This Christmas was different for a couple of reasons.
Firstly, it was the first full Christmas Day I can remember that I’ve had all to myself: my children having spent the day with their mum. So the flat, the TV schedule, and all of the food supplies, were mine alone. A truly novel experience. (Full disclosure: my free reign of the flat meant not showering til after 11am and listening to Westlife on full volume. Control of the TV resulted in a viewing order of The Irishman, followed by a Columbo and then Dolly Parton’s Heart Strings. Don’t judge).
Secondly, it was my first Christmas as a vegan. It’s a daunting prospect to approach such an occasion knowing that one of its central enjoyments – all the eating – will be compromised. However, I had planned well in advance, spotting early in November that Asda was doing a range of vegan festive foods. So when it came time, I ordered a vegan wellington, some cocktail sausages, and some cranberry stuffing balls.
I fully lowered my expectations, already recognising the hit-and-miss nature of meat free sausages. And having no idea what a wellington was going to do for me. Or to me.
To try and balance the impending culinary disappointment, I put a lot more effort into the trimmings. I went all out on the roasties; I cooked my parsnips and carrots in a balsamic vinegar and maple syrup glaze; and I sauteed my sprouts with roasted chestnuts and diced vegan sausages. It was, without doubt, the most attention I have ever afforded my festive vegetables.
Absolute honesty – the meal wasn’t as good as a traditional carnivore Christmas dinner. Nothing can truly replace pigs in blankets, or fresh baked gammon. However, the point here was not to replace, but to try and create something fresh and novel, with new flavours and a different approach. And in that sense, it really worked. The vegan food I ordered was a lot better than I expected. And, perhaps more importantly, the new effort I put into all the other elements made it all much more rewarding.
Any longstanding tradition is a bugger to change. And there are few culinary traditions in western culture like the Christmas dinner. Taking it on alone though, allowed me to change things up without annoying anyone else; without having to bear the sarcastic ridicule of my ‘rabbit food’ wellington.
And I was able to listen to ‘Flying Without Wings’ at full blast!
Read my (slightly) more in-depth review of the food I ordered here >
