Cooking Vegetarian meat free tips

Cooking Vegetarian: Meat-free Tips You'll Thank Us For

Meat-free meals don't have to be taste-free. With a little extra work, you can make vegetarian meals taste just as good as or even better than your all-time favorite meat dishes. Whether you're cooking for meat-free Monday meal or becoming a vegetarian chef, these vegetarian cooking tips will offer satisfying tips for meatless entrees.

Don't Just Remove the Meat

When preparing meat-free entrees, it is important to go one step past removing the meat. You must replace the meat with something just as irresistible and satisfying. Simply removing the meat and leaving the rest will do no good for your taste buds or for your health. Replace meat with other healthy meat-free options:

  • Quinoa: Add quinoa to soups for a hearty addition of flavor and protein. Throw them into breakfast dishes with fresh fruits for a hearty meat-free breakfast.
  • Tofu: Tofu makes a great substitute for meat in many dishes, but remember that you have two different options available. Fresh and firm tofu replaces meats that you would normally bake or grill. The softer, silkier tofu goes better in desserts, dressings, and creamy sauces.
  • Beans: There are many bean options available and their uses are bountiful. Add them to soups and use them to make meat-free patties, such as veggie burgers. Choose a variety of beans such as black beans, pinto beans, and navy beans to add different flavors.
  • Nuts: Nuts are packed full of protein and the nutty crunch offers a great substitute for meats in a variety of entrees. Choose nuts that complement your entrees accordingly. Whole nuts are better suited for salads while crushed nuts work better in dips and spreads. Chopped nuts can be substantially less expensive compared to whole nuts, so if your recipe calls for chopped nuts or pieces, go ahead and get chopped nuts.

Quinoa vegetarian food

Remember: Appealing Foods Appeal to People

Make foods that are pleasing to the eye. People eat first with their eyes and will choose foods that look bright and colorful. Use a variety of vegetables to create vibrant colors that look tempting. Add red, orange, or yellow bell peppers to salad greens to catch attention, add flavor, and make them more appealing. Throw some nuts into the mix for a healthy beneficial meat-free meal. Mushrooms have the same texture as meat and are versatile. Cook them in soups to give them the flavor of the soup or throw them onto fresh vegetables for a delicious addition.

Learn Umami Ingredients and Use them

Umami is essentially a Japanese term that is used to describe a taste that is "savory and pleasant." Umami is used to enhance the flavors of food it is added to. Certain foods—tomato sauce, asparagus, soy sauce, parmesan cheese, and spinach, for example—are described as having a Umami taste. Add these to those meat-free dishes that you might be worried will not have very much flavor.

Spice Up Your Spice Rack

Stock up your spice rack or your cupboard. Combining spices help create meals which are mouthwatering. Adding spices such as smoked paprika and cumin to your vegetables will give them a flavor all their own. Nutmeg is a spice that is versatile for sauces, main dishes, or desserts. Play around with spices, such as chili flakes and chili powder, to add flavor and some spiciness to your meat-free dishes.

Slow Down: Roast Your Food

Slow roast vegetables to remove the water they contain, which enhances their flavor and makes their texture chewier. Roast tomatoes and bell peppers to offer more consistency to your meatless meals and to intensify their flavors throughout the entire meal.

Grate Your Ingredients to Make it Great

Grating savory cheese such as parmesan into your sauces gives it a deep, rich flavor. Add grated parmesan and goat cheese mixed with herbs melted onto to toast for a boost of flavor and protein. Grated garlic helps infuse your dish with the unique taste garlic has to offer. Grating is easier than chopping and enhances the flavor especially when slow cooking.

Cooking meat-free meals usually takes longer and includes a bit more preparation, but the results will be plentiful. These meat-free meal tips alone could take your cooking skills to new levels. Learn new recipes and perfect ways to incorporate spices, foods, and ideas into your meals and entrees. Meat-free cooking does not have to be a chore and can be just as flavorful as cooking with your favorite meats.

goat cheese and mushrooms meat-free meal

Learn Vegetarian Cooking from the Best!

Interested in knowing where an Associate of Applied Science in Culinary Arts and Applied Nutrition can take you? Contact ECPI University today for more information. Visit the website, chat with a representative online, or give them a call today to find out if the culinary nutrition program is right for you. It could be the Best Decision You Ever Make!

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