‘We’ve got everything from amazing new centerpieces that will totally wow the family, through to plant-based versions of favorite trimmings’

Tesco has announced its festive offering for 2020 and it features new impressive plant-based dishes plus its 2019 Christmas favorite: The Plant Chef Pigless Blankets for a starter or side.

This year’s highlight includes a ‘first of its kind’ whole vegan turkey crown and plenty of vegan luxurious treats including addition to its Wicked Kitchen and Plant Chef ranges.

‘Complete plant-based holiday experience’

According to executive chef and director of plant-based innovation Derek Sarno, Tesco is offering a “complete plant-based holiday experience” for those eating less meat or are full-on vegan.

“We’ve got everything from amazing new centerpieces that will totally wow the family, through to plant-based versions of favorite trimmings including pigless blankets,” Sarno said.

“And don’t forget the beautiful selection of desserts and sweet treats – no one has to miss out this Christmas.”

Starters, nibbles and sides

The retailer has veganized popular party food favourites to launch a tasty range of vegan-friendly starters and nibbles.

The selection includes Plant Chef No Mozzarella Sticks, which come filled with mozzarella-style vegan cheese with a crispy breadcrumb coating.

Other nibbles include finger licking Wicked Kitchen No-Chicken Drumettes, and Wicked Kitchen No-Prawn Firecracker Dippers. The prawn-free nibbles are made from soybeans seasoned with kicks of spice and a smoky BBQ sauce to make it look and taste like the real deal.

While last year’s plant-based Plant Chef Pigless Blankets is back on popular demand, the supermarket giant is also launching Plant Chef Sage & Onion Stuffing Balls made with pea protein and vegetable suet with sage and onion.

The Roasting Roots Rainbow Carrots & Parsnips with Thyme comes pre-prepared and all to need to do is roast it on the big day.

Mains

For mains, the supermarket has four mouthwatering tasty meat-free mains. First up is the Wicked Kitchen Wellington that serves as the perfect plant-based centrepiece. The flaky pastry is filled with a tasty seasoned pea protein, onion and garlic sautéed porcini and chestnut mushroom duxelles.

The Plant Chef Meat-Free Festive Vegan Roast is made with pea protein and caramelised red onions. If you want a classic nut roast then opt for the Plant Chef Festive Nut Roast & Gravy, which is deliciously prepared blending peanut and hazelnut and topped with apricots and cranberries.

And the first of its kind Wicked Kitchen No-Turkey Roast Crown combines savoury soy and wheat protein topped with vegan coconut melt and a traditional sage and onion stuffing.

Describing the dish, Sarno said: “It all comes down to texture and using a combination of soy and wheat proteins, kind of like a seitan. It’s the first one of its kind and we’re really excited to be able to launch that this year,” 

“The flavorings are just amazing. It’s a great centerpiece.”

“If it were me I’d be enjoying all of these centerpieces at the same time,” he added.

Desserts

The retailer’s lineup for desserts is equally impressive. This year it will launch a Wicked Kitchen Ginger Chai Cake and Plant Chef Mince Pies.

The ginger-spiced chai tea-soaked cake is flavoured with cinnamon-sugar and studded with caramelised ginger pieces.

Tesco’s Christmas items will debut across three months starting from August.

• Read: Searches for ‘vegan bacon’ surge by 759% on Waitrose’s website

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Mohsina Dodhiya

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