Vegetarian Dressing Recipe for Christmas Dinner

Vegetarian Dressing (or Stuffing) is very easy to make and takes very little time. One problem many vegetarians face is not being able to eat traditional holiday foods. This dressing recipe (and vegetarian gravy, to use on vegitarian dressing recipe and mashed potatoes. This dressing could even be used as a main dish with some added vegetarian sausage, (soy sausage).

Vegetarian Dressing

1 large bag stuffing cubes OR two loaves of bread-cubed, or stale bread of any acceptable type. (approximately 8 cups)

3-4 regular or 1-2 large cans or containers of vegetable broth. (If desired, can use organic)

1 package of celery (if small package use whole thing-if large use about half, be sure to include the leaves, as these add loads of flavor)

1 large onion (diced)

1 large package sliced natural mushrooms (optional)

1 package vegetarian (soy) breakfast sausage (optional)

1 can water chestnuts sliced and drained (optional)

2 tsp. poultry SEASONING (does NOT contain any poultry or animal products)

1 whole stick margarine (1/4 cup olive oil can be substituted if desired) (depending on the vegetarian butter may be used, but be sure to check)

non stick spray, margarine, or olive oil.

Spray or grease large casserole dish with non-stick spray, margarine or olive oil. Set aside. In an extra large skillet, or frying pan, melt margarine, (butter or 1/4cup olive oil) in pan. Add chopped onion, celery, (mushrooms, water chestnuts, and/or pre-cooked and crumbled vegetarian sausage if desired) simmer items until vegies are firm but not crispy. This should look sort of like vegie sludge. In a very large bowl, pour stuffing cubes or bread cubes. Add mixture from skillet into cubes. Mix well. Pour vegetable broth over cubes adding small amount at a time and stirring each amount into cubes until wet. (Should not be 'soggy', just wet and coated.) When mixture is soft, but not soggy, pour mixture into pre-greased or sprayed casserole dish. Bake uncovered in a 350 (fahrenheit) degree oven for 45 minutes to an hour. Should be brown and a bit dry on top, but NOT burned. Let cool for 5 minutes after removing from oven and serve.

Vegetarian Gravy

1 large or 2 regular size cans of vegetable broth (optional-to turn gravy a 'light brown' color, mix in 2 tsps of soy sauce, before cooking, resemble turkey gravey)

3-4 tablespoons of corn starch (YOU will NOT use all of this)

1-2 cups of water

1-2 tablespoons of flour

pepper to taste (approximately 1/8 tsp)

In a small bowl, mix dry flour and corn starch together. Add water to make a paste, which should be thick, but not lumpy, continue to add water, until at least one cup of water has been added and all cornstarch mixture is free of lumps (looks like thick milk.) In a large deep skillet, pour in vegetable broth. Heat until small bubbles come to top of broth, (just before it boils-should not boil) Reduce heat, SLOWLY add cornstarch liquid until liquid just STARTS to thicken. Do not pour any more of the cornstarch mix in. Continue to heat until thickened and serve. Serve with Vegetarian mashed potatoes and or dressing above.