Am I Making this to Hard?
Posted by 4mygirls on Apr 19, 2011 · Member since Mar 2011 · 187 posts
I am very discouraged. Am I making cooking Vegan to hard?? I have been cooking for a good 30yrs and can follow any recipe as good as the next person. But it takes me on the average of 2 hours to cook Vegan...that's per recipe. Then half the time the dish gets thrown out!! What am I doing wrong?? All the recipes I'm trying have gotten fantastic reviews. It's so disappointing and discouraging to say the least :help!:
What kinda recipes?
I don't know what kind of recipes you're making, so this could be way off, but...are you cooking things that you're used to, or totally new recipes? I would suggest cooking similar foods to what you ate pre-vegan, but leave out or substitute the animal products. And start with things that are fairly simple, like pasta with vegs and red sauce, stir fries, soups, shepherd's pie, bean burritos/tacos, etc. And don't rely too heavily on recipes that use lots of cheese/milk/egg substitutes at the beginning, because they won't taste like what you're used to if you only recently gave up those things.
Hope that helps!
permanenentgrin~ Your suggestions are really good advice and I will keep that in mind when choosing my recipes ;)b
I'm worried about getting enough protein since I've cut out the animal products. I have epilepsy and my neurologist was fine with me becoming vegan but stressed about getting the protein. That is why I trying different foods that are higher in proteins ^-^
Alleychristine~ Basically all of them. Their are so many different ingredients that I have never dealt with before. Cooked 4 days with tofu and couldn't figure out why nothing was turning out until I found out that you not only had to drain but also PRESS tofu to give it more flavor :o
Do they make a Vegan Cookbook for Dummies :-D
Do they make a Vegan Cookbook for Dummies :-D
http://ftp.tongghost.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/2011-Alexandra-Jamieson-Vegan-Cooking-For-Dummies.png
: )
Don't worry about cooking those different things right now! Just focus on whole foods (fruits, veggies, beans, grains, nuts) that you would normally eat. Whole, balanced, healthy foods. You will get plenty of protein.
yup, I agree. There is protein in almost everything we eat and right now you will be more likely to enjoy your meals if you strip back to using familiar ingredients and flavours you're used to and add in things like tofu and seitan and daiya or whatever later, once your tastebuds aren't going to be expecting meat and dairy any more! : )
Do they make a Vegan Cookbook for Dummies :-D
http://ftp.tongghost.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/2011-Alexandra-Jamieson-Vegan-Cooking-For-Dummies.png
: )
THANK YOU! THANK YOU! THANK YOU...GOING TO ORDER IT NOW ^-^
Thanks everyone, as always everyone has been most helpful :)>>>
I know this is a double post but...I have tried my hand at seitan and the ones I tried I really like :)
I got the Ultimate Uncheese Book from the libray and loved the recipes that didn't have NY in them. I'm addicted to the Portwine cheese ;)b
LOL - is there anything they *don't* have "for dummies"?
I agree with permanentgrin - I always find trying new recipes to be time consuming and the results are hit or miss (more often than not, miss :P). I don't have the time or patience to try a new recipe more than once a week - maybe more like once every two weeks.
Don't forget about easy stuff -- even no-cook stuff, like salad. Topped with beans, nuts, and whatever fruits or veggies you like, a green salad can be a whole meal. Or soup - it's really quick to make a simple soup with veggie broth, carrots, celery, and pasta. Also, there's no shame in using some convenience products like veggie burgers when you need a quick meal.
So, what were some of your favorite non-vegan quick meals? Maybe we can help you veganize. :)
BTW, the uncheese cookbook has port wine cheese? OMG! How did I miss that?
I think it's helpful to stick with dishes you're familiar with, then just take out the meat/dairy. If you like spaghetti with meat sauce, just use regular marina. If that's not filling enough or doesn't hit you just right, add in some reconstituted TVP or cooked lentils. If you like chili, make your regular chili recipe, then just take out the meat. Add in a couple of cans of beans. Don't feel tied down to recipes. Make what YOU like, but just sub in vegan goodies. Or just take out the non-vegan. Have taco night, but don't have ground beef. Just have beans and all the fixins like salsa, avocados, lettuce, olives, etc. You'll never miss the meat. If you think you will, add some cooked tofu with taco seasonings to the mix.
It will depend on how comfortable you are cooking without recipes. I don't like to use recipes most of the time, and this allows me to make things fix A) what I like B) what I have in the fridge and C) what I have time to make. You'll get more comfortable, I promise! You're doing so well and you seem to have a fantastic attitude about things. Good luck!
UPDATE: After a good cry then taking you all's advice, I made very tasty 30 minute meals for the next 2 days:)( I always cook in the middle of the night.) I also ordered Vegan Living for Dummies & Vegan Cookbook for Dummies. My hubby cracked up when he found out that their were books out there with those names. I figured that they might give me a little more in-site. I cooked with tofu for a few days until I found out that you not only drain but also press it(LOL,LOL,LOL)!! At least my omni hubby is being very supportive :)>>>
Thanks to everyone here on the VW site I have so much support. You all are AWESOME ;)b
UPDATE: After a good cry then taking you all's advice, I made very tasty 30 minute meals for the next 2 days:)( I always cook in the middle of the night.) I also ordered Vegan Living for Dummies & Vegan Cookbook for Dummies. My hubby cracked up when he found out that their were books out there with those names. I figured that they might give me a little more in-site. I cooked with tofu for a few days until I found out that you not only drain but also press it(LOL,LOL,LOL)!! At least my omni hubby is being very supportive :)>>>
Thanks to everyone here on the VW site I have so much support. You all are AWESOME ;)b
I would suggest a tofu press if you are going to cook with it a lot. It may be easier for you.
I've always used kitchen towels to press my tofu, and this makes a mess and then I have to launder all the towels. What's a good tofu press you recommend? I've seen them in VN, but I never knew it they were any good or whether people liked them. Any suggestions?
I didn't know that they made a tofu press(LOL)?? I just cut down a plastic lid that fits into the tofu container, then put a couple of small cans on that. Every 5-10 minutes, I pour off the excess drainage...Guess I'm probably doing that the hard way too :-D
I didn't know that they made a tofu press(LOL)?? I just cut down a plastic lid that fits into the tofu container, then put a couple of small cans on that. Every 5-10 minutes, I pour off the excess drainage...Guess I'm probably doing that the hard way too :-D
No, no, it sounds like you're doing it the smart way! But towels do a pretty good job of getting the tofu really dry.
No, no, it sounds like you're doing it the smart way! But towels do a pretty good job of getting the tofu really dry.
I wonder how it would work if I used both methods?? Mine~ Then Yours~ the last 5-10 minutes put a washcloth around it, put it back in the box and press or is that crazy :-D
Where's HH's photo pressing tofu when you need it?? I have NO clue which thread it is.....
lol, i remember HH's photo. Leaning tower of tofu-pressing...
I wouldn't personally buy a tofu press, but that's because I have way too many kitchen gadgets already in a small apartment kitchen hehe. I use 1-2 kitchen towels, and just let it sit in my fridge overnight. Works for me! Good luck on persuing veganism, 4mb!
I didn't know that they made a tofu press(LOL)?? I just cut down a plastic lid that fits into the tofu container, then put a couple of small cans on that. Every 5-10 minutes, I pour off the excess drainage...Guess I'm probably doing that the hard way too :-D
It sounds like you are doing a good job pressing the tofu. Your method is pretty much the same thing and is cheaper. ;)b I'll have to try it the next time I eat tofu. I do not own a press but have heard good things about them. It just is not a wise buy for me because I do not eat tofu a lot.