I once flinched every time I heard the word vegan, assuming it meant less flavor and more judgey-ness. But Im a changed woman, thanks to my kids who eat only plants to help save the planet. To give them all the Thanksgiving classics without compromising on taste, I took my years of pro kitchen training, lessons from master chefs and endless research to create these dishes over months of test kitchen tinkering. Throughout the process, I had to convince myself this was a good idea. Heres how that conversation went in my head:

Why even bother with vegan cooking on Thanksgiving?

Because the holiday is as much about feeding family and friends as it is about food, and if even one of them doesnt eat meat, its nice to offer lots of options.

But I really want turkey on the table!

Good thing Ben Mims has such an awesome new recipe for one. If youre not going to do the bird, dont attempt a Tofurky. Thats just weird. Better to create this cornucopia of winter vegetables, which can be as showstopping as a big bird and carved like one too.

But can a vegan Thanksgiving taste good?

Can it?! Some of the best dishes Ive had in the last few years from superstar chefs have been vegan: Enrique Olveras ramen in black bean broth; Niki Nakayamas charred baby corn; Jean-Georges Vongerichtens beet tartare; Wes Avilas sweet potato tacos. Obviously, its possible (even if other chefs havent caught up).

But how can those high-end dishes translate into homey Thanksgiving dishes?

Its the philosophy that translates. Start with good produce and cook it right, balancing savory, sweet, acid, fat and heat, to make it tasty. The trick is to not think about whats missing, but what can be gained.

But dont you have to use weird substitutes to make vegan food?

Nope. Whole ingredients work just fine. Yes, I add nutritional yeast to mimic a creamy cheesiness, and chickpea cooking liquid is whipped like egg whites to create a marshmallow topping, but neither has long, sketchy ingredient lists.

Are you sure this doesnt require any weird ingredients?

Everything is easy to find in any supermarket. If youre cooking for strict vegans, use organic sugar (regular granulated sugar is often filtered through animal bone char to make it whiter... the more you know!).

Will this feel like Thanksgiving?

Definitely. These are the classic dishes in the traditional American cannon. An easy-to-mix poultry seasoning of dried herbs and spices will make the kitchen smell just like Thanksgiving. Aromatics such as onion and garlic plus umami-rich ingredients like mushrooms add the depth of flavor that comes from meat.

What if I only need to go so far as vegetarian?

These dishes work for any diet on the meatless scale, but you can substitute butter for oil in all the savory recipes. You can make an all-butter pie crust if youd like, and if youre fine with meat, this duck fat crust tastes amazing in apple pie.

Do these dishes work with other meaty or dairy Thanksgiving dishes?

Of course. You can make whichever ones you want. Theyll work with any menu and taste great any other time of year too.

Will some guests be turned off by this vegan menu?

Not in taste. If theyll balk for other reasons, dont say a word. Perhaps theyll react as our food team did when trying them and think these dishes taste better than the classics even before they knew for sure they were vegan. Dont think of it as deception. Think of it as being a gracious host giving your guests the best meal of the year.

Lets get cooking!

Start by reading this planner and get the recipes that follow.

Swap a whole turkey for whole vegetables as your Thanksgiving showstopper. See the full recipe

(Evan Sung / For The Times)

From-scratch poultry seasoning gives poultry-less dishes a distinct Thanksgiving taste with almost no effort. See the full recipe

Poultry seasoning, a dried herb blend, makes bread stuffing smell meaty even when its vegan.

(Evan Sung / For The Times)

Fresh and dried mushrooms simmered together with smoky bourbon give this gravy the depth that normally comes from meat. See the full recipe

Big chunks of mushrooms make this vegan Thanksgiving gravy extra satisfying.

(Evan Sung / For The Times)

The classic stuffing combination of sauteed onion and celery with toasted bread gets its buttery taste here from nutritional yeast, which you can buy online or in grocery stores. See the full recipe

Stuffing baked in a pan gives you a crunchy top.

(Evan Sung / For The Times)

Silky and soft, these are the ultimate comforting mashed potatoes. Caramelized leeks and nutritional yeast give these vegan spuds even more richness and complexity than butter and cream. See the full recipe

A final drizzle of olive oil adds even more richness.

(Evan Sung / For The Times)

Just like the standard American green bean casserole, this one smothers green beans in creamed mushrooms, then tops them with crunchy fried onions. See the full recipe

Top with the fried onions right before serving to keep them crunchy.

(Evan Sung / For The Times)

Pan-searing Brussels sprouts saves you oven space and time. The edges get nicely browned while the centers end up tender. A light glaze of maple syrup and cider vinegar give these garlicky sprouts an irresistible balance of sweet and sour. See the full recipe

You can double the recipe and use two skillets for a bigger batch.

(Evan Sung / For The Times)

Mashed sweet potatoes with marshmallows baked on top is a Thanksgiving staple that gets a vegan twist here. The result is lighter, fresher and more flavorful. See the full recipe

A kitchen torch browns the top nicely.

(Evan Sung / For The Times)

This isnt a great cornbread for vegans. Its an amazing cornbread. Period. See the full recipe

Serve straight from the skillet or unmold before cutting into wedges.

(Evan Sung / For The Times)

Cranberry jelly molds often use gelatin, but cranberries and citrus have enough natural pectin to set into a delicate jiggle. And unlike canned jelly, this has a fresh, fruity taste. See the full recipe

Garnish the dish with fresh cranberries and rosemary.

(Evan Sung / For The Times)

Fresh apple cider adds a subtle sweetness to the crust and makes it tender. See the full recipe

Slices are packed with apples.

(Evan Sung / For The Times)

This pie includes both the fat and the water of canned coconut milk to add richness without a tropical taste. See the full recipe

This is even more delicious than regular pecan pie.

(Evan Sung / For The Times)

Link:

The best vegan Thanksgiving menu and recipes - Los Angeles Times