10 Awesome Plant-Based Foods and Why They Annoy People

Plant-based/vegan food is often met with scrutiny. It is a part of a food world that may never be embraced by many who are surviving on the Standard American Diet. Therefore, I’ve compiled a list of no-no foods in the minds of some but yes-yes foods in the minds of others. Mind you, we may have missed some. So don’t be shy, and comment with your own annoying, taboo vegan foods that you’ve come across. Hopefully reading this may inspire the naysayers to try and eventually embrace these ‘weird’ and wonderful plant foods!

1. Kale

Yes, kale is on the list of annoying foods because it’s been overdone, over publicized, over eaten. This green weed and black sheep of the Brassica family has made its way into mainstream news and media, but it’s been in the spotlight for too long. One hint of the word ‘kale’ makes me want to spew. One look at the sourly pungent leaves of Brassica oleracea sends me running to my mom to beg her to make something other than KALE! This recipe retrofits this ridiculously overplayed leafy green in a new light though, making it a bit more exciting. How does sour cream and onion kale chips sound to you?

 2. Tempeh

In this recipe, we have a fabulous makeover of traditional lemon picatta fish. You know, that ubiquitous item on seafood restaurants’ menus. For some, something is fishy about this tempeh stuff. It’s composed of grains and stuff — not flesh and bones — which sometimes disturbs meat lovers: “For Pete’s sake, just eat some (mercury-infused) fish!”

3. Falafel

When Costco has pre-made falafel in its metallic, shiny refrigerators, you know that it is a mainstream and probably annoying food to your omnivorous relatives who think you’re crazy for being a whole food, plant-based eater. My brother got a free sample of Costco falafel and nearly vomited the morsel out of his mouth by the rotating conveyor of rotisserie chicken. Many people despise this chickpea ball/cake thing that has been slapped next to the foods labeled ‘vegan’ and ‘faux meat.’ But, this recipe surpasses stale and mushy store bought falafel! Fear not; your stomach acid will not burn your enamel on this falafel (you won’t throw up!)

4. Wheatgrass

Those little green shots from Jamba Juice are what I’m talking about: wheatgrass and all its derivatives. Don’t dismiss this grass for fear of others thinking you’re insane for consuming stuff that could potentially be pooped on by your neighbor’s dog. Maybe you thought it tasted like misery and sadness and green tinted sludge (never mind that you probably tried it in an inferior way). The best way to consume this magic grass is in a pesto, blanketing a steaming serving of fluffy quinoa, not in some dumb plastic cup after being juiced to death.

5. Nutritional Yeast

A prerequisite to consuming a tofu scramble is nutritional yeast, a.k.a. NOOCH. Both the tofu and the yellow powder aggravate people because sometimes “normal” people just want you to eat “normal” eggs and cheese; they want you to quit mimicking their traditional flavors and meals. But, you don’t have to care what they think! Nutritional yeast is yummy, their comments, not so much.

6. Vegan Cheese

Dairy free cheese is here to please! What? Really? Not from everyone’s standpoint! Cheese-lovers scorn people who try and recreate non vegan food, partially because it can be so much more delicious! But, some people, me included, loathe vegan cheese with a passion because it doesn’t feel right in the mouth. Just eat a piece of cheese if you want it that bad! This recipe, though, is awesome. It is gosh darn delightful! Try it out, and you’ll probably annoy people until the end of time.

7. Beet Burgers

Looks like a burger; tastes like a beet. Behold, the beet burger, the most cliché type of fake meat creation there is. Why, you ask? Well, even the raw foodies make them, and sometimes meat lovers get annoyed because they’re eating things that are akin to quintessential meat dishes. Plus, you can find beet burgers everywhere in the vegan food kingdom! They are earthy and each bite proffers a new, exciting level of flavor that coats your tongue with happiness. You just have to get past the reality that it looks like raw hamburger in-between two sesame seed buns.

8. Plant-based Milks

Making almond, oat, cashew, or whatever alternative milk you want is an arduous task wrecked often with criticism by dairy fans who joyfully chug down the breast milk of cows in knee high glasses and atop their breakfast cereal. Don’t let them dismiss your alternative milk beverage! You are amazing for making your own! I bet they don’t milk their own cows, so you have a one-up on them! This link will send you through the series of tubes that is the internet to the uncharted land of alternative milk making! Give it a go, and see how delectable it can be!

9. Coconut Oil

Here’s a way to use some of that homemade almond milk in this cornbread along with some of that coconut oil in that big tub your  health-nut sister gave you for Christmas! Coconut oil used to be a no-no, but lately it has gained popularity for being awesome. But, that popularity steam has burned omnivores who, from time to time, turn up their noses at this white solid fat. But don’t worry about them. They are just trying to repeal coconut oil and refuse to mix or intermingle with its awesomeness. But, if you make some of this cornbread, and don’t tell them what’s in it, they will most likely forget their aversion to this special saturated fat.

10.  Sprouted Hummus

Sprouted hummus? Really, sprouted? Is it alive or something? What’s wrong with regular hummus? That’s what you get from people who don’t understand why it has to be sprouted or why you would sprout anything to begin with. There you are, going about your sprouting business, and your grandpa just doesn’t understand what the heck you are doing, so he rejects your ideas. It’s sad but often true. Some people are annoyed by anything that involves weird cooking processes (to them, anyway) like sprouting, dehydrating (I know they allow for beef jerky, but they don’t associate this method of cooking with say kale), and juicing/blending. Prove them wrong! Blend up those garbanzo beans, and stuff their face full of this sprouted goodness! Seize the day!

Image Source: Balsamic BBQ Seitan and Tempeh Ribs