Vegetarian and vegan diets are becoming increasingly popular among health-conscious and environment-conscious people, both types of diets being easier on the digestive tract than meat-based diets and having lots of other benefits as well. However, both types of diets hold challenges as well – as fruits and vegetables contain much less protein than meat, those following these diets need to find ways to add the proteins so important for the healthy functioning of the entire body and they also need to find ways to add variety and flavor to their meat-free dishes. While vegetarians can turn to a variety of dairy products to make sure that they consume the right amounts of proteins and dairy can also add diversity to vegetarian diets, the task is much more difficult for vegans, who do not consume milk-based products. Fortunately, according to a great lab company that sells magic mushroom spores, there are many great, creative ways to make meat-free dishes varied and delightful – here are some tips how.

Add Mushrooms

Mushrooms are not only varied in terms of flavor and appearance – they are also wonderful, rich and healthy sources of protein, just perfect for vegan and vegetarian dishes. You can use them fresh or in dried form, you can roast them in the oven, sauté them, use them in salads and soups, coat them in batter and fry them and you can also use them in pasta sauces and pastry fillings, the range of the dishes that you can prepare with mushrooms seems truly endless.

Add Beans

Another great source of proteins, beans are tasty, healthy and varied, making your dishes not only filling, but also full of flavor and texture. Beans can be used very creatively – you can prepare tasty, spicy pastes, you can use them in stir fries, stews and you can use beans in tacos and enchiladas as well.

Use Spices Creatively

Many carnivores stay away from meat-free dishes for fear the dishes that do not contain meat are bland. Fortunately, fruits, vegetables, grains and legumes are far from bland and there are many ways to highlight their natural taste or to add rich flavors and exciting textures to meatless dishes. Do not think that meatless dishes contain only green things and grains boiled in water – meat-free dishes are, in fact, meals packed with varied textures and with favors from all the spices that you can add. Switching to meatless cooking is thus an excellent way to try new ingredients, especially new spices.

Play with Tofu

Tofu is made from condensed soy milk and it comes in many forms and varieties, such as bocks and cubes, smoked and mild varieties. The food can also be used in a variety of ways: you can add it into salads, use it to prepare stews, you can roast or fry your tofu cubes to turn them into crispy ingredients.

Rethink and Transform Meat-Based Meals

Just try to think outside the box and figure out how you can replace the meat in traditionally meat-based meals. The dishes that contain minced meat, for example, can be made meat-free with the help of cauliflower crumbs without risking blandness.