ELI5: Explain Like I'm 5

Vegetarian Cooking for Everyone

Vegetarian cooking is a way of making food without using meat or fish. Instead, we use ingredients like fruits, vegetables, grains, and beans to create delicious and nutritious meals.

Now, you might be wondering why some people choose to cook this way. Well, there are lots of reasons! Some people don't eat meat for ethical reasons, which means they don't want to support the killing of animals for food. Others might choose vegetarian cooking because they want to be healthier or because they want to help the environment.

Whatever the reason, vegetarian cooking is a great way to explore new and exciting flavors, and you don't have to be a vegetarian to enjoy it! In fact, many people who do eat meat still like to incorporate vegetarian meals into their diet.

To make a vegetarian meal, you'll need to think about what ingredients you want to include. Starting with a base like rice, pasta, or a salad, you can add in plenty of veggies like carrots, broccoli, and peppers. You can also add in grains like quinoa or beans like chickpeas to add protein to your meal.

There are also lots of meat substitutes that you can try, like tofu or tempeh, which are made from soybeans, or seitan, which is made from wheat protein. These ingredients can be used in place of meat in many different recipes.

When you're cooking vegetarian, it's important to get creative and experiment with different flavors and spices. You might be surprised at how delicious and satisfying a meat-free meal can be!

So whether you're a vegetarian, a meat eater, or somewhere in between, vegetarian cooking is a great way to explore new flavors and make healthy choices for yourself and the environment.