We Tried Broccoli Mum’s Holiday Recipes (Oil-Free!) - Our Honest Family Taste Test

Product reviewed

Broccoli Mom Does the Holidays (ebook by Amy Dean / “Broccoli Mom”) — an oil-free, plant-based holiday recipe collection. The video is a family taste test of 6 recipes from the ~125 total in the ebook.

What’s included / main features mentioned

• Holiday-focused variety: appetizers, mains, sides, drinks, soups/salads, and lots of desserts.
• Emphasis on whole-food plant-based cooking (as highlighted by the reviewer).
• Gluten-free positioning noted (at least many recipes are gluten-free “to start”).
• Many recipes include holiday showstoppers and “fun ideas,” including:
  • Pigs and blankets using rice paper wraps (framed as gluten-free via rice paper).
  • Stuffed squash with wild rice, cranberries, and (unclear) pecans.
  • Beetroot + “goat cheese” style salad with tofu-based ricotta.
  • Beetroot Wellington using rice paper layered like pastry with an internal beet/tofu filling.
  • Clementine/ginger fizzy drink.
  • Sticky toffee pudding with a bean-based caramel sauce (steamed cauliflower + beans mentioned).

Key review process / judging criteria

• Main question: “Would I add this to my holiday rotation?”
• The reviewer also flags recipe execution/clarity issues (missing or unclear steps/ingredients).

Unique points, pros & cons, by recipe / experience

1) Pigs and blankets (tempeh + carrot filling in rice paper; air fryer/oven)

Pros

• Rice paper wrapping is framed as a novel technique and gluten-free.
• Some tasters say it tastes “good” and one person describes it as restaurant-like with positive flavor marks.

Cons

• Several family members report:
  • Texture problems: “not crunchy enough,” “texture isn’t really there.”
  • Bitter aftertaste.
  • More smoky than expected.
• The reviewer runs out of marinade, so they can’t do the optional glaze (maple + whole grain mustard).

Scores / ratings

• Family consensus shifts strongly negative: multiple voices call it “an F.”
• Reviewer ultimately says no for holiday rotation (for this recipe, and also earlier tested recipes).

---

2) Stuffed squash with rice, cranberries, and pecans (ingredient/instruction confusion)

Pros

• Reviewer likes the “fall flavors” and says it has a lot of flavor.
• Some others view it as good—“restaurant-type” dish vibes.

Cons

• Recipe clarity problem:
  • “peacons/pecans” are mentioned, but pecans don’t appear in the ingredient list, and the instructions don’t clarify where to use them.
• Cooking/timing issue:
  • Squash wasn’t cooked through enough, leading to chunky texture.
• Dissenting family opinions:
  • Called bland / “tastes like leaves.”
  • Another says it’s hard to eat and not something they’d return to.

Scores / ratings (mixed)

• One person: good but only “once a year” (A-ish sentiment).
• Reviewer ends overall “no” for holiday rotation.
• Multiple voices range from bland dislikes to “F-level” frustration.

---

3) Beetroot and “goat cheese” salad (beets + tofu ricotta; optional garnishes like peashoots)

Pros

• Clear standout: described as A / S-tier (especially the beet salad taste).
• Reviewer says it “feels like a restaurant salad.”

Cons

• Main downside is practical:
  • Beets take time to roast, though it’s still framed as easiest/low effort overall among the set.

Scores / ratings

• One speaker: A
• Another: S (would add to rotation for sure)
• Reviewer: A

---

4) Beetroot Wellington (rice paper layered pastry + beet/tofu log; with optional gravy)

Pros

• Strong interest as a holiday showstopper.
• Reviewer likes the concept and rice paper technique.
• Another speaker says it “looks good” and gives “B for beets.”

Cons

• Multiple texture complaints:
  • Soggy, chewy, not flaky—doesn’t deliver the “Wellington puff pastry” effect.
  • “Rice paper isn’t working” the way expected.
• Effort vs reward issue raised by at least one reviewer.
• Reviewer didn’t make the suggested mushroom gravy (which they think might help).

Scores / ratings

• Reviewer gives C.
• Family split, but overall disappointing: “not as hoped,” “wouldn’t make again” sentiment from several.

---

5) Fizzy clementine-ginger drink (citrus + ginger + maple + lemon + sparkling water)

Pros

• Widely liked; described like a ginger alternative / homemade ginger ale.
• Reviewer likes it and plans to make again.

Cons

• One complaint: too lemony / too strong; suggestion is more sparkling water to dilute.

Scores / ratings

• One speaker: A
• Another: S level and would make again for sure
• Reviewer frames it as the easiest to make and a clear redo.

---

6) Sticky toffee pudding (cauliflower + beans in pudding; bean-based date caramel)

Pros

• “Healthier” twist: dessert uses nontraditional Christmas components (steamed cauliflower; beans).
• Looks good; some admit the sweetness works even with the beans involved.

Cons

• Main complaint: bean flavor dominates.
• Texture: pudding is chewy/denser than expected.
• Family reaction: “too beanie for dessert,” “disappointment,” and “not dessert-y enough for Christmas.”
• Reviewer feels it misses the holiday dessert standard and would not repeat.

Scores / ratings

• Multiple negative reactions; reviewer describes texture as C and gives an overall no on making again.

---

Comparisons made

• Reviewer’s own holiday rotation: avoids comparing against dishes they already personally make, but uses the question of whether each recipe would enter their lineup.
• Restaurant-style framing: several dishes are described as the kind of thing you’d get in a fancy restaurant (though texture/flavor expectations still drive rejection for some).
• Classic dish reference: beetroot Wellington is conceptually compared to a traditional beef Wellington, including expectations of puff pastry/flakiness.
• Mentions context from Amy’s site (e.g., pecan pie bars, gingerbread cookies, and plant-based cheese options), but not tasted in this video.

Overall pros/cons of the ebook (as reflected in the video)

Pros

• Creative, festive, plant-based holiday repertoire.
• Strong hits on salad ideas and fizzy drink.
• Uses whole-food plant-based concepts and often reaches gluten-free results via technique.
• Some recipes feel “restaurant-grade” in concept and presentation.

Cons

• Recipe clarity issues, including:
  • “pecans/peacons” mismatch (ingredient list vs instructions) for the stuffed squash.
• Texture execution challenges:
  • Rice paper methods lead to chewy/soggy outcomes for pigs & blankets and Wellington.
• Effort vs reward:
  • Wellington disappoints without the recommended sauce.
• Dessert disappointment:
  • Bean-forward flavor may not satisfy (“beany” for at least one reviewer and family members).

Verdict / recommendation

Recommendation: mixed-to-negative for this family’s holiday tastes.

• The reviewer’s overall view: the ebook likely isn’t for them based on the 6 tested recipes.
• They’d confidently repeat only a couple items—especially:
  • Beet salad
  • Clementine ginger fizzy drink
• If you already like Broccoli Mom’s style, the ebook may still be a worthwhile addition.
• If you’re new, the reviewer suggests trying her free/website recipes first before buying.

Ratings tally (as stated in video, not formal averages)

• Beet salad: A (and S)
• Fizzy drink: A and S (also “solid A”)
• Pigs and blankets: ends up at F from some family members; not added to rotation
• Stuffed squash: mixed; reviewer ends “no” for rotation despite some liking it
• Beetroot Wellington: reviewer C (family mixed/negative overall)
• Sticky toffee pudding: negative; described around C texture and overall not liked for Christmas

Speakers / viewpoints (unique perspectives)

• Main host (Jay) / plant-based reviewer

  • Uses “would I add this to my holiday rotation?” as the standard.
  • Calls out recipe clarity/execution issues (e.g., squash not fully cooked; missing glaze/gravy; rice paper method results).
  • Overall: only a few items are repeat-worthy; likely skip for their family.

• Annie (frequent family taster)

  • Strong negatives for pigs & blankets, Wellington texture, and sticky toffee pudding (bean flavor).
  • Positive for beet salad and fizzy drink.
  • Mixed/negative on stuffed squash.

• Another family member (lighter “A bee / B”-style ratings)

  • Gives more food-nerd style ratings; participates in texture/flavor feedback.
  • Frequently assigns B for beets and F for disliked items.

• B (explicit dissenting voice)

  • Criticizes pigs & blankets (bitter/smoky aftertaste; texture).
  • Criticizes Wellington (soggy/chewy).

• Partner/other taster (dilution-oriented comment)

  • Says the fizzy drink is too lemony/strong and suggests diluting with more sparkling water.