Vegetarian and Vegan Meal Planning Ideas PLUS ... Dairy Free Muffin Recipe

By Rebecca Bennett

In a vegan or vegetarian diet, it may take time to explore new foods and develop some form of routine to it. There are many different products on the market today for vegans and vegetarians to choose from - keep experimenting to find your or your families personal preferences and tastes.

You should be-able to find quite a good amount of vegetarian and vegan products at supermarkets, natural health food stores and co-ops.

When baking, you can use substitutes like egg replacers, cornstarch or bananas to replace eggs.

Soy, rice and nut milks are great replacements for cow's milk. Plus there are many other dairy alternatives around like: vegan cheese, yoghurts, frozen non-dairy ice creams, and cream cheeses. These are all easily sourced through health stores or supermarkets worldwide.

If you are stuck for ideas on some quick easy menu ideas, here are some sample meal menu items for you to consider:

** Breakfast

- Pancakes

- Soy Yoghurts

- Fruit Smoothies

- Wholemeal Toast or Cereals

** Lunch/Dinner

- Veggie Mock Meat and salad sandwich

- Veggie Sausages or hot dogs

- Veggie or Soy Burger

- Simple Prepared Salads

- Tofu Kebabs or Wraps

- Veggie Fried Rice

- Tomato & Pasta Bake

- Soup or Curry Vegetables

- Veggie Stir fry with Tofu, tempeh, or seitan

- Baked Vegetables with Rosemary & Garlic Herbs

** Snacks /Dessert

- Cookies

- Cake

- Non-Dairy Ice Cream

- Dried Fruits & Nuts

- Fresh Fruits

- Chickpeas

- Popcorn

- Pretzels

- Soy or Veggie Crisps or Chips

- Vegan Pies

So as you can see there are an abundance of tasty foods on offer for vegetarians of all kinds, the tastes and wonders of one's food choices is only limited by one's own imagination.

If have you ever wondered how vegetarians, vegans or people just wishing to avoid dairy products make delicious tasting and looking cakes and sweets without much effort at all?

Unless you are a vegetarian or 100% animal free cooker, chances are that you have never cooked without animal ingredients like eggs and dairy. In fact, if you don't know any vegetarians personally you might not even be aware that you can cook without any animal by-products like, eggs and dairy.

Vegetarians are able to maintain a very healthy diet eating any number of traditional meals or sweets minus animal by-products.

And you don't have to be a vegetarian to benefit from such things, even if you'd just like to cut down on animal by-products for the many health benefits involved or if you are lactose intolerant, have vegetarian friends you'd like to cook for or are trying to avoid cholesterol . . . you don't have to feel you will miss out on all those wonderful sweets and treats you feel you can't live without. Because cooking minus animal by-products is so simple and easy you won't believe it until you experience it for yourself.

So I urge you to try the below recipe for yourself and then decide if vegetarians just eat rabbit food or not. You might be surprised. And you might even be shocked that you won't even notice these muffins are not cooked using any eggs or diary.

** Dairy Free Choc Muffins

Ingredients:

1 cup water

1 tsp vanilla

1 Tbsp vinegar

1/3 cup vegetable oil

1 cup sugar

1 tsp baking soda

1/3 cup coconut

1 and 1/2 cups flour

3 Tbsp cocoa or carob powder

Method:

1. Pre-heat oven to 190C.

2. Mix first 6 ingredients in a bowl until blended through.

3. Sift the remaining ingredients and blend in bowl until just combined.

4. Bake for 15-20 minutes.

Servings: 6 large muffins or 12 smaller muffins

If you are not a vegetarian but are considering becoming one don't let the fear of eating egg or diary free stop you. If you already are a vegetarian or don't eat dairy or eggs for other reasons, and have not tried cooking sweets, you might want to try it. It's so simple and easy if you know how and have access to proven recipes. Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/377121

Vegan and Vegetarian Recipes Challenge!

By Chang Joan

"Vegan recipes have no meat!", Marry said loudly.

"Vegetarian recipes have no meat too!", John said.

"Vegan recipes are without eggs!", Mary said.

"I am a vegetarian and I eat eggs. We were told by our doctors to include eggs into our diet!", Joan said.

"Is Vegan food healthier than Vegetarian food?" Mary asked.

"I don't know exactly. What I know is, they are both without meat!", John said.

"I was told by my mum, that we are switching to vegan diet soon. It means that we are eating only vegetables!", Mary said.

"Class stay quiet for a moment! Today, our topic is how to create delicious recipes for both vegan and vegetarian!", Vanessa announced.

In a minute, everybody started to look down at their notes quietly. After 30 minutes, came Judy and June. They said that they have some amazing recipes for both Vegan and Vegetarian.

"Oh, what lovely, I am really proud of two of you!"!" Vanessa said.

"Class, let's see what they have created for us!", Vanessa said.

Spinach Basic

Ingredients
Spinach
Boiling water
Vegetable oil
Salt
Action
a. Trim the spinach and wash 3 or 4 times in water, to remove the grit.
b. Cook in boiling water about 20 minutes, removing the scum.
c. When tender, turn into a colander, drain, and press well.
d. Chop fine, put into a saucepan with vegetable oil and salt.
e. Set on the fire and cook till quite dry, stirring it all the time.
f. Turn into a vegetable dish, shape, and garnish.

Note: Do not cover the vessel while cooking.

Yeast Free Bread Recipe

Ingredients
1000g flour
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon sugar
2 heaping teaspoons baking powder
1/2 boiled potatoes
1000 ml water
Action
a. Sift the dry ingredients together thoroughly.
b. Rub in the boiled potato.
c. Add liquid to make a stiff batter or soft dough.
d. Turn into a greased bread pan.
e. Smooth the top with a knife dipped in cooking oil.
f. Bake in a 180°C oven for about 60 minutes.
g. When done, moisten the crust slightly with cold water.
h. Wrap in a clean cloth until cold.

Potato Fruit Candy

ingredients
250g mashed potatoes
125g chopped candied pineapple
125g chopped preserved cherries
125g chopped nut meats
200g pulverised sugar
1 tablespoon vanilla extract
1 teaspoon pineapple extract
1/2 teaspoon almond extract
Soy butter
Action
a. Put the potatoes into a large bowl, and gradually add sugar.
b. When the mixture begins to stiffen, add the pineapple, cherries, nuts, and extracts.
c. Knead in sugar until it is so stiff that no more can be added.
d. Place in a buttered dish and set it in a cool place for 24 hours.
e. Turn out and cut in slices and place in paper case.

Not: The candy may be formed into any shape desired, and varied by the addition of dates or figs, or any flavours or colours preferred.

"What amazing! Shall we give Judy and June a big clap?", Vanessa said.

Now we have Gluten Free, Vegan, Vegetarian, and Yeast Free Recipes! Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/1604644