The world is full of delectable dishes, from modern-day masterpieces to recipes passed down from generations. The ratatouille of France, the pasta of Italy the assorted noodle soups of Asia -- all fine examples of cuisine around the world. Sadly, many of these cultural culinary delights possess animal products. However, with the innovation and determination of vegan foodies everywhere, these traditionally meat and animal-product based foods can be easily made all-green, with the use of vegan or vegetarian recipes.
The ubiquitous vegan burger, with its tofu/soybean/mushroom-based patty, is a product of vegans determined to offer healthier food options. With that said, what about other world-famous dishes? How can they be “veganized?” Here are some great cultural dishes from around the world, along with some tips to make them vegan.
Ah, France, the home of haute cuisine. Ironically enough, a lot of French cuisine was never “high-class” when they were first conceived, originally being the fare of peasants that lacked the nobility’s wider palate.
Burguinion, for example, was originally a simple beef stew by farmers from Burgundy, a region in France. Over time, this humble meal became synonymous with class and sophistication, a far-cry from its more pastoral roots.
How to make it vegan: Like a plant-based patty for a burger, bourguignon doesn’t have to conform to meat and/or animal-product based recipes to be delicious. You can easily replace beef with mushrooms, braising it with wine and serving it with delectable vegetables. Enjoy this French cuisine the vegan way.
Also, consider the naturally vegan dishes of certain countries. Who doesn’t know what ratatouille is? So keep an open mind and adapt to the circumstances.
On the other side of the world, a legacy of French cuisine persists in Southeast Asia, albeit in less than ideal circumstances. When France colonized Indochina (an archaic name for mainland Southeast Asia), they brought with them Western thoughts and products, including their cuisine options.
The banh mi combines the French baguette with local vegetables, naturalizing a colonial product and turning it into something distinctly Vietnamese.
How to make it vegan: Banh Mi is already served with bread and vegetables, and some variants don’t even use meat (beef, pork or even fish). You can eat Banh Mi as an all-veggie sandwich, but if you want a fuller gastronomic experience, you can add tofu as filling.
Thanks to the internet, the vast world seems to get smaller and smaller every day. People, places and even cuisine become less foreign and more intimate. Travel photos convey the majesty of distant locales. Blogs allow foodies from different countries to create their own vegan foods. Tours and cruises let people immerse in other cultures. The world has many flavors, and we can now enjoy them together.
The ubiquitous vegan burger, with its tofu/soybean/mushroom-based patty, is a product of vegans determined to offer healthier food options. With that said, what about other world-famous dishes? How can they be “veganized?” Here are some great cultural dishes from around the world, along with some tips to make them vegan.
Bourguignon (France)
 |
| Photo Credit: veganricha.com/2018/10/vegan-mushroom -bourguignon-instant-pot.html |
Burguinion, for example, was originally a simple beef stew by farmers from Burgundy, a region in France. Over time, this humble meal became synonymous with class and sophistication, a far-cry from its more pastoral roots.
How to make it vegan: Like a plant-based patty for a burger, bourguignon doesn’t have to conform to meat and/or animal-product based recipes to be delicious. You can easily replace beef with mushrooms, braising it with wine and serving it with delectable vegetables. Enjoy this French cuisine the vegan way.
Also, consider the naturally vegan dishes of certain countries. Who doesn’t know what ratatouille is? So keep an open mind and adapt to the circumstances.
Banh Mi (Vietnam)
 |
| Photo Credit: loveandlemons.com/seared-tofu-banh-mi/ |
On the other side of the world, a legacy of French cuisine persists in Southeast Asia, albeit in less than ideal circumstances. When France colonized Indochina (an archaic name for mainland Southeast Asia), they brought with them Western thoughts and products, including their cuisine options.
The banh mi combines the French baguette with local vegetables, naturalizing a colonial product and turning it into something distinctly Vietnamese.
How to make it vegan: Banh Mi is already served with bread and vegetables, and some variants don’t even use meat (beef, pork or even fish). You can eat Banh Mi as an all-veggie sandwich, but if you want a fuller gastronomic experience, you can add tofu as filling.
A World of Flavor
Thanks to the internet, the vast world seems to get smaller and smaller every day. People, places and even cuisine become less foreign and more intimate. Travel photos convey the majesty of distant locales. Blogs allow foodies from different countries to create their own vegan foods. Tours and cruises let people immerse in other cultures. The world has many flavors, and we can now enjoy them together.
Comments
Post a Comment