Welcome Turtle Tribe!
Welcome to a culinary adventure that’s sure to be fun, provide helpful tips to get you started cooking delicious plant-based comfort food & also point you in the direction toward food products that I’ve found give an authentic comfort food experience. By authentic I mean, having the same delicious taste experience as eating the traditional products we’ve loved our entire life.
There are many options for eating plant-based; the obvious fruits, vegetables, legumes & now . . . we have plant-based cheese and meats. It’s initially a smoother transition to vegan, if you take advantage of the plant-based cheese & meats that are on the market and there are a lot of great products that make the transition more enjoyable, not to mention when you’re cooking for those special events your guests won’t be able to tell the difference.
NOT ALL these products are gluten-free but the products that I’ll introduce are both gluten-free & plant-based. After you experience these products, you’ll find you’re not missing out on anything but excess calories and fat. Learning anything new may seem a little awkward initially but everything gets easier with practice and the simple instructions & photos are going to make it easy-breezy to the finish line.
There are a lot of gains to eating plant-based; improving health, improved environmental footprint & also the peace of mind that no harm has been done to another living creature. These are all examples of conscious food decisions or what I refer to as pace. Whenever I refer to pace, I’m referring to a word, that for me…has a double meaning. The first meaning is a consistent and continuous speed & that speed is whatever feels comfortable for you… but also PACE: Positive, Appetizing, Creative, Eating. This means having fun and feeling really great, physically & emotionally about the meals you’re eating and serving your friends & family!
When learning something new and how it works best for you, there will always be twists and turns along the way…so, be patient with yourself and if you slip back into old habits, no sweat… just get back on course & keep moving forward. Remind yourself you’re doing your best while rewriting years of teaching about how to eat and retrain habits that you’ve had your whole life. Remember, this information is to help in making healthier choices for you and your family but it is at your own pace/PACE. There’s no pressure to do anything that you don’t want to do, so you make the rules! Adding more plant-based products to your diet is a win all around and besides food products, we’ll discuss cooking accessories that make your life easier & aid in delivering the best results from your plant-based food products.
The first featured product is Beyond Burger by Beyond Meat. This product is beyond tasty and a joy to cook. It can be used as a substitute in any dish that uses ground beef. It’s soy-free, gluten-free, NO GMO’s, Kosher & contains 20G plant protein. This is NOT the veggie burger of the past, it really brings vegan protein up to speed. It’s combination of pea, mung bean and rice deliver a complete protein. The white marbling specks are coconut oil and cocoa butter. These plant-based fats melt in your mouth and help create a juicy texture. The burger’s red color comes from beets. Did I mention this burger is delicious and a joy to cook, well… it’s worth mentioning again! It’s available in two- ¼ lb. patties or one lb. packages.*
I’ve included 4 recipe ideas called Ways with Meatballs. These Beyond Delicious Meatballs also freeze well which saves time when preparing meals… and everybody loves meatballs!
The one thing that has made a major difference when I’m cooking Beyond Burger, is the iron skillet. The iron pan adds to the browning, texture and flavor of the burger. It makes a huge difference and will give you and your family an authentic burger experience. It’s also one of the safer pans as it doesn’t omit toxins into your food and its low maintenance as well. When shopping for an iron skillet, purchase one that’s been pre-seasoned. A seasoned pan describes the protective coating that’s formed by heating thin layers of fat on the cast-iron.** I’ve found a 10-inch size is the perfect cooking size, easier to handle & costs under $20. If you care properly for your iron skillet, it will last forever! The steps for maintaining cookware are keep it clean, dry thoroughly and re-season the pan after each use. It’s that easy!
After purchasing your iron skillet, clean it with warm soapy water. Washing the skillet with dish washing soap will not remove the seasoning, it’s fine to use a nonmetal brush or nonabrasive scouring pad. Just don’t leave the iron skillet sitting in the water. It’s also easiest to clean the skillet right after each use.
After washing & drying the skillet, add 1 teaspoon of oil, rubbing it into the pan with a paper towel. You may use any vegetable oil but don’t leave oil to puddle in the skillet, as over time it will cause your pan to become sticky. Place the pan on the stove top at high heat for a few minutes. Allow the skillet to cool completely before putting it away. Now the pan is prepared and ready for use!
Now that you have the essential information, lets get started! Today’s innovative products make it possible to re-create the recipes you and your family have enjoyed for generations and you can make an easy transition to wherever you want to take your journey. Enjoy cooking delicious comfort food, totally plant-based & at your own pace. . . Turtley Vegan!
* If you have a nut allergy be aware peas are legumes and those with allergies to legumes like peanuts should be cautious when introducing pea protein into their diet but this product doesn’t contain peanuts or tree nuts.
* * Oils used may vary but the company LODGE uses a soy-based vegetable oil that has no synthetic chemicals added. The proteins causing soy-related allergies are eliminated. It’s kosher, contains no animal fat, peanut oil or paints.