Homemade Vietnamese rice paper spring rolls filled with noodles, tomato, yellow bell pepper, carrots, cucumber, and purple cabbage. Served with a vegan spicy peanut sauce.

Vegan Food Around The World

Today, October 16, 2020, is World Food Day. And in honor of World Food Day, let’s take a culinary journey of vegan food around the world! But first…

What is World Food Day?

World Food Day is sponsored by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations. And, this year’s theme is: Grow, Nourish, Sustain. Together.

The FAO website states, “These uncertain times [during COVID-19] have made many of us rekindle our appreciation for a thing that some take for granted and many go without: food.”

Now more than ever, more sustainable agricultural practices are imperative. There is a call for each and every single one of us to:

  • increase the overall demand for nutritious food by choosing healthy food
    • consumers have the power to influence what is produced through our purchases and food choices
      • → more sustainable food systems
  • practice good sustainability habits every day

If you would like to learn more, read about what you can do here and download the World Food Day brochure here.

“Our actions are our future.”

Vegan Dishes Around The World

I like having a wide variety of food and dishes included in our weekly menus. These dishes were so much fun to make! I hope you enjoy these recipes and expanding your vegan food choices as much as I have. 😍

Ethiopian

Vegan Atakilt Wat, an Ethiopian stewed cabbage, onion, and potato dish.

Atakilt Wat

Really delicious! A wonderful comfort food.

Italian

Italian pasta e fagioli, topped with fresh parsley and vegan parmesan cheese.

Pasta e fagioli

F.Y.I: Follow Your Heart vegan parmesan is the best!

Thai

Vegan Pad Thai.

Pad Thai

Vietnamese

Pho

Rice Paper Spring Rolls

Absolutely delicious! I kind of made up my own recipe, but here’s a good one to get you started. Just make sure you come prepared with some patience; the skill and technique to make these takes some getting used to. Tip: YouTube videos are your friend. 😉

Mediterranean

Homemade vegan Mediterranean falafel pita served with fresh cucumber slices, hummus, and lemon slice.

Falafel Pita, served with homemade hummus

Mexican

Mexican chili rellenos made vegan.

Chili Rellenos

Indian

Vegan Indian curry with vegan paneer made from tofu. Topped with fresh onion and cilantro.

Curry with vegan Paneer

Paneer is an Indian cheese; this version is made with tofu.

Chinese 

Chinese vegan sweet and sour chickpeas, served with rice and broccoli, topped with green onion and fresh cilantro.

Sweet and Sour Chickpeas

Japanese

Peanut Soba Noodles

Vegan Sushi

Again: unless you’ve rolled sushi before, YouTube videos are essential. 

Ramen

Lebanese

Vegan Lebanese Loubyeh B'zeit (green beans in tomato stew) served with fresh lemon, hummus, and pita bread.

Loubyeh B’zeit (green beans in tomato stew)

English 

Vegan tofu-fish and chips, served with fresh lemon slices and vegan tartar sauce.

Tof-fish and Chips, served with vegan tartar sauce

This was surprisingly really good! (In the tartar sauce, I substituted the cashew mayo for silken tofu. Super simple! And, best made the day before.)

American

Loaded vegan grilled cheese with tomato, avocado, jalapeno, and red onion with vegan cream cheese, and two slices of vegan cheddar and vegan pepperjack. Served with vegan creamy tomato soup.

Ultimate Grilled Cheese with creamy Tomato Soup

To amp these up a bit, I made my own vegan garlic butter. I then added fresh sliced tomato, jalapeno, avocado, and red onion. I used Kite Hill chive cream cheese and 2 different vegan cheese slices: Miyoko’s pepper jack and Chao original. So, so good! 🤗

Add red chili flakes to the soup for an extra kick!

Southern: Creole and Cajun

Jambalaya

My husband’s favorite. 🌱 (We like Beyond spicy sausages.)

Gumbo

Red Beans & Rice

Especially delicious on a chilly fall night! 🍁

Blackened Tofu and Cheesy Grits

I also made some collard greens with garlic and red onion. Y’all will not be disappointed!

Moroccan

Moroccan vegan eggplant dip, Zaalouk, topped with pistachios and served with pita bread.

Zaalouk (eggplant dip)

African

Vegan Domoda, an African peanut stew.

Domoda

Delicious peanut stew! The ultimate comfort food. 😍

Spanish

Gazpacho

Gazpacho is one of my favorite things. 💃

Paella

Caribbean

Caribbean vegan jerk tofu with coconut rice and beans, served with fresh lime half.

Jerk Tofu with Coconut Rice and Beans

Middle Eastern

Middle Eastern vegan Tabouleh and Baba Ghanoush served with fresh lemon slices and pita bread.

Tabouleh

Baba Ghanoush

I used Kite Hill plain unsweetened vegan yogurt. And, to combat the bitterness of eggplant, I slice the eggplant, and then sprinkle with salt. Let sit for 30 minutes on absorbent cloth, rinse with water, and pat dry. Then, cook per instructions.

Now get cooking! 😉

Don’t be intimidated by plant based cooking–it’s actually surprisingly simple once you get the hang of it! Get creative and don’t be afraid to expand your palate and broaden your vegan culinary horizons. 🌱

What are your favorite cuisines? Which of these recipes are you excited to try? Let me know in the comments below! 💚

2 thoughts on “Vegan Food Around The World”

  1. Your dish on your cover page belongs on a magazine cover! And your rice paper spring rolls look so elegant and professional! I love Mediterranean food and have found two great places at our local farmers market.
    Right now I have red beans and rice on the stove. And during the fall season I’m loving all things butternut squash. I love cutting it in chunks and toss some good olive oil (Partanna is my fave), and roasting in the oven. Delicious! Fall and winter in N Indiana can lead to a lot of cooking. So anything healthy is so much better! And make plenty so you can have leftovers for lunch. YUMMY post!! ❤️

    1. Thank you! Squash is one of the great things about fall! Yum! And of course, red beans and rice is one of my faves. 😋

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