Well's Vegetarian Thanksgiving

[elleng]

http://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2010/11/08/health/20101108_thanksgiving.html?ref=dining

[The empressof all]

1. I saw that stuffed mushroom recipe a few days ago

It's on my list. I'm not sure if I'm going to bother doing a feast this year. Our kid is away and since I'm eating vegan I'd rather not cook the Turkey. Since it will just be the two of us and maybe a friend I think I might suggest Chinese Food. I hope my favorite joint is open.

[Warpy]

2. That's what I do, Chinese takeout

and the place I get it is definitely a joint, not a restaurant.

A lot of stir fried fare can be reheated the next day if your joint says they'll be closed for the holiday.

My veggie Thanksgivings were usually some sort of stuffed veggie and lots of sides.

[The empressof all]

3. I'm one of those who loves left over Chinese

It's great cold for breakfast. Our favorite joint makes suburb hand shaved noodles that I swear I could eat every day. Our "Place" is a drive for us but well worth the time and effort to make the trip.

If anyone is in the PNW you need to check this place out.

http://szechuanchefbellevue.com/menu.php

[beac]

4. Thanks for the link. We used to do an "all sides" veggie T-giving

until we discovered Quorn's take on faux turkey (Tofurkey being tried once and found VILE!) which I now serve with a lovely mushroom gravy. I must admit to missing turkey gravy-- mine was excellent and I was the designated gravy-maker in our family from age 12.

I'm intrigued by those pumpkin dumplings. We're going to a potluck this year and those might be my dish if they pass muster on a trial run this week. :)




*edited for typo

[yellerpup]

5. I made zucchini boats for Christmas dinner once,

thinking that the green squash with roasted red pepper would be jolly in the season. Then my best friend's passive-aggressive husband (more aggressive than passive, actually) decided that he would drag his ass in more than an hour late and the whole dish was a toasty, crispy brown. He doesn't spend Christmas with either one of us any more!

[beac]

6. So, I made the Pumpkin Dumplings last night and here is my report:

They are super simple to make and indeed "light and pillowy" as described, but the taste was just a little underwhelming. I might add some white pepper to the dumplings next time or a dash of ground sage. The radicchio & onion "sauce" was fine, but might skip the radicchio altogether next time and grate some Grana Padano over it instead. Would also taste good with a gorgonzola sauce of some kind or served with a simple sage butter.

Substituting butternut squash might be a good twist, but of course more labor intensive than opening a can of pumpkin puree (I used an organic brand from our local co-op.)


All in all, it's a pretty quick and easy dish that with a few tweaks could make it into our regular rotation. (Mr. beac adored it.) I DON'T think I'll take it to the potluck after all b/c I think it might not travel well.