Get ready for some new adventures in your kitchen.
You might never have noticed, but so many foods already on your grocery list are plant-based! And for nearly everything else, there is a good plant-based alternative.
Bread, pasta, oatmeal, peanut butter, Oreos… What do these things have in common? Other than maybe already being on your shopping list, they’re also typically vegan. Then there are those fruits and veggies you know and love. You may think you’re starting from scratch with this, but chances are you’re already five steps ahead!
Find yourself a good plant-based cookbook or browse through one of many veg recipe blogs themed around the kind of foods you like. Cooking with new ingredients is easier with some expert guidance—and there’s an abundance of help available online.
There are more varieties of plant-based meats available in the market today than ever before. The list of companies making them is long and varied: Gardein, Field Roast, Beyond Meat, Impossible, Tofurky, Lightlife, Boca Burgers, MorningStar Farms, Yves Veggie Cuisine, among others. These make light work of adapting “meaty” recipes, and are often a hit with friends and family!
There are plenty of plant-based products that you can use as substitutes, such as Just Mayo in place of egg-based mayonnaise or almond milk in place of dairy milk. But, there are also homemade substitutes you can use, such as crumbled tofu in place of scrambled eggs or pan-fried thinly sliced seitan in place of beef.
Herbs and spices perk up any dish, and a good collection in your pantry is the key to great vegan cooking. Experiment with common combinations of spices and herbs—once you’ve built a small repertoire you like, you can make magic with whatever you happen to have in your kitchen.
Dark leafy greens are among the leading stars of healthful eating, and incorporating them into our meals is easy. Go fresh, or stay stocked up on frozen kale, spinach or other greens and drop them into whatever dish you fancy that day. It can just as easily go into refried beans on your tacos as in the pasta sauce you are stirring up.
Nuts don’t just make great snacks—they add taste and texture to all dishes. Try peanut butter in stir fries, toss roasted walnuts into salads, use pureed cashews to make sauces, put almonds in your oatmeal, and drop pistachios into rice dishes. Stock up on roasted nuts in your freezer for an easy and delicious addition to any meal.
Legumes are among the most versatile foods, capable of enriching a variety of foods from soups and salads to wraps and rice-based dishes. They are packed with protein, and they cost a fraction of animal-based meats. For maximum savings, cook raw beans purchased in bulk, but for convenience you can use canned or frozen beans without losing nutritional value.
Shared cooking and eating is known to strengthen bonds of friendship and trust. Turn your culinary adventures into social events, exploring new flavors and cuisines. For extra fun, invite friends over or attend pot-luck dinners to share your creations—expanding your palate, your culinary skills, and your social life all at the same time!
You’re unique. So’s your veg journey. Whichever path you take, here’s where to start.
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Whether you're hosting a Game Day party, going to a potluck, or just in the mood to make a delicious snack for yourself, we've got the perfect recipe for you! Get the recipe.
