Christmas Eve is traditionally a time for conviviality and fish dishes, but more and more people are choosing to celebrate this special holiday with a completely plant-based menu.
For this reason, we have decided to publish a 100% vegan Christmas menu featuring mushrooms, a versatile and flavorful ingredient that can transform any dish into something special.
Get ready to impress your guests with these eight courses that demonstrate how vegan cuisine can be refined, tasty, and perfect for special occasions.
Appetizers
1. Crostini with Porcini Mushrooms and Truffle Cream
Ingredients (for 6 people):
- 12 slices of rustic bread
- 300g fresh porcini mushrooms
- 2 cloves of garlic
- 150g creamy tofu
- 30g black truffle
- Fresh parsley
- Extra virgin olive oil
- Salt and pepper to taste
Preparation:
Clean the mushrooms (for this recipe we chose porcini, but they can be replaced with any other type of mushroom) with a damp cloth and slice them thinly. In a pan, brown the garlic in oil, add the mushrooms and cook for 10 minutes. Meanwhile, blend the tofu with the truffle until smooth. Toast the bread slices, spread the tofu and truffle cream on them, and top with sautéed mushrooms and fresh parsley.
2. Warm Salad of Honey Mushrooms and Pomegranate
Ingredients (for 6 people):
- 400g honey mushrooms
- 2 pomegranates
- 150g arugula
- 50g toasted pine nuts
- Balsamic vinegar
- Extra virgin olive oil
- Salt and pepper to taste
Preparation:
Clean the mushrooms and cook them in a pan with oil and salt for 15 minutes. Deseed the pomegranates. In a salad bowl, place the arugula, add the warm mushrooms, pomegranate seeds, and pine nuts. Dress with oil and balsamic vinegar.
Main Courses
1. Risotto with Mixed Forest Mushrooms
Ingredients (for 6 people):
- 400g Carnaroli rice
- 500g mixed mushrooms (porcini, chanterelles, pioppini)
- 1 onion
- 1L vegetable broth
- 200ml white wine
- Fresh parsley
- Extra virgin olive oil
- Salt and pepper to taste
Preparation:
Sauté the chopped onion in oil. Add the cleaned and chopped mushrooms and cook for 10 minutes. Toast the rice, deglaze with wine. Continue cooking by adding the broth gradually. At the end of cooking, stir in a drizzle of oil and chopped parsley.
2. Lasagna with Champignon Mushrooms and Almond Bechamel
Ingredients (for 6 people):
- 500g vegan lasagna sheets
- 800g champignon mushrooms
- For the bechamel:
- 1L almond milk
- 80g flour
- 80g oil
- Nutmeg
- Salt to taste
Preparation:
Prepare the bechamel by heating the oil, adding the flour, and then the almond milk gradually. Cook the mushrooms in a pan. Alternate layers of pasta, mushrooms, and bechamel in a baking dish. Bake at 180°C for 30 minutes.
Second Courses
1. Portobello Mushrooms Stuffed with Quinoa and Vegetables
Ingredients (for 6 people):
- 6 large portobello mushrooms
- 200g quinoa
- 2 carrots
- 1 zucchini
- 1 bell pepper
- Fresh thyme
- Extra virgin olive oil
- Salt and pepper to taste
Preparation:
Cook the quinoa in salted water. Dice the vegetables and sauté them in a pan. Clean the mushrooms and remove the stem. Stuff the mushrooms with the quinoa and vegetable mix. Bake at 180°C for 20 minutes.
2. Lentil and Shiitake Mushroom Loaf
Ingredients (for 6 people):
- 300g dried lentils
- 200g shiitake mushrooms
- 100g breadcrumbs
- 2 onions
- Rosemary
- Soy sauce
- Extra virgin olive oil
- Salt and pepper to taste
Preparation:
Cook the lentils, drain, and blend them. Finely chop the mushrooms and cook them with the onion. Combine all ingredients, form a loaf, and bake at 180°C for 40 minutes.
Desserts
1. Chocolate Cake with Reishi Mushrooms
Ingredients:
- 300g flour
- 200g sugar
- 50g cocoa powder
- 10g reishi mushroom powder
- 250ml soy milk
- 100ml vegetable oil
- 1 packet baking powder
- Vanilla
Preparation:
Mix the dry ingredients, add the liquid ones. Pour into a baking dish and bake at 180°C for 35 minutes. The reishi mushrooms will give a unique flavor and beneficial properties.
2. Cinnamon Cookies with Champignon Powder
Ingredients:
- 250g flour
- 100g sugar
- 100g coconut oil
- 5g champignon mushroom powder
- Cinnamon
- Water as needed
Preparation:
Knead all ingredients until a homogeneous dough is obtained. Shape the cookies and bake at 170°C for 15 minutes. The mushroom powder will add a unique flavor and a touch of umami.
A Table for Everyone!
This menu shows how it is possible to create a completely vegan Christmas Eve dinner without sacrificing taste and elegance. Mushrooms, in their various varieties, offer endless creative possibilities and guarantee rich and satisfying flavors. Whether you are a long-time vegan or simply curious to try new flavors, these recipes will allow you to celebrate Christmas in a sustainable, ethical, and delicious way.
Bon appétit and happy holidays!