Soy is a popular ingredient in Asian cuisines.
Both vegans and vegetarians choose not to eat meat from animals, but vegans extend the exclusion to all products derived from animals. Vegans do not eat meat, seafood, milk or eggs. Finding protein sources can be a difficult task. It can be even harder if they have a soy allergy or choose not to eat soy -- but they have sufficient substitutes via the vegan diet. Add this to my Recipe Box.
Soy Beans
Soy is in the bean family and traditionally appears in many Asian cuisines. Commonly find soy in vegetarian cuisine and being used to replace proteins in the diet usually acquired through meat. Soy is a versatile and healthy source of protein that a cook can prepare in many ways. Use soy byproducts in products from cookies to salad dressing to mayonnaise. Find soy oil, soy milk, soy veggie burgers and soy butter in a grocery store.
Protein
You can use soy as a meat substitute since it's so easy to prepare in many different ways, other sources of protein can make a suitable meat substitute. Beans are high in protein and the many varieties ,like black, red, kidney and garbanzo, ensure a varied flavor profile. Seeds and nuts also contain high amounts of protein and are a versatile ingredient. You can turn seeds and nuts like sunflower seeds, peanuts, pecan, and cashews into oils and butters.
Milk and Cheese
You'll find it easy to find soy-free milk and cheese substitutes for vegans readily available. Almond milk, rice milk, oat milk and coconut milk work well in recipes that call for milk, or as a refreshing drink. Read labels because some dairy-free milks may also include soy byproducts. Numerous companies make dairy- and soy-free vegetable-based cheese substitutes. These cheeses maintain the melting and stretching properties of dairy cheeses. You also can make spreadable cheeses from nuts like cashew, macadamia nut and almond cheese. Hummus made from garbanzo beans also makes a good substitute for mayonnaise or cheese spread.
Meat
Soy most commonly substitutes for meaty flavors in pre-made vegetarian foods like frozen chicken wings, hamburgers and hot dogs. Soy-free meat substitutes include mushrooms, eggplant and seitan. You can grill large mushrooms, like portobellos, to substitute for beef patties in a hamburger. Use seitan, which is derived from wheat, to substitute meat in stews, stir-fry and BBQ.
Tags: Asian cuisines, cheese substitutes, derived from, from animals, meat substitute, nuts like, prepare many
