Vegan Cuisine: Healthy, Cost Efficient and Easy

Vegan food was the fastest growing culinary trend of 2018  as the world is embracing compassionate eating - for animals, human health, and the environment.

Consumers following strict vegan and vegetarian diets remain a small group of the population, whereas those restricting animal-based foods account for over 40% of global consumers in 2020

In 2020, the global vegan food market attained a value of nearly USD 15.4 billion

The leading product types in the industry are dairy alternatives, meat substitutes, egg alternatives, vegan bakery, confectionery, and plant-based snacks, among others.

Vegan diet: Why are people choosing vegan?

1. Health benefits of Vegan Cuisine

• • Weight loss
  • Variety in a healthy and balanced vegan diet can make it more nutrient rich (not if you just eat processed meat replacements)
  • Even if you do continue with meat, spend less overall and get better quality products

2. Vegan diet better for the environment

• • Ethical reasons – animal welfare
  • Reduced greenhouse emissions – livestock emissions, water usage
  • Reduces energy consumption – water
  • Source locally – reduce transportation costs/impacts
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3. Vegan Cuisine can help you save money

Eating vegan doesn’t just save the animals and the planet, it can help you save money too. According to new data, plant-based meals cost on average 40% less than those containing meat and fish – and also reduces cooking time by a third as well. While existing studies have typically underlined the nutritional and sustainability benefits associated with plant-based eating, this research represents one of the first to highlight time and monetary savings.

Conducted by the U.K.-based plant-based movement Veganuary in collaboration with leading data insights firm Kantar, the new study shows that plant-based meals cooked at home cost on average 40% less than meat or fish-based dishes, and also takes a third less time to prepare. The research, which involved more than 11,000 participants based in the U.K. over an entire year, found that specifically that US$0.94 can be saved per person for every single meal, while preparation time was reduced on average between 32%-37%.

https://veganuary.com/en-us/new-study-finds-vegan-meals-cost-40-less-than-meat-fish/

Vegan Menu: Benefits for restaurants

• One of the main barriers for adoption remains price as the plant-based offering is significantly more expensive than its animal-based counterparts
• While replacement options can be more expensive than their meat counterparts, delicious vegan recipes it is not necessary to use meat substitutes, plenty of tasty treats from humble vegetables which are not expensive
• local producers, support local companies – arrange deals for seasonal produce, reduce cost
• reduce dependence on supply chains – covid has shown how broken these can become
• Provide new options to offer various seasonal dishes, change up the menu, attract repeat business
• Only 2.5% of Swiss restaurants offer vegan specialties (more than 3 dishes on the menu) a decrease from 2.9% in 2019 (GastroSuisse, 2021) > Lack of demand or lack of knowledge?
• 11.5% of Swiss restaurants offer vegetarian specialities (more than 3 dishes on the menu) (GastroSuisse 2021) -> offering vegan can help you differentiate, cater to new customer groups.
• Sustainable living platforms are also highlighting vegan restaurants

Vegan Dessert: Vegan Chocolate Tart

EHL chefs have put together a delicious dessert recipe that will reconcile you with vegan.

15 People
1 tart per person - 278 kcal per person

Instructions

1. Rub the coconut oil into the dry ingredients until it resembles breadcrumbs. Mix the coconut milk with the melted glucose.
2. Add the liquid to the powders and lightly mix together to create a dough. Roll out and cut out the discs.
3. Bake at 160° C for 12 minutes between two baking sheets.
4. Bring the coconut milk, soya cream and inverted sugar to the boil.
5. Pour on to the chocolate and combine.
6. Pour into the moulds (0.8cm - 40g).

Bon Appétit!