When you’re just starting out, it’s easy to focus on what you can’t have instead of the millions of things you can still enjoy. I thought it would be helpful to offer my favorite substitutions to make the transition easier and more enjoyable.
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Coconut milk ice cream
Hands down better than the real thing. It can be a little expensive, so watch for it to go on sale and stock up the freezer. Look for the coconut milk yogurt too. Tasty-tasty.
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Earth Balance
Works great for baking or just schmearing on some toast.
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Gardein Meat Substitutes
The best vegan meat substitute. Awesome flavor and texture.
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Flaxseed Meal Egg Substitute
Naturally, this substitution isn’t going to work for an omelet, but let’s say you still want to whip up some waffles on Sunday morning (I like Bob’s Red Mill 7 Grain Pancake and Waffle Mix). Just follow these easy steps and you’re good to go:
- You’ll need 1 tablespoon flaxseed meal and 3 tablespoons water per egg.
- Add the flaxseed meal and water to a bowl and whisk for several minutes. Then let it sit for about 5 minutes; it will start to look gooey like an egg. Or if you’re impatient and in need of dramatic results (as I often am), blend up the flaxseed meal and water with a hand blender or use one of those mini-food processors. I found this also helped in breaking down the flaxseed to cook faster in pancakes and things that require a lighter texture, than say a bran muffin.
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Better than Bouillon
I have no idea who has the time to make vegetable stocks and broths, but I sure don't; did I mention I have a three-year-old? We eat a ton of soup and this is a lifesaver. Adds a lot of flavor and depth to any vegan soup. There are two vegan varieties, the No Beef Base and the No Chicken Base.
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Trader Joe's Meatless Meatballs
Amazing and so reasonably priced. I always have some in the freezer to add to a marinara sauce or whip up a quick meatball sandwich.
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Trader Joe's Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips
No need to buy those expensive vegan chips, these are the real deal!
Vegenaise
All the wonders of mayonnaise without the eggs or cholesterol.
Our friends over at Trader Joe's were even nice enough to help us out with this handy list of all their vegan products.
Cara
Hi Maya- I made it! It was super easy. Here's what I did:
Soak 1/2 a bag of Trader Joe's raw cashews overnight. Drain water, put in food processor with enough fresh water to make it the consistency of ricotta (1/2 c maybe?) Add:
1 TBS lemon juice
Salt & pepper to taste
1/4 c Braggs nutritional yeast (picked this up at Sprouts, Trader Joes' doesn't carry)
1 small clove garlic
Puree in food processor until very creamy, adding more water if needed to make it spreadable.
This made enough cashew "cheese" for 9" x 9" two layer lasagna. Sorry it's not a preceision recipe, but it's really hard to mess up! Let me know if you have more questions!
Maya
Cara-where did you find the cashew cheese?? I've only had it in restaurants and I'd love to buy some! Thanks
mary
I'am in the transition of going vegan. I went to Trader Joe's to buy veganaise and they said that they didn't carry it. walked out disappointed:( Had to go to Whole Foods and spend twice as much for it:( Oh well such is life.
Well Vegan
Whole Foods is both a blessing and a curse! Vegenaise is definitely a staple I watch for when it goes on sale. It doesn't keep indefinitely, but I can usually make it through a couple jars before we start creeping up on the expiration date 🙂
Cara
Trader Joe's coconut milk ice cream is the best I've tasted and is a fraction of the price. Both chocolate and strawberry flavors are awesome.
When our family had to go dairy free, I really missed lasagna. I just couldn't figure out a suitable replacement for the ricotta. I recently discovered that a cashew "cheese" which utilizes nutritional yeast satisfies in both the taste and texture departments.