Veganism: Not as intimidating as you thought

For some people, the "Kitchen vegan" phrase sounds like an oxymoron. For others, it sounds like the road of a hardcore food nutritionist. "Scary" was the word used by my roommate when I announced I was going to try to become vegetarian. What many people do not know is that it is quite possible, indeed even probable, for a creative chef make such exciting and full of variety vegan food as any other cuisine.

What is veganism, first of all? Strictly, veganism is a diet that contains no animal by-products. Not only vegans do not eat meat, like vegetarians, but also not consume any food created by animals. No milk, no eggs, no dairy. No pulp derived from eggs. No gelatin. When you stop to think, it is surprising the typical American diet is animal.

All this, I admit, can sound pretty scary to the typical meat and milk lover and certainly the typical American is surrounded by fast food burgers and sandwiches from an early age. But veganism is not as intimidating as it sounds. In fact, when the right decisions in the recipe and menu are taken, it can be extremely tasty and satisfying.

Think of it this way: vegan cuisine can not rely on heavy, flavorful ingredients such as meat and dairy products for their flavor and substance. What do you do instead? They replace the ingredients in a way that makes you miss them-even with fresh vegetables, heady spices, wonderful texture combinations and delicate wheat-based starches.

Only one of the most vegan food on the market and tends to scare the public, is tofu. Tofu is basically a soybean curd-like consistency with a sponge and a mild flavor that soaks up any flavors are around him. Am I tempted yet?

Wait. let's try it. Imagine an Italian dish refill cartridges, loaded with tomato sauce and basil, garlic and oregano. Now imagine that instead of cheese, the shells are filled with a mixture of soft tofu, mixed with fresh spinach. Tofu absorbs the Italian spices and has a delicate, creamy flavor all its own. Does the absence was noted Cheese? Insurance. You have lost? Not likely.

There are many unique vegan recipes for cuisine that are truly amazing in their variety and flavor. Curry is one of the darlings of vegan cuisine and is available in all shapes and flavors. Other wonderful vegan dishes include various types of stir-fry, swimming in soy sauces and fresh vegetables; salads overflowing with fresh beans and sweet oil dressings and many exciting and spicy snacks. Many people, for example, love the wonderful zing of hummus and garlic do not realize is clearly a vegan meal.

Try vegan cuisine. Once you stop relying on meat and milk for taste and fullness, you might just discover a new world, where spices and bean curd can be delicious abound.