Vegan cooking! some questions

[♥ms.pacman♥]

So long story short, DH and I are trying out vegan cooking. We tried the Purple Carrot service with the Tom Brady plan that was vegan and gluten free and high protein and holy carp, the recipes were all AMAZING and so quick and easy to make. My whole life I had always hate hate hated vegetables so that is saying a lot .

I am curious though about where to buy some common vegan ingredients so that we can replicate some of the recipes. For example, vegan butter or “vegenaise”? Any brands that are good? Any good cookbooks for beginners?

For us the reason to go vegan is largely for digestive reasons and to reduce inflammation. I have been breaking out like crazy on my chin and it seems related to dairy. I have tried paleo cooking but I still ended up very bloated plus the recipes were $$$$ and complicated to make. I’m definitely lactose intolerant but it appears I’m also affected by the hormones in milk or even meat. For YEARS I had been all into this natural diet stuff for healing and DH always dismissed it as nonsense or too difficult...now he’s gotten all into it too.

One thing I did not expect...vegan cooking is SO MUcH faster bc there is no meat involved. I work outside the home fulltime so this is game-changer. I was shocked as to how fast I can make meals (and how much less cleanup there is) due to not having to cook meat.

[georgiegirl]

If you have a Trader Joe’s nearby, check out the garlic sauce (basically garlic and oil) and zoug (a green condiment that has cilantro and jalapeños in it). I’ve been roasting veggies (like cauliflower, sweet potatoes, etc.) and adding greens and chickpeas and adding some garlic sauce and zoug, and it’s super yummy.

I’d love to focus more of vegan recipes, but DH isn’t a huge fan.


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[aa2mama]

Wow, the Tom Brady plan with Purple Carrot sounds exactly like what I have wished for! I will have to check it out.

Our local grocery store (HyVee) carries vegan items in their health market section. Our local health food store also carries vegan items.

I really like Angela Liddon's recipes. She has quite a few recipes at her website ohsheglows.com. She also has two cookbooks out: The Oh She Glows Cookbook and Oh She Glows Every Day.

Another favorite is minimalistbaker.com and the corresponding cookbook Minimalist Baker's Everyday Cooking by Dana Shultz.

[trcy]

I am a long time vegetarian trying to go vegan. I joined several FB groups that have been very helpful.
Plant based vegan life chat and recipes
Instant pot vegan recipes
Vegan recipe to share
Our regular grocery store has vegan butter and mayonnaise.
Good luck!


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[trcy]

Forgot to say, Sun basket also has a vegan option. Just got my first one, I am really excited to try it.


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[JustMe]

I think you have gotten some great suggestions on where to find things. If you haven't already done so you could just look for natural grocers/health food stores in you area; sometimes there are great local options.

We are vegetarian, but eat vegan a lot. I am really in need of some yummy easy recipes, so excited to learn about Purple Carrot.

[nfceagles]

We aren't vegan but DS is allergic to milk and eggs. Vegan butter is pretty easy to find around me. Our favorite, available at all the major grocery stores near me is Earth Balance. I love vegenaise. I don't find that as easy to find. Either Whole Goods when I'm near one or my local mom and pop natural grocery store. There are plenty of other vegan mayo options though. Hellman's has a vegan version and Just Mayo is available in my grocery store near the regular mayo. Also look near the tofu in the product section.


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[zoestargrove]

I've been relying on blogs and pinterest for new vegan recipes and instagram for continual inpiration , but I borrowed the cooks illustrated vegan cookbook from the library and thought it was excellent.

I make cauliflower fried rice every week because it's popular, even with my non-vegan family members. It's a clean the fridge of veggies kind of recipe (so the ingredients change depending on what I have) even though the flavors were too weird for everyone else.

Start by sautéing onions in 1-2 tablespoons of sesame oil (regular or hot depending on your preference)
add chopped broccoli stems, cabbage, brussel sprouts, carrots, zucchini, chopped kale, asparagus, frozen peas, corn, - whatever. You get the idea. I usually throw in minced garlic. After about 5-10 minutes, add broccoli tops and riced cauliflower. Add soy sauce or tamari to taste. a few tablespoons to 1/4 cup and if necessary more sesame oil. Mix until cooked thoroughly cooked. You can add egg or meat if want more protein. If I have leftover brown rice or quinoa, I throw that in as well.

basically the combo of sesame oil and soy sauce make this what it is...everything else can be swapped around.

Butternut bisque with coconut milk and curry spices is another family favorite and I couldn't get enough of this delicious soup over the winter. https://www.asaucykitchen.com/chickpea-lime-coconut-soup/

What helps me is to prep quite a bit on the weekends. That way, I have meals or components that can easily be turned into meals. Raw cashews and cashew milk are especially helpful for making creamy sauces, dips, etc.

Also, some specialty stores have cashew cheese and it's excellent. I've tried kite hill soft cheese and it's a very good substitute for goat cheese.

[lizzywednesday]

I like vegan recipes by Isa Chandra Moskowitz (http://www.isachandra.com) to start, but there are a lot of awesome resources everywhere online. When you can expand into international cuisine, there are so many more wonderful, flavorful options! (My mother has a selection of Indian inspired vegan cookbooks, for example, and they're awesome but I can't use any of the recipes because my DH is sensitive to the spices that go into curry blends.)

I have a friend who's been using the Happy Herbivore (not sure if she does both vegetarian and vegan or just vegan) site for inspiration.

[Myira]

I have not read all the replies yet, but we are a mostly vegan household, and in the same boat as you with picky kids that reject new and unfamiliar foods without trying them.

My weekly menu centers around beans made the Indian way with onion tomato ginger garlic based gravy with spices. Also lentils of different kinds are easy and quick to make. My kids like a bowl of bean curry with lentils and brown rice or quinoa. They also like steamed veggies like broccoli, cauliflower, stir fried Brussels sprouts and asparagus.
They enjoy tacos, and a rice and beans bow with fajita veggies. I also make lots of soups like butternut squash, black bean, split peas and lentils some of which are more like stews.
Another go to of mine is a wrap made with tofu or veggies. I make the wrap with whole wheat Indian roti or store bought tortilla.
Occasionally, they eat fish at dinner.

I have found many recipes on YouTube, most Indian preparations work great and you can just leave out the dairy ingredients if any or replace with plant based ingredients. I also have liked many recipes at https://www.forksoverknives.com/recipes/ and they also send you a meal plan if you subscribe.


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[sasha]

My current favorite cookbook for vegan cooking is Cook's Illustrated Vegan for Everybody. It is straightforward, offers numerous brand names and other suggestions for vegan substitutes and has delicious, well-tested recipes that fit into family meals. I'm a 30 year vegetarian, I cook a lot and I have found it very useful. So many other vegan cookbooks are more enthusiasm than reliable recipes or have hard-to-source ingredients. We don't need nooch in everything!

Also, this soup is a hit with everyone I've fed it to, and it doesn't taste like peanuts or coconut. It just tastes good. https://plantpurerecipes.com/recipe/creamy-african-stew/ I'm making another batch tomorrow!

[trcy]

My current favorite cookbook for vegan cooking is Cook's Illustrated Vegan for Everybody. It is straightforward, offers numerous brand names and other suggestions for vegan substitutes and has delicious, well-tested recipes that fit into family meals. I'm a 30 year vegetarian, I cook a lot and I have found it very useful. So many other vegan cookbooks are more enthusiasm than reliable recipes or have hard-to-source ingredients. We don't need nooch in everything!

Also, this soup is a hit with everyone I've fed it to, and it doesn't taste like peanuts or coconut. It just tastes good. https://plantpurerecipes.com/recipe/creamy-african-stew/ I'm making another batch tomorrow!

I am going to try this soup out tomorrow!


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[ahisma]

Vegan Butter: Earth Balance
Vegan mayo: Veganaise

Honestly, we rarely use either. I buy meal plans and batch every Sunday. There are a few options, but we really like the recipes from Clean Food Dirty Girl (they like to swear, but whatever - the food is good). The meals use no oil and are delicious. This week the theme is Asian Street Food. I have Tom Kha on the stove right now - smells great!

[magnoliaparadise]

My current favorite cookbook for vegan cooking is Cook's Illustrated Vegan for Everybody. It is straightforward, offers numerous brand names and other suggestions for vegan substitutes and has delicious, well-tested recipes that fit into family meals. I'm a 30 year vegetarian, I cook a lot and I have found it very useful. So many other vegan cookbooks are more enthusiasm than reliable recipes or have hard-to-source ingredients. We don't need nooch in everything!

Also, this soup is a hit with everyone I've fed it to, and it doesn't taste like peanuts or coconut. It just tastes good. https://plantpurerecipes.com/recipe/creamy-african-stew/ I'm making another batch tomorrow!

Thank you!! I am going to check out these cookbooks mentioned in this thread!

[trcy]

My current favorite cookbook for vegan cooking is Cook's Illustrated Vegan for Everybody. It is straightforward, offers numerous brand names and other suggestions for vegan substitutes and has delicious, well-tested recipes that fit into family meals. I'm a 30 year vegetarian, I cook a lot and I have found it very useful. So many other vegan cookbooks are more enthusiasm than reliable recipes or have hard-to-source ingredients. We don't need nooch in everything!

Also, this soup is a hit with everyone I've fed it to, and it doesn't taste like peanuts or coconut. It just tastes good. https://plantpurerecipes.com/recipe/creamy-african-stew/ I'm making another batch tomorrow!


I am going to try this soup out tomorrow!


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Just made it for lunch! Incredibly good! Hopefully picky DD likes it for dinner.


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[sasha]

Just made it for lunch! Incredibly good! Hopefully picky DD likes it for dinner.


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Yay! Even my most selective kid likes it, I hope your DD likes it too.

[trcy]

Yay! Even my most selective kid likes it, I hope your DD likes it too.

It’s a no from DD, unfortunately. DS loves it though. I have ton. Do you know if it’s freezeable?


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[sasha]

It’s a no from DD, unfortunately. DS loves it though. I have ton. Do you know if it’s freezeable?


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Yes, I do freeze it. It might separate a bit, but the flavor is fine!

[trcy]

Yes, I do freeze it. It might separate a bit, but the flavor is fine!

Thanks!


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[urquie]

My weekly menu centers around beans made the Indian way with onion tomato ginger garlic based gravy with spices. Also lentils of different kinds are easy and quick to make.


Can you please share some of your Indian recipes? My picky vegetarian DD loves Indian flavors, especially tomato/curry based. :-)

[div_0305]

Can you please share some of your Indian recipes? My picky vegetarian DD loves Indian flavors, especially tomato/curry based. :-)

Not the person you asked, but I wanted to suggest this site for easy, vegan Indian recipes (also other cuisines on there): https://www.veganricha.com/ I'm a lifelong vegetarian, but follow the recipes on this website often, even if I only happen to be substituting the tofu in her recipes for paneer. Her recipes never disappoint.

[urquie]

Not the person you asked, but I wanted to suggest this site for easy, vegan Indian recipes (also other cuisines on there): https://www.veganricha.com/ I'm a lifelong vegetarian, but follow the recipes on this website often, even if I only happen to be substituting the tofu in her recipes for paneer. Her recipes never disappoint.
Thanks!

[magnoliaparadise]

Not the person you asked, but I wanted to suggest this site for easy, vegan Indian recipes (also other cuisines on there): https://www.veganricha.com/ I'm a lifelong vegetarian, but follow the recipes on this website often, even if I only happen to be substituting the tofu in her recipes for paneer. Her recipes never disappoint.

This is great - thanks from me, too.