So, who is vegan? What is the difference between a vegan and a vegetarian? Here goes: a vegan is someone who does not eat any animal derived food. Often confused with vegetarianism, vegans do not eat or drink any dairy products, fish, eggs, or meat, whereas vegetarians tend to eat dairy produce but do not eat meat. Veganism has become more and more popular over the years, and people become vegan for a variety of reasons. For some it is a life choice, while others become vegan for health reasons.

Vegans can now enjoy a cheese sandwich, a glass of milk, and a ham salad, because all of these previously restricted foods now have special vegan and vegetarian alternatives that use ingredients such as rice and soya to create the right texture and taste, but without actually using any animal-derived ingredients.

‘Creamy’ Mushroom Soup

Ingredients :

Oil for sautéing or 3 tbsp water for a low-fat alternative
2 cups chopped onions (2 medium ones)
3 to 4 cloves garlic, minced
¼ cup uncooked pearl barley
¼ tsp ground nutmeg
700 gm white mushrooms, wiped clean with a damp towel, stems trimmed
8 cups vegetable broth Sherry (according to taste; optional)
½ cup chopped parsley
Salt and pepper, to taste

Method :

Sauté onions and garlic in a large heavy pot in oil or water. Add barley and nutmeg and cook for a minute, stirring. Add chopped mushrooms, broth and sherry. Bring to a boil, reduce heat and simmer for 40 minutes. Add parsley and cool soup slightly. Purée soup in batches in a food processor or blender until very smooth. Return to the pot and season with salt and pepper. Reheat and serve garnished with more sliced mushrooms.

You’ll enjoy this creamy soup even more knowing that it has no cholesterol, so go ahead and help yourself to seconds.

‘Yummilicious’ brownies

Ingredients :

1 cup each of white flour and wheat flour mixed together
1 cup water
1 cup brown sugar
1 cup vegan sugar
1 tsp salt
1 tsp vanilla extract
¾ cup unsweetened cocoa
½ cup vegetable oil
½ tsp baking powder
½ cup chopped nuts (optional)
½ cup semi-sweet vegan chocolate chips (optional)

Method :

Boil water and ½ cup of the flour over low heat, stirring constantly, until it reaches the consistency of a thin gluey paste. Remove from heat and let it cool completely. Mix sugar, salt, vanilla, cocoa and oil. Then add the rest of the flour-water mixture. Mix well. Add the remaining 1 ½ cups of flour, baking powder and the nuts or chocolate chips. Spread mixture into a greased 11” x 7” pan. Bake at 350°C for 25 minutes, or until a knife can be inserted and come out clean.

Vegan pasta

Ingredients :

450 gm spaghetti
100 ml extra virgin olive oil
3 cloves garlic, sliced
2-3 chopped green, yellow and red peppers
A handful of chopped parsley
3-4 tbsp of salt for the pasta

Method :
Saute the garlic and the peppers in the extra virgin olive oil for 5-7 minutes until the garlic becomes golden brown. Meanwhile follow the directions on the package to boil the pasta (7-8 min). Remember to add the salt as instructed on the package. When the pasta is ready (a bit al dente), drain and put in the serving platter. Add the sauteed garlic and peppers. Add the chopped parsley. Mix well to make sure all the pasta is coated with the oil. Serve immediately with garlic bread (for vegan garlic bread, replace the butter with olive oil).