Christmas in July

I'm moving to France. They don't eat stuffing there. Or pumpkin pie (though they do eat a lot of savory pumpkin things. yum!). So in preparing myself mentally for this lack of holiday food, I realized the amazing opportunity I had. Stephen often likes direction/inspiration for Sunday dinners, and hell, I love themed parties. So glad we did it. I might make it a year and a half before I get my next helping of holiday food. I won't make it the same amount of time before re-watching Ernest's "Your World As I See It", which is how the night ended, dinner guests crowded around the tv. 


Le Menu


Stephen's Delicious Field-Roast Style Ham
Cornbread Stuffing
Pepper Gravy
Mac and Cheese Casserole
Pumpkin Pie

I dressed in my red sequin show choir dress, circa 2002, to honor...err be more festive. However, halfway through dinner I had to change. There was no room for food! 

Cornbread Stuffing

1 recipe vegan cornbread (Veganomicon)

4 cups veg broth

seasoning from a box of rice

prepared box of rice or packet of instant rice, heated

1/2 cup dried cranberries

1 acorn squash or sweet potato, roasted in the oven til tender

1/2 c chopped pecans

1 apple, cubed

2 stalks celery

1 onion, chopped

Mix together the cooked cornbread and the rest of the dry ingredients. Add salt and pepper. Mush with your hands or a wooden spoon to combine. Pour into 9x13 pan and pour veg broth over, making sure all is moist (more water or broth may be needed). Cover with foil and bake at 350 for several hours. 

Pepper Gravy

Margarine

Flour (could use Bob's Red Mill for GF)

Veggie Broth

salt and pepper

oregano

Over low heat, make a roux with the margarine and flour and add broth. Season at the end. People love gravy; make a lot!

Baked Mac and Cheese

(to fill a 9x13 pan, serves 8)

2 boxes GF pasta, prepared

2 packages Daiya Cheddar Cheese

1 red bell pepper, chopped

White Gravy*

Layer (twice) cooked pasta, then bell pepper, cheddar cheese and finally gravy. Cook, covered with foil until cheese is melted and gooey. Uncover and bake another 15 minutes. 350F

*White Gravy

Follow directions for pepper gravy but use white flour, non-dairy milk (look for very low sugar content), and margarine. Season with salt and pepper. 

Pumpkin Pie with Coconut Whip

recipe courtesy of Vegan Pie in the Sky, prepared according to instructions, though doubling (will have some filling left over. I made mini pies with it)

Sarah's thrifty find and 
a group decorating effort