5 Cooking Hacks for Plant-Based Foodies
Looking to take your cooking to the next level? Being a newly not-so-strict vegetarian myself, I have come to learn some of the ins and outs of a plant-based lifestyle. It becomes a trial and error cooking process. You will no longer be jealous of your meat-needy friends. There are a great deal of shortcuts that make a meat-free life just a little bit easier. Here are 5 hacks to develop a more delicious plant-based palette:
Bulk-up with beans
One of the biggest challenges of cutting out meat in your daily meal plan is the lack of protein. Not only are beans a great addition to any dish, but they help your protein intake. Beans are extremely filling, high in protein, and cheap to buy.
2. Pay more attention to what’s in season
Most meat-eaters plan their meals around their main dish, which usually ends up being some sort of meat product. The best way to approach a plant-based meal is to take a deeper look into what vegetables are seasonal.
3. Find a reliable grocery store
Find a grocery store that offers a wide range of meat alternatives. Trader Joe’s is where I have been able to find a wider range of options for vegetarians. Trader Joe’s offers soy-based meats that can be easily cooked as well as tons of frozen veggie options such as veggie burgers, cauliflower rice, and spiralized zucchini noodles.
4. Get familiar with your seasonings
One of the best ways to spice up your meals is to be generous with your seasonings. Introducing more vegetables into your diet might lead to more bland meals but not if you use the right seasonings. They can give a whole new and improved flavor to any dish.
5. Meal plan
Not only is this an important hack for a plant-based lifestyle, but this is also a tip for you meat-eaters out there as well. Planning out your weekly meals can help reduce the amount of food you buy at the grocery store. It also allows you to buy ingredients that you can incorporate in many meals throughout the week.