Vegany Goodness: Top Ten Vegan Foods

“Vegan is just pure love. Love for animals, love for the planet, and love for yourself.”

– Mischa Temaul

Veganism refers to the avoidance of using any kind of animal products. Animals have feelings just like human beings. Vegans think that it is inconceivable to hurt or kill a being who can feel emotions like us. Hence, they abstain from eating anything that comes from an animal.

Though veganism began in earnest way back in the 19^th century, it was still followed by a few people belonging to a particular niche. Ever since the 1960s, veganism has started gaining widespread acceptance. Being vegan is the trend today. More and more people are giving up meat, fish, and dairy to adopt a vegan lifestyle. Veganism is becoming more and more mainstream ever since the 2010s. In fact, 2019 has been declared the year of the vegan by The Economist. More and more restaurants, fast food joints, and, supermarts are now offering vegan options for their customers.

Despite all this, veganism is still a foreign concept for many. After all, most of the world depends on a meat and dairy-based diet. Many of us will have no idea where to start if we ever decide to turn vegan. To make things easier for those who are newly entering the world of veganism, here is a list of my favorite vegan dishes from around the world.  

Dish: Aloo Gobi

Country of Origin: India

As the name suggests, aloo gobi is made out of potatoes and cauliflowers, coupled with onions and seasoned with a number of spices like cumin powder, coriander powder, and chili powder, among others. To enhance the flavor, it is topped with lime juice and coriander. Renowned all over north India, Pakistan, and Nepal, the dish is best enjoyed with rice or chapattis.

Dish: Ratatouille

Country of Origin: France

Ratatouille is a famous French dish that very few have not heard of, thanks to Disney’s famous animated film. The savory dish is made out of parsley, garlic, courgettes, eggplants, green and red peppers, and tomatoes, all of which are first simmered separately using salt, pepper, and olive oil and then tossed together. Ratatouille can be eaten hot or cold, as a main dish, or as a companion to garlic bread or meaty main dishes.

Dish: Miso Soup 

Country of Origin: Japan

Miso Soup is a staple Japanese dish that is consumed by more than 70% Japanese at breakfast. Made out of miso, which is an amalgamation of rice, salt, water, fermented soybeans, dashi, tofu, and seaweed, among other ingredients, miso soup is known for its healing abilities. It alkalizes the blood and revives the nervous system making it the go-to breakfast treat.

Dish: Humus 

Country of Origin: Egypt 

Humus is a common dish in the Middle East. Originating from 13^th century Egypt, the dish has now become popular internationally. The tangy-flavored nutrient-rich dish is made up of lemon juice, garlic, tahini sesame paste, and mashed chickpeas. Served with a dash of olive oil, humus is used as a dip or a filling for flatbreads like pitas.

Dish: Tempe Orek 

Country of Origin: Indonesia 

Tempe is a protein-rich soy product that is a staple in Indonesia. It features in quite a number of Indonesian dishes. Tempe Orek is one of the most savory dishes made out of the ingredient. Here, a block of tempeh is sliced and fried with Indonesian soy sauce chili peppers, kefir lime leaves, onions, garlic, tamarind juice, palm sugar, and galangal. Glazed with its sauce, tempe orek is then served with steamed rice.

Dish: Muhammara  

Country of Origin: Syria

Originating from Aleppo, Muhammara is a dip typically made of ground walnuts, roasted red peppers, and olive oil. Often, lemon juice, garlic, salt, and pomegranate molasses are added to this textually savory dish. The sweet and smoky flavor of muhammara makes it a favorite among its consumers.

Dish: Zeytoon Parvadeh 

Country of Origin: Iran

Zeytoon Parvadeh is a traditional Iranian dish originating from the famous Gilan province. Primarily made of pitted olives and pomegranate molasses, ground walnuts, garlic, cilantro, mint, and pomegranates are often added to this hearty appetizer.

Dish: Guacamole 

Country of Origin: Mexico

Guacamole is made out of mashed ripe avocados, onions, chilis, tomatillos, coriander, salt, and other such seasonings. Avocados are the key ingredient. So make sure that when you have guacamole, it is prepared with the best quality avocado. The Guacamole has ancient roots. Way back in the 14^th century, the Aztecs considered guacamole to be an aphrodisiac. Even today, it is widely consumed around the world.

Dish: Fakes 

Country of Origin: Greece

Fakes is a simple dish with Greek origins. Mainly comprised of green or brown lentils, this flavorful dish also includes onions, garlic, carrots, and pureed tomatoes. Served warm and topped with olive oil and vinegar, this hearty meal is the go-to dish during winters. Astonishingly, fakes is eerily similar to the Indian dal.

Dish: Spaghetti Aglio E Olio 

Country of Origin: Italy

Spaghetti Aglio E Olio is a quintessential example of Italian peasant-style cooking. Simply made out of spaghetti, garlic, and oil, it is often topped with the Italian special red chili pepper to add a touch of spiciness. It is a wholesome mean that is bound to fill your tummy as we as heart.

Conclusion

Though it may seem that veganism is a recent fad, it has actually been a way of life for many people for centuries. Naturally, there are a ton of sumptuous vegan dishes available around the world. Actually, you would be surprised at the variety of food options available out there that are not made of meat, fish, or any dairy product. You only need to look to make your vegan journey more interesting.

As veganism is still not that common, you may need to hunt for these delectable treats. This list consists of only a few of the hundreds of healthy and nutritional vegan foods out there.

Do comment and let me know about your favorite vegan dishes.