English celebrity chef Jamie Oliver has recently outdone himself with a vegetarian stuffed squash that’s so cheesy and comforting
English celebrity chef Jamie Oliver has recently outdone himself with a vegetarian stuffed squash that’s so cheesy and comforting, that it might just upstage the turkey at your holiday table. This dish is perfect as a meatfree main or a standout side, which Jamie calls “spectacular” and “utterly delicious.” The gorgeous squash is like an edible hug — filled with creamy cheese béchamel, and sweet leeks, and topped with a golden, crispy crunch. Plus, you can prep it a couple of days ahead, so you have one less thing to stress about while relishing the festive fun.
Across Instagram, the feed is filling up with a preview of holiday menus shared by friends and distant relatives. With winter in full swing, it’s all stuffing, green bean casseroles, and an endless parade of potatoes. Perhaps, it’s time to let a showstopping vegetarian main take top billing, stealing a bit of the turkey’s thunder.
“A good stuffing can turn a meal into a memory,” says food expert Arpit Awasthi, who believes a well-crafted stuffing is the soul of any holiday table. Arpit’s go-to combination includes mushrooms, caramelised onions, and a medley of thyme, sage, and parsley to create a base that’s aromatic. But he doesn’t stop there. To add intrigue, he incorporates toasted nuts like walnuts or pecans for a satisfying crunch, and dried fruits such as cranberries or apricots for a touch of sweetness. “It’s all about balance,” he shares, “letting each ingredient shine while complementing the others.” His secret? Bread cubes that soak up the flavours without losing their structure and a generous splash of vegetable stock bring it all together.
For Arpit, vegetarian stuffings aren’t simply an alternative to meat-based versions but a chance to surprise guests. “It’s not just about filling the plate,” he says. “It’s about filling hearts and creating moments of joy.”
Holiday meals are evolving into more inclusive and visually stunning celebrations, where everyone’s dietary preferences and ethical choices are thoughtfully considered.
Arpit also shares Instagram has had a big influence on how holiday spreads are put together. “Dishes like roasted rainbow carrots, pomegranate-studded salads, and golden-crusted vegetable bakes aren’t just about the taste anymore — they’ve become the visual stars of the meal. People want their food to be as beautiful as it is delicious,” he explains.
SHIFT IN MEAL PLANNING
It’s no longer about having a few vegetarian options on the side. Arpit notes that hosts now prioritise creating a balanced menu where every dish, whether plant-based or meatcentred, takes its rightful place.
“The growing assertiveness on variety mirrors a cultural shift towards inclusivity and sustainability — making holiday meals more meaningful and memorable for everyone at the table.”
Chef Shivani Kakar, founder, Gourmestan, recalls a moment when her vegetarian stuffing recipes became a hit at a holiday gathering. One standout dish that stole the show was her chana paneer masala, reimagined in exciting forms.
“We decided to do something a little different with the classic chana paneer masala,” Shivani shares. “Instead of just serving it as a side, we stuffed it into soft, pillowy buns. The combination of the crunchy bun and the rich, spiced filling made for an irresistible bite.”
The stuffed buns were a hit, but that wasn’t all. Shivani also created crispy, golden-brown stuffed puris, each one packed with paneer and served with the richness. She also presented stuffed spring rolls — crispy and light, with the same filling tucked inside.
“It was about reimagining familiarity in untried records,” she explains. “Stuffing the classic ingredients into different dishes, we created something visually exciting and deeply satisfying. It was fun to see people’s reactions as they discovered the flavours hidden inside each bite.”
If Shivani were to recommend one special vegetarian stuffing recipe for the
holiday season, it would be paneer roast gravy with mashed peas and fried onions. “The paneer roast gravy offers a rich, savoury base with the delicacy of roasted paneer, while the mashed peas add a smooth element that complements the crisp, fried onions on top. The onions bring a sweet crunch, creating a delightful contrast to the creamy texture of the peas and the soft paneer. It’s a comfort food with a twist,” Shivani says, adding, “The dish is so versatile — it can be stuffed into pastries, used in wraps, or simply served as a side.”
Across Instagram, the feed is filling up with a preview of holiday menus shared by friends and distant relatives. With winter in full swing, it’s all stuffing, green bean casseroles, and an endless parade of potatoes. Perhaps, it’s time to let a showstopping vegetarian main take top billing, stealing a bit of the turkey’s thunder.
“A good stuffing can turn a meal into a memory,” says food expert Arpit Awasthi, who believes a well-crafted stuffing is the soul of any holiday table. Arpit’s go-to combination includes mushrooms, caramelised onions, and a medley of thyme, sage, and parsley to create a base that’s aromatic. But he doesn’t stop there. To add intrigue, he incorporates toasted nuts like walnuts or pecans for a satisfying crunch, and dried fruits such as cranberries or apricots for a touch of sweetness. “It’s all about balance,” he shares, “letting each ingredient shine while complementing the others.” His secret? Bread cubes that soak up the flavours without losing their structure and a generous splash of vegetable stock bring it all together.
For Arpit, vegetarian stuffings aren’t simply an alternative to meat-based versions but a chance to surprise guests. “It’s not just about filling the plate,” he says. “It’s about filling hearts and creating moments of joy.”
Holiday meals are evolving into more inclusive and visually stunning celebrations, where everyone’s dietary preferences and ethical choices are thoughtfully considered.
Arpit also shares Instagram has had a big influence on how holiday spreads are put together. “Dishes like roasted rainbow carrots, pomegranate-studded salads, and golden-crusted vegetable bakes aren’t just about the taste anymore — they’ve become the visual stars of the meal. People want their food to be as beautiful as it is delicious,” he explains.
SHIFT IN MEAL PLANNING
It’s no longer about having a few vegetarian options on the side. Arpit notes that hosts now prioritise creating a balanced menu where every dish, whether plant-based or meatcentred, takes its rightful place.
“The growing assertiveness on variety mirrors a cultural shift towards inclusivity and sustainability — making holiday meals more meaningful and memorable for everyone at the table.”
Chef Shivani Kakar, founder, Gourmestan, recalls a moment when her vegetarian stuffing recipes became a hit at a holiday gathering. One standout dish that stole the show was her chana paneer masala, reimagined in exciting forms.
“We decided to do something a little different with the classic chana paneer masala,” Shivani shares. “Instead of just serving it as a side, we stuffed it into soft, pillowy buns. The combination of the crunchy bun and the rich, spiced filling made for an irresistible bite.”
The stuffed buns were a hit, but that wasn’t all. Shivani also created crispy, golden-brown stuffed puris, each one packed with paneer and served with the richness. She also presented stuffed spring rolls — crispy and light, with the same filling tucked inside.
“It was about reimagining familiarity in untried records,” she explains. “Stuffing the classic ingredients into different dishes, we created something visually exciting and deeply satisfying. It was fun to see people’s reactions as they discovered the flavours hidden inside each bite.”
If Shivani were to recommend one special vegetarian stuffing recipe for the
holiday season, it would be paneer roast gravy with mashed peas and fried onions. “The paneer roast gravy offers a rich, savoury base with the delicacy of roasted paneer, while the mashed peas add a smooth element that complements the crisp, fried onions on top. The onions bring a sweet crunch, creating a delightful contrast to the creamy texture of the peas and the soft paneer. It’s a comfort food with a twist,” Shivani says, adding, “The dish is so versatile — it can be stuffed into pastries, used in wraps, or simply served as a side.”
( Source : Deccan Chronicle )
Next Story
