How to cook vegan
What is vegan cooking?
Vegan cooking is simply preparing food that does not contain any animal products, such as meat, dairy, eggs, honey, or gelatin. This means that vegan cooking relies on plant-based ingredients, such as fruits, vegetables, grains, legumes, nuts, seeds, herbs, spices, and oils. Vegan cooking can be very diverse and creative, as you can explore different cuisines, flavors, and textures with plant-based foods.
Why cook vegan?
There are many reasons why people choose to cook vegan, such as:
- Health: Vegan cooking can offer many health benefits, such as lower cholesterol, blood pressure, and risk of chronic diseases. Vegan cooking can also help you eat more fiber, antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals from plant foods.
- Ethics: Vegan cooking can help you avoid contributing to animal suffering and exploitation in the food industry. Vegan cooking can also help you align your values with your actions and live more compassionately.
- Environment: Vegan cooking can help you reduce your environmental impact, as animal agriculture is one of the major causes of greenhouse gas emissions, water pollution, deforestation, and biodiversity loss. Vegan cooking can also help you conserve natural resources and support sustainable food systems.
How to cook vegan?
Cooking vegan does not have to be complicated or expensive. Here are some simple steps to help you get started:
- Stock your kitchen: Make sure you have some basic vegan ingredients in your pantry, fridge, and freezer. Some examples are: rice, pasta, oats, bread, beans, lentils, tofu, tempeh, seitan, nuts, seeds, nut butters, plant milks, soy sauce, vinegar, nutritional yeast, spices, herbs, fruits, vegetables, frozen berries, and vegan cheese.
- Find vegan alternatives: You can easily replace animal products with plant-based substitutes in your recipes. For example: use soy milk instead of cow's milk; use maple syrup instead of honey; use olive oil instead of butter; use flax seeds or chia seeds instead of eggs; use TVP or mushrooms instead of meat; use cashews or tofu instead of cream.
- Use the right kitchen tools: Having some basic kitchen tools can make your vegan cooking easier and faster. Some examples are: a non-stick skillet or pan; a saucepan; a sharp knife; a cutting board; a silicone spatula; a mixing bowl; a wooden spoon; a vegetable peeler; a sieve; a blender; a food processor; and a baking sheet.
- Try new recipes: One of the best ways to learn how to cook vegan is to try new recipes that appeal to you. You can find many vegan recipes online or in cookbooks that cover different cuisines, dishes, and occasions. Some examples are: vegan pancakes; vegan burritos; vegan jambalaya; vegan scones; vegan banana cupcakes; and vegan simnel cake.
Summary
Cooking vegan can be easy, fun, and delicious if you follow some basic tips and try new recipes. Cooking vegan can also offer many benefits for your health, ethics,
and environment. I hope this article has inspired you to give vegan cooking a try!
