With the development of cuisine, increasing awareness of healthy eating and a growing selection of vegetables, fruits, spices, and special foods, vegetarian and vegan dishes are becoming part of our daily meals.
Many people find that this is the diet they like best. This food is light, easy to prepare, and, despite many misconceptions, nutritious. There is no fear that any nutrient will be left out if we do not use foods of animal origin.
Recipes for vegetarian and vegan dishes contain proteins, carbohydrates, fats, vitamins, and minerals. They can be prepared faster and easier in quality dishes, like all cooked food we are used to. There is no question of any renunciation because veggie recipes actually reveal new flavors, aromas, new possibilities, and combinations.
There is no need to be afraid that this is a tasteless food that can never satiate and only mimics the flavors of meat, milk, or gourmet onions that we love. Legumes, nuts, healthy oils, all kinds of cereals that vegetarian recipes contain guarantee real feasts.
So, indulge in the charms of plant-based foods and see what delicious vegetarian recipes for lunch, dinner, or breakfast can be part of your table, by implementing these tips below.
1. GIVE YOUR VEGETABLES A NEW LIFE
If you switch to a plant-based diet, vegetables will become your new best friend. It is important to explore what you can do with them. You’ll find the correct answer is – EVERYTHING!
Yes, we all know how to steam broccoli. But after a short steaming, try tossing it in heated sesame oil, pour over soy sauce, grated garlic, and ginger and sprinkle with sesame seeds. Suddenly you get a brand-new dish. Cook the cauliflower, blend it, add a little milk, spices…. cooking cream will never come to your mind again. We promise.
2. WHAT ABOUT CHEESE?
Did you know that most people are completely addicted to cheese? It’s completely understandable why, and most have that fear of giving it up when turning vegan. In the end, it turns out to be the easiest thing in the world. Vegans describe how quickly your taste buds get used to some flavors and get used to new ones. Cheese is the greatest proof that flavors are really learned, not innate.
But those who really think they can’t live without it will find the fact that there are a lot of vegan cheeses on our market, very comforting. According to capecrystalbrands.com most are made of nutritional yeast, and cashews and tons of free recipes can be found in Free Agar Agar Cookbook.
3. DO NOT BE AFRAID TO EXPERIMENT WITH SPICES
Spices make a dish. They can either save or ruin everything you do. Anyone who has any knowledge of cooking will tell you that with the right combination of spices, any dish can be spectacular.
All you need to do is play and experiment. Don’t be afraid to add a pinch more than you’re used to, who knows what you’ll discover.
Some of the spices that can make every dish super tasty are garlic powder, smoked red pepper, cinnamon, nutmeg, chili. Don’t forget herbs such as basil, oregano, mint, sage, rosemary, parsley… You can easily grow them even if you don’t have a large garden. In addition to being fresh, you can buy all these herbs in dried form.
Spice blends also come in handy. When you know exactly what suits you, you will easily make your own blend, but you can buy ready-made, phenomenal spice blends such as taco spices, curry, etc. You will quickly discover how much a pinch of rosemary or oregano makes in plain baked potatoes.
4. OILS AND SAUCES
We have only one word for you – pesto. Classic, from basil and pine nuts, pesto from kale, arugula, beets, dried tomatoes… You can make it from almost anything. A few ingredients and a blender and in a few minutes, you have the perfect sauce for cooked pasta. Add various seeds and spices to it and adjust to your taste.
Olive oil is literally the most important food in the kitchen. Quality olive oil will raise ordinary salad to a new level. The situation is similar to sesame oil, which is perfect to complement any dish inspired by Asian cuisine. A little vegetable, rice noodles, a jet of sesame oil and you get a meal full of rich, deep flavors.
Soy sauce is no longer new to anyone, if you slowly start adding it to dishes like beans, it will bring a whole new dimension to traditional dishes.
5. LIME, LEMON, AND OTHERS
Once you go plant-based, you’ll find that these fruits will be an integral part of your cuisine. When you look back, you won’t even notice when was the last time you cooked something without finally rubbing or squeezing a little lemon or lime. Minimal effort, and makes a huge difference. Try it.
Final Word
Plant-based eating habits are slowly taking over the world, and for a good reason. It is so much more than just an eating habit. Scientists estimate that species are extinct 100 to 1,000 times faster today than they were before humans, and some even estimate that half of plant and animal species could become extinct by the end of the century due to the destructive human impact on our planet.
It is likely that this scenario will really come true if we do not change the current way of life and the way we eat. Knowledge of declining biodiversity, mass pollution of the planets, the rise and development of diseases caused by the consumption of animal products has existed for a long time in scientific circles, but the problem is that the masses do not understand the connection between individuals’ eating habits.
By adopting these habits, we are contributing to creating a new, healthier world, free of cruelty, and full of respect towards other species on this planet. So, if by now you haven’t considered going plant-based, give it a try, at least for a couple of days, and you’ll be surprised by the positive impact on your health also.