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Finding The Best Substitutes For A Low Fat Vegan Diet

15th December, 2009 - Posted by health news - No Comments

When cooking a strict vegan diet, it will be important to do some research on the types of substitutes that can create the flavor you want in a quick and easy way. Vegans do not eat any foods that are made from animals or animal products. This include honey and foods that you may not think had animal products used in their processing.

Substituting ingredients can be a challenge if you have never made a vegan meal. Making a vegan meal that is tasty and flavorful requires creativity and the use of some herbs and spices that may not be considered standard for most recipes. By using herbs and spices effectively, you can create a taste that is very similar to the original dish you are attempting to prepare. Knowing which substitutes will enhance rather than overpower the dish will also be important.

Many people are challenged and overwhelmed when they try to figure out what substitute works for a sweetener. When people do not use sugar, they often select honey. However, when honey is not a possibility, a broader approach to sweeteners must be explored. Using syrups as the sweetener for cooking will provide the sugar taste that is desired. The healthiest syrup that can be used in a recipe is maple syrup. When using syrup it is important to remember that they are very sweet and you will not need as much syrup as would be used with sugar.

Agave Syrup, Date Syrup, and Golden Syrup are also commonly used with cooking and sweetening hot drinks. Each syrup will impart a different flavor in the recipe you are creating. Experimenting with a small amount of syrup with the other ingredients will allow you to find the best sweetener for your recipe. When finding the best sweetener for a hot drink you will find that herbal teas react differently to each type of syrup.

Substitutes behave differently when they are used for baking or stovetop cooking. You will want to be sure and check on the substitute ingredient you are using to assure it is the best product for the recipe you are cooking. When baking, Soy or Almond milk is an excellent substitute for milk. These milks have more fat than other types of milk substitute and interact with other ingredients well during baking. Rice milk is excellent when used for stovetop recipes.

Making whipped cream for a topping, or a creamy pudding is best accomplished using Coconut milk. This is a wonderfully sweet milk that whips beautifully and peaks as well as regular whipped cream. You can also get vegan whipped cream, butter, and other ingredients through a health food store.

Using cheese in pasta is always an important part of an excellent Italian meal. Making Ricotta cheese is easy when you use a silken or mashed tofu that is blended with a bit of lemon juice. This “cheese” bakes in pasta beautifully and when fresh basil is mixed in with the cheese you get a great Italian flavor in your pasta.

The flavors of the vegan diet plan dishes that are made for people are very personal. Some people enjoy spicy foods that will require the creative use of herbs and spices to get the results that are desired. Other people prefer a soft and delicate flavor that will require some experimentation with the different substitutes available. Once a substitute is found that has the taste that is being sought, it will be important to write down the combination of ingredients that were used so you will have it on hand when you cook for a vegan vegetarian diet again.