Festive, Plant-Based Comfort Food – Just Before Christmas
Just before Christmas, it’s time to slow down, gather around the table, and enjoy good food that warms both body and mind. This time, no long stories about the farm — just comforting, nourishing, 100% vegan dishes that respect animals, celebrate seasonal vegetables, and fit perfectly into the cozy holiday period.
These recipes are made with simple, local ingredients and show how plant-based food can be rich, festive, and deeply satisfying. Perfect for cold days, candlelight dinners, and sharing with family and friends.
1) Pumpkin & White Cabbage Soup
A hearty winter soup with deep, earthy flavours
Ingredients:
1 medium bottle-shaped pumpkin, cubed
½ white cabbage, cut into strips
1 large onion, chopped
3 garlic cloves, chopped
2 cm ginger, chopped
Spices: 1 tsp oregano, 1 tsp thyme, ¼ tsp white pepper, black pepper & cayenne (each), ½ tsp paprika powder, ½ tsp onion powder
Pepper to taste
Homemade tomato sauce or 2 cans chopped tomatoes
1 vegetable stock cube
½ celeriac, cut into very small cubes
Olive oil
Preparation:
Heat olive oil in a thick-bottom soup pan (3–4 L). Fry the onion until soft, add garlic and ginger and fry for 1–2 minutes. Add all spices and fry briefly. Add cabbage, pumpkin, tomatoes and stock cube. Add water if needed until the pan is nearly full. Bring to a boil and let simmer for 25 minutes. Blend until smooth, taste and adjust seasoning. Add the celeriac cubes and simmer a few more minutes. Serve with good bread.
2) White Cabbage Mash with White Beans & Gravy
Classic comfort food with a festive vegan twist
Mash – Ingredients:
1 small white cabbage, sliced
3 carrots, cubed
1.5–2 kg potatoes, cubed
1 vegetable stock cube
Plant-based butter
Soy cream
Pepper & mustard
300 g white beans (canned or dried and soaked)
Gravy – Ingredients:
1 large onion, chopped
2 garlic cloves, chopped
2 cm ginger, chopped
White balsamic vinegar
Soy sauce
Reserved vegetable stock
Mustard
Preparation:
Cook the beans (if dried) until tender but with bite. Cook potatoes, cabbage and carrots with the stock cube. Drain and reserve the cooking liquid. Mash with butter, mustard to taste and soy cream, then fold in the beans. For the gravy, fry onion, garlic and ginger in plant-based butter until soft. Add balsamic and reduce. Add soy sauce and vegetable stock until you reach a rich gravy. Blend smooth and season to taste.
3) Kale Mash with Celeriac & Yacon
A true winter classic, nourishing and filling
Ingredients:
1.5–2 kg potatoes, cubed
2 yacón roots, cubed
½ celeriac, cubed
500–600 g kale, chopped
Plant-based butter
Soy cream
Vegetable stock cube
Preparation:
Cook potatoes, celeriac and yacón with the stock cube in a large pot (5–6 L) until almost done. Add kale and cook until tender. Drain and reserve the stock for gravy. Mash with butter and soy cream until creamy. Prepare a gravy similar to recipe #2, adjusting spices for variation.
4) Pumpkin & Carrot Soup
Bright, warming and perfect for cold winter evenings
Ingredients:
1 bottle-shaped pumpkin, cubed
1 large onion, chopped
5 large carrots, cubed (keep ⅓ aside)
2 garlic cloves, chopped
2 cm ginger, chopped
1 tsp Madras curry powder
¼ tsp chili flakes
Large cup of peas
Olive oil
Preparation:
In a large thick-bottom soup pan (3–5 L), heat olive oil and fry onion, garlic and ginger until soft. Add spices and fry briefly. Add vegetables and cover with water. Cook for 20–25 minutes. Blend until smooth, season to taste, then add the reserved carrots and peas. Serve with roasted bread and olive oil.
Food with Purpose
These dishes prove that vegan, animal-friendly food can be festive, comforting, and full of flavour — without compromise. Cooking seasonally, choosing local produce, and respecting animals all come together on the plate.
Wishing you warm meals, peaceful days, and a mindful holiday season.