5 Plant-Based Ingredients for Fresh, Flavorful Cooking
Eating a plant-based diet doesn’t have to mean boring, flavorless meals. With these five ingredients, you can create insanely flavorful and fresh vegan dishes that the whole family will love!
1. Fresh Herbs
Herbs are king when it comes to adding flavor and freshness to vegetable and vegan dishes. You can use fresh herbs like oregano, basil, thyme, and parsley to add an intense punch of flavor with little effort. Fresh herbs can be chopped, minced, and added directly to meals, or muddled into simple dressings, vinaigrettes, and sauces.
2. Nuts and Seeds
From walnuts to sunflower seeds, nuts and seeds are a great way to add crunch and healthy fats to vegan dishes. Toast them for an extra texture, or mix them into soups, veggie burgers, and buddha bowls for a delicious topping.
3. Spices
Using a variety of spices allows you to season food and explore different cuisines without the addition of meat. Popular vegan spices include ground cumin, smoked paprika, garlic powder, turmeric, and chili powder. You can also make flavorful vegan marinades and dressings.
4. Fresh and Pickled Veggies
Nothing brings new life to a vegan meal than fresh and pickled vegetables. Try adding bright, summery tomatoes to salads and pasta dishes, or pickled radishes and beets to veggie burgers or sandwiches. You can also turn everyday veggies like carrots, mushrooms, and bell peppers into pickles or kimchi.
5. Alternative Milks and Butters
These days, you can find nut butters and milks in almost any grocery store. Plant-based milks like almond, soy, coconut, and hemp can be used to replace dairy in smoothies, pancakes, and sauces. Nut butters such as peanut, cashew, and almond butter offer a great, healthy alternative to butter and can be spread on toast or added to sauces and dressings.
Whether you’re a vegan or simply looking to mix up your weekly meals, these five ingredients can help you create delicious, easy plant-based dishes that everyone in your family can enjoy! Go ahead and give them a try!