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Vegan baking is not much different from everyday run-of-the-mill cooking. The joys of baking without animal products can be experienced by all. My vegan comrades have introduced me to simple vegan recipes, easy cooking instructions, and joyous eating which can be experienced by everyone - even those that enjoy animal products.

I worked as a nutritional assistant for a couple of years and met some exceptional dieticians - most were vegans. During our once-a-month potlucks, I had the opportunity of being introduced to vegan cooking and eating savory vegan dishes.

Try vegan baking with these trouble-free, mouth-watering recipes:

APPETIZERS

Dips: Dips are quick and easy to make. You can have the kids mix these up or quickly combine the ingredients. After mixing cover and chill for a couple of hours.

* Spinach Dip: 1 box of frozen chopped spinach, 1 tub of Tofutti sour cream, 1 package of vegan vegetable soup mis, and cup of Nayonaise. Mix, chill, and enjoy.

* Onion Dip: 1 box of soft silken style tofu, and 1 package of vegan onion soup mix. Blend together and chill for a couple of hours. Then you are ready to dip veggies into your onion dip.

MEALS

Vegan dinners are surprisingly savory and prepared with similar eases of making any homemade dish.

* Tacos: 1 package of veggie ground round, 1 package of store bought taco seasoning, shredded lettuce, chopped tomatoes, chopped onion, and taco shells baked. Bake the shells, cook the veggie ground round in a skillet and add the taco seasoning (follow the taco seasoning packaged directions).

Serve taco shells with vegan ground round, lettuce, tomato, and onion. You'll be gratified when crunching into tacos and discovering similar Mexican-style taco flavors.

* Meat Lasagna: Lasagna noodles, 1 package of veggie ground round, l large onion chopped, pasta sauce (either jar sauce or homemade, which is usually better), and a teaspoon of each: basil, thyme, oregano, marjoram, sage, salt, and pepper.

Prepare the meat lasagna just as with any other lasagna recipe. Cook the veggie ground round and the lasagna noodles. Once noodles and ground round are cooked, layer a lasagna pan with noodles, ground round, sauce, onions, and spices. Bake for 30 minutes in a 375 oven. This lasagna dish is reminiscent of authentic Italian meat lasagna.

DESSERT

Desserts are sweet, decadent treats which when eaten most desire savory, rich flavors. You'll be gratified experiencing sweet, highly-flavored Vegan desserts.

Cheesecake: Crust - 1 cup of graham cracker crumb, 3 tablespoons of Demerera or brown sugar, 3 tablespoons of vegan margarine. Combine all of the ingredients, press into an 8" pie pan and bake at 325 for 10 minutes.

Filling- 3 tablespoons of tofutti cream cheese, cup of white sugar, 3 egg replacers, and 1 teaspoon of vanilla. Mix all ingredients, pour the mixture into the pie filling and bake for 10 minutes at 450. Then reduce the oven heat to 250 and bake for another 25-35 minutes. This cheesecake complements a robust cup of espresso.

Preparing these meals requires access to specialty grocery stores. There are numerous online vegan stores such as, veganessentials.com, foodfightgrocery.com, and the vegetariansite.com. You can learn more about vegetarian and vegan diets from vrg.org.

Vegetarian diets are plant-based diets which don't incorporate meat, poultry, fish, and foods acquired from animals; however, there are numerous varieties of foods that can be enjoyed by everyone. Don't fret in delighting in vegan dishes: they're flavorful and safe for all. And when cooked with family members, can unite the family in joyous culinary fun.

Learn more about this author, Lili Melton Ph.D..
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