dandily.net

Tonight I made dhaal. It's another one of the new things I have started cooking since becoming vegan. I've always loved cooking and thought I had quite a good range of things that I could whip into a tasty meal, but when I stopped using meat and eggs, cheese and cream, it was like I had to learn to cook all over again.

I mean, it's not like I had never cooked or eaten Indian food, but who in their right mind goes out to dinner and orders a dish in which the feature ingredient is peas? That's just crazy right? And yet, here I am nomming down on a big bowl of the stuff and feeling sorry for all those unfortunate soles who haven't had any motivation to consider branching out a little. Now they just sneak mouthfuls from my plate. Damn thieves.

I have been asked a few times by friends and family (and the odd random stranger) if I miss meat and the truth is, I did, for about a week. By cutting out foods that had made up a large part of my diet, rather than being at a loss for dishes to cook, my eyes (and stomach) were opened up to a whole new world of foods that I hadn't even considered before.

So when I get asked by people who don't understand how I could live without meat or animal products if I miss it, I realise that they are just as clueless about the amount of amazing food out there as I once was.

Tomorrow I am making brownies. I used to make them from a packet and thought they were pretty good. Now I make them from scratch and they are awesome.