What DO you eat?

Thai Chick-un Pizza

This question inevitably comes up whenever I’m in a conversation with someone that is not particularly familiar with the vegan diet. In fact, I can anticipate the question before it is voiced… like I can see the words in slow motion coming out of the person’s mouth – buut, whaat dooo youuu eeaat? Their question comes from a place of curiosity, but sometimes I sense a tone of pity, as if trying to imagine what the heck is left once the beloved meat and dairy have been taken away from the dinner plate.

Acai Smoothie and

Well, all of us that have been vegan for any length of time know that the answer is “so much”! In fact, there is entire world of undiscovered food, which I sometimes say to people.  Really there is, when you consider what little exposure most people have to foods eaten on a vegan diet. For instance, how many folks eat foods like quinoa, tahini, cannellini beans, coconut milk, almond butter, or raw cashews (not the salted roasted kind that make their appearance in generic nut mixes at holiday parties) And, how many buy fresh produce like mangoes, kale, swiss chard, sweet potatoes, and snow peas during the week? And, how many people have had whole foods in unlikely, but delicious, combinations, such as adzuki beans and brown rice in a burger patty, acai pulp in a fruit smoothie, sesame seeds and cashews blended into a creamy salad dressing, or almond butter in cookies? But, it’s not always easy to convey in words without sounding hokey – or worse, preachy and self-righteous.

White Bean Rosemary Soup (foreground); Sweet Potato Lentil Chili (background)

The ‘what do you eat’ question presented itself again recently. While answering, it was apparent that I did not communicate that the vegan diet can be exciting and delicious, and not just beneficial from a health or animal welfare perspective.

I have no trouble defining the foods we eat in a technical fashion… that is, we eat grains (whole-grain breads and pastas, quinoa, rice, oats, corn, millet, etc), nuts and seeds (cashews, almonds, pecans, walnuts, sesame seeds, sunflower seeds, hemp seed nuts, pumpkin seeds, etc), legumes (and there are many, including chickpeas, black beans, kidney beans, cannellini beans, red and green lentils, mung beans, peas, peanuts), some soy products (tofu, tempeh, miso), plenty of vegetables and fruits, non-dairy milks and products (milks, yogurts, ice creams, and cheeses made from soy/rice/hemp/almond/cashew/oat bases), and even grain and soy-based ‘meats’ (for those who enjoy them).  But really, how enticing is that definition?

Lemony Cashew-Basil Pesto on a

Now, as a cookbook author and someone that loves to experiment with new recipes almost daily, you’d think I could riddle off a dozen or so appetizing dishes, right? Not so. It’s like some type of brain-freeze occurs when addressing this question.  Any other vegans share this dysfunction?!

In fact, when asked this question most recently, the night before we had enjoyed lasagna with a garlic-white sauce and layered with artichokes and roasted red peppers. And, a few nights earlier we had pizzas with a lemony-cashew basil pesto and topped with Moroccan dry olives, sun-dried tomatoes, and with a side spinach salad tossed with a sweet balsamic vinaigrette, roasted fennel, and broiled snow peas. Then, there was the night we had Chickpea Ratatouille over fragrant brown basmati rice, paired with roasted new potatoes and a mixed green salad with grilled asparagus. Think I might remember any of those? Or, the desserts and baked goods I’ve made through the week? Nope. Instead I try to explain how nuts can be used in sauces and dips, and beans and grains worked into patties, casseroles, and soups. This last sentence doesn’t exactly arouse excitement for a plant-based diet.

*Dining Disclaimer: Though I cook most nights of the week, not every dinner is elaborate or creative. Oh no, like other families, we keep a stock of pasta sauce, frozen veg burritos, and order pizza for needed nights-off! Still, we can jazz up these meals like adding tamari roasted chickpeas to our pasta meal, guacamole and a fresh, well-dressed salad with our burritos, and extra toppings to jazz up that take-out pizza.

Homestyle Chocolate Chip Cookies

Maybe it’s time to have a rehearsed reply including a few recipe names that sound particularly appealing. It’s important that I give the vegan diet the respect it deserves! Or, perhaps I should just slap on my apron and bake up a batch of chocolate chip cookies. Because I know the next question will be… but how do you bake without eggs?!