Setting Up your kitchen

Equipment

Below is a basic list of tools needed in a Vegan kitchen. Don't forget that it is so important to keep a sharp blade on your knives. Investing in a high powered blender is very helpful, like a Vitamix, to blend into a smooth, non-grainy liquid and to be able to heat soups, make fresh pasta sauces, etc. This is not a complete list, but more like a list of essentials.

Food Processor
Blender/Vitamix/Bullet
Spiralizer
Mortar and Pestle
Can Opener
Pots
Pans
Wok
Bowls
Measuring Spoons
Dry Measuring Cups
Liquid Measuring Cup
Ladle
Wooden Spoons
Tongs
Spatula (metal/rubber)
Cutting Boards
Whisk
Grater
Colander
Rolling Pin
Sifter
Strainer
Mason Jars
Knives
- Chef 8"
- Paring
- Granton Edge
- Cleaver
- Serrated
- Diamond Sharpener

Must Haves

In my opinion there are a few things that you must have to make your cooking experience easy and effortless. To me the most important is a powerful blender. There are only two that I have really loved and they are the Vitamix and the Ninja. I also like a Bullet for single serving recipes. Also, a really great knife that you keep very sharp. Last is a food processor with as many attachments as you can afford. Everything else is somewhat negotiable.

All About Herbs and Spices

Spicing is the key to making successful great tasting Vegan foods. We will spend time on this together in the Blogs, but I wanted to list some of the most important spices and other flavoring products here. I would also like to say that whenever you have the chance to use fresh herbs, it will make the recipe much more fresh and flavorful.

Nutritional Yeast - a must!
Spike
Herbs de Province
Italian Seasoning
Thyme
Rosemary
Salt (Sea and Himalayan)
Pepper
Dill
White Pepper
Parsley
Cilantro
Garlic
Oregano
Paprika
Basil
Onion
Cumin
Curry
Turmeric
Cayenne Pepper
Chili Powder
Coriander
Crushed Red Pepper
Garam Masala
Mustard Seeds
Cinnamon
Nutmeg

Important Ingredients

Balsamic Vinegar
Red Wine Sherry
Olive Oil
Coconut Oil
Liquid Aminos
Soy Sauce
Apple Cider Vinegar
Maple Syrup

Aquafaba

Aquafaba is the liquid from cans of Chickpeas and when whipped properly, makes a meringue type foam that can replace whipped egg whites. We will spend time on this in an upcoming Blog post.

Plant Proteins, Milks and Cheeses

This will be a list of products that I use and think you will love or that they will be a great transition type food for you to try. Please remember that everyone has different tastes and that just because you might not like one type of vegan cheese or burger, that you might love another. You have to experiment and find the ones you and your family like.

**Disclaimer, Please make sure to read the labels and ingredients to be sure the products are vegan. Many product companies make products that are also not Vegan, so be careful! Just because they are listed here, does not guarantee they are Vegan.

How To shop