My stepkids just had their first Tofurkey holiday.

[Codeine]

We did Thanksgiving with a larger group so turkey was available for them, but we had a small, all-vegan family meal for Christmas. They ate easily twice as much Tofurkey as they had eaten dead bird the month before and the vegan gravy (slightly modified from Will Parkinson's recipe in another thread) was a huge hit. And the mashed cauliflower that replaced the potatoes didn't even faze them.

Success!

[WillParkinson]

1. Congratulations!

And well done.

[HopeHoops]

2. We grow blue potatoes - they are beautiful, especially mashed.

Mashed cauliflower is good, but I tend to add hot sauce to it rather that gravy (on my plate, not the entire dish). We've been vegetarian (eggs and dairy) for over 20 years, but I've never tried Tofurkey. Veggie dogs are really good, especially over an open fire and we like a few of the veggie burgers (not the Boca type). The Morning Star "veggie strips" are great for a quick BLT, and all of the kids love the links and "chik" nuggets/patties. We prefer the products that have their own flavor rather than those that try to be a duplicate of meat (with the noted exception of the veggie dogs). Mostly we cook from scratch, but the kids like a few of the fast-cook things, especially if they're in a hurry.

Have you tried the cauliflower that's green and looks like a fractal? I forget what they call it - little spirals instead of heads. Purple and orange are good too, but BEWARE! Do NOT steam different colors in the same pan/steamer. They turn a sickly gray. They taste fine, but you sort of have to close your eyes. It sounds like a good idea, but don't do it. It's better to use the multiple colors on a salad. That's pretty.

My meatasaurus brother-in-law devoured a vegan lasagna I made 20+ years ago. I mashed soft tofu with a little paprika, oregano, basil, and probably some other things, and used it in place of ricotta. He loved it until he found out the "cheese" was tofu. It's not easy to introduce people to vegan/vegetarian foods, but it sounds like you did a great job! I'm glad it turned out well.

[WillParkinson]

3. Introducing people to foods...

It's never easy regardless of what kind of food you give them. People have the weirdest preconceptions about foods. I used to take a different type of vegan food each week for a guy that I worked with and I to try. Another coworker saw it and took a taste of some finger food. Thought it was great and when I told him what it was he got all huffy. I just explained to him that he wasn't offered the food, he took it upon himself to try it so don't bitch about something he enjoyed.

Also had a guest one night who kept insisting I give him my personal opinion of an item on the menu. I am usually very tactful about questions regarding what's good by telling people what we sell a lot of but this guy demanded to know what *I* liked. When I explained to him that I was vegan he was outraged and called the night manager, telling him that I ruined his meal by telling him that I was vegan.

People can be just weird.

[HopeHoops]

4. Even "vegetarian" gets that look. It reminds me of the cook in the "SPAM" skit...

"Don't you have anything without any SPAM in it?"

"EWWW!"

[flvegan]

5. WillParkinson? Oh, he's such a Freeper.

j/k brother. Good to see/hear/read Codeine. Sounds good.

[Pool Hall Ace]

6. Wow, that's great to hear.

Vegetarians in the making, perhaps??

Just out of curiosity, how old are these kiddies?

[Codeine]

7. 3 and 7

The seven-year-old was a veggie for a month or so, but she gave in while at a relative's house seeing tamales being made. I suspect she'll try again soon.

They mostly eat vegetarian food now as I simply refuse to make meat and their mom prefers my cooking to her own.