enjoy - and most importantly, none of it contributes to animal suffering.
Entrees
Arancini balls
Garlic bread
Butter: Nuttelex, Natruli, Bio Butter, The Vegan Dairy, Tablelands Dairy Free
Pre-made: I’m Free From (Coles), Coles Garlic Bread Twin Pack, and Woolworths Essential Garlic Bread.
Vegan platter
Cheese:
The Vegan Dairy - fruit & Pistachio, Aged and Smokey, Chilli Chives, Herb Garlic Boursin, Dill Chèvre Ashed Chèvre Cheese (Vegan Grocery Store, All About Empathy, or find a store near you)
Sprout and Kernel – Peppercorn Nut Cheese, Chive Nut Cheese (Vegan Grocery Store)
Artisa Ben Lomond – Brie Cheese, Gladstone (Vegan Grocery Store)
Dilectio – Camembert (Vegan Grocery Store)
Green Vie – Blue (Vegan Grocery Store)
Lauds – Ashed Walnut Cheese (Vegan Grocery Store)
Vegusto – No-Moo Midly Aromatic Cheese (Vegan Grocery Store)
Fine Cultures – Macadamia & Cashew Camembert Wedge, Peppercorn Brie, Chive and Dill Wedge (Vegan Grocery Store)
Crackers: Most crackers are vegan, however, some have some sneaky (and unnecessary) milk added to them. Some common brands available in Coles and/or Woolworths are:
Arnotts - Jatz, Savoy, and Water Crackers
Always Fresh - Grissini Sticks and Crustini
Fantastic - Rice Crackers
Orgran - Wafer Crackers
Woolworths - Plain Water Crackers and Rosemary Wheaten Crackers
Dips:
Chris’ – Homestyle Plant-Based Corn Relish, Homestyle Plant-Based Golden Turmeric Hommus, Homestyle Plant-Based Guacamole, Homestyle Plant-Based Capsicum, Homestyle Plant-Based Spring Onion
Black Swan – Crafted Sweet Potato & Cashew Dip
Mock Deli Meats:
Salami - Vegami (Vegan Grocery Store)
Deli Style Slices - Vegusto (Vegan Grocery Store)
Lyon-Style Luncheon Roll - Vegusto (Vegan Grocery Store)
Vamm Slices - Vbites (Vegan Grocery Store)
Olives, artichokes, cherry tomatoes, carrot and celery sticks
Want to make your own cheese and dips? Check out:
Vegan Food and Living - for cheese recipes
It Doesn’t Taste Like Chicken’s Recipes - for cheese and dips
Karissa’s Vegan Kitchen - for dips
Dreena Burton - for dips
Simple Veganista - for dips (our personal favourite is their spinach and artichoke dip)
Mains
Bought:
Mock Turkey / Chicken
Mock Prawns
Vegan Prawns - Lamyong (Asian grocers, Vegan Grocery Store)
Plant-Based Prawns - Vish (Vegan Grocery Store)
Homemade:
Mock Chicken / Turkey
Mock Pork
Mock Beef
Mock Lamb
Mock Seafood
Tofu / Veg
Sides
Potatoes
Corn
Green Beans
Carrots
Roast pumpkin
Kale
Salads
Tabbouleh - Alpha Foodie (or purchase from your local supermarket)
Desserts
Pavlova
Christmas Pudding
Truffles
Gingerbread
Cheesecake
Fruit platter
Any seasonal fruits
Add some vegan chocolate, Dandies Vanilla marshmallows, Sour Patch Kids, and Natural Confectionery Vegan Lollies.
Drinks
“Egg”nog
Mocktails
Other
Cocktails
Egg whites are often used in cocktails to help create froth. If a recipe contains egg whites, you can simply swap it out with Aquafaba (chickpea brine/water) or Wonderfoam.
Wines
Wine brands are starting to use vegan alternatives to clarify their products - check the label or ask a shop attendant to help you find some. Alternatively, you can order online from Goodwill Wines and 50% of profits will be donated to Animal Liberation!
Happy Eating!
Thank you for having a compassionate Christmas. Wishing you and your loved ones a happy and safe festive season.