Veggie/nut allergy ideas for Christmas lunch please

[mamhaf]

I have awkwardbuggers lovely guests who will be with us on Christmas day, two of whom are veggie, another two have nut allergies.

I usually pan-fry the sprouts with pancetta - obviously can't do that this time - but any other ideas for veg-safe sprouts that will be tastier than normal and not left by most because they're boring?

(The two with nut allergies are children and I'm assured they won't eat sprouts anyway, so could put nuts in those).

I'm planning lemon and chestnut stuffing and will set some of that aside to stuff some red onions to bake for the veggies.

But I refuse to sacrifice proper turkey-stock gravy - so any thoughts for quick and easy sauce to go with the red onions? Otherwise it might be a bit dry.

Thanks!

My DP does lovely sprouts (whole or shredded) with cream and cashew nuts (lightly toasted first), if the kids are unlikely to eat them anyway. I'd be tempted to add a sprinkling of nutmeg too, but maybe give it a taste too. Toasted sesame seeds I find works quite well too.

Could you not just do a bit of instant veggie gravy as extra, or are you a totally from-scratch person? What about diluted and melted redcurrent jelly with a smidge of lemon juice?

A couple of quick and easy sauces:

1. Heat a bit of butter and a bit of olive oil in a small pan and then gently fry a chopped garlic clove and a chopped shallot. Add some port and a bit of vege stock and then cook until it's reduced; strain before serving.

2. Begin as above but with a couple of garlic cloves and a couple of shallots. Then add a wodge of Boursin or a tub of Philly herbs and garlic plus a bit of single cream and lots of black pepper. Heat gently until the cheese has melted, adding more cream or a splash of milk if it's too thick. You can stir fresh herbs into this too.

For the brussels spprouts, cook them as usual by steaming or boiling.

Meanwhile melt quite a bit of butter in a saucepna and add quite a lot of breadcrumbs, cook stirring for about a minute. When sprouts are ready cover them in buttery breadcrumbs. Delish.

A balsamic vinegar reduction with garlic would go nicely with the onions.

Great ideas, thanks...think I'll go for toasted sesame seeds with the sprouts and the garlic/balsamic sauce for the onions.