Vegan Alternatives to Summer Food Favourites
Vegans—you don’t need to feel left out when your friends are enjoying the best summer foods! Whether you’re vegan or you’re having one over for a summer get-together, these ideas will have you re-thinking the whole notion that vegan food is bland and difficult to put together.
I like bringing delicious food to potlucks or get-togethers so that everyone can see and taste how yummy vegan food is.
For the Grill Vegan Alternatives
- Grilled tofu is pretty delicious! Enjoy it on its own or sandwiched between hamburger buns. Try marinating the tofu for a few hours (in a vegan BBQ sauce or soy sauce + ginger + sesame oil + chili pepper) and pairing it with vegan mayonnaise or tahini.
- Corn on the cob rubbed with fresh lime and sprinkled with a salt/cayenne pepper mix. I also like to grill corn on the cob and take the kernels off to add to a grilled vegetable salad.
- Vegan hamburger patties and hot dogs can readily be found in many grocery stores (along with vegan chicken nuggets and sausage).
- Skewered vegetables/veggie kabobs are delicious on their own or paired with a balsamic vinegar/herb dip.
Vegan cheese is readily available, but you could also make your own with cashew nuts (cashew cheese).
Sweet Treats Vegan Alternatives
- Soy or coconut milk ice cream (it’s easy to make your own. Try this Strawberry Ice Cream recipe)
- Fresh fruit topped with above-mentioned ice cream
- Banana sorbet: blend up a few frozen bananas in a blender or food processor and add whatever nuts, chocolate or other toppings you want—tastes a lot like ice cream!
- Of course, you can always veganize regular recipes with a bit of trial and error. My best friend makes amazing pies, cakes, cinnamon buns and other delicious vegan desserts.
- Wondering what to use instead of eggs in a recipe? Try bananas, flax seed ground up with a bit of water added to make a paste, or source Ener-G brand egg replacer.
What are your favourite vegan alternatives?
