Who would have thought?

So Terri's question about what to make was never really answered, so I thought I'd give it a shot. For those of us that are omnivores, your enchilladas will be greatly appreciated. For the vegans amongst us, they would need to be changed substantially. Seattle is a fairly easy place to be a vegan by comparison to other cities and therefore there is a lot of information around about vegans.

What is a vegan? One who does not consume animal products or food that is prepared using animal products. What does this mean? No meat (duh), no dairy, no eggs, etc. Nothing fried in or uses animal fat. Some of the not so obvious things? No processed sugar that is prepared in the usual way. Most store brand and popular brands of sugar use animal bones in their processing so these cannot be used. Organic sugar is not usually prepared this way. It can be used. There have been lots of changes since my first exposure to vegans. Lots of meat substitutes, lots of improvements (read: taste better) to soy products. So this is what the non-vegan says, what do the vegans say? Please correct me for any errors in this.

Recipes:

In looking at many recipes in the last couple days, this is not as difficult as it seems. Mike, remember when you cut out all glutens, wheat, and dairy? Now THAT is hard! :) I can post a couple recipes, but please add. Maybe by the time the reunion rolls around, we can have some that people like.

Mama's Mock Meatloaf

Better than what mom used to make. Serve it with ketchup, mashed potatoes, and gravy.
1 medium onion, diced
1/2 green pepper, diced (optional)
3 Tbsp. vegetable oil
2 packages beef–flavor Gimme Lean Beef
1/4 cup oatmeal, dry
2 slices white bread, crumbled
3 Tbsp. ketchup
2 tsp. garlic salt
1 tsp. pepper

Coating ingredients:
1/4 cup ketchup
1/4 cup brown sugar
1/2 tsp. dry mustard
1/2 tsp. nutmeg

• Sauté the onion and green pepper in the oil over medium heat until soft. Combine in a bowl with the ground beef alternative, oatmeal, bread, ketchup, garlic salt, and pepper. Thoroughly mix with a spoon or your hands.
• Press the mixture into an oiled loaf pan. Cover with foil and bake at 375 degrees F for 30 minutes.• Meanwhile, mix together the ingredients for the coating and set aside.
• Remove the loaf from the oven and turn it out onto a baking sheet. Spread the coating over the entire loaf. Cook, uncovered, for another 15 minutes.

Makes 6 servings

Source: PETA. org

Shepherd’s Pie

This pie is the perfect comfort food for a cold winter evening.

4 medium potatoes, diced
2 Tbsp. margarine
1/4 cup soy milk or liquid nondairy creamer
Salt and pepper, to taste
1 medium onion, finely chopped
1 Tbsp. vegetable oil
12 oz. faux ground beef-style crumbles (try Yves® Veggie Ground Round)
1 10.5-oz. can Campbells mushroom gravy (or 1 1/4 cups prepared vegetarian gravy of your choice)
1 6-oz. can mixed peas and carrots, drained
Salt, garlic powder, pepper, and cayenne, to taste

• Boil the potatoes for 20 minutes, or until tender. Drain and mash with the margarine and soy milk or nondairy creamer. Season with salt and pepper.
• In a medium pan, sauté the onion in the oil until translucent.
• In a medium bowl, mix the cooked onions, faux beef crumbles, mushroom gravy, peas and carrots, and spices. Pour into a pie pan. Top the crumble mixture with the potatoes, spreading to the edges.
• Bake in a 350°F oven for 30 to 40 minutes, until the potatoes are browned and the crumble mixture bubbles out the edges.

Makes 6 to 9 servings

Source: PETA.org



There are also many brands sold (Amy's, Yve's, Boca, Lightlife) that have vegan items.