“A man can live and be healthy without killing animals for food; therefore, if he eats meat, he participates in taking animal life merely for the sake of his appetite. And to act so is immoral.”- Leo Tolstoy
Talking about the vegan diet makes me remember my Aunt. She is the best cook and moreover, a passionate soul. We often visit each other and when we do we always cook together. It was her compassion towards animals that reflected in her words-“why kill when there is plenty of colourful green variety to enjoy?”
It’s not that someone forced me to be a plant lover–it was my own choice and will. Many of my friends often ask me if I feel that I lack iron and protein because of my being a vegan. My answer to them has always been the same. Don’t believe in myths about veganism. Instead, just try it for a period of time and then tell me if you feel that you lack protein or that you will die. The truth is, one can easily derive more than enough protein from a vegan diet.
Switching to a vegan diets is a great start towards a healthier lifestyle. Start gradually if you are a hardcore meat eater–have familiar veggies and then try new veggies so you can see how many alternatives nature has given us in abundance to enjoy without hurting and killing other living beings.
Whether you are slowly moving towards veganism or just wanting to try it out, here are 10 healthy and tasty vegan recipes from morning to night for you to enjoy!
1. Mushroom and Green Capsicum Recipes
Capsicums are rich in Vitamin A and C, while mushrooms are a great source of minerals and even prevent cancer. You can make a gravy recipe out of them, add them in salad or toasts for breakfast prepared in less than 10 minutes. All you need is toasted or plain bread; cut the mushrooms and capsicums into pieces and sauté in olive oil, apple butter, silken tofu, and then just make the spread as you like. You can add any other veggies too. Sprinkle salt and black pepper to taste.
2. Lentil and Rice Recipes
Rice and lentils are good sources of carbohydrates and proteins. They can be cooked in various forms and lots of recipes are made using them. Here is a simple Idli Sambhar recipe. It is a popular South Indian recipe made from fermented rice and urad dal (black lentils). These fluffy, savory cakes are often served for breakfast with chutney or sambar. Ferment the rice and lentils overnight. Add salt to taste and grind the mixture. In an Idli maker pour the batter and bake. You can learn the recipe here.
3. Soy Recipes
Unsweetened soy yogurt is a common vegan recipe. Soy can be used in many forms–soy milk, tofu, cheese or use in the form of yogurt. You can add any fruit you like and garnish with cilantro, pomegranate, berries or nuts to add a sweet flavor. Tofu works like cheese. Crumble up some tofu and sauté it with herbs, spices, or vegetables. Or cut the tofu into slices, dip in chickpea flour, add green chilies and cilantro, salt and chat masala to taste and deep fry till golden brown and serve as a snack. You can also make tofu curry for dinner.
4. Chickpea Recipes
The chickpea has many health benefits. Rich with protein and fiber, many healthy recipes come out of this single product. Use it in salad boiled or (soaked in water) raw. Make patties out of it by grinding them up in a food processor and adding your favorite herbs and spices (ideal for breakfast). Make chickpea curry (good for lunch) or Indian Dhokla (snack). Find 28 varieties of chick pea recipes here.
5. Rice Recipes
Rice is a common breakfast/lunch/dinner ingredient in many Asian cultures. Use it in a variety of forms. You can steam or fry rice with vegetables, or simmer it with apple juice or rice milk for a sweet porridge or pudding. You can also grind raw rice into flour and make a variety of dishes for breakfast and lunch.
6. Sweet Potatoes
Sweet potatoes are highly nutritious. You can bake them, and can also dress them up with maple syrup and nuts. You can find more sweet potato recipes here.
7. Soup Recipes
Soups are great appetizers. You can have tomato, mushroom, mixed veggie, carrot, spinach or any other veggie soup you’d like to have. Add fried bread crumbs or some herbs or spices for flavor.
8. Bean and Legume Recipe
Beans are rich in fiber, folate, magnesium, iron, and potassium. Lots of dishes can be prepared from beans. Red beans are soaked in water overnight, pressure cooked in the morning and flavored wtih salt and pepper to serve at breakfast. If want to make something creamier then you can make a gravy as well. Add chopped tomatoes, onions, ginger, green chilies and fry this paste in olive oil. Then add salt and gravy spices, pour mixture into cooked beans and garnish with green cilantro. Serve either with hot rice or bread.
9. Sesame Recipes
Sesame seeds are rich in vitamins and minerals. You can make a variety of recipes with them. Try sesame pudding with coconut or soy milk, sesame cookies with oat flour, or add them in vegetarian noodles or pasta. Whisk together sesame oil, soy sauce, balsamic vinegar, chili oil, and sugar in a large bowl. Toss the pasta in the dressing, then sprinkle with sesame seeds, green onion, and bell pepper. Serve hot.
10. Fruit Recipes
We all love fruit. You know the benefits of fruits too. You can make a variety of dishes with fruit. From muffins to tarts, cakes, salads, an addition to yogurt, and many other dishes. Try this simple recipe which is very tasty and healthy: take four washed and peeled pears. Either bake or fry them in olive oil, then sprinkle on salt and black pepper and serve. You can also add coconut milk to them and sauté for few minutes. Add tomatoes and spices and garnish with ginger and green cilantro.
All these recipes can be tried with different vegetables, fruits and nuts. You can add your own creativity to each dish. Enjoy!!
About the author: Sarah Meyer is the editor at WinMeNot.com. Her passion for helping people in all aspects of life flows through her writings, in form of guides and reviews. In addition, Sarah also works as a social media manager at WinMeNot, helping the business with digital marketing.
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