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Vegetarian/Vegan Thanksgiving Dinner Recipes (Gluten/Lactose free!)

Happy Vegetarian Thanksgiving!

By , About.com Guide

These Vegetarian Thanksgiving recipes from the Thai kitchen are delicious and beautiful to serve. With their use of seasonal vegetables, these dishes compliment the colors and natural abundance of the season. Find everything from appetizers to soup and main course, plus vegan desserts that are sure to please both the eye and the taste-buds. Happy Vegetarian Thanksgiving!

1. APPETIZER/ FINGER FOOD: Corn Fritters (Vegetarian/Gluten-free)

Corn Fritters AppetizerD.Schmidt
Nothing says autumn quite like corn, and these Thai Corn Fritters are a real treat made. The corn fritter batter takes only minutes to stir together, then just drop spoonfuls into hot oil and fry for a few minutes. Makes a great finger food, and kids love them too. Serve with Thai Sweet Chili Sauce as a dip, which now seems to be available in most grocery stores - look for it in the Asian section. Enjoy!

2. APPETIZER/FINGER FOOD: Vegetarian Spring Rolls

Thai Spring RollsD.Schmidt

Brimming with vegetables and lots of flavor, these spring rolls make a great appetizer or party food. And they're surprisingly easy to make. Get some help from your children or guests with the rolling, and you'll be crunching on these delicious spring rolls in no time.

3. APPETIZER: Dumplings with Mushroom, Ginger, & Coriander (Vegan)

Steamed DumplingsD.Schmidt
For a vegetarian dim sum treat, try these delicious Thai Steamed Dumplings made with a shiitake mushroom-tofu filling. You can either serve them steamed, or fry them up at the end for pot-stickers (goyzas) - either way, they're fantastic!

4. SOUP: Vegan Thai Pumpkin Coconut Soup (Gluten/Lactose-free)

Thai Pumpkin SoupCopyright Darlene A. Schmidt, 11/23/09
In Thailand, pumpkin and coconut milk are commonly paired up to make a variety of soups, curries, and even sweet dishes. Here they are combined with a lightly curried soup that makes for a wonderful vegetarian/vegan entree - similar to those served at your favorite Thai or Vietnamese restaurant.

5. SOUP: Tofu-Noodle Soup with Lemongrass (Vegan/Gluten-free)

Thai Tofu-Lemongrass Noodle SoupD.Schmidt
This delicious recipe offers restaurant-quality Thai noodle soup in just a few steps. Your guests will love this warming and slightly creamy Thai soup.

6. SALAD: Easy Thai Cucumber Salad (Vegan/Gluten-free)

Easy Thai Cucumber SaladCopyright Darlene A. Schmidt

For a delicious vegetarian Thai salad, try my easy Thai Cucumber Salad. This salad achieves all of the flavor and taste of non-vegetarian Cucumber Salad without resorting to using fish sauce or shrimp paste, plus it's virtually fat free!  Super easy to make, this salad goes well with nearly any type of main course dish, whether you're serving Thai food or not.  Enjoy!

7. SIDE DISH OR MAIN COURSE: New Thai Yellow Pumpkin & Sweet Potato Curry

Pumpkin & Sweet Potato CurryCopyright Darlene A. Schmidt
his Pumpkin & Sweet Potato Curry is beautiful to serve and so delicious. Makes for a flavorful side dish, but is also a meal unto itself. Chickpeas can be added as a additional protein source, making this a perfect main course for vegetarians/vegans (it was tested both with and without the chickpeas - delicious both ways!).

8. MAIN COURSE: Thai Pumpkin Curry with Citrus Notes (Vegan/Gluten-free)

Thai Pumpkin Curry (Infused with Citrus)D.Schmidt
This vegetarian curry offers the bright colours of autumn - orange, yellow, and red - together in a curry infused with citrus accents. You'll love the unique taste of this curry, as well as its healthy combination of vegetables, including pumpkin or squash, yam/sweet potato, carrots, yellow bell pepper, and cherry tomatoes. Add chick peas as a protein source, then finish the dish with a sprinkling of pumpkin seeds and nasturium flowers for a gourmet curry recipe that's as beautiful as it is delicious. Makes a

9. SIDE DISH: Coconut-Saffron Rice

Coconut Saffron RiceD.Schmidt

This pretty yellow rice is just the right color to serve for a fall dinner party.  And it's easy to make, too - you don't need a rice cooker. Just combine everything together in a pot and you'll have beautiful coconut rice in just 20 minutes!

10. SIDE DISH: Easy Coconut Rice

Coconut Rice blogCopyright Darlene A. Schmidt, 10/22/10, About.com corp.

Coconut Rice is popular with everyone, and goes well with any type of curry or other Asian dish you might be cooking up.  It's very easy to make, and as a bonus, it will stay warm for up to 2 hours on your stovetop - perfect for dinner parties!  Just follow the steps for fantastic coconut rice in just 15 minutes.

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