Ok, so I was ready to start cooking. Looking through recipes there were plenty of foods I recognised and others I didn't know about yet. There were things like pasta, potatoes and pitta breads. Some of the lovely carbs that I know well. I have been a keen cook for most of my life but I was learning there was so much more to the plant based pantry. I intend to break down my findings for you, in a not-too-factual sounding way.
When I thought about plant based meals I had visions of lots of porridge and many things with chickpeas in them. Yes there are oats and also the chickpeas but let me tell you a bit about what else I have discovered.
We'll start with one of the absolute basics and a favourite in our home: the humble Tofu. Made from soybeans it is a source of complete protein, rich in calcium and magnesium and low in calories. Reasonably priced and available almost everywhere it is a very useful ingredient. Tofu doesn't have a strong flavour of its own so we can go to town and dress it up with our favourite herb and spice mixes, simple soy sauce or a mouthwatering marinade. Used in stir fries and curries it holds it shape and texture really nicely. It can be fried, baked, scrambled, grilled, breaded, crumbled and sautéed but don't let these suggestions limit you. It really is as simple as opening the pack, giving it a little rinse and patting it dry with some kitchen paper or a clean dry towel and you are good to go. It does not need much cooking, just a warming through, so it can be added closer to the end of the making of a curry for example and for this I would chop it into bite size chunks.
I would encourage you to try cooking a dish using Tofu as your source of protein and see how you get on. Adapt a recipe and give it a go. A personal favourite of mine is to scramble the Tofu (crush the bite sized chunks with the back of a fork), add mixed dried herbs and a pinch or two of turmeric, sauté in a pan with a little sunflower oil and serve on some hot buttered (I use Flora plant-based) wholemeal toast for a tasty weekend breakfast.
My main aim with this blog is to demystify the Plant Based diet and I'm looking forward to sharing more with you next time.
Vegan Breakfast Bliss: Discovering the Perfect Plant-Based Breakfast at Café Gratitude
Café Gratitude is a popular plant-based restaurant offering a wide variety of delicious vegan breakfast options, catering to different tastes and preferences. Their extensive menu includes savory scrambles and skillets, pancakes and waffles, smoothie bowls and parfaits, overnight oats and porridges, breakfast sandwiches and wraps, and freshly baked pastries and muffins. Starting your day with a vegan breakfast provides numerous health benefits, such as being rich in essential nutrients and lower in saturated fats and cholesterol. In this guest post, we explored the diverse vegan breakfast options at Café Gratitude, emphasizing the importance of plant-based meals for health and sustainability, and provided tips on finding vegan breakfast places near you.
I never eat breakfast so one of my wellness goals this year is ratting eating regular meals at teguLr times. I’m hoping by meal prepping my breakfast in advanced and making it a healthy but sweet treat, it will entice to build the habit of eating breakfast daily.
I am sure many people did not see my old post. The prices are outdated but still it can be a good guide for baby vegans or who are trying to save which is not easy in the current economy 🙃
It has the grocery list, breakfast and main menu.
I am also attaching the link to the pdf file if you want to save it
Set your day up right! I have been enjoying these breakfasts by EatingWell, with my own twist on them. I hope they inspire you to try something new. If you're bored with what you eat, it's time to switch it up! What does your breakfast look like?
Morning Corn Grits with Veggies Recipe https://www.everyveganrecipe.com/recipe/breakfast-corn-grits-veggies.html?mtm_campaign=srecipe_041923&mtm_medium=social&mtm_source=tumblr Start your morning off right with this savory, healthy, whole food breakfast with balanced macronutrients. Corn grits are served next to seasoned vegetables and black beans and garnished with cilantro. 17g protein!