If you were attending a class....

[daylily]

If you were going to take a class on healthy vegan cooking, what would you hope to learn from it?

DH's aunt is doing a 2 hour class in about a month and she wants to make it as helpful as possible. Please share you thoughts on this. Thanks!

[ferhoodled]

I would like to know where to buy some of the ingredients that aren't the normal ones. Was looking through some vegan cookbooks at the library last night, and there was a recipe that called for "yeast flakes" (if I remember correctly) and another for egg substitute. I didn't get the book because I had no idea where to buy that and some of the other ingredients in this town. If your aunt could give specific aisle numbers in the local Kroger or Walmart or whatever, I think that would be helpful to her class. Also knowing the general prices of these ingredients would be helpful to prepare for the shopping trip.

Also, tofu is intimidating to me for some reason. Maybe some tips on what kind to buy and how to work with it would be good and whatever else she thinks would make it seem not so weird, lol.

Wish I lived near her so I could attend her class!

[NicJean]

I'd actually want samples . . the oinker I am. . . Tofu, and not well known grains, is much less intimidating to me if I've tried it, and like it!

I'd also like it pointed out that while I'm not a vegetarian (by any stretch) it helps the budget to have meat-free meals.

[peanut]

One of the challenges I've had with this style of eating recently is finding ingredients and recipes that actually work! I also like to taste to make sure it's as good as it's billed to be.

I would suggest she go armed with ideas for all kinds of substitutes, because people often go vegan for health reasons and have more than one food sensitivity/allergy. So if she can go in knowing some of the substitutes and how they work, that is great. Like knowing how to use stevia/fruit instead of sugar or artificial sweeteners in desserts.

[Ssindi]

I'd want samples too since I've never tried this type of menu. I'd also want to know if I could get the ingredients easily. I would not try it if I have to travel to Timbuktu to buy the needed grocery items.

[nuisance26]

~Soy alternatives! I'm allergic.
How to spot animal derived ingredients on labels.
Tips on where to acquire produce frugally.
Time saving strategies. Most effective kitchen tools for processing produce.
Unusual ways to use certain items. Kinda like zucchini bread or pumpkin soup. Things I wouldn't have thought of like grilled strawberries or bean cake.~

[daylily]

Great ideas! Thanks for posting these. I'll be looking for others too

[Contrary Housewife]

I echo what the others have said, where to get ingredients and at a good price. Samples of what the recipes taste like so I know what I'm making.

I'd also want to know about sources of protein, how to tell if I'm getting enough, what foods are essential if I'm not eating animal proteins, etc.

[pollypurebred39]

~I'd want the lessons to be sans prefab meat alternatives.

~Second on the soy allergy/sensitivity

~I'd want to know that I would learn cook good down home kind of food that was familiar. Like Salisbury steaks, mashed potatoes, gravy. (Absolutely can be done) I would not be interested in trying to convince my family that nut loaf is yummy, and they need to try it. Or that my kid's friends would not want to sit and eat supper with us because I'm serving up vegan food. I'd want it to be a family friendly vegan food course.

~Agree totally with being able to sample.

[Ponderer]

I would want some specific recipes and ideas on replacing meat, be it tofu, portabello mushrooms, legumes etc. I would want things I could add to my usual meals that already include a vegetable and a starch, to make the missing meat component simply be replaced.

[shoiji]

I would include websites for recipes or to purchase products that are reliable and any suggestions on best tasting products to purchase.

Would also add that there is a learning curve to get used to. Just made a batch to gluten free, egg-free brownies which came out. The first batch came out horrible!

[Sara Noel]

~I'd want the lessons to be sans prefab meat alternatives.

THANK YOU!!!

Some vegans do not want equally as unhealthy substitutes. Some don't want soy or sugar either. I hate to sound mean, but I really hate recipes that say use vegan deli meats, a certain bar, frozen veggie burgers or hot dogs. I understand these are okay in moderation, but it's really just sending the wrong message (imo) to people that are v-curious. They will tend to rely on these products because they're convenient and they haven't learned anything else.

I suggest meal plans that use whole or even raw foods. Most people don't realize the sheer amount of fruits, vegetables, grains, beans/legumes, and nuts/seeds that should be consumed in a day on a vegan diet, so I would be sure to include some juice or smoothie recipes.

In my opinion, you can have all types of fancy recipes in your repertoire, but there are plenty of fat and unhealthy vegans out there, too. But at the same time, you need to be sure the meal plans aren't super low calorie plans, too.

I suppose a fun thing would be for her to show how to veganize some recipes.

Offer book and website recommendations.

[madhen]

I think it would be cool if the class taught you how to put together a complete meal - maybe a vegan appetizer, main course, and dessert. Maybe have samples of each done by someone who knows what they are doing! (I've had some vegan foods in restaurants in San Francisco, so I KNOW they can be fantastic!!)

[pat in east texas]

I would hope to learn vegan cooking using ordinary, everyday non-exotic ingredients. Whole grains, beans, veggies, and seasonings rather than "meat replacements" or foods that are hard to find.

[daylily]

You folks are awesome! Thanks so much for these great ideas. I've passed them on to her and she is very appreciative.