Chilling at the clinic again!

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That acupuncture doll has freaked me out for the last three and a half years.  Probably because he is butt naked.  There are acupuncture points in places you would not believe.

 

On a more serious note, today I tried my first attempt at making a veganized Thanksgiving side dish.  This will be my second Thanksgiving as a vegetarian, and it’s actually not too bad – the side dishes are the best part, anyway.  But it is my first year with a mainly ovo-vegetarian Husband (which we have discovered is the proper term for his eating style; it means he is basically a vegan who eats eggs).  For the next few weeks, I’ll be featuring trials of some new veganized/vegetarian Thanksgiving side dishes.

 

Here’s my first attempt!

 

Lean, Green Casserole Machine

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Ingredients (for four large servings):

 

  • 3 cups green beans
  • 1/2 red onion
  • 2 tablespoons garlic
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 package sliced portabella mushrooms
  • 1 can large butter beans, rinsed and drained
  • 1/4 cup soy milk
  • Pepper and salt

 

Directions:

 

  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
  • Prepare green beans by rinsing, trimming, and chopping into bite-sized pieces.  Place beans in pot of water and bring to boil for 20 minutes.

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  • Meanwhile thinly slice 1/2 red onion.   Combine sliced onions, garlic, and olive oil in a hot wok and cook until browned.

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  • Rinse mushrooms and combine mushrooms with onion mix in a large bowl.  Set aside.
  • Rinse and drain a can of large butter beans.  Use your hands to mash the beans thoroughly to create a paste.

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  • Combine beans, soy milk, pepper, and salt with the onions and mushrooms.  Mix thoroughly.
  • Once green beans have boiled to the point of softness, drain and mix with the rest of the ingredients.
  • Grease a casserole dish and pour the mix in.

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  • Bake at 350 for 40 minutes.
  • Remove and serve.

 

I really liked the Lean, Green Casserole Machine (which was envisioned as a vegan green bean casserole of sorts).  It doesn’t hold its shape very well as a casserole typically does, but it QUITE delicious. 

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I ate about 1/4 of the recipe with baked tofu (I just pressed some extra firm tofu on it and threw some hot sauce and olive oil on it – baked at 350 for 40 minutes with the casserole) and bread.

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And for dessert, a blondie from Homemade by Amanda.

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What’s your favorite part of Thanksgiving?  Mine is Corn Casserole!!!

{ 78 comments }

 

  • Deva (Voracious Vorilee) October 21, 2010, 8:43 pm

    I enjoy getting to see my family. And the pie 🙂

  • holly @ couchpotatoathlete October 21, 2010, 8:56 pm

    I love sweet potato casserole with the mini marshmallows. And regular old green bean casserole with the french fried onions on top. And the pumpkin pie of course.

    Basically the entire meal is something I look forward to all year long 🙂

  • faith @ gracefulfitness October 21, 2010, 8:58 pm

    Stuffing, without a doubt! I am vegetarian and usually make it with butternut squash, onions, celery, mushrooms, and some super hearty whole wheat bread (I tried Ezekiel once but it was a little too much chew). Love it!
    I am going to try the green beans though, that looks awesome!

  • Jess October 21, 2010, 9:03 pm

    mashed potatoes! 🙂

  • Evan Thomas October 21, 2010, 9:03 pm

    My favorite Thanksgiving side is the stuffing! This is going to be my first Thanksgiving gluten-free, so I’m sure I’m going to miss it 🙁 At least I’ve come up with a quinoa recipe which is sort-of, kind-of like stuffing.

    • Ellen October 21, 2010, 9:10 pm

      evan, no need to miss out. i’ll be making an adaptation of this stuffing for thanksgiving:
      http://glutenfreegirl.blogspot.com/2006/11/this-is-gluten-free-stuffing-we-will.html

      • Jen October 21, 2010, 10:12 pm

        Evan Thomas – go look on http://www.crockpot365.blogspot.com – not only are all her recipes gluten free, they’re all made in the crockpot! If you do a search for stuffing, you’ll find a couple of her recipes. I made one last Thanksgiving and it was freaking to die for…I would’ve been happy just eating bowls full of it, screw the turkey, lol.

  • Alexa @ The Girl In Chucks October 21, 2010, 9:04 pm

    My favorite part of Thanksgiving dinner is stuffing. Without a doubt. I would eat stuffing every day of the year if my jeans would allow it! 😉

  • Kristina @ spabettie October 21, 2010, 9:08 pm

    STUFFING !!

    we have the BEST stuffing recipe in my family… it is unique and flavorful and I *WILL* be making it gluten free and vegan again this year… cannot wait – it is literally the start of the Holiday Season for me, when I smell that cooking…

  • Jen October 21, 2010, 9:08 pm

    I make some pretty good pumpkin oatmeal raisin cookies!

  • Ellen October 21, 2010, 9:09 pm

    mine is definitely a family specialty called “corn bake”! which, coincidentally i am making for dinner tonight. this is my first holiday season gluten free, and my wonderful family is going GF with me for thanksgiving. this is so that i don’t need to miss out on my favorites and there are fewer cross contamination issues (and they can still stuff the turkey, etc.) HOWEVER, i don’t want any one to feel like they’re missing out, so i’m doing a test run of a gluten free version of the family favorite tonight. hopefully it is just as good as the original!

    special diets can be really isolating, so it’s great to have understanding family members when it comes to the holidays. it’s really great that you go to the trouble to accommodate the husbands preferences!

  • Lily @ Lily's Health Pad October 21, 2010, 9:09 pm

    I may be the only person in the USA who does not get excited about Thanksgiving. I don’t enjoy the turkey, the stuffing, the gravy, the green beans…nothing. I do like sweet potatoes though!

  • chelsey @ clean eating chelsey October 21, 2010, 9:10 pm

    My favorite part of thankgiving used to be the broccoli cheese caserole – but I can’t eat it. So, I’m thinking about making a veganized/gluten free version of it this year.

  • Tina @ Faith Fitness Fun October 21, 2010, 9:10 pm

    Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday by far. I love that it focuses more on the celebration of time spent with loved ones. And side dishes are by far the best part. I love the deviled eggs and sweet potatoes. 😀

  • Amy October 21, 2010, 9:11 pm

    STUFFING!!!!! When I went veggie 4ish years ago, it was no big deal filling up that extra space on my Thanksgiving plate, because to be honest the turkey was always just getting in the way of me and my stuffing love affair. 🙂 YUM!

  • Liza October 21, 2010, 9:11 pm

    That looks delicious! I am the only vegetarian in my family so I always cook at least two things I can eat. My favorite is sweet potato casserole with candied pecans. Love it!

  • rebecca lustig October 21, 2010, 9:15 pm

    this will be my third thanksgiving as a vegetarian! i loveee the sweet potato with marshmallow topping or candied pecans. and the vegetarian stuffing. omg so excited.

  • Amanda (Eating Up) October 21, 2010, 9:15 pm

    I’m making Thanksgiving this year too! I’m gonna try to sneak in vegan food where I can for my meat-eating family. I’m thinking about making her pumpkin pie! http://blog.fatfreevegan.com/2006/10/and-answer-is.html

  • Rachael October 21, 2010, 9:16 pm

    I did three Thanksgiving as a vegan, and we still cook a ton of vegan options these days for friends – I was always struck by how much more creative my dishes and those brought potluck style were when there wasn’t an emphasis on a big ol’ turkey!
    Pumpkin pie. Hands-down. My nickname is, embarrassingly enough, Punkin, so I’m biased 🙂

  • Kjirsten- Balanced Healthy Life October 21, 2010, 9:17 pm

    My favorite dish at Thanksgiving are the sweet potatoes and also I love the garlic and herb green beans! Amazing!!!! : )

  • Michele October 21, 2010, 9:18 pm

    Caitlin, do you ever “crave” meat anymore or processed food?? I haven’t been able to figure out ‘protein’ to sustain me when I try to give up meat (and I don’t eat a ton of meat). I tried doing tofu in the oven but it turned out AWFUL!!! 🙁

    • Caitlin October 22, 2010, 6:50 am

      Well I eat processed foods now, I guess you mean like fast food? I definitely do not crave fast foods, but I never really liked it. I guess I share Asian take out a lot? LOL I don’t really care meat a lot either. Sometimes I want fish but that’s it. I watched Food Inc and the Earthling’s trailer (didn’t even need to watch the whole movie) and that pretty much eliminated all meat cravings.

      Have you tried my Perfect Bake Tofu recipe? It’s pretty good!

  • Erin (Travel, Eat, Repeat) October 21, 2010, 9:19 pm

    No competition — it’s all about the mashed potatoes! 😀

  • Cynthia (It All Changes) October 21, 2010, 9:22 pm

    Thank you so much for this series. I’m an ovo-vegan too and I never know how to explain it to people.

  • Britney October 21, 2010, 9:22 pm

    How funny! I’ve just been looking at green bean casserole recipes because I want to make one tomorrow! I’m going to be spending Thanksgiving with my friend’s family this year and I plan to bring a vegetarian (possibly vegan) side dish so I’m sure that I’ll have plenty to eat (in addition to dessert, of course!).

    Stuffing is my favorite part of Thanksgiving!

  • Carly October 21, 2010, 9:22 pm

    Mashed potatoes! Yum! And pie. I love me some pie.

  • Liz @ Blog is the New Black October 21, 2010, 9:25 pm

    Impressed with your casserole!

  • Michelle (The Runner's Plate) October 21, 2010, 9:26 pm

    I love seeing my family (which actually won’t be happening this year) and pumpkin pie!

  • Kelly October 21, 2010, 9:27 pm

    I love stuffing and mashed potatoes. The stuffing I/my family makes is vegan- we aren’t vegans but we like it that way 🙂

  • sarah k. @ the pajama chef October 21, 2010, 9:27 pm

    i love cranberry sauce! YUM!

  • Jamie @ Food in Real Life October 21, 2010, 9:30 pm

    my mom’s mushroom stuffing is my absolute favorite part! It’s vegetarian too!

  • tina October 21, 2010, 9:31 pm

    oooo i’m excited to see what you come up with!!! last year, i made a 2 bean soup and sweet potato fries…

    this year i’m thinking of a pumpkin black bean soup, and possibly a mushroom pie?

  • maria @ Chasing the Now October 21, 2010, 9:31 pm

    My favorite is definitely dessert. Pumpkin pie!!!

  • Carolyn @ eatlivebewell. wordpress.com October 21, 2010, 9:43 pm

    Yay for vegan cuisine!

  • Camille October 21, 2010, 9:47 pm

    I don’t even feel bad about saying that the pie is the best part. Without a doubt!

  • Samantha Angela @ Bikini Birthday October 21, 2010, 9:50 pm

    A couple of weeks ago I made several dishes for our Thanksgiving that were vegan:

    * a really great white bean puree (which is a protein substitute for mashed potatoes)
    *spinach with onions, pine nuts, and raisins
    *an orzo salad with black olives and raisins
    *apple and squash soup
    *homemade roasted garlic & potato bread

    http://gamereviewwiki.com/bikinibirthday/2010/10/11/happy-thanksgiving/

  • Stephanie October 21, 2010, 9:51 pm

    Our homemade hazelnut, sage & mushroom stuffing – made from crusty bread, it’s the most amazing side dish ever!

  • Annie@stronghealthyfit October 21, 2010, 9:53 pm

    Looks awesome! i love stuffing, mashed sweet potatoes, and pie of course!

  • Gina October 21, 2010, 9:56 pm

    I love, love, love sweet potatoes. This is going to be my first vegetarian Thanksgiving! I;m so excited 🙂

  • Katherine @ Left Coast Contessa October 21, 2010, 10:00 pm

    homemade cranberry sauce for sure!

  • diana October 21, 2010, 10:10 pm

    hmm i have to say the stuffing!

  • Heather @ Side of Sneakers October 21, 2010, 10:13 pm

    Sweet potatoes with walnuts & coconut….but really the best part is just the topping served on top of ice cream 🙂

  • lisasfoods October 21, 2010, 10:20 pm

    I love mashed sweet potatoes. But no marshmallow topping, thank you. They’re plenty sweet and delicious on their own.

  • Grapeful October 21, 2010, 10:30 pm

    Hey Caitlin,

    Have you seen this?

    http://www.cnn.com/2010/LIVING/10/21/no.fat.talk.week/index.html?eref=mrss_igoogle_cnn

    I’m surprised Operation Beautiful wasn’t mentioned!

    • Caitlin October 22, 2010, 6:52 am

      I love FTFW week! It’s so awesome.

  • Anna S @ History Running Girl October 21, 2010, 10:38 pm

    My favorite dish on Thanksgiving is DESSERT! Any kind. My family always goes to the Wisconsin Dells. The place we stay has an amazing buffet with tons of desserts.

    This casserole looks delicious.

  • Amanda @ Eat to Live, Live to Run October 21, 2010, 10:40 pm

    My favorite part of Thanksgiving is dressing with cranberry sauce and my mom’s green bean casserole, which is definitely not vegan. Lots of cheese involved!

    This year I’m thinking about making some of the recipes in the newest edition of Vegetarian Times. They have a Mushroom Shepherd’s Pie with wine reduction sauce that looks AMAZING!

  • Hope October 21, 2010, 10:43 pm

    Mmm I’m a stuffing kinda gal myself! This looks so good – esp your baked tofu! Your ‘perfect baked tofu’ helped convert me back to loving tofu so thanks!

  • Wei-Wei October 21, 2010, 10:47 pm

    I don’t celebrate thanksgiving, but I’m guessing the pumpkin pie or SWEET POTATOES would be the best part. 😀

  • caronae October 21, 2010, 10:50 pm

    I think that non-vegan (i.e., traditional) green bean casserole is my favorite dish. I would definitely try your vegan version too though! FYI: I have found that humus makes an amazing vegan creamy substitute!

    I actually hate a majority of Thanksgiving dishes: I despise stuffing, cranberries, dry turkey, and most types of mashed potatoes. I do like pie though!

  • Heather October 21, 2010, 11:08 pm

    Turkey legs with the skin on and mashed potatoes. And my Mom’s Broccoli/Cauliflower casserole…mmm, I can’t wait for T Day now!

  • TheHerBehindItAll October 21, 2010, 11:12 pm

    I absolutely love getting together with the family. I eat meat but am not a big fan of Thanksgiving turkey & ham [weird right?] I love stuffing, green bean casserole, and sweet potato casserole (:

  • John Black October 21, 2010, 11:13 pm

    Caitlin,
    I think I could eat anything you make,it all looks so good. Your next book should be a cookbook. Cherie has been eating some eggless egg salad. Maybe Christian can give it a try.
    Oh,put a hat on that dummy and give it a name. See ya soon.
    Love John

    • Caitlin October 22, 2010, 6:53 am

      <3 love you uncle johnny!

  • Rebecca October 21, 2010, 11:21 pm

    I love stuffing. I’d eat it every day if I could, probably. Not kidding, when we have stuffing, I have to pretty much force myself to take just a little so that everyone else gets! Haha.
    My mom also said today that I’d probably eat popcorn every day if I could… Popcorn and stuffing. Yes. Lol. 🙂
    Oh, and pumpkin pie. 😀

    Great, now I want it to be Thanksgiving… Haha. 🙂

  • Jessica @ The Process of Healing October 21, 2010, 11:49 pm

    By far, sweet potato souffle and dressing. I could make a meal just off of those!

  • amanda @ Hungry Vegan Traveler October 21, 2010, 11:50 pm

    Mashed potatoes and gravy! I usually make a chickpea or mushroom gravy.

  • Jessica October 22, 2010, 12:05 am

    Stuffing is my favorite side dish – topped with gravy … YUM! But, dessert is REALLY my favorite part of Thanksgiving 🙂

  • carlee October 22, 2010, 12:16 am

    Definitely pumpkin pie!
    but i also love stuffing, green bean casserole and mashed potatoes!
    im not sure there is anything i don’t like though!

  • Emily @ Relishments October 22, 2010, 5:51 am

    I think my favorite part of Thanksgiving is the stuffing…but there isn’t really anything I don’t like!
    I’ve never had corn casserole–maybe I should try it!

  • Sarah (Running to Slow Things Down) October 22, 2010, 6:20 am

    I love everything about Thanksgiving. It’s my favorite holiday, just because everything is so relaxed and fun. And the holiday doesn’t get overlooked by presents and gifts. 😉

  • Chelsea @ One Healthy Munchkin October 22, 2010, 7:51 am

    I think some of the best parts of Thanksgiving are vegetarian (and can be made ovo-vegetarian) – sweet potatoes, squash casseroles, stuffing, pumpkin pie! You’re not really missing out on anything!

  • Kristy October 22, 2010, 8:05 am

    Over the past few years Thanksgiving is working its way up the “best holiday” list – squash casserole is close to beating out Christmas 🙂

  • Amanda Davis October 22, 2010, 8:18 am

    definitely stuffing…can’t wait!

  • Meredith October 22, 2010, 9:03 am

    My favorite part of Thanksgiving is the stuffing! This will be my second year as a vegetarian during Thanksgiving, and I agree 100% – the sides are the best part. I have created a vegan dish that even my meat-loving husband likes, and in fact, requested it for this thanksgiving dinner. Here is the recipe:

    Wild Rice Salad with Rosemary Vinaigrette

    1.5 cups (uncooked) RiceSelect Royal Blend Whole Grain Rice (Texmati Brown and Wild Rice with Soft Wheat and Rye)
    3 stalks celery, finely diced
    ½ large red onion, finely diced
    1 cup red grapes, halved
    1 cup pitted dates, chopped
    1/3 cup dried cranberries
    1/3 cup slivered almonds
    Juice of 1 lemon
    2 sprigs fresh rosemary, finely chopped.
    2 Tbsp olive oil

    Cook rice, allow to cool a little. Combine all ingredients. Serve room temperature. Or make ahead and store in the fridge. The key to this recipe is to use a tasty and hearty rice blend. The fresh rosemary really makes the flavors pop. I hope you like it. 🙂

  • Kelsey October 22, 2010, 9:15 am

    The Thanksgiving Pot Pie by Vegandad is great to make/take to Thanksgiving. The recipe is on his blog. I made it twice last year as one large pot pie instead of mini ones and even all the meat eaters loved it! It has a lot of steps but I did most of the work ahead of time and just baked it on Thanksgiving. Sooo good!

  • Kelly October 22, 2010, 9:17 am

    The Stuffing!!! Oh and the pecan pie! 🙂

  • Cynthia October 22, 2010, 9:41 am

    My favorite part of Thanksgiving (besides the turkey) is the mac and cheese. Yummy!

  • Jocelyn @ EnthusiasticRunner October 22, 2010, 9:57 am

    PUMPKIN PIE! obviously.

  • Amber K October 22, 2010, 9:59 am

    My favorite part has ALWAYS been the rolls. Storebought, super big and SUPER chewy. This year is going to be very sad! 🙁

    I have never liked green bean casserole because people ALWAYS add mushrooms to it and I can’t stand them!

  • Clare @ Fitting It All In October 22, 2010, 11:11 am

    This is my first Thanksgiving as a vegetarian, and I’m trying to think of ways to create dishes for myself without upsetting my mother or changing the “traditions” for the rest of my family. I’m thinking a hearty lentil + veggie dish will work…and hopefully everyone else will try it?

  • Heather (Heather's Dish) October 22, 2010, 11:12 am

    i’m all about green bean casserole….the classic is always good, but i made a 100% homemade version last year that was INCREDIBLE!

  • Mary @ Bites and Bliss October 22, 2010, 6:35 pm

    Looks delicious!!

    My favorite part of Thanksgiving..ohh, I can’t choose. The day-long cooking fest, family, making new recipes, PUMPKIN PIE!! 😛

  • Melissa October 22, 2010, 6:55 pm

    I could definitely go without the dry turkey. Mirlaton stuffing, green bean casserole, and sweet tater casserole top my list of must haves for Thanksgiving! Wow it’s gonna be here in a month. Where did this year go!?!

  • Lacey @ Lake Life October 24, 2010, 2:38 pm

    My favorite Thanksgiving dish is “scalloped corn” which is basically canned corn, creamed corn, sour cream, corn muffin mix and cheese all mixed together and baked. I want some now!

  • Tanya @ Vegan Faith October 26, 2010, 3:54 pm

    This looks great and will be on my Thanksgiving menu! Can’t wait to try it out!

  • Brandi November 27, 2010, 12:58 am

    Howdy!! .!! Happy Thanksgiving!!! 🙂
    Thanksgiving is 1 of my favorite holidays, and every yr I like to get into the mood-extend the holiday, since it were-by reading “Thanksgiving novels.” And in addition, those stories are mostly about friends and family, about coming together to heal old hurts and giving thanks for the gift of love. . . “”
    Think You Are Much better Off These days Than You Were 4 Yrs Ago?

  • Mandee Lei November 30, 2010, 12:56 am

    I just wanted to tell you that I made this tonight and it was so good!! I really did have my doubts because I don’t really care for the original green bean casserole. I think it might be the condensed mushroom soup + those onion things on top that most people use. This was so absolutely delicious!!!

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