Alternate Thanksgiving Recipes

You probably wouldn't see the following recipes at a traditional Thanksgiving dinner, but hey, if you're eating vegetarian, you're probably not traditional anyway!

Walnut Oatmeal Burger
(from the Laurel's Kitchen cookbook)

This recipe won't fool anyone by the taste, but it sure looks like hamburger and has a meat-like texture.

SERVES 4
COST: $1.00 per serving (not including buns or toppings)*

3/4 cup walnuts
1 c. quick oats
2 eggs
1/4 c. milk
onion, chopped fine
1/2 tsp. sage
1/2 tsp. salt
black pepper to taste
oil to brown patties
2 c. vegetable stock

• Grind walnuts in a blender and combine with oats, eggs, milk, onion, sage, salt, and pepper. Form about 6 patties.
• Brown patties on both sides in a lightly oiled skillet, then pour the stock into the skillet and bring to a boil.
• Reduce heat and simmer, covered, for 25 minutes.
• Serve on buns with "the fixin's" or crumble and use as you would hamburger in chili beans, spaghetti sauce, etc. (We also eat it with gravy like in the last recipe.

Vegetarian Collard Greens

Traditional Southern-style collard greens are made with smoked ham hocks. This recipe makes up for that flavor with smoked sesame oil and red pepper flakes. It's delicious!

1 bunch baby collards
water
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 tablespoon smoked sesame oil
2 vegetarian boullion cubes
2 tsp. garlic
1 Tbsp. lemon juice
1 1/2 teaspoons salt
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes

• Wash the collard greens in a big sink of water.
• Cut the leaves from the stems, chop the leaves, and place in a large pot.
• Fill the pot with water. Add the rest of the ingredients.
• Bring the water to a boil and then simmer for about an hour, stirring occasionally. When done, the greens should be tender and dark green.
• Drain and serve.

Roasted Potatoes

1 1/2 pounds of new red potatoes, cubed
1 onion, sliced
2 Tbsp. oil
1 Tbsp. lemon juice
2 tsp. garlic
1 tsp. rosemary
2 tsp. oregano
salt and pepper

• Preheat oven to 450 degrees.
• Combine potato and onion in a baking dish.
• Mix together oil, lemon juice, garlic, rosemary, oregano, salt and pepper. Drizzle mixture over potatoes.
• Bake for 30 minutes or until vegetables are tender and brown on the edges.

*Costs are estimates based on prices in my area. Your costs may vary.