It is an interesting myth, but it is not the truth, when you decide to become a vegan, you do not have to say bye to your favorite meals. You do not have to resort to elaborate cooking techniques to veganize a standard recipe and get the same tasty dish. Below, I have rounded up ten vegan meals that are both tasty and healthy and will be a great addition to your list of meals to try.
1. Veggie Fajitas
Who needs meat when you could stuff a warm tortilla with the spices of peppers and onions alike? This simple veggie fajita recipe calls for bell peppers of different color and sweet onions, spiced up with chili powder and cumin. Simply cook the vegetables and then roll them up with other attractive ingredients such as guacamole and salsa and you have these delicious Tex-Mex wraps.
2. Lentil Shepherd’s Pie
Vegan shepherd’s pie: healthier version of the classic dish that is based on the use of vegetables and soy mince. It’s full of lens, carrot, peas and corn, it’s covered with a mashed potato layer. This is a warm combination of flavors with the helpful pairing of some textures to make a meal enjoyable. It’s a delicious and easy to make meatless copycat recipe of the original.
3. Vegan “Crab” Cakes
The crab cakes made with this recipe will leave your taste buds amazed knowing that they do not contain any actual seafood. Chickpeas are the foundation for the recipe; with breadcrumbs, vegan mayo, dijon mustard, and Old Bay seasoning to boot. These crispy cakes really complement a lemon aioli or a traditional tartar to be dunked in. This recipe can deceive your palate and you would not miss the crab at all.
4. Eggplant Parmesan
Eggplant Parmesan, that crispy, cheesy, saucy dish you find in even the most traditional Italian restaurants, can be a full-blown vegan banquet. Eggplant rounds simply get dipped in breadcrumbs before being fried crispy before layering with a blended cashew sauce, marinara and shredded vegan mozzarella. This version which is made from plant base never seizes to amaze me.
5. Plant-Based Pad Thai
The sauce makes Pad Thai what it is and this vegan twist on the dish gets it right. From the rice noodles to the tofu to the bean sprouts, the peanuts, lime and cilantro – this noodle dish just hums with Thai flavors. The sauce is simple to prepare and is blended in a jiffy due to the rich umami flavors it has. This colorful and lively bowl can be personalized using a wide variety of vegetables.
6. Vegan Mac ‘n’ Cheese
Heated, steamed, creamy and cheesy, nobody cooks mac ‘n’ cheese like a vegan. This simple recipe turnscashews to a smooth cheese sauce and combines it with elbow pasta and broccoli sautéed with garlic. And when it turns brown on top with soft, rising dough and little holes all over, it’s perfect for comforting the whole family.
7. People call it a lentil Bolognese over zucchini noodles.
This zoodle meal is made with protein-rich lentils, delicious San Marzano tomato sauce, Italian herbs and vibrant zoodles, making it a healthy and filling vegan bolognese that is lower in calories than the traditional pasta recipe. It is easy to prepare for a delicious meal that can be prepared during a working week and that feels like an Italian treat.
8. Here are some recipes that are tastier than the original one: Smoky Baked Tofu Lettuce Wraps
Who knew lettuce could be the ideal base for these delightful low carb Asian-style wraps that are packed with hoisin glazed tofu, pickled carrots, cucumber, and crushed peanuts? The tofu is the main focus by having a mouth-watering sweet and salty marinade that makes it have a lot of taste while it is in the process of baking. Load it high on crisp lettuce leaves to have fun with a fresh wrap.
9. These tempeh tacos are served with avocado crema, which adds a delicious and healthy twist to the meal.
Marinated tempeh cooked to smoky, charred perfection is partnered with equally caramelized corn, peppers, and onions for mouthwatering tacos that are finished with a luxuriously sour avocado sauce and zesty lime crema. Bold and delicious, these meatless tempeh tacos are full of texture and flavor and show that you don’t have to compromise on taste when eating vegan.
10. Black Bean Brownie Bites
Oh yes, you can still indulge in scrumptious chocolate treats even if you are on vegan diet. These sumptuous black bean brownies are surprisingly nourishing, and free of gluten and dairy. The black beans and cocoa powder make the fudgy pudding and the chocolate chips bring in the melty chunks of chocolate. Top with coconut whipped cream for a plant-based special treat if you fancy it.
The vegan diet is a whole new world of delicious dishes, which can be invented using ingredients that are not limited in number. Treat all your taste buds with a list of 10 vegan dishes that will surely become a party favorite. Your palate will be happy while your body will feel charged up with less intake of junk food and more of healthy plant sources.