How to Stock a Vegan Kitchen

If you have been cooking for awhile, you likely already have many of the basics needed to stock a vegan kitchen. However, changing from an omnivorous or lacto-ovo vegetarian diet to a vegan diet requires some additions to your kitchen essentials. Read on to learn how to stock a vegan kitchen.

Instructions

Stock the Kitchen With Food

1. Visit the bulk aisle to stock up on grains and beans or legumes. Try out different varieties of grains, such as quinoa and amaranth, and experiment with new legumes, such as the quick-cooking red lentil. Nutritional yeast and vegan sweeteners are also in the bulk aisle.

2. Buy fresh, local and seasonal produce often, and buy organic when you can. If possible, join a CSA (community-supported agriculture) or shop at a local farmers' market. Eating locally and seasonally ensures that you get the freshest, most nutritious produce for your vegan kitchen.

3. Know what dried foods are good to have on hand. Dried hot peppers, mushrooms and a variety of seaweeds last for months in your kitchen pantry.

4. Stock up on condiments. Invest in a variety of vinegars, a high-quality mustard, tamari, tahini, other nut or seed butters, vegan mayonnaise and hot sauce if it suits your taste.

5. Find your preferred sources of protein. Taste tofu, tempeh and seitan for concentrated protein, or select your favorite beans, either dried or canned, as a protein source for those days when you crave protein.

6. Choose vegan dairy replacements. You can find soy, rice and almond milk at most larger grocery stores, or you can make your own milk by blending nuts and water together, straining the liquid and seasoning it to your liking. Additionally, there are a variety of non-hydrogenated margarines on the market and there are a few vegan cheeses and yogurts.

7. Purchase "faux" products if they increase your enjoyment. Faux deli meat slices or loafs can help you put together a quick sandwich, and you can find more complete meals, including a Thanksgiving "Tofurkey," in the freezer section of your natural foods store.

8. Read labels carefully as you shop. Look for obvious ingredients like cream, whey, eggs, milk and butter. Some foods have hidden animal ingredients, such as mono- and diglycerides, which can be derived from vegetable or animal sources. Many products are labeled as vegan, so look for that as well.

Equip the Kitchen

1. Purchase a professional set of ergonomic knives. The best vegan cooking features vegetables, and you must do a lot of basic chopping. Find a knife set that is comfortable to hold so the chopping doesn't get uncomfortable.

2. Get cutting boards of various sizes and for different purposes. It is helpful to have one cutting board dedicated to onions, garlic and other savory or spicy ingredients, and another dedicated to sweet ingredients and dough.

3. Buy a mandoline slicer. With a mandoline, you can create small sticks or shreds of vegetables, "French fry" shapes and thin slices. Though somewhat of a luxury, a mandoline makes your vegetable cutting go faster and helps you create a beautiful presentation.

4. Invest in a high-end blender and a food processor. A blender is a necessity for making smooth sauces and nut milks, and a food processor can help speed up your overall preparation.

5. Add a high-end juicer to your kitchen. Fresh juices are excellent additions to a healthy diet and can also make nutritious soup stocks. High-end juicers can also homogenize ingredients to create sorbet or dough.

6. Collect additional utensils that match your cooking style. A citrus juicer, garlic press, ginger grater and other smaller utensils can make vegan cooking easier.

Tips & Warnings

• Nutritional yeast is an excellent source of B12, which is a difficult vitamin for vegans to obtain.

• People may question your use of faux meats and cheeses, but don't let that deter you. Vegan faux meats and cheeses are cruelty-free products, while real meats and cheeses are not.

• Many faux meats and most faux cheeses are not vegan. Look for eggs, whey, other dairy products and casein, a milk derivative.

• If you are choosing a vegan diet for health reasons, avoid processed food as much as possible. Though generally better for you than their non-vegan counterparts, they may still be high in fat and sodium.

• Labeling can be deceptive. A product labeled as dairy-free may have eggs in it, so read the ingredients carefully.

• Not all juices are vegan. Check for the addition of carmine or cochineal, which are both animal-derived red food colorings.

Resources

• Rawguru.com for Kitchen Supplies