By Callisto Lee
For many people, the thought of veganism brings to mind images of bland, boring food. But this couldn’t be further from the truth! There are endless possibilities when it comes to creating delicious, plant-based meals. And what could be more delicious than a fragrant, flavorful Thai dish?
Thai cuisine is known for its use of fresh ingredients and bold spices, and it can be just as tasty when made vegan. Read on to learn more about the art of vegan Thai cooking.
Veganizing Thai Recipes
The first step in vegan Thai cooking is “veganizing” traditional recipes. This means substituting animal-based ingredients for plant-based ones. For example, instead of using chicken in a curry recipe, you could use tofu or tempeh.
Other common ingredients in Thai dishes such as fish sauce, shrimp paste, and oyster sauce can easily be replaced with vegan alternatives such as soy sauce or tamari. And there are even vegan versions of fish sauce on the market nowadays distributed via a vegan Thai food sauce manufacturer.
Once you’ve made these swaps, you’ll be well on your way to creating a delicious vegan Thai meal.
Flavorful Ingredients
As we mentioned before, one of the things that make Thai cuisine so special is its use of fresh, flavorful ingredients. When selecting ingredients for your vegan Thai dishes, be sure to choose items that are in season and locally sourced whenever possible.
Farmers’ markets are great places to find fresh fruits and vegetables, and they often have a wide selection of Asian ingredients as well. Just like with any other type of cooking, using fresh ingredients will give your dishes the best flavor.
Bold Spices
Another hallmark of Thai cuisine is its bold use of spices. Common spices used in Thai cooking include cumin, coriander, turmeric, ginger, and chili peppers. If you’re new to cooking with these spices, start by using small amounts and then increase them according to your taste preferences.
You can always add more spice later onv, but you can’t take it away once it’s been added! When used correctly, these spices can transform a simple dish into something truly special.
