In modern Greek reality, the Christmas table has been associated with exaggeration and, above all, with abundant meat-eating. However, there are those who, for health and ethical reasons, eat no meat at all.
In the minds of many people, vegetarianism means only salads and greens. The reality is completely different, as there are dozens of meatless foods that can create a festive mood.
Even if you are a vegan, that is, a vegetarian, you have nothing to envy and you can enjoy the Christmas table just like a meat eater.
For history ... we will repeat that those who do not eat meat but eat its derivatives such as cheese and milk are called vegetarian. Those who do not even eat meat derivatives are called vegan.
There are many vegetable foods that can replace meat properly, with the most typical being mushrooms. Also, many legumes resemble meat, both in terms of taste and nutrients.
1. Vegetable skewers
If you want something simple and fast that will appeal to kids, vegetable skewers are the perfect solution.
For 6 skewers you will need 12 onion washers, 12 pieces of Florin pepper, 12 pieces of green pepper, 12 tomato or 12 tomato washers and 12 zucchini washers.
Once you have the vegetables on the skewers, you will add salt, black pepper, paprika, oregano and thyme. Bake on the grill for about 20 minutes. Serve with lemon and parsley.
2. Falafel
A spicy appetizer is the chickpeas, known to all as Falafel.
You will need about 500 grams of boiled chickpeas, half a bunch of dill, 4 onions grated on the grater, 2 cloves of melted garlic, 1 teaspoon cumin, 1 tablespoon mint, salt and pepper.
Whisk the chickpeas in a blender until they become a paste. Then add the rest of the ingredients and leave the mixture for about an hour to get all the flavors. Then flour and fry. If you do not want to fry, you can bake them in the oven, on a stick.
3. Cream soup
The Christmas table needs a soup that will prepare the stomach for the rest. You can make a velvet soup with pumpkin.
For 6 dishes you will need a pumpkin, 1 large chopped onion, half a bunch of dill chopped, 1 potato grated on the grater and 1 tablespoon chopped marjoram.
Sauté the vegetables with the pumpkin and boil for about 30 minutes. Then mash them and add salt and pepper.
4. Mushrooms: Vegetarian meat
Roasted meatballs have nothing to jealousy about roasted meat.
You will need: 500 grams of ribs, 3 cloves of garlic, 1 teaspoon of thyme, 2 tablespoons of balsamic, pepper and salt.
You will put the remaining ingredients in the pan and after homogenizing them, spread out the sides and bake. Baking about half an hour is enough.
Another idea is to make lemonade mushrooms in the pan, which will be your rice sauce.
You will need: 500 grams of tomato mushroom or other mushrooms, 3 cloves of garlic, 1 chopped onion, 2 teaspoons of sweet thyme, 2 teaspoons of oregano, one spoonful of lemon, salt and pepper.
You will sauté the onion first. Then add the mushrooms and other ingredients (except lemon) to sauté in the oil. Quench with lemon juice and let it boil for about 30 minutes.
By Dr Angel,
Αggeliki Koskeridou
Holistic Doctor – Counseling Psychotherapist
Doctor of Naturopathic Medicine
MSc Health Psychology