Are you a vegan that often resists the urge to dine out simply because you don’t think there is much in terms of options at restaurants? Any time you’ve got dietary restrictions, dining out can become tricky and require a little planning. Walking into a brand-new restaurant, menu unseen, could end up in disappointment if they don’t offer any vegan options. With that said, some cuisines are known for being more vegan-friendly. Here are three cuisines you may want to familiarise yourself with.
The Mediterranean Diet
If ever there was a cuisine that is perfect for vegans, it has to be the Mediterranean diet. The entire premise of the diet is that it’s plant-based, with a focus on fresh ingredients and the nutrients and benefits they offer. It relies heavily on items such as cucumber salad, hummus, roasted peppers, pita bread, tabbouleh, eggplant and more. You get a lot of variety with the Mediterranean diet too, and a chance to combine a wide array of flavours and ingredients.
These types of dishes will be easy to find at any Mediterranean restaurant, but you can also make them at home. They will take some practice to perfect, but once you learn them you’ll want to show off to all your friends and treat them to a feast.
South Indian Inspired Food
People are often familiar with northern Indian cuisine that includes such dishes as tandoori chicken, butter chicken, Rogan Josh, and tikka, all of which use meat as the star ingredient. But if you’re a vegan, you’re going to want to check out the south Indian-inspired dishes instead, which offer a wide array of choices that will fit your dietary lifestyle.
South Indian dishes include dosas, rice, lentils, chutneys and curries. The southern-style recipes also have fewer recipes with cream, eggs and/or cheese in them, but you’ll want to read the ingredients or description on the menu to be sure. The urban-tandoor.com restaurant in Bristol advertises a vegan menu that relies heavily on southern-inspired dishes for those craving a night out. You can also look for restaurants that prepare food to order, meaning you can customise the dish.
Mexican Cuisine
If you want to spice things up and make things hotter and spicier, then Mexican cuisine is perfect. Because the dishes are packed with so much flavour, even those who aren’t vegan can find favourites and won’t even miss meat and dairy. Simply focus on the staple dishes which are salsa, rice, roasted vegetables, beans, and fresh guacamole.
If you’re eating at a Mexican restaurant, there are a couple of things you’ll want to check with the server. Be sure the rice hasn’t been cooked in chicken stock and that the tortillas and beans haven’t been made with lard.
When it comes to eating, being a vegan doesn’t mean your options have to be limited. It just means you need to look for cuisines that focus on fresh, plant-based ingredients, and experiment with flavours and combinations.
