There are many reasons someone may choose to go vegan.
It might be an ethical choice based on your stance on cruelty to animals. While many slaughter methods are now considered humane, increasing numbers of people believe that breeding a live animal for food is unethical. Alicia Silverstone, star of Clueless, is one such person. She is a firm supporter of animal rights and a committed vegan.
You may choose to go vegan as a lifestyle choice, which top poker player Daniel Negreanu did. After eating steak or burgers, he found that he would feel tired and lethargic the next day, so he shifted to a plant-based diet. Whilst his ethics have since developed alongside his diet choice, it wasn’t the primary reason he switched. “My diet’s now as good as it’s ever been,” he said. “Although my veganism started out absolutely about health, it’s also become about the environment and animal cruelty. The way animals are treated, and the conditions are atrocious.”
Negreanu is one of the world’s top poker players; he’s amassed career winnings of around $42m and has six World Series of Poker bracelets. He’s a high-octane player, capable of holding his nerve under intense pressure. Whilst he’s committed to the big plays around the table, he’s certainly all-in on his vegan diet in the kitchen. What’s more, whilst his poker style is difficult to emulate, his vegan diet is not.
There is a misconception that veganism is complicated, and unlike calculating pot odds, it really isn’t. One of Negreanu’s favorite meals is Chik’n strips with cauliflower and broccoli mash, something he has previously shared on Instagram. It’s healthy, ethically acceptable and incredibly tasty, and to demonstrate how simple it is, we will tell you how to cook it right now.
Chik’n Strips
Gardein Teriyaki Chik’n strips
This is the easiest part of the recipe, as Gardein’s chik’n strips are ready to heat and serve. With a delicious teriyaki sauce, they’re a great part of any vegan meal. Simply cook in a frying pan with a little light olive oil.
Broccoli Mash
- 2 broccoli heads
- ½ cup of water
- ¼ teaspoon of sea salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
Another dead simple aspect of the meal is the broccoli. Boil or steam the broccoli heads until they’re soft. Use a blender to mix the broccoli with the water, salt and pepper. Once you’ve mashed it sufficiently, taste and season a little more if required.
Negreanu tops his mash with nutritional yeast, which Healthline says offers health benefits such as lowering cholesterol and protecting from cellular damage.
Cauliflower Garlic Mash
- 2 cauliflower heads
- ½ teaspoon of sea salt
- 1 pinch of black pepper
- ¼ cup of plain almond milk
- 3 cloves of garlic
- 4 tablespoons of vegan butter
The process is much the same as the broccoli. Cut the cauliflower heads into even florets and steam until soft.
Whilst the cauliflower is boiling, sauté the garlic in the vegan butter over medium-low heat for a couple of minutes; once it is slightly browned, you’ll know it is ready.
Transfer the garlic and cauliflower to a blender and add salt and pepper. Add a little almond milk to help the mix. Continue to mix until you’re happy with the consistency.
To Finish
Serve the teriyaki chik’n strips with a generous portion of both mashed dishes. If you want to replicate Negreanu’s four-of-a-kind meal, you’ll boil some peas and add them to the plate. Either way, you’ve produced a winning vegan meal with very little effort. Enjoy!
To truly raise the stakes on a vegan lifestyle, why not try growing your broccoli and cauliflower by using the advice from our article ‘3 Tips For Starting Your Own Garden’.
Originally posted on June 15, 2022 @ 4:22 am