How to Feed a Vegan/Vegetarian

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In: Veg Eats
My friend recently asked for a recipe for her vegetarian dinner guests. I shared my easy “go to” chickpeas and tomato dish. It’s an omnivore favourite.Her questions got me thinking about the food I consume and the questions I frequently field about what I put in my body. It’s funny because I never grill a meat-eater with questions like, “How do you get your greens? or “Are you worried about not getting enough fibre?”

The questions can be frustrating (and repetitive) but I am always happy to share suggestions on healthy meat-free meals and to explain that my diverse diet does not include eating only salad. Technically speaking, I a type of vegetarian who errs on the side of vegan. I don’t eat meat, cow’s milk or eggs or gelatin. But at the same time I will eat the odd piece of cheese and I often forget to check ingredient labels. It’s a personal choice that I have been making for a really long time. I am not much into labels but when I am forced into it I like to say I eat a plant-based diet.

More and more I have tried to adopt a whole food diet where I eat less and less processed food. I love to put a vegetarian spin on recipes and share with my friends.

Yes I eat a lot of greens. I grow my own and I try to freeze as much as possible for the winter. It may look like a lot but I never waste it. Nice leafy greens are perfect for wraps, sandwiches, smoothies, soups, stirfrys etc.

I try to have a rainbow of colours on my plate. I think we can all agree that food tastes better when it’s pretty. Pictured here – zucchini noodles in a tahini/sunflower seed dressing, salad and veggies. In addition to fruits and vegetables, I am a big fan of using nuts and seeds in my meals.
 

I can’t take credit for these two dishes. My friend whipped up these veg twists on traditional Venezuelan eats (arepa and patacones). Oohh how I love plantain. Delicious … now I wish he could cook for me more often!

I love “do it yourself” meals featuring side dishes and communal eating. Here we ate Swiss chard wraps with tofu, rice and a mix of, nuts, seeds, veggies and fruit. I picked up this tradition from days teaching in Asia. My Korean friends really know how to eat well.
This buffet-style meal features chickpeas, seaweed and sprouts. Be prepared to use chopsticks if you come for dinner. Love them!

 

This tasty noodle wrap and side of couscous was on the menu at a veg-friendly restaurant in Kamloops. I am not much of a wrap (with bread) type of person but I will eat them once in while.

 

Buddha bowls are one of my favourite dishes. In this one, I used kiwi, lettuce, tomatoes, mushrooms, chickpeas, beans, strawberries and carrots. A dab of hummus in the middle completes the dish.

 

Sloppy wrapping aside, I love spring rolls. I used lentils, sprouts, carrots and apples. Often I will whip up a spicy peanut dressing for dipping or if I am lazy I will simply use Ketchup.
I whipped up a raw pizza with hummus, sprouts and pumpkin seeds. I made the buckwheat crust in my dehydrator.
 

Oohh I love me some baby bok choy! Steamed bok choy with a lemon/garlic tahini dressing is one of those dishes where there are no leftovers.

 
As for snacks, I try to make my own. Lately I’ve been addicted to apple and zucchini chips. I use my mandolin (and safety guard) to slice enough apple for nine trays. I have a smoothie every morning. Yes it does get boring so I try to shake it up by using different fruits. Lately I have been hooked on grapefruit and mango smoothies. (Basic formula: greens + water + fruit + chia/hemp/flax etc)

 

It was a struggle eating out or a friend’s place when I first came out as a vegetarian. I had to learn to be creative with my meals in order to get all the necessary vitamins and minerals. My have times changed. These two beautiful dishes were made at a vegan restaurant in Banff. (Sorry for the recycled photo. I don’t eat at vegan restaurants often. No options in my city.)
I asked Sona to send a picture of one her vegetarian dishes. This tasty-looking dish features quinoa, kale, feta and some other veggies. Sona loves to try new dishes too.
You see, eating a plant-based diet is anything but boring.
What’s your favourite plant-based dish?

7 Comments

  1. These dishes look amazing. I am a work in progress as far as plant based meals. I love to just eat veggies-however those who also reside with me do not. Thanks for sharing
    bakingrunner.blogspot.com

  3. Your wish is my command! I will share this in the Vegan Red Deer fb Group, highlighting the arepas success of course!

  4. I had a vegetarian flatmate in Australia. We were invited to dinner several times, and the host says, oh I made chicken — that's vegetarian! HUH???? thing is, I love meat free chili, or pasta sauces…and its fun to get creative with veggies. I love checking out cookbooks too for inspiration! and I so sosoooo want some arepas now!

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