Desserts

(Tip: Ground flaxseed instead of eggs is a staple in plant-based baking. One $4 bag will give you a lot of egg substitute.)

These pumpkin cookies are so yummy and are good with spelt flour if you don’t need gluten free and I usually just use any chocolate chips. https://beamingbaker.com/gluten-free-vegan-pumpkin-chocolate-chip-cookies-healthy/
I make these all the time instead of brownies. I use dates instead of cranberries for the dried fruit. They come together fast in the food processor https://www.bluezones.com/recipe/cranberry-peanut-butter-bars/
I made this for Halloween this year and didn’t tell anyone it was tofu. They loved it! I left out the banana. https://cooking.nytimes.com/recipes/1015404-vegan-pumpkin-cheesecake
These are good if you’re just really craving pecan pie. I like Earth Balance best for vegan butter. Almost every recipe I make from this site turns out delicious. https://minimalistbaker.com/pecan-pie-bars-vegan-gluten-free/
These came really close to German chocolate cake. https://www.veganricha.com/german-chocolate-cookies/#recipe
This is the cake I made for Matt’s pastor anniversary reception. I used spelt flour and more like 5 cups of apples and I substituted coconut sugar. The nutritional information is off a lot as one cake fed the whole church not 4 servings. I got my recipe from the NY Times but you need a subscription, but this is the same one. https://www.diningandcooking.com/26812/allergen-free-warm-apple-apricot-cake/
This was a delicious dessert when I wanted to serve something a little healthier. https://www.vibrantplate.com/vegan-cinnamon-baked-apples/

Breads

This was decadent, but I just use a bag of hazelnut flour from the grocery to simplify. Jessie May is my niece! https://jessie-may.com/posts/cherry-chocolate-hazelnut-zucchini-bread
I’ve made a lot of good plant based pumpkin breads. Here’s one example: https://thevegan8.com/best-vegan-pumpkin-bread/#recipe

Salad

For an authentic plant-based meal there are always lots of fresh vegetables and fruits.

I really like the recipes from the Blue Zone website. This is for Chickpea Sweet Potato Salad with a Homemade Caesar Dressing. https://meals.bluezones.com/recipe/56c4971af83f55a2e4d91b9d
I make this salad a lot for special occasions as it’s very festive. I leave off the cheese to make it plant based. It offers healthy whole grains. https://pinchandswirl.com/farro-salad-with-green-olives-hazelnuts-and-raisins/

Appetizers

This are my favorite guacamole and hummus recipes. My family loves these.

Main Course

This tastes so much like regular sloppy joes but made from lentils. Super yummy! https://minimalistbaker.com/vegan-sloppy-joes/#wprm-recipe-container-35325
I make this one a lot for guests and it’s always a hit. The fresh basil is so delicious. I use a jar of marinara sauce and just buy vegan parmesan to go on top. https://thevegan8.com/amazing-vegan-baked-ziti/
Eric loves this recipe and he can’t even tell it’s not meat. It takes some time to make the BBQ sauce so sometimes I just use a jar of pre-made, but if you have the time the homemade is good. https://www.veganosity.com/smoky-southern-style-meatless-meatloaf/
This chili is easy to make, and the lemon cream sauce is fantastic https://thevegan8.com/vegan-pumpkin-chipotle-chili/

If you’re looking for more inspiration for really healthy, whole food, plant-based recipes for your holiday meals this year try some of these: https://www.forksoverknives.com/menus-collection-vegan-thanksgiving-recipes/

Here are some of my favorite international plant-based recipes that I have collected from my travels with Friends International Medical Teams.

Domoda is a staple in The Gambia. This is good with brown rice.
Harira Soup is a Moroccan tradition. This is probably one of my most all time favorite recipes.
Mung Bean Curry I learned about mung beans in Kenya and found them at Natural Grocer.