Vegan Abgoosht (Persian Meat Stew without the Meat)

vegan, plant-based, Iranian, Persian soup, abgoosht

Abgoosht translates into "meat water" in English. It is an easy one-pot Persian dish traditionally made with tender meat, potatoes, legumes, and spices. This dish, however, is wonderful without the meat, and I have had people tell me they prefer this vegan version. This past weekend, I enjoyed a four-day family reunion on a ranch … Continue reading Vegan Abgoosht (Persian Meat Stew without the Meat)

Khoresh-e-Fesenjoon (Persian Pomegranate and Walnut Stew)

Persian Vegan Food Fesenjoon

Khoresh-e-Fesenjoon is one of my favorite Persian dishes, and it is surprisingly one of the simpler recipes. It is made with pomegranate molasses and can be quite tart. This recipe adds pumpkin purée and maple syrup to add a hint of sweetness. Khoresh-e-Fesenjoon is traditionally made with meat (chicken or meatballs). While we typically replaced … Continue reading Khoresh-e-Fesenjoon (Persian Pomegranate and Walnut Stew)

Healthy Plant-Based Cheese Alternatives

Vegan Almond Cheese

I’ve heard people say they just cannot give up cheese. People love their cheese. The truth is cheese can be addictive. There are three habit forming compounds in cheese - casomorphins, fat, and salt. Casomorphins are naturally found in all mammal milk, including human breast milk. When consumed, they act as a mild opiate. They … Continue reading Healthy Plant-Based Cheese Alternatives

Dairy – The Not So Good, the Bad, the Ugly

I recently listened to a great panel discussion on dairy by the non-profit organization, Switch 4 Good, and read its scientific report, "Dairy Does a Body Bad." It inspired me to write a blog post about dairy. The dairy industry has great marketing strategies. I can clearly remember the milk mustache, the “Got Milk?” advertisements, … Continue reading Dairy – The Not So Good, the Bad, the Ugly