You may be thinking, “It’s all well and good to learn about these new foods and how to prepare them, but what about your old favorite comfort foods?” You know — the ones you’re afraid you’ll miss so much that you’ll just have to cheat on your plant-based diet. They’re the ones that are so good, you feel certain there isn’t a plant-based alternative.
Everything from chili to chocolate cake can be made with wholesome and natural ingredients.
Try these tips for modifying common comfort foods:
Chili: Because chili is a vegetable-dense meal, you just have to swap out the ground meat. Adding extra protein from kidney beans or black beans is a great choice.
Chocolate cake: Replace the milk, eggs, and butter with non-dairy milks, ground chia seeds, and coconut oil.
Pizza: Make crusts from whole-grain flour and use toppings such as nuts, seeds, avocados, and nutritional yeast — among other creative ideas.
Macaroni and cheese: Revamp this comforting childhood classic with gluten-free brown-rice noodles and a sauce made from butternut squash and tahini.
Meat and potatoes: Make a hearty dish with portobello mushrooms, tempeh, or tofu instead, with a side of sweet potatoes or squash.
Serve some of these new plant-based dishes alongside your old favorites. This may help you ease the transition to a plant-based lifestyle and show you just how delicious and satisfying plant-based foods can be! (See Chapter 5 for more about transitioning to a plant-based diet.)
