Ten years ago, if you told someone you were vegan at a party, they might make a crude joke about how the grass out front was still up for grabs. While it may once have been true that the selection of plant-based cuisine was far more limited, this is no longer the case. Plant-based eaters can rejoice at the options they have, both out on the town or at home.
It’s the latter of these we’ll talk about here. With the increase in commercial availability of plant-based products and recipes, ethical and health-motivated vegans have a wide selection of options for cooking right at home.
Food processors can be especially helpful with this. These wonderful devices allow people to take basic ingredients like fresh vegetables and plant-based milk, and transform them into viable bases for delicious dishes. Let’s take a look at some recipes that utilize this revolutionary technique to whip up fantastic cruelty-free cuisine.
Cashew Ricotta Cheese
One of the first questions people are often asked when they reveal their vegan identities is “don’t you miss cheese?”. Indeed, cheese has some addictive qualities that have allowed it to become deeply ingrained in pop culture. Thankfully, those who go plant-based need miss out no longer! And let’s be honest, store-bought vegan cheese is pretty good, but it isn’t as versatile as homemade ricotta.
You can use this technique to make cashew ricotta cheese for mac and cheese, lasagna, baked ziti, and countless other recipes. All you need are cashews, lemon juice, water, and some spices (garlic, onion, salt, pepper). Toss it in your trusty food processor, and you’ll have creamy cheese for any use in no time.
Add tofu for extra protein or nutritional yeast for extra cheesy flavor!
Coconut Cream of Mushroom Soup
That’s right, plant-based people, we can even enjoy “creamy” soup! How do you do this? Simple. Full fat coconut milk is so creamy, and doesn’t leave enough of a flavor behind to overpower anything you season it with.
You’ll want to brown your mushrooms in a pan first. Do the same with some onions, coated in flour. Don’t be afraid to add some fat, like oil, to the mix, either. That’s part of what makes it creamy! When the veggies are all cooked, toss them in your food processor with some herbs like thyme, salt, and pepper. When you’re done with the mix, you’ll have a rich, full, tasty soup on your hands.
For more details you can check this recipe. Why skimp on life’s little pleasures just because you’ve gone plant-based? Warm your belly with some cream of mushroom soup this fall!
Guacamole
Avocados are a superfood on the rise. There’s more global demand for avocados now than ever before, and for good reason! They’re chock full of good fats and flavor. Aside from eating them as is, what’s the most common food made from avocados? Guacamole.
The nice thing about guacamole is that there’s no essential ingredient that makes it non-vegan anyway. That means no substitutions to figure out, just all-natural flavors. And it’s so simple. All you need are avocados, onions, cilantro, lemon juice, salt, and pepper.
The benefit of using a food processor for whipping up this tasty dip or topping is the consistency. The rapid spin of processor blades ensures that onion chunks and fresh cilantro will be distributed evenly throughout the guac. It also mixes the lemon juice in very nicely. You won’t get a more uniform flavor or texture any other way.
Treat Yourself
People used to view a plant-based diet as a sacrifice. Once, it was practically synonymous with difficulty in finding something to eat. But the commercial distribution of both food options and recipes has come so far since then. Being vegan doesn’t mean you can’t eat what you want anymore.
If there’s one thing plant-based diets sometimes lack, it’s fat. This is where the association with vegans as stick figures once came from. Of course, we all know it isn’t true. Use recipes like those above and a food processor to prove it! All three of the tasty treats in this article have tasty fats to spice up your diet, and there are many more recipes that can help you out.
Of course, all good things are only good in moderation. Don’t use this article as a guide to a full meal plan! However, using the recipes here will certainly fill out your repertoire and help you feel more satisfied when scratching the fatty itch. Fire up that food processor and enjoy!
