Vegan Cuisine

Essential nutritional guidance and tips for vegan cooking- everything you need to know is right here.

Vegan cuisine is becoming more and more popular in the UK.

Meals prepared completely without the use of any animal products are now a must-have option in many restaurants and cafes. Those exploring the vegan diet for the first time are often pleasantly surprised by the variety of dishes available. Because of this, more and more people who usually do not follow a vegan lifestyle find themselves enjoying vegan cuisine from time to time without intending to. Continue reading to find out further information on this special diet – including a variety of recipes for tasty vegan treats!

The Vegan Diet

Though closely related, vegans and vegetarians are not the same. Veganism goes one step further. A vegan diet is completely void of animal products. This means no meat or fish of any kind as well as no eggs or dairy products.  Cooking or baking vegan dishes must be done without eggs, milk, cream or butter. Also you may be surprised that even honey – a product produced by bees for raising the brood – is an animal product and so is not permitted in a vegan diet!

It may sound difficult, but thanks to the recent diversity in our supermarkets, it is possible to eat a vegan diet all year long without becoming bored. The most important thing to consider when preparing vegan food is to find ingredients that deliver sufficient quantities of all the nutrient our bodies require. Vegans are able to rely on a special toothpaste and/or dietary supplements to get their dose of vitamin B12!

Iodized salt has got plenty of iodine, though of course is a source of extra sodium in the diet, and the all-important vitamin D can be obtained by spending more time outdoors.

Quick Vegan Recipes

Vegan cooking is truly just as varied as cooking with animal ingredients. There are intricate, complicated recipes as well as lots of quick and easy dishes from which to choose. No matter what you are craving right now – be it a crunchy salad, a delicious soup or a nutritious casserole – there is certainly a delicious vegan recipe to fit the bill. Even cakes and desserts can be prepared entirely without animal products, surprising hay?

Vegan Ingredients

If you commit to cooking vegan, you must then, of course, exclusively use vegan ingredients. Some vegans choose to only use organic quality products while others do not; that is entirely up to you. There are certain foods that are vegan by nature, such as fruits, vegetables, legumes and nuts. Then, there is a second group of vegan foods – those meant to “replace” milk, egg, and meat products.  Examples include tofu, vegan cheese alternatives, soy yogurt, soy milk, egg-free noodles and even wine gums made with vegetable gum or pectin instead of gelatine.

Because more and more manufacturers are discovering the need for vegan food, there is now a surprisingly long and varied list of animal-free products on the market. See for yourself by paying a visit to a health food shop.

Here is a nice little surprise for many aspiring vegans: Flora Freedom is a completely dairy free and vegan spread, suitable for spreading, cooking and baking.

Conclusion

Living vegan requires a lot more than just cooking and eating vegan food. Strict vegans reject all forms of animal exploitation. They do not hunt or fish and also do not wear clothing made of leather, fur, wool or silk. They ensure that all cosmetic products – whether make-up, shower gel or hand soap – are made from animal-free ingredients and were not tested on animals. Down comforters or jackets are taboo, and most vegans also avoid events that put animals on display (for example: circuses, zoos and horse racing).