Ep 7. Vegan for Everyone

In season 18 episode 7 of America's Test Kitchen titled "Vegan for Everyone", the show takes on the challenge of creating delicious and accessible vegan recipes. The hosts emphasize that a vegan diet is not only healthy, but also sustainable and ethical.

The episode starts off with a taste test of vegan cheese alternatives. The hosts explain that vegan cheese can be challenging to get right, as it needs to mimic the texture and flavor of real cheese. However, they have found a few promising options that they will use in their recipes.

The first recipe featured is Vegan Mushroom Stroganoff. The hosts explain that stroganoff is typically made with sour cream, which is not vegan. Instead, they use a homemade cashew cream sauce to add richness and creaminess to the dish. They also use a mix of mushrooms and vegan Worcestershire sauce to add meatiness and umami flavor. The dish is served over eggless noodles made from chickpea flour.

Next up is a recipe for Vegan Tofu Tacos. The hosts explain that they wanted to create a vegan taco recipe that didn't rely on processed meat substitutes. They use marinated and grilled tofu as the main protein source, along with roasted poblano peppers, corn, and a flavorful cilantro-lime slaw. They also show viewers how to make their own corn tortillas from scratch, which adds an extra level of freshness to the dish.

The third recipe on the show is Vegan Quinoa and Vegetable Stir Fry. The hosts explain that stir fries are a great way to incorporate lots of vegetables into a meal. They use quinoa as the base instead of rice or noodles and add a variety of colorful vegetables like bell peppers, broccoli, and carrots. They also show viewers how to make a vegan teriyaki sauce from scratch, which adds sweetness and umami flavor to the dish.

Lastly, the hosts create a recipe for Vegan Chocolate Pudding. They explain that vegan desserts can be just as rich and decadent as their non-vegan counterparts. They use avocado and coconut milk to create a creamy base for the pudding, along with cocoa powder and maple syrup for sweetness. They also show viewers a technique for making whipped coconut cream, which adds an extra layer of richness to the dessert.

Throughout the episode, the hosts offer tips and tricks for cooking vegan meals, such as how to make vegan butter from scratch and how to use nutritional yeast to add cheesy flavor to dishes. They also emphasize the importance of reading ingredient labels carefully and being aware of hidden animal products, like gelatin in some candies.

Overall, "Vegan for Everyone" showcases how easy and delicious vegan cooking can be. The recipes are approachable and use ingredients that are readily available at most grocery stores. The hosts also provide plenty of substitutions and variations for viewers with dietary restrictions or preferences.