by Shannon Blankinship
I didn't go veg on purpose. I gave myself a (I'm saying it!) one-month challenge, and never went back. What helped me to fully embrace this new food palate was finding chef inspired foods that matched what I like to eat, and helped curb the cravings from a more traditional diet. Being vegan or vegetarian isn't a diet of limitations but a vastly expanded palate of flavors, textures and aromas that never fails to impress and satiate. Here is my chef inspiration, and maybe finding yours will aid this “March” challenge. Yes, you are now at liberty to Pinterest "vegan" followed by your favorite food, "brunch", "lunch", "dessert", and even (beware!) "cupcake".
Vegan with a Vengeance by Isa Chandra Moskowitz, host of the community access vegan cooking show and food blog The Post Punk Kitchen, changes the game in vegan baking. Baking powder biscuits with white bean tempeh sausage gravy is a home-run at every brunch gathering. The basic "scone" recipe makes mouths drop, and you can craft them in 100 different ways. Your basic pancake, gravy, pizza, and falafel have all been made better, simpler, and completely vegan. Tofu, tempeh, and seitan recipes cover all the higher level protein main courses.
In Vegan Brunch, the idea that breakfast foods are impossible on a vegan diet has been quashed as you attempt to choose what to make for your next gathering that will impress as well as delight. In Appetite for Reduction, Isa takes all of her basic recipes and makes them low fat. She transforms "Shepherd's Pie" into an upside-down lentil based and caulipots-topped savory and hearty entree substituting the traditional mashed potatoes and beef. What you can do with a protein packed can of chickpeas and this book is amazing!
In Veganomicon, Isa delivers the “bible” for vegan cooking. Every question is answered, and the basics are all covered. Isa knows about a good dessert too. The book Vegan Cupcakes Take Over The World is a game changer including the Margarita Cupcake and Banana Split Cupcakes. Vegan Cookies Invade Your Cookie Jar has something for every occasion, minus animal butter, milk and eggs. In Vegan Pie in the Sky, Isa has done the work of converting traditional pie recipes requiring 4-6 eggs into a vegan masterpiece. Maple Pecan Pie (made with tofu!) is as good as any of your grandmothers pecan pie dishes and deserves front row at the Thanksgiving table.
Her most recent book Isa Does It seals the deal on the vegan lifestyle. There is no excuse not to begin supplementing even a totally carnivorous diet with some of these recipes, and truly begin to change the world.
Find your chef inspiration and maybe you will also see that being vegan isn't giving up anything, but gaining an entirely new and delicious perspective.
In Vegan Brunch, the idea that breakfast foods are impossible on a vegan diet has been quashed as you attempt to choose what to make for your next gathering that will impress as well as delight. In Appetite for Reduction, Isa takes all of her basic recipes and makes them low fat. She transforms "Shepherd's Pie" into an upside-down lentil based and caulipots-topped savory and hearty entree substituting the traditional mashed potatoes and beef. What you can do with a protein packed can of chickpeas and this book is amazing!
In Veganomicon, Isa delivers the “bible” for vegan cooking. Every question is answered, and the basics are all covered. Isa knows about a good dessert too. The book Vegan Cupcakes Take Over The World is a game changer including the Margarita Cupcake and Banana Split Cupcakes. Vegan Cookies Invade Your Cookie Jar has something for every occasion, minus animal butter, milk and eggs. In Vegan Pie in the Sky, Isa has done the work of converting traditional pie recipes requiring 4-6 eggs into a vegan masterpiece. Maple Pecan Pie (made with tofu!) is as good as any of your grandmothers pecan pie dishes and deserves front row at the Thanksgiving table.
Her most recent book Isa Does It seals the deal on the vegan lifestyle. There is no excuse not to begin supplementing even a totally carnivorous diet with some of these recipes, and truly begin to change the world.
Find your chef inspiration and maybe you will also see that being vegan isn't giving up anything, but gaining an entirely new and delicious perspective.
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