Vegetarian foodies can rejoice. Fine dining isn't just for meat eaters, whether you're cooking at home or going out to eat. Delicious, beautifully presented vegetarian meals featuring top-quality fresh produce are an option for both vegetarians and vegans. If you live near a top-notch vegetarian restaurant, you are in luck. Most of us are not so fortunate, and will have to learn to cook varied, interesting and innovative vegetarian meals at home.
Ingredients
The raw materials are key to full-flavored and delicious gourmet vegetarian food. Work with local, fresh produce. Take advantage of a nearby farmer's market and plan your meals around available ingredients. Make use of fresh herbs and good quality dried spices. Bread and pasta should be the best you can find and afford. Small amounts of good, strongly flavored cheese can add to the richness and flavor of your meals.
Types
A fine vegetarian meal should not consist of overcooked, flavorless beans; odd, bland nut roast concoctions, or pre-packaged soy patties. Flavorful and elegant vegetarian and vegan meals can be built around a grain base, like pasta, pizza or polenta, or focus entirely on vegetables, as salads and foods like ratatouille do, suggests VegKitchen.com. Ethnic foods are ideal for fine vegetarian dishes, including Indian and various Asian cuisines. These cultures have many traditional recipes that are already vegetarian or that are easily adapted to suit a vegetarian diet.
Considerations
When planning a beautiful vegetarian plate, you should aim to create a balance of flavors, textures and colors, according to How-to-Cook-Gourmet.com. Perk up pasta with a cheese or cream sauce with the addition of crisp broccoli florets, hearty mushrooms and roasted red bell pepper. Take advantage of the savory umami flavors of a portobello mushroom by simply grilling it and adding a light balsamic reduction. Serve alongside a salad of bitter greens to create a pleasant contrast of flavors, temperatures and textures.
Features
You can upgrade most any vegetarian meal, even a simple dish of beans and rice, by taking the time to work on presentation. Fry up a crisp corn tortilla or arrange some hearty greens as a base for spicy beans and rice or make simple bean patties for a twist on the classic. Add an ear of roasted corn with a flavored butter and freshly baked cornbread to make a pretty, delicious, and surprisingly elegant plate. Take the time to garnish your plate or apply sauce with a small squirt bottle.
Misconceptions
Vegetarian food doesn't have to be plain, boring, or even particularly virtuous. You can make the most of your vegetarian meals by using some of the money you save by skipping the meat on little luxuries. Fine quality dark chocolate can make a simple dessert sublime, while a drizzle of truffle oil can upgrade your mashed potatoes. Try out new and interesting herbs and vegetables to expand your fine vegetarian dining options.
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