As you guys know, I spend a fair amount of time at ClinkNOORD Hostel in Amsterdam. What you might not know is that on my last trip there, the hostel staff surprised us with an exclusive taste test of their upcoming vegan Christmas dinner!
Yes, I was as sceptical as some of you may be right now.
Here’s a secret: I was a committed vegetarian from the age of 12 to 18. Then, at the age of 18 I turned into a full-on meat eater. I love sausages, and Cornish pasties, and meat pies. And don’t even get me started on sausage rolls.
So you can imagine my initial reaction to ClinkNOORD’S 2017 vegan Christmas dinner menu. But then, I tasted it.
It. Was. Yummy!
Seriously… if the food tastes good, I couldn’t care less if it contains meat or wheat.
And what the ClinkNOORD team have created isn’t just a vegan Christmas dinner. It is a dinner that they have spent countless hours toiling over to make sure that it tastes fantastic.
Most of all, it is a Christmas dinner that can be shared by almost anyone, no matter what their dietary requirements are. And after all, isn’t that what hostels are all about? Creating shared social spaces that are inviting for everyone, no matter what?
So if you’re already convinced, click here to book, and use the code AMSLIGHTS5 for 10% off your stay in December!* If you still need convincing, read on to see the full menu and read about my experience of taste-testing the ClinkNOORD vegan Christmas Dinner.
*not valid between 28th – 31st Dec.
READ NEXT: HOSTEL REVIEW: CLINKNOORD AMSTERDAM
The Vegan Christmas Dinner Menu at ClinkNOORD
Canapés & Cocktails:
A selection of delicious finger food and seasonal welcome cocktail.
Starter:
A pimped up vegan-style ‘nacho-crumb’ bitterballen with ginger-pumpkin soup.
Main:
A Seitan (wheat gluten) Wellington served with glazed carrots, crispy roast potatoes, and slow cooked veggie gravy.
Dessert:
Home-made, gooey brownies, mango sorbet, and a tart berry compote.
The Vegan Christmas Dinner Experience
Overall, my experience of the vegan Christmas dinner at ClinkNOORD was far more enjoyable than I thought it would be!
So let’s start at the beginning.
The traditional Dutch bitterballen is one of my favourite things to eat in Amsterdam. Conventionally, they are made by deep frying meatballs in breadcrumbs. But of course, there are no meatballs in this meal!
Instead, the ‘nacho-crumb’ bitterballen at ClinkNOORD is made from a mixture of cauliflower, mushrooms, seitan (a type of wheat gluten), and soya milk. And they were delicious!! Especially paired with the ginger and pumpkin soup which had a slight spicy kick to it that really got my tastebuds flaring.
For the main course, the team at ClinkNOORD have opted for a vegan meatloaf. The primary ingredient is seitan, mixed up with potatoes, carrots and cabbage. And all the ingredients are wrapped in a layer of puff-pastry.
While it’s a little soft (especially if you want to compare it to meat), it tasted really good. Almost like a vegetable pasty, but with much more attention to detail with the seasoning and spices!
The vegan meatloaf is paired with sweet carrots and potatoes. The vegetables were spectacularly well seasoned and cooked to utter perfection! I love my veg, and this meal inspired me to be a lot more creative, and a lot more passionate, about cooking beautifully prepared vegetables at home!
The highlight of the whole meal for me was the dessert. Oh my days!
The Clink Hostels team have managed to combine a bunch of vegan ingredients to create the most moist and rich chocolate brownie I have ever tasted! Please add this to the regular menu at ClinkNOORD guys!
How To Book Your Vegan Christmas Dinner at ClinkNOORD
The ClinkNOORD 2017 Vegan Christmas Dinner costs just €22.50 if you book it online through their website. For those who decide to book on arrival, the cost is €25.00. And don’t forget, this price includes a complimentary cocktail with your canapés!
So, are you ready to fill your tastebuds with vegan Christmas cheer? Just click the button below to book today!
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Let me know your thoughts on ClinkNOORD’s vegan Christmas dinner in the comments below! Would you be happy with no meat for Christmas?