The one question unassuming people never fail to ask a new vegetarian is: “So, if you don’t eat meat, what do you eat?” The real answer: everything! Anyone who thinks that veggie cuisine is bland and lacking in options has probably never gone a meal without something that had a face. Think of the array of flavor-packed foods that are animal free: garlic, jalapeño pepper, lemon, cinnamon, peanut butter, maple syrup, not to mention every fruit and vegetable that you could possibly name. If anything, recipes that let these tongue-tickling ingredients be the stars shine on your plate even more than ones that have them play a supporting role to chicken and beef.
But, you’re the one who decided to go veg…you probably already know all of this, don’t you? The goal of this chapter is to give you some ideas so you can impress your friends and family with just how delicious meat-and/or dairy-free food can be. The recipes can be made by you or an adult—if Mom is struggling to find meals that everyone will love, this chapter will make her day.
All of my recipes are designed to meet the needs of VegHeads anywhere on the spectrum. All are at minimum lacto-ovo vegetarian. At the top, we’ll use icons to indicate what the recipe is free of, so you can easily scan for the recipes that best appeal to you. And if one does contain dairy or eggs, I’ll give you some simple swaps at the bottom so you can “veganize it.” I’ve also included hints on making recipes gluten free, in case that is something that you or someone in your family has a need for (note: gluten is generally only a problem for people who have an allergy or intolerance to it).
Now, get cooking, VegHead!*
*The nutrition information was calculated using Nutrihand and is based on each original recipe before making any adjustments to “veganize it” or make it gluten-free.
Before you get started in the kitchen, it is helpful to know what some basic words you’ll come across in recipes mean. Here’s a simple guide to some of the culinary terms you’ll see most often:
Boil: Heat a liquid until bubbles break the surface.
Broil: Cook food directly under or above heat source; typically broiling happens in a full-sized or toaster oven. It can also be done using a barbecue.
Chop: Cut food into bite-sized or smaller pieces using a knife or cleaver.
Dice: Cut food with a knife into tiny cubes; about one-eighth to one-quarter inch in size.
Mince: Cut food into very small pieces using a knife. Pieces are smaller than chopped or diced pieces.
Preheat: Heat beforehand; usually refers to reaching a specific temperature in an oven.
Sauté: Cook food quickly over moderate heat in a sauté pan or skillet using a small amount of oil.
Simmer: Cook food in liquid at a low temperature; tiny bubbles should begin to form at the surface.
Stir fry: Cook food in a small amount of fat over high heat, stirring constantly.
So exciting—I just got accepted to a summer foreign exchange program in England. I can’t wait. But there is one thing I’m nervous about. I stopped eating meat and fish last year. I hate the idea of eating meat, but I don’t want to cause trouble for my host family who will feed me breakfast and dinner five days a week. Also, I don’t want these strangers to think I’m crazy! Should I just deal with it and eat meat for the summer?
Sincerely.
Reconsidering in Racine
Dear Reconsidering.
First things first—giving up meat is a lifestyle choice, and it doesn’t say anything about your insanity level. If you’re crazy, it has nothing to do with your food choices (har har). Now that we’ve gotten that out of the way, I don’t think you should alter your diet preferences just because you will be a guest. Chances are your host family will be understanding about your VegHeadiness—and being up front about it will help them get to know who you are, which they are likely excited to do. Just be sure to mention the fact that you don’t eat meat to them in an email before you arrive to avoid any unnecessary awkwardness. Tell them that you are flexible otherwise (you are, aren’t you?) and super psyched to get to know them and to sample British cuisine. And be a gracious guest. I recommend at least trying everything they offer you that’s not meat—travel is all about new experiences, including edible ones!
Bon voyage!
VEGGIE