Egg Replacer - This wonderful product allows you to adapt old recipes for cake, cookies, and more. It’s a powder that mimics the effects of eggs in baked goods. A box costs three bucks and lasts FOREVER. Available in the baking section of the Coop Markets.
Miso - This staple of Asian cuisine is produced by fermenting soy beans and grains. It is also an excellent source of protein.
Margarine - A common alternative to butter that is often made without any dairy. Some brands such as Earth Balance don’t contain trans fatty acids.
Mock Meats - Not eating meat doesn’t mean giving up hot dogs and cold cuts - it just means switching to a vegetarian version. Most big grocery stores now carry these. For many people, these can make the transition to a vegetarian diet a lot less frightening. Be sure to try different brands - they vary in taste and texture, so it might take a little effort to find your favorite.
Nutritional Yeast - A great source of vitamin B-12, nutritional yeast lends a cheese-like flavor and a creamy texture to many vegan recipes.
Seitan - Seitan is created by boiling the starch out of flour. It has a beef-like texture and works well in many typical “meat” dishes.
Soymilk - Many people who no longer drink milk drink soymilk instead, or use it in cooking to make cream sauces, cakes, and other delights. There is a huge amount of variation in flavor and consistency between brands, so try them out and figure out which you like. If soy milk just doesn’t appeal to you, try rice milk or almond milk.
Tempeh - Indonesian in origin, tempeh is created by splitting soy beans and allowing them to ferment. It has a delicious nutty flavor and is a great source of protein.
Tofu - Spongy and white, tofu is almost emblematic of vegetarian eating. Unfortunately, lots of people try to cook it without knowing how, which can be disastrous. Try sqeezing all the water out and then frying it until it turns golden brown.
TVP - Short for “Textured Vegetable Protein,” TVP is made from soy flour after the oils are extracted. It can be rehydrated and used as a substitute for ground beef in tacos, burgers and other dishes.