I thought it would be a great idea to put together lists of some of the best dishes that I've published that have worked so far, and I thought I would start with Vegan Recipes.
I'm not vegan myself, but I have always, ALWAYS enjoyed cooking and experimenting with new and unusual ingredients. When I look at my childhood, it's pretty evident that so many of the dishes my brother and I grew up with are actually vegan - even though that isn't what we were aiming for at all.
The biggest resistance I face when I post vegan recipes is "Vegan? No thanks" - the word itself just puts off so many people for one reason or another, when it doesn't need to be that way at all. Taking away the moral dilemmas that often come into arguments, sometimes vegan food is just GOOD and TASTY. And to me, that's reason enough to give it a try. Take this Pasta with Vodka Sauce for example - it came out super creamy and spicy despite having zero cream in the base. I substituted soaked cashews - a trick we often use in Indian dishes - and it was just perfect.
If I could hand-feed these Miso Tahini Noodles to every person I know, trust me I would. These were super hearty and filling and a true burst of amazing complimentary flavors - salt, fat, acid, heat, and just the right amount of umami. You could throw any grilled veggies that you have leftover and have it ready in 20 minutes!
My Vegan Cream Cheese is probably the recipe idea that gets laughed at the most. Because why vegan-ize cream cheese, out of all things in the world? And a tofu cheese? No thanks! But this is a 2 minute process with easy-to-find store bought ingredients, and it makes eating bagels and toast SO guilt-less and tasty. I dare you to try it.
Now this Edamame Hummus doesn't even need to be advertised as Vegan - it is simply worth making at home just because. Apart from being this beautiful bold, green color, it is packed with flavor and nutrition and can serve as an accompaniment to chips, carrots, veggies, or even as a dressing to a sandwich or wrap!
And finally - to end on a sweet note - I recommend trying this gorgeous, indulgent Vegan Berry Cheesecake. I have made this multiple times and will always do so - especially for special occasions and celebrations. It is a true crowd pleaser and perfectly refreshing for the brink of summer. Most vegan desserts require some form of dates to be added in as a sweetener. My cheesecake asks for vegan honey or maple syrup, instead. The consistency is creamy and rich, and it goes a long way.
My goal isn't to turn anyone vegan - I could never do that when I eat meat and dairy myself. But I absolutely think that there are concept in vegan cooking and dishes that are worth incorporating into your daily life. Not only is it environmentally beneficial, but it will keep things exciting for you, having a brand new world of dishes and ingredients to explore!