Vegetarian Christmas Dinner

It's only natural that during the most magical time of year, we brits think about food the most! We can't stop thinking about all the great recipes that come when we think of Christmas, from classic dinner dishes to leftover recipes to desserts, at The Skinny Food Co, we're FOOD-CRAZY during the holiday season. 

But when you're following particular diet plans, such as vegan, vegetarian & gluten-free it can often be hard to find the best festive recipes that cater for all your guests. 

This year, we've put together a helpful guide that can help you make the tastiest vegetarian recipes to enjoy throughout the Christmas period, including Vegetarian dinner ideas, Vegetarian starters, Vegetarian side dishes and other helpful veggie recipes that can complement your festivities. 

Vegetarian Christmas Breakfast

Starting this vegetarian guide to the holiday season is our top 3 Veggie breakfasts for Christmas day. 

1. Smashed Avocado with Poached Eggs 

A pinnacle of vegetarian meals - smashed avocado and poached eggs are arguably one of the most flavourful breakfast menu items across the board. 

With so many seasoning options, from a balsamic glaze to red chilli flakes, you really can be as creative as you'd like with this recipe. 

Ingredients List: 

• 2 Ripe Avocados
• 1 Lime (Juiced)
• 1 Tsp Chilli Flakes 
• 4 Slices of Sourdough (or protein bread)
• 4 Eggs
• 200g Cherry Tomatoes

2. Breakfast Tacos 

This is one of our go-to breakfast recipes at Skinny Food HQ, we love the great flavourful spices mixed with sweet potato, coriander and veggie sausages. You can choose to make this recipe vegan-friendly by cutting out the veggie sausage and replacing it with tofu, however, we opted for a great vegetarian sausage alternative, mixed with some smashed sweet potato, some fresh coriander, a sprinkling of grated cheese & a spiced ketchup dressing. 

3. Sweet Waffles 

Whilst most breakfast dishes are savoury, it's always good to keep in mind those with a sweet tooth this festive season. Opting for a sweeter option, our scrumptious sweet waffles are perfect for Christmas morning. 

You can pair them with your favourite chocolate spreads & fresh fruit, or keep it simple with some golden syrup. 

These waffles bring fun & magic to the day and are great for kids (and adults!) 

Our favourite waffle toppings include:

• Chocolate Spread 
• Strawberry Jam 
• Fresh fruits & Maple Syrup 
• Golden Syrup 
• Flavoured Chocolate syrup 
• Peanut Butter & Bananas 

Vegetarian Christmas Starters 

If you're looking to impress your vegetarian guests the best way to do so at the start of the 3-course meal is with the starters, whether you opt for a starter salad, soup or something else, these dishes will get everyone talking. 

Broccoli & Stilton Soup

We love this hearty soup because it's packed full of vegetables and protein and super easy to prepare. This is a great dish to serve on its own or as part of a buffet spread. 

Ingredients List:

• 500ml Chicken Stock
• 1 head of broccoli
• 2 small potatoes 
• 1 small white onion
• 1 celery stick
• 10g Parsley (Chopped)
• 1 Clove Garlic (Crushed)
• 125g Stilton Cheese (Shredded)
• Salt & Pepper to taste
• 10g of butter

Method: 

Gently fry the white onion in a saucepan with 1 tbsp of olive oil, and cook on medium heat until soft.

Add the sliced celery, diced potato, garlic and butter and stir gently until melted and combined, allow this to cook for 5 minutes.

Add the stock to the saucepan and continue on medium heat. Bring to a boil then add the chopped broccoli florets, cook for an additional 12 minutes

Once the broccoli is softened blitz in a blender until smooth and stir in the crumbled stilton cheese, seasoning with salt & pepper to taste. 

Baked Camembert 

A classic French cheese that has been around since the 17th century, Camembert is a firm cheese made from cow’s milk. It has a slightly tangy flavour and is often served warm with crusty bread. We love how versatile this cheese is, but the best thing about this soup is its dipping qualities. 

To start to prepare, simply grab your camembert wheel, create 3 separate incisions to the skin and place 1 clove of garlic & two rosemary stalks and bake for 20 minutes. 

Lightly toast your sour bread rolls until warm and crisp, with a side of cranberry sauce or onion chutney. 

Beetroot & Goats Cheese Parcels 

This is another delicious starter that is sure to please vegetarians and meat eaters alike. These parcels are filled with roasted beetroot, goat's cheese and a drizzle of honey. The combination of flavours is amazing and they look beautiful too! 

Ingredients List:

• 400g Beetroot 
• 200g Baby Spinach 
• 200g Goats Cheese 
• 1 Small White Onion 
• 1 Tsp Red Chilli Flakes 
• 500g Puff Pastry 
• 1 Egg (Whisked) 

Method: 

Step 1:  Roast the beetroot in a preheated oven (gas mark 5 / 190 Fan ) drizzle with oil, salt & pepper tossing and stirring at 20 minutes, then continue baking for another 25 minutes (total bake time 45 minutes)

Step 2: Using a colander, run the spinach through some water until wilted. 

Step 3: Mix together the spinach with the now chopped beetroot, cheese, onion, chilli & seasoning. 

Step 4:  Roll out the pastry on a lightly floured surface and using large cookie cutters form circular shapes. 

Step 5: Divide the filling between the pastry (you should be able to create roughly 8 - 10 parcels)

Step 6: Brush with egg-wash 

Step 7: Bake for 15 minutes until golden brown

After these tasty starters, it'll be clear to your guests that you are able to create beautiful vegetarian dishes that can pack a punch with flavours. So how do you create the best vegetarian centrepiece for your Christmas dinner? Luckily we have a few suggestions... 

Our Favourite Veggie Centrepieces 

Much like our fan-favourite vegan roasts, our vegetarian dinner centrepiece options contain some of the most flavourful alternatives to meat-based products for Christmas. 

Starting with an iconic dinner recipe...

Pear & Blue Cheese Tart

We've created this tart as a vegetarian alternative to traditional turkey or meat centrepieces. That adds strong flavours but can be nicely paired with your favourite Christmas Dinner side dishes & all the festive trimmings. 

Ingredient List: 

• 500g Shortcrust Pastry
• 50g Walnuts
• 150g Potatoes (cubed) 
• 10g Unsalted Butter
• 1 Small White Onion 
• 1 Egg 
• 1 Pear (diced)
• 100ml Double Cream 
• 50ml Milk 
• Blue Cheese  

Method: 

Step 1:  In a medium pan, boil salted water and add the cubed potatoes.

Step 2:  Melt the butter in the pan and fry the onions gently until soft. 

Step 3: Once the onion is soft, turn up the heat and add an additional knob of butter to the pan, before adding the cubed pear 

Step 4: Whisk together the Egg, Cream & Milk

Step 5: Heat the oven to 200C/fan 180C/gas 6 and line the tart tin with foil & baking beans cooking the pastry for 15 minutes until it's lightly golden in colour, then remove the baking beans and foil and continue cooking for an additional 10 minutes until it's golden brown all over. 

Step 6: Remove the pastry from the oven and dish in your pear & onion mixture, 3/4 of the cheese. 

Step 7: Pour over the egg mixture and top with remaining cheese, salt & pepper 

Step 8: Return the pastry to the oven and bake until the tart is set (roughly 8-12 minutes) 

Classic Nut Roast

We're ditching the dry and average nut roasts this Christmas and replacing them with a fan-favourite spiced nut roast that compliments the whole dinner menu. Spice up your festive season with the perfect nut roast and vegetarian gravy. 

Ingredients: 

• 1 Large White Onion 
• 1 Large Carrot 
• 3 Garlic Cloves 
• 1 Red Pepper
• 2 Celery Sticks 
• 100g Red Lentils 
• 150g Mixed Nuts
• 100g Cheddar Cheese 
• 150g Chestnut Mushrooms
• 3 Large Eggs 
• Chopped Flat Leaf Parsley 
• 2 tsp Smoked Paprika 
• 2 tsp Dried Oregano 
• 2 tbsp tomato puree
• 300ml vegetable stock 
• 100g breadcrumbs
• 1 tbsp Olive Oil

Method: 

For this recipe, you'll need a loaf tin lined with baking paper.

Step 1: Finely chop onion, garlic & celery and fry in 1 Tbsp of Olive Oil until softened 

Step 2: Add brown chestnut mushrooms and cook for an additional 10 minutes until softened.

Step 3: Add finely chopped red pepper & grated carrot, and cook for an additional 5 minutes.

Step 4: Add Seasonings & Spices 

Step 5: Add lentils and tomato puree and stir for 1 minute, before adding the vegetable stock - simmer o gentle heat until the liquid has been absorbed (20-30 minutes)

Step 6: Preheat the oven to 180C/ fan 160C/ gas 4

Step 7: After the mixture has cooled, stir in the breadcrumbs, mixed nuts, beaten eggs, mature cheddar & parsley.

Step 8: Stir the mixture into the prepared tin and press down

Step 9: Cover with foil and bake for 30 minutes - remove foil and bake for an additional 20 minutes (50-minute bake time total) 

Easy Roasted Cauliflower 

Want a simple yet flavourful centrepiece? Our roasted cauliflower recipes are the perfect solution. It takes minimum preparation, but still tastes amazing! 

Ingredients:

•  1 whole cauliflower (leaves removed and stalk trimmed) 
• 3 tbsp Vegetable Oil
• 2 tsp mixed herbs 
• 2 tsp smoked paprika 
• 2 tsp garlic granules
• 1/2 lemon juiced 
• chopped flat-leaf parsley 

Method: 

Step 1: Par boil the cauliflower for 3-5 minutes - allowing it to air dry for 5 minutes to remove any excess water.

Step 2: Preheat the oven to 220C/200C fan/gas 7

Step 3: Mix together the herbs & oil to create a marinade

Step 4: Brush over the marinade on the cauliflower, placing it in a deep roasting tin. Pour over the entire mixture. 

Step 5: Roast for 25 minutes and baste, returning to the oven for an additional 30 minutes 

For more delicious centrepiece ideas, why not take a look at our vegan Christmas dinner blog, where we cook a completely vegan mince & onion pie or a classic meat-free wellington