Beyond Burger, kebab of pea protein and succulent vegetables on the grill • The vegan culinary world has undergone an impressive upgrade in recent years • Enjoy independence even without eating

• Vegan dishes "authentic" // Photo: Yair Israel

There is a well-known vegan saying that is becoming especially popular during Independence Day - "You Don't Have To Kill A Grill." And the truth, despite the bad and unwarranted stigma of the vegan and vegetarian culinary world, you will be surprised to find that the world has progressed since this population was referred to as "sponsor eaters." Today, especially in Israel, which is considered the most vegan country in the world in terms of development and population, there are quite a few meat substitutes that also meet the need for similar flavors and the health need, along with quite a few grilled vegetables and legumes whose status has increased in the Israeli culinary world. 

Today, most of the marketing chains and quite a few restaurants can be found at The Bond Burger, which has become one of the most popular products in the world, as is the country. There are also quite a few 'sausage' and 'kebab' types made from pea protein or other, we will not forget the tofu and sait, from which quite a few places make excellent sharma. So yes, it is not the same taste, but the technology is developed and the gaps are narrowing. 

Except for the meat, everything is basically the same. Eggplant or thick and juicy mushrooms when grilled on the grill is a great addition and also asks for a barbecue meat, sauces and mostly vegan salads anyway, and so do sauces such as ketchup, mustard, sriracha, chickpeas and tahini, miss mayonnaise? He also has a vegan version. Most of your problems are solved, there is a replacement for almost everything. 

"Independence Day is a holiday for the State of Israel, but the connection between it and meat consumption is definitely accidental," says Yair Israel, CEO of Othentavi, which produces and markets vegan food across the country. "But even if you already choose to do it, why not in the most ecological and healthy way? The world has long found a solution that will leave the bbq experience and even the flavors and textures - just in keeping with the values ​​of veganism."

"In the past there really weren't all the solutions that exist today, so meat was the only thing to put on the bbq. But today humanity is so advanced, humans have realized the impact that meat has on their bodies and today there are so many less delicious, no less experiential options The change is just my thought. "

"The amount and variety of meat alternatives today are unimaginable - hamburgers, sausages, steaks and schnitzels from wheat (wheat protein), lentils, mushrooms, tofu, pea protein, soybean and more. All of these are a healthier solution, and more appropriate for the world we live in."

If suffering from our bodies and animals can be prevented, and the way to earn important nutritional values ​​and to save the planet, it seems to me that this is a situation where we all win. Not just people like Bill Gates and Leonardo DiCaprio understand the importance of investing in the next generation of 'meat' from the plant. "

"Just open your head and try"

Chef Noam Carmon is one of the vegan chefs who chose to sell this year, like quite a few other culinary restaurants and businesses, the DIY kit. "This year, more than in previous years, I was particularly excited to produce a vegan Independence Day kit, for the reason Independence Day is usually a meat fest on an illogical scale. And there are quite a few alternatives. This year I was finally able to make them accessible to the general public. "

Noam Carmon's DIY kit // Photo: Noam Carmon

"As a chef who specializes in Mexican food," Carmon continues, "quite a bit I deal with roasting on live fire and almost all the raw materials I work with - they are on fire. I see how many diners enjoy it, without even thinking about meat on fire, which is the concept they used to "But who decides it is the better or tastier? There is so much abundance and options from the plant - we just have to open our heads and try." 

"For me, this is a golden opportunity to look at food in a new and exciting way, more aware and sensitive to the environment named at the center of amazing raw materials that until now - we did not really know how to use and the result test - it is a very tasty and nutritious product. I also recommend to meaty mangalists to increase the volume of products from the plant per day Their independence this year - experimenting with a larger variety of vegetables on fire, more salads and skewers with raw materials such as corn, mushrooms, pineapple, various marinades, tofu, etc. This is a relatively simple challenge and also the quantitative concession on meat - is something, "he concludes. 

These are the products you are going to buy

"Just like in the meat world, Independence Day's meat substitute is also our strongest sales period." Says Adi Avigad, one of the owners of the Internet store "in my nature". The store has been operating for about three years and offers for sale frozen vegan food, vegan raw materials for pantry and other complementary products. "We are now accepting lots of orders from customers, both veterans and newcomers who want to start trying."

With Avigad, we will introduce you to some of the most prominent products in the field:

Vegan hot dogs

Even if we put morality aside, standard sausages sold on food chains are one of the most unhealthy things you can put into your body. The vegan alternative consists of wheat protein and pea protein. Some claim that it tastes better than regular sausage and is probably healthier. You can find several different flavors of sausages except for classic ones, such as marga, spicy and English sausage.

"Beyond Myth" burger

This is a real invention, one of the most popular food products in the vegan world and the closest thing the burger has to real meat in terms of smells and flavors. They arrived in Israel a little over a year ago and captured the heart of vegans and the stomachs of carnivores. Anyone who has tasted them in the restaurant usually runs to buy them home too. Pregnant women do not have to worry about how much kosher keepers can enjoy a cheeseburger without fear. A product that closes all corners.

Minced meat from the vegetation

For those who like to put into their food the flavors they are used to pre-vegan, it is best to have confidence from the vegetation, and to get a similar sense of meat in stews and frying, for those who miss. The vegetable mince is made of pea protein and functions just like "minced meat" - you can make kebabs, burgers and patties from it, and hardly feel the taste differences.

Tofu

Tofu is the most common substitute and also has a high nutritional value and absorbs great flavors. It is best to cut into large cubes, soak it in marinade a few hours before the bbq (even overnight in the fridge) and skewer with succulent vegetables such as mushrooms or eggplant.