My First Vegan Meal Served to My Family

I mentioned in a previous post that I was going to experiment with various dietary lifestyles.  The problem is that these lifestyles require a significant change to the omnivore/ flexatarian diet to which I'm accustomed.  So, with my wife and child away for a couple of days, I decided it was time to give it a try.

The challenge of this type of lifestyle is that I am not sure how I will feel about giving up eggs, milk, and cheese... all of which are animal proteins and all of which would be out the window if I really wanted a vegan lifestyle.  I can probably get over the loss of buffalo wings, burgers, and bacon (oh... maybe not bacon), and pizza...  one issue would be giving up pancake day.

What I have been discovering is that many of these sacrifices are covered by various other recipes.  For example, there are recipes for pancakes that are vegan, which replaces the egg (binding agent)- there are recipes for burgers and possibly even bacon and sausage.  Milk isn't an issue because I have found various recipes for rice milk, soy milk, and, yes, even hemp milk.  Also, many cheese replacements involve tofu, which sounds weird and disgusting, but is actually not bad at all... tofu fluffy and takes on the flavors of whatever it is being cooked with (it's also a staple in many Asian dishes).  You can bread and fry tofu, puree it, season it in any way you want, or just cook it plain and it is a great protein replacement.

In any case, after some experimentation, I finally decided to serve my family some vegan-style food and thought you would want to see it.

... I think I'm becoming a hippie...  maaaaaannnnn...

Whole wheat flour tortillas
-2 Cups whole wheat flour
-1 tsp kosher salt
-1/2 tsp baking powder
~ 1 C water

-> mix the dry ingredients together then slowly add water until the dough is a good form and not sticky.  Make them into balls about 2 inches  (about 12)
-> press with a tortilla press and put onto a hot skillet, then flip- place in a tortilla warmer and repeat until all done (Oh, and open some windows, because after a while it gets a little smoky)-- oh yeah and spray the pan with some Pam occasionally.

Lentils and split peas
-1/4 C Red lentils
-1/4 C Brown lentils
-1/4 C Split peas
~1 1/4 C water
- 2 TBS chia seed
- 2 tsp Ground hemp seed
- Salt to taste
- Pepper to taste
- 1 tsp cumin
- 1 tsp chili powder
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- 1 tsp coriander
- 1 tsp onion powder
- 1/2 tsp cayenne pepper

-> boil all ingredients (except the chia) in water, then simmer until done- then add the chia and let sit for about 10-20 minutes

Guacamole
- 1 avocado mashed
- 1 1/2 seeded and diced tomato
- Several leaves of chopped cilantro
- Juice from half a lime
- 2 TBS finely diced onion
- 2-3 cloves minced garlic
- Salt and pepper to taste

-> Mash and mix all ingredients together

Portabella mushroom and spinach stir-fry
- Portabella mushrooms
- Finely diced onion
- Olive oil
- Spinach leaves (several)
- Salt and pepper to taste

-> Heat olive oil in pan, add onions and mushrooms.  When almost done, add the spinach, then add the salt and pepper to taste.

** do I really need to tell you how to eat it?

FINE!  Take the tortilla and hold it in your hand.  Put a small amount of the lentil mixture in the tortilla, then add the guacamole, then on top the portabella mixture... then eat it with your mouth, it tastes good.

Hope you enjoy!