Vegan meals are popular food options for good reasons. Not only do you get to enjoy various edible plants, but you also avoid food poisoning common with animal products. Moreover, vegan meals are relatively cheaper than other options, making them ideal for people looking to save more. They are also sustainable, so you can be sure that you’re not harming the planet. It’s no wonder that approximately 9.7 million Americans enjoy vegan foods. While vegan meals are tasty, you can make them even more appealing to your taste bud. That said, here are the top ways to spice up your vegan meals.

Spices are excellent for enhancing the taste of your foods. Beyond their culinary benefits, they offer various health benefits. For instance, various studies show that cinnamon helps lower blood sugar levels while possessing an anti-diabetic effect. Likewise, sage helps your mental health by improving your memory and brain functions. Cayenne pepper contains capsaicin which has anti-cancer and weight loss properties, while ginger can help with nausea and pain management. These are but a few spices to incorporate into your meals. However, it’s important to understand what spices go well together. This is because pairing the wrong types can ruin the taste of your food. That said, you can leverage the internet to determine what spices work best when paired. Likewise, seek recommendations from family and friends for the best results.

Try different beans varieties 

Beans are rich in B vitamins and fibers, instrumental for reducing blood sugar and cholesterol levels. Moreover, they are an inexpensive but rich source of protein, making them an excellent meat substitute. Indeed, black beans are versatile, used for meals like tacos, salads, soups, veggie burgers, etc. however, other bean varieties can also produce excellent dishes. For instance, you can make a black-eyed peas salad or black-eyed peas curry. Likewise, cannellini beans can be mashed to make tasty fritters or included in stews. Other varieties include chickpeas, great northern beans, kidney beans, pinto beans, lima beans, etc. 

Don’t shy away from exotic meals

Why stick to the same old recipes when you can include more exotic meals into your meal plan? Make mealtimes more exciting by including various vegan dishes from different cultures. Not only will they appease your tastebuds, but you’ll eliminate the tendency of getting bored with repetitive meals. That said, feel free to try a tofu cauliflower korma, beetroot & paneer curry, or coconut curry from India. Likewise, you can include sweet and sour tofu, vegan fried rice, Chinese aubergine, and Cantonese chow mein to your dishes. Other exotic meals to work with include the vegan varieties of nachos, enchiladas, tacos, and quesadillas. While at it, feel free to try out this slow cooker spinach artichoke dip recipe for your carrots or celery. 

Work with various vegetables

Vegetables are an important component of vegan dishes, making it important to work with various types. Besides, not all vegetables are the same; each type is packed with different vitamins and functions. For instance, spinach contains a considerable amount of iron, good for energy and healthy blood. Likewise, broccoli reduces the risks of developing cancer in your liver, stomach, bladder, and breasts.

Eat the Rainbow

From habit alone, we just eat a handful of vegetable varieties. As a vegan, you get to broaden your horizons and try everything. Parsnips, rainbow carrots, celeriac, Mexican squash, purple cabbage, Swiss chard, chayote, endive, yellow beets, and watercress are a rainbow that most people never venture to touch Of course this is just the tip of the iceberg lettuce but let’s try bibb or arugula next time to wake up your tastebuds. Explore different cuisines and use their traditional ingredients to make your food more interesting.

How do you incorporate more excitement into your vegan meals? Remember, you don’t need to be vegan to have a “meatless Monday” recipe to pull out of your cap. Let me know in the comments below.

Until our next rendezvous…

XOXO

Trudy