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Christmas is the season for opening your heart and soul and giving to others, which also makes it a perfect opportunity to make something special for the vegetarians in your life. Despite the healthy images of carrots and tofu that come to mind when you think about vegetarians, most vegetarians love the rich, caloric, and delicious treats that we all associate with the holidays.

Its important that you know the dietary limitations of your vegetarian guests, and if you don't, you should probably try to provide them with dishes that contain no animal products at all, just to be safe. Luckily, this is much easier than you think, and the added benefit is that you will end up with some healthier versions of Christmastime favorites!

Sweet potato casserole is a favorite of pretty much everyone, and to make sure that it meets the needs of your vegetarian friends, use a crumble topping made of margarine (or oil), brown sugar, and flour, instead of the marshmallows. If your vegetarian doesn't eat dairy or eggs, replace milk with soy milk or almond milk, and skip adding eggs all together, just add a teaspoon of cornstarch and a tablespoon of soy milk per egg.

Most vegetable recipes that call for bacon or other meat flavorings are just as good without. You can add richer flavor by cooking the veggies in vegetarian broth or adding a little extra virgin olive oil.

Speaking of vegetarian broth, veggie bouillon cubes are inexpensive, available at any grocery store, and help make your dishes taste great for everyone. Using veggie bouillon in stuffing, rice, or other savory recipes will make them flavorful, moist, and no one at the table will think that they are missing out on meat.

The main dish is typically a concern for most people. If you are at a total loss, you can buy a Tofurky and follow the directions on the box. The most important thing is to choose a main dish that doesn't seem like its just another side dish. If you have a "real" meal for your vegetarian, he or she will be thrilled. Things that are easy for a non-veggie to make and are appreciated by everyone include lasagna, hearty stews, and casseroles. You can make these just the same as you would normally, but head to the refrigerated or frozen natural section of the grocery store to find vegetarian ground beef, "chicken" strips, or soy sausage. Some of the better brands include Lightlife, Boca, and Morningstar.

While dessert should be a breeze, if your vegetarian friend is a devout vegan, you might have some concerns. Fruit pies are very easy to "veganize," just replace butter with a non-dairy margarine, like Canoleo or Earth Balance. If you are buying a frozen piecrust, check the ingredient list: many of the brand name crusts are still made with lard!
Consider buying a non-dairy ice cream, like Toffutti or So Delicious, to top your vegan's pie, as they can't indulge in Cool Whip or whipped cream.

Christmas is stressful enough without having to worry about having to learn an entirely different style of cooking, but thankfully, you can make delicious foods for your vegetarian guest without having to make several extra dishes or drastically changing your favorite recipes!

Learn more about this author, Jody Barnes.
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