Tag Archives: Vegan Food

The Veg Life, Vegan Tips

Vegan Staples

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Hi there!

Welcome to the Staples List. On this page I list what I count as absolute essentials for making your life/transitioning to veganism easier. This list just contains food but don’t worry, I’ll be making another post about switching over the other aspects in your life.

These are, (again) absolute essentials only – very, very basic ingredients. Some you may not even realize you need to replace. Others, are pretty basic ingredients to keep on hand (vegan or not), that just make cooking/finding something to make a hell of a lot easier with them always in stock.

Cause seriously, do you actually enjoy going to buy bread every week? (Fun fact: bread can keep in the freezer 3-6 months!)

General Cooking

  • Margrine/Butter (I like Earth Balance and Becel Vegan Margarine)
  • Oil
  • Spices*
  • Non-Dairy Milk (Almond/Soy/Nut – I personally like Silk Almond)
  • Sauces (Soy sauce, hot sauce, ketchup, salsa, salad dressing, etc.)
  • Hemp Hearts (a great source of protein, and you can sprinkle them on practically anything!)

*Depending on how you cook, you’ll want to keep cuisine spices on hand (Chinese – ginger, seasame seeds, soy sauce, etc., Italian – garlic, oregano, rosemary, thyme, fennel, onion, parsely, etc.) I’d assume if you’ve ever done any cooking, you should already have some spices on hand, so you may not need to worry about that.

Pantry

  • Dried Rice (I like keeping brown rice over white, since it’s healthier)
  • Dried Pasta (again, I keep whole wheat over regular)
  • Peanut Butter (Kraft Unsweetened/Unsalted [dark blue label] is good)
  • Mushroom/Vegetable Broth (some ‘veggie’ broths have fish/beef/chicken stock in them – be sure to read the label!)
  • Canned Beans (black, chickpea, lentils, red/kidney)
  • Canned Veggies
  • Baking supplies (optional, but I recommend keeping at least flour, cornstarch, baking soda and [brown] sugar around)

Freezer

  • Bread
  • Frozen Veggies
  • Fruit (if you make a lot of smoothies, also they keep longer when frozen)

Seitan Basics

  • Vital Wheat Gluten
  • Nutrional Yeast (referred to as ‘nooch’ – is a great source of B12)
  • Tahini Paste
  • Spices*
  • Vegetable/Mushroom Broth

*Depending on what meat you’re trying to replicate, the spices you put in your seitan will change. If you make Chick’N Seitan, you’ll want to keep poultry seasoning or sage and thyme on hand to give it that distinctive flavour.

One of the easiest dishes to make out of the ingredients listed above is stir-fry. I highly suggest learning how to make stir-fry both with rice and pasta, that way there’s at least a bit of a difference when making it. It’ll definitely save your butt on those days when you don’t really feel like cooking and want something fast/easy, without ordering take-out, or having to buy all those pre-made meals. (Which I’ll cover later)

I hope this list of essentials helps you in stocking your newly vegan kitchen, and allows you to begin your journey with a bit more ease.

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Product Review, The Veg Life

Field Roast Burger Review

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I have to confess, even before going vegan, I never really liked the taste of beef. I admit, my preferred meat was (and still is) chicken. I don’t know why, but whenever we were cooking beef, and it would make the whole house smell like fat/beef – it always made me a bit nauseous to smell. (I have no idea why) I really only ever ate beef as meatballs (buried under spaghetti sauce), or in a burger at my families annual BBQ. I never really ate it by itself, it always had to be hidden in something else.

Needless to say, while I was excited to try a new vegan burger, I had a bit of doubt I’d enjoy it much because these are fake beef burgers. But, I’m glad to say, this burger surprised me. I cooked it as per box instruction (5min, flip, 5min.) and added cheese, lettuce, and red bell pepper, topped with a squirt of ketchup on a toasted bun. The texture is a good, solid texture. It really gives you that nice bite you want from a burger (that ‘meaty’ bite, not squishy or overly chewy), they’re not too thick, but not pancake thin either.

All in all, this is a burger I could (and probably will!) eat by itself, just bun-patty-bun. Could also cut it up and put it in a salad, or even just eat with your hands like a caveman, no toppings/bun. It’s that good. It doesn’t need to be buried under a million different flavours. It’s a great stand alone burger. When I was cooking it, it smelled kind of like brown rice (I’m assuming that it might’ve actually been the barley) so that was good, I’m very glad that it didn’t have that classic beef/fatty smell – it smelled like I was making a stir fry. Also, it is carnivore approved! I gave it to my (toughest to please with vegan food) friend and they said it was ‘the best vegan burger’ they’ve had (with the exception of my seitan chick’n burgers). Score!

Okay, so that was the good, now for the ‘bad’:

After pulling the patties out of the box, I have to admit, I don’t like how they’re packaged together in the plastic. It reminds me of when people make a roast and they tie it up with rope, I don’t know, that kinda bothers me.

Also, there was only 4 in a box, which is disappointing because they’re so good. I’d like to see them come in a bigger box, even if it’s just two extra – I felt like they need more per box. Especially if you want to get them for a cook-out/party – you’re gonna need at least three boxes, and at $12 per box, that’s kind of crazy to spend on burgers alone.

I don’t know, maybe that’s just me, I know they’re really amazing quality, but even if they lower the price down to $10 or $8, that’d be better.

Also, when I went to flip them, they seemed a bit flimsy – they didn’t fall apart, but if I wasn’t as careful, they looked like they could’ve. I don’t know if maybe they needed more time on the one side, or maybe I suck at flipping things, but they were kind of the same like when you go to flip a pancake the first time, and if you don’t get all of it on the flipper, it kind of sags and gives you that panicky moment.

Other than that though, I highly recommend checking this burger out, you won’t regret it. It might even please the non-vegan family/friends (or fool them).

So, have you tried the Field Roast burger? What are your thoughts on it? Like it? Hate it? Let me know in the comments!

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Recipes, The Veg Life

Faushi

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Hey guys!

I decided to name this dish Faushi because it’s just a compound word of ‘faux’ and ‘sushi’, and since there is no fish OR seaweed in this (I don’t like the taste), I didn’t want to confuse anyone. (Also, making up words is fun!)

Since it’s getting warmer, I didn’t want to make something hot, so I decided to make sushi. I had originally planned on swapping the seaweed for swiss chard, but that failed. (Going off the memory of 1 Youtube video probably didn’t help any)

So, because I ended up using tortillas, I technically made wraps, and then just cut them up. Aaaand that’d be why I didn’t label this real sushi.

If you wanted to though, you could not cut these into pieces and then you would have a cold wrap instead.

Anyway, onto the recipe!

AterImber.com - Faushi Platter - Vegan food, sushi, vegetables, healthy, recipe

(You can see the failed Swiss Chard wrapped ones at the back)

3C White Jasmine Rice

Tortilla Wraps (I used Whole Wheat)

1 large Cucumber

½ a Yellow and ½ a Red Bell Pepper

1 bag of Bean Sprouts

½ a Large Carrot

 

Spices:

S&P (Optional)

 

Directions:

  1. Make the rice. Don’t add any spices or anything, leave it plain. Once the rice is done, allow it to cool.
  2. Cut the cucumber and bell peppers into strips and shred the carrot and put all veggies off to the side once done.
  3. Grab one tortilla and lay it flat in front of you. Wet your hands a little (I kept some water in a bowl on the counter) and place some rice into the center of the wrap in a line. Flatten it out a little bit. Be sure to leave room on either edge so that you can fold it. Next, place some of the pepper strips on either side of the rice (like a border) and place one cucumber strip on top of the rice. (If adding, sprinkle some S&P on top of the cucumber/rice)
  4. Fold both top and bottom edges of the tortilla and wrap it up. (It should look like a burrito now) Take a sharp knife and cut the wrap into pieces (About the width of your finger) If needed, secure with toothpicks.
  5. Continue doing that for the remainder of the wraps/until you run out of veggies. If you’re not making a platter, or don’t want to eat them now, you could make a bunch and then put some in the freezer for later.

Serve with soy sauce to dip and enjoy!

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Recipes, The Veg Life

Beef with Broccoli Over White Rice

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This was one of the earlier recipes I tried to make, and it actually turned out pretty good. Only thing was it was too sweet for my taste, so when I make it in the future, I’m going to use less sugar.

For you guys though, I left the amount the recipe I followed said – since everyone has different tastes, you might not find it too sweet.

3Tbsps Cornstartch (Divided)

½ C water plus

2 Tbsps water, divided

½ tsp garlic powder

Beef strips (I used a whole bag of Gardeins Beefless Tips*)

2 Tbsp veg oil, divided

4C broccoli (I used frozen, but you can use fresh if you want)

1 onion (small)

1/3 C soy sauce

2 Tbsp brown sugar

1 tsp ground ginger

 

Directions:

  1. Combine 2Tbsp cornstarch, 2Tbsp water and garlic until smooth. Add the beef and toss
  2. Over medium-high heat, stir fry beef w/ 1 Tbsp oil. Remove from heat once thoroughly cooked and keep warm.
  3. Stir fry broccoli and onion in remaining oil until onions are translucent.
  4. Return the beef to the pan. Combine soy sauce, brown sugar, ginger and remaining cornstarch and water. Blend until smooth and add to pan.
  5. Cook for about 2 minutes or until everything is well combined and the beef is hot.
  6. Remove from heat and serve over rice. (If desired)

*I know that Gardein stopped making the Beefless Tips, so I would suggest, either seeing if you can find another one, or maybe make some beef-style seitan to go with it? Or, if you want to really not eat beef, you could substitute Tofurkey Sausages (cut into pieces).

Let me know in the comments if it was too sweet for you, or any other question/concern/comment you might have about it!

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The Veg Life, Vegan Tips

Surprising Vegan Snacks

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We’ve all been there before, starring down the snack aisle with longing and slight resentment. ‘Why do they put milk in everything?’ You may wonder as you read box after box of cookies, crackers, etc.

Whether you’re a new vegan who’s worried about not being able to eat your favourite snacks, a veteran who’s maybe sick of eating kale chips or perhaps you’ll be hosting a vegan at a get together and want to make sure they have something to nibble on, the following Surprising Vegan Snacks collage can help.

These are all snacks that aren’t specially made vegan, and should be pretty easy to find. Some of these may only be available in Canada, (like the Maple cookies) but I’m sure that no matter where you are, you’ll be able to find at least some things in your local store.

AterImber.com Surprising Vegan Snacks - vegan food, The Veg Life

Snacks shown (starting top left and going clockwise):

  • Ruffles Original
  • Ketchup Doritos (Only available at limited times, sadly)
  • Sweet Chili Heat Doritos
  • Hickory Sticks
  • Bugles (Original)
  • Smartfood Sweet & Salty Popcorn
  • Pringles (Original)
  • Lay’s Classic
  • Skinny Pop White Cheddar Popcorn
  • Kettle Brand Sea Salt and Vinegar
  • Tostitos Restaurant Style
  • Tostitos Scoops! (My personal favourite)
  • Tostitos Rounds
  • Tostitos Multigrain
  • Rold Gold Pretzels
  • Ruffle’s All Dressed
  • Super Nibs
  • Rockets (called ‘Smarties’ in the US)
  • Sour Patch Kids Original
  • Pull N Peel
  • Vegetable Thins
  • Ritz Cracker Originals
  • Oreo’s Original
  • Fudgee-O’s
  • Maple Cookies
  • Twizzlers Originals
  • Betty Crocker Whipped Vanilla Icing
  • Orville Redenbacher’s Popcorn Kernels Original & Kernel’s Krazy Ketchup Popcorn Seasoning
  • Skittles Original

Clearly, this is not every non-specially made vegan snack out there, but they are all the ones I’ve found to date.

If you know of any surprising vegan snacks, feel free to comment them below so I can continue to update this post.

**I took out the Miss Vickies Salt N Vinegar, Lays Ketchup and Lays Salt N Vinegar chips because they all contain lactose. I also took out the Pop Tarts as they conained gelatin. I thought they were vegan, but a quick re-check of the ingredients confirmed they weren’t. Sorry for that, and hopefully you didn’t go out and buy any.

Check out the rest of the Surprising Vegan series here!

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