Welcome to Cooking for Vegans!
This site is a guide to how to provide vegan-friendly food for various occasions. It is primarily aimed at non-vegans looking for vegan recipes or help with vegan cooking, for example to provide a meal for a vegan visitor, but new vegans and anyone thinking of becoming vegan or cutting down on animal products may also find it helpful.
This site contains information about:
- vegan recipes - everyday meals, recipes for special occasions, easy vegan recipes, quick vegan meals, creative recipes, dairy- and egg-free baking, vegan buffet and party food, barbecue and picnic ideas
- food shopping and vegan food products - how to read the labels, vegan alternative versions of non-vegan products, products that look vegan but aren't, non-vegan ingredients to avoid
- how to veganise meals - Sunday lunch, Christmas dinner, how to cook for vegans, vegetarians and omnivores at the same time
- what on earth you could cook for your vegan niece/friend/sister's boyfriend who's coming over for dinner next week...
What is vegan food?
Vegans choose not to eat any foods which are derived from animals. As major ingredients go, this means meat, fish, eggs, milk and honey, and any products made from these, such as cheese. They do not eat by-products or additives that are animal-derived, such as gelatine (made from animal bones and tissues), whey or lactose (both from milk). Foods with animal ingredients added as 'extras' are also unsuitable for vegans, such as vegetable soup made with chicken stock or mashed potatoes with margarine or butter added.
By comparison, vegetarians do not eat meat or fish (or their by-products) but they usually do eat milk and eggs. If you are providing food for a guest and are not sure what they eat or don't eat - ask them beforehand! They will be pleased that you are making the effort for them.
Once you've learned a few basic points, providing vegan-friendly food
is not difficult. It's often colourful, tasty and varied, and you might
find some new and exciting ideas for your cooking repertoire.