The Vegan Table: 200 Unforgettable Recipes for Entertaining Every Guest at Every Occasion

304 Pages·2009·146.94 MB·English

by  Colleen Patrick-Goudreau

THE
THE
200
UNFORGETTABLE RECIPES
FOR ENTERTAINING EVERY GUEST
AT EVERY OCCASION
Colleen Patrick-Goudreau
MlIIWlIlD.
I!Y!RLY, ""I.ACHUI!rrl
Text © 2009 Colleen Patrick-Goudreau
First published in the USA in 2009 by
Fair Winds Press, a member of
Quayside Publishing Group
100 Cummings Center
Suite 406-L
Beverly, MA 01915-6101
www.fairwindspress.com
All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or
utilized, in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical,
without prior permission in writing from the publisher.
13 12 1110 09 1 2 3 4 5
ISBN-13: 978-1-59233-374-5
ISBN-10: 1-59233-374-5
Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data available
Patrick-Goudreau, Colleen.
The vegan table: 200 unforgettable recipes for entertaining
every guest at every occasion / Colleen Patrick-Goudreau.
p. cm.
Includes index.
ISBN-13: 978-1-59233-374-5
ISBN-10: 1-59233-374-5
1. Vegan cookery. 2. Menus. I. Title.
TX837.P338 2009
641.5'636--dc22
2008046152
Cover and book design: BradhamDesign.com
Photography: Glenn Scott Photography; images on pages 12, 58,
104,126, 148, 152, 196, 245, 246, 260 and
cover photo middle left: © 2008 Cheri M. Larsh
Food Stylist: Jennifer Costello
Printed and bound in Singapore
DEDICATION
My hope is that we can all navigate through this
world with the grace and integrity of those who
most need our protection.
May we have the sense of humor and liveliness
of the goats, the maternal instincts and protective
nature of the hens, and the sassiness of the roost
ers. May we have the gentleness and strength of
the cattle, the wisdom, serenity, and humility of the
donkeys. May we appreciate the need for commu
nity as do the sheep and choose our companions as
carefully as do the rabbits. May we have the faithful
ness and commitment to family of the geese and
the adaptability and affability of the ducks. May we
have the intelligence, loyalty, and affection of the
pigs and the inquisitiveness, sensitivity, and playful
ness of the turkeys.
May we learn from the animals what we need to
become better people.
J - - - - - -C O N T E N I S
INTRODUCTION: CHAPTER I:
Why Vegan Entertaining? 8 Cozy Coupling:
How 0 ead This Cookbook 10 ROMANTIC DINNERS
FORTWO
12
Spring Menus 18-27
Summer Menus 28-37
Autumn Menus 38-46
Winter Menus 47-56
CHAPTER 4: CHAPTER 5:
Let's Celebrate: Honoring Tradition:
MENUS FOR FEASTS FOR THE HOLIDAYS 196
SPECIAL OCCASIONS 148
Spring/Summer Menus 200-215
Spring Menus 153-165 Autumn/Winter Menus 216-241
Summer Menus 166-175
Autumn Menus 176-185
Winter Menus 186-195
CHAPTER 2: CHAPTER 3:
Fun with Friends: Pulling Out the Stops:
CASUAL MEALS FORMAL DINING
FOR FOUR TO SIX 58 FORSIXTOTEN 104
Spring Menus 64-71 Spring Menus 109-115
Summer Menus 72-81 Summer Menus 116-126
Autumn Menus 82-91 Autumn Menus 127-136
Winter Menus 92-103 Winter Menus 137-147
CHAPTER 6: RESOURCES AND RECOMMENDATIONS
Excuses to Party: FORTHE KITCHEN AND HOME 296
BUFFETS, HEAVY
Acknowledgments 297
APPETIZERS, AND
About the Author 298
FINGER FOOD 244
Index 299
INTRODUCTION
WHY VEGAN ENTERTAINING?
have always believed that the work we do in this world should reflect our pas
sions and skills. I never understood the notion that you have a life and then you
have a work life. To me, they never should be separate.
Although I always knew that I wanted my contribution to the world to help make
it better somehow, I didn't know how that desire would manifest itself. After I
received my master's degree in English Literature, I was invariably asked what
I would do with my degree. Having taught freshman English in graduate school,
I knew that working within the confines of someone else's curriculum wasn't for
me, and though literature was my first love, I wouldn't be satisfied pursuing a career
in academia.
I remember saying to myself, "I don't know what it's going to look like, but I want
to do something that involves writing, teaching, and animal rights." Be careful what
you wish for-you just might get it.
Determined to make a life (not just a living) and led by my passion for animal
rights, I built a vocation out of my activism, the foundation on which I now stand.
Everything I do stems from my desire to speak for those who cannot, to raise aware
ness about needless suffering, and to empower people to live authentically and
compassionately. Never did I imagine that cookbooks would be part of this picture.
When I was approached about writing a vegan baking cookbook, admittedly, the
activist in me resisted. In fact, I flat out declined. I didn't want to write a cookbook
for its own sake, and I knew it would require putting other projects aside. But
because I try to demystify vegan food every chance I get, I realized that a baking
cookbook was an opportunity to provide people with delicious, traditional, familiar
desserts, and it was something no one had ever done before in this way. And so,
The Joy of Vegan Baking was born.
When I was approached about writing a second cookbook, though flattered, I re
sisted again. I felt that there were a number of excellent vegan cookbooks on the
market, and I wanted to be sure my contribution was unique and valuable. When
the idea of writing a cookbook based on entertaining came along, I perked up. Here
8 THE VEGAN TABLE
was a chance to offer ideas, tips, tools, menus, and recipes for holidays and
occasions that have become meat-, egg-, and dairy-centric, and to reclaim food
traditions steeped in animal exploitation. And so, The Vegan Table was born.
When I told friends I was writing a book about entertaining, they responded with
enthusiasm but not surprise. Knowing my penchant for throwing parties, they
understood that it was the perfect fit.
I grew up with a mother who entertained constantly: small dinner gatherings,
festive birthdays, and large parties in the backyard that included
potato sack races, horseshoes, and badminton. You name it, she
hosted it. To my delight (and my husband's distress), I have
taken after my mother: I am an entertaining maniac. The only I HAVE TAKEN AFTER
difference is that animals are on the guest list, not on the menu.
My MOTHER: IAMAN
When my publisher and I threw around ideas for titles of
ENTERTAINING MANIAC
this book, the one thing I insisted on was that we not use the
THE ONLY DIFFERENCE .
phrase "vegan entertaining." To me, that phrase implies that
vegans employ some unique method of entertaining, when in IS THAT ANIMALS ARE
truth, they are just normal folk who want to celebrate occa
ON THE GUEST LIST.
,
sions and gather with friends, just like everyone else.
NOT ON THE MENU.
It would be disingenuous, however, to say there isn't some
thing special about a gathering where no animals were
harmed for the sake of our pleasure. When a sense of con-
sciousness informs our actions, when our intentions reflect kindness
and nonviolence, when our thoughts turn to someone else's needs rather than
our own desires, there is no denying that something profound takes place. In the
absence of suffering, there is peace. In the presence of compassion, there is joy.
That is "vegan entertaining."
Whether you are hosting an intimate gathering of close friends or a large cel
ebration with an open guest list, may this book serve as a guide. May you make
choices that reflect your deepest values, and may you find abundance and joy in
a life lived simply so that others may simply live.
9
HOW TO READ THIS COOKBOOK
have been teaching cooking for many years and am thrilled to share
these recipes with you, many of which have been developed and
perfected with my students. In the process of demonstrating recipes
to thousands of people, I have definitely learned that the more informa
tion you provide, the better.
Having said that, I do believe that a recipe is only a guide, and I encour
age you to make modifications (short of adding animal products!). If a
baked good is too sweet, reduce the sugar; if you want to use chickpea
flour instead of all-purpose, be my guest. The options are endless. I can
offer only so many variations.