From seattletimes.com
Whether you’ve successfully been vegan for years or are interested in adopting veganism, get ready to celebrate World Vegan Day on Nov. 1. This year, learn more about vegan eating and treat yourself and your friends to a vegan feast.
Veganism is the practice of excluding all animal and animal-derived products from your diet and lifestyle. This means avoiding meat, fish, dairy and eggs. The reasons behind veganism include compassion for animals and a protest against animal cruelty and exploitation. Others may opt for the vegan lifestyle for environmental reasons and to reduce the impact of modern farming practices on the climate. Still, others may choose veganism for health benefits.
Whatever your interests or reasons for exploring vegan eating, there are several reasons to celebrate veganism on Nov. 1. Exciting new flavours, nutrient-packed ingredients and – best of all – mouth-watering dishes, make these vegan recipes perfect for any vegan menu.
World Vegan Day
World Vegan Day on Nov. 1 celebrates both the history and present-day observers of veganism. The Vegan Society first recognized the day in 1994, the 50th anniversary of its founding as the first vegan charity in the world. Today, this holiday kicks off World Vegan Month in November and events in cities around the world join in the celebration.
People have eaten a vegan diet since ancient times. As of 2023, approximately 1% of the world’s population, or almost 82 million people, identify as vegan, according to Soylent. Soylent also notes that the number of vegans increased 30-fold between 2004 and 2019. With the growing population, the vegan community and plant-based options for vegans are constantly expanding.
In addition to promoting animal welfare, eating vegan can benefit the environment. The Vegan Society notes that animal farming has resulted in deforestation, a reduction in biodiversity and is the source of 80% of agricultural greenhouse gas emissions. They also note that studies have linked eating less meat and dairy to lower risk of cardiovascular disease and improved overall health.
World Vegan Day provides an opportunity to explore all that veganism has to offer. The best way to celebrate is with a vegan feast. If you are just starting your vegan journey, use this to experiment with new flavours. If you have favourite vegan recipes, share them with friends and family and let them know how delicious veganism can be.
Creative vegan menu ideas
From whipping up your favourites to trying new recipes, World Vegan Day is an excuse to get creative. Having a variety of appetizers gives you a sampling of many different vegan textures and flavours, letting you explore more widely. Homemade hummus or cashew queso makes for tasty dips for chips or vegan crackers. You can also make blistered tomatoes to add flavour to otherwise plain produce and serve it with crostini for a classy and refreshing appetizer.
Choose a show-stopping main dish, perhaps with a few stand-out sides. A BBQ feast with jackfruit sliders and delicious roasted okra brings smoky, earthy flavours to vegan cooking. Curry with pumpkin or tofu is filled with warming spices and vibrant flavours. Vegan burgers with plant-based or black bean patties are a crowd-pleaser.
End your feast with dessert. Coconut or oat milk ice cream, avocado chocolate mousse or vegan cheesecake are indulgent delights. You can also embrace the season with a vegan pumpkin pie or vegan ginger cookies to bring some autumn vibes to your feast.
Tips for creating a memorable vegan feast
It’s worth putting extra thought into your menu when celebrating World Vegan Day. These special touches will elevate your dishes whether you’re cooking for others or looking for a memorable meal for yourself.
Use seasonal ingredients
Vegan food often showcases fruits and vegetables alongside plant-based proteins. Using produce that is in season will result in more vibrant flavours. World Vegan Day collides with the prime growing season for many fall veggies and fruits. Winter squash, pumpkin, sweet potatoes, leeks, broccoli, cranberries and pears are perfect additions to a vegan feast.
Make a DIY feast
If you are enjoying your vegan feast with guests, try a build-your-own dish. You can set out all the ingredients for vegan grain bowls, such as brown rice, quinoa, chickpeas, roasted sweet potatoes, carrots, avocados, tahini dressing and vegan green goddess dressing. Alternatively, try a taco bar with tortillas, vegan meats or cauliflower, potatoes, tomatoes, guacamole and your other favourite toppings. Guests can assemble their own dishes according to their tastes.
Cook comfort foods
Although a feast is a great excuse to try new recipes and fancy presentations, don’t discount comfort dishes. Make a pot of spaghetti bolognese with tofu or a plant-based sausage for the meat and nutritional yeast for the parmesan. Garlic fried rice elevates bland rice with loads of flavour even meat eaters love. A vegan mac and cheese with cashew cream and non-dairy cheese makes for a satisfying and filling vegan dish.
Inspiring others to try veganism for a day
Motivating friends and family to try veganism can help you build a community and bring the benefits of veganism to those you love. But not everyone knows where to start with veganism. Having others join you on World Vegan Day for a single day of vegan eats can help make this lifestyle more accessible.
Making your vegan feast a potluck can get friends excited about veganism as well. By having friends prepare their own dishes, you encourage them to get involved in the exploration.
Starting with familiar foods can help make veganism feel more accessible. In recent years, the market for plant-based alternatives has exploded, giving consumers a wide variety of choices. Vegan alternatives for milk make it possible to still enjoy cheese, yogurt, ice cream and other dairy favourites. Plant-based meat substitutes with the same tastes and textures as meat let meat lovers satisfy their cravings.
Preparing dessert is another great way to introduce others to veganism. The rich flavours of desserts like chocolate, vanilla, caramel and fruits can easily hide the tastes of non-dairy alternatives while still offering crave-worthy treats that everyone will love.
Celebrate vegan food this November
Committing to an entirely vegan lifestyle can be a big, but impactful change. Yet even exploring a diet with less meat or a vegetarian diet can bring a variety of benefits. Use World Vegan Day on Nov. 1 as an opportunity to explore new recipes. You might even find new favourites to add to your year-round menu.
Kristen Wood is a photographer, food writer, recipe developer and creator of MOON and spoon and yum. She is also the author of “Vegetarian Family Cookbook,” “Fermented Hot Sauce Cookbook” and “Hot Sauce Cookbook for Beginners.” Her work has been featured in various online and print publications, including NBC, Seattle Times, Elle, Martha Stewart, Forbes, Chicago Sun-Times and more.
Disclaimer: These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. The contents of this article are for informational purposes only and do not constitute medical advice. The content presented here is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Always seek the advice of a qualified healthcare provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition or dietary changes. Reliance on any information provided by this article is solely at your own risk.
https://www.seattletimes.com/life/food-drink/make-world-vegan-day-a-feast-to-remember/
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