Veganism and the vegan lifestyle have gained popularity over recent years. But what is it exactly? The vegan diet and lifestyle are defined by the exclusion of all forms of animal products – from their diets and daily lives.

While the concept of a meatless diet has been around for centuries, namely in Indian and eastern Mediterranean societies, the term ‘veganism’ was coined during the 1940s to define those who didn’t eat dairy products. Since then, it has grown from a diet to a lifestyle, and you can find the word on your skincare products just as much as you would find it on a menu.

Are there any naturally vegan cultures?

There haven’t been any completely vegan cultures in history. However, many cultures do follow a meatless, plant-based diet. India, for example, has the lowest rate of meat consumption in the world – primarily because that is where religions like Hinduism, Jainism, and Buddhism are very prevalent, and these religions promote a vegetarian diet. 

While Indian cuisine is predominantly vegetarian, it isn’t completely vegan as dairy products are used quite liberally in their cooking, especially in the form of ghee and cream. South Indian cooking is more in line with veganism as it uses more coconut, coconut oil, and sesame oil to prepare the food. 

Most Asian cuisines, such as Chinese and Thai, are also vegan if you choose to go meatless. That’s because most Chinese food is made using oil rather than butter or milk. Thai food also uses coconut milk rather than regular milk, making it a vegan-friendly cuisine. 

Mediterranean food uses more legumes, vegetables, whole grains, and seeds than meat, therefore being more well-suited to vegans. 

What are the common vegan substitutes?

As the vegan trend grew, so did the number of substitutes available. Now, no matter what you decide to make, you can easily swap the dairy and meat for a vegan substitute. Here are a few popular vegan alternatives. 

Tofu/Tempeh 

Tofu and Tempeh are both soy-based foods that are loaded with protein. You can find both used in a variety of vegan recipes as a substitute. 

Tofu is nutritious, incredibly versatile, and can take on lots of flavour – making it a welcome alternative to meat or paneer in any recipe. Try this delicious and simple Thai Basil Tofu to start. 

Many shy away from Tempeh as they are unaware of the ingredient or don’t know how to use it. This soy-based protein has a nutty flavour with a slightly bitter aftertaste and works well with a simple marinade or in a stir fry. 

Milk substitutes

There are many substitutes for milk now available in the market – soy, cashew, oat, almond, hazelnut, and hemp. These substitutes can be used in a variety of food and drinks, from your daily coffee to desserts. Try this Vegan Salted Caramel Ice Cream recipe for a sweet and refreshing vegan dessert – it makes use of coconut and almond milk as a dairy substitute.

Jackfruit

If meat used to be a big part of your daily meals, jackfruit is a great vegan substitute for you. The shredded texture emulates the texture of meat so perfectly that it doesn’t feel out of place on your tacos, stir-fries, and salads.

Aquafaba

Aquafaba is the water in which chickpeas or other such pulses have been cooked. This water mimics the function of an egg white and can be used as a vegan substitute for eggs in cakes, marshmallows, and other desserts. Whipped aquafaba can even be used as an egg white substitute in meringues. 

Mock Meat

Moving from a meat-based to a plant-based diet isn’t easy, but the process can be made easier with mock meat. Seitan is one such mock meat made with wheat gluten. It has a similar texture to that of meat and is incredibly versatile, making it an easy substitute in any meat-based recipe.

Brands such as ‘Beyond Meat’ have also introduced plant-based meat substitutes that taste and feel close to the real thing so that vegans don’t have to miss out on their favourite dishes. 

Does it compromise on flavour?

A common misconception when it comes to vegan cuisine is that it compromises on flavour. But that isn’t true. With the wide range of dairy-free alternatives and mock meats now available, there’s no limit to the vegan recipes you can try out. 

Here are a few vegan recipes to get you started: 

• Olive And Herb Focaccia
• Guacamole
• Sprouts Salad With Dried Cranberries
• Vegetable Shami Kebabs
• Thai Red Curry With Vegetables
• Vegetable Olive Fried Rice
• Eggless Banana Bread

For more vegan recipes, click here. 

Here are some nice videos on Vegan cooking