Spice Up Your Taste Buds with These Must-Try Italian Entrees for Vegans
Everyone can agree that the appreciation of food is a universal language. It is something all of us understand no matter our differences. Many parts of the world have their own unique dish that tells the whole world what they are all about.
Japan has its iconic sushi, the USA is known for its hamburgers, and even Australia has something that no one else has done, which is the fairy bread. Italy has its own delicious signature plates such as pizzas and pasta and is now widely hailed as one of the best foods ever created.
If you are one of those who loves to try something new or wanted to spice up your love for Italian food, you could also check classic Italian entrees that gives your taste buds with the bursting flavours.
However, not everyone enjoys munching on the same meals. Vegans, for example, have a strict no-meat diet. Indeed, vegans have their struggles when it comes to finding food, and they deserve more choices. For vegans who want to try out Italian food but do not know any vegan entrees, here is a list of Italian entrees perfect for you.
Why Italian entrees?
There are many unique appetizers out there, but the Italian cuisine is a very influential culture that has spread across the globe. How did this happen? Also known as the “traveller cuisine,” the boom of Italian food first began when Italian immigrants headed to the USA in the early 20th century. These immigrants brought with them pizza and many other Italian dishes. During the late 80s and early 90s, the market had many of these Italian dishes that the Mediterranean food took the world by storm.
Italian cuisine has a wide variety of ingredients, but many of these dishes are vegan friendly. The Italian cuisine’s most distinguished ingredient is their pasta and their bread. Basil, nuts, and olive oil are also very common. Many Italian dishes are made from fresh vegetables, such as tomatoes, leafy greens, and onions. Because of this, Italian cuisine can help you manage your weight since they are low in calories but high in nutritional value.
Crispy Eggplant Chips
For eggplant lovers out there, the crispy eggplant chips are good appetizers before the main dish. This dish is usually made by either slicing or crumbling the eggplants then baking them. It is good to add in sauce (such as a balsamic reduction aioli) to complement it. It can also have toppings like shaved parmesan and garlic aioli. During the cooking process, the eggplants can be seasoned with parmesan, garlic powder, and many more.
The good thing about these crispy eggplant chips is that they are pretty easy to make in your kitchen. If you have not tried eggplants yet, this could be a good entry point to try them out. After all, according to study, eggplants are a great source of vitamins. They also improve cardiac health and digestion.
Avocado Bruschetta
A good appetizer for the summer is an avocado bruschetta. Bruschetta is a dish originating from Italy and usually made of grilled bread rubbed with garlic and topped with olive oil and salt. This dish has many variations with toppings like fresh tomatoes, green leafy vegetables, beans, and more. Avocado is a great vegan option for the bruschetta and can be paired well with grilled bread and seasonings.
Adding in tomatoes for your avocado bruschetta brings more flavour to the dish and complements the avocado well. Another possible addition to the avocado bruschetta could be diced cucumber. Avocado itself is good for your body. It can lower cholesterol, help regulate your appetite, and gives you vitamin E.
Italian Focaccia
Focaccia is a flat oven-baked bread originating from Italy and is similar in style and texture to the pizza. The difference between focaccia and pizza is that “focaccia connotes bread with a little topping and pizza connotes topping with a little bread,” according to Eileen Weinberg from the New York Times. Italian focaccia has many variants, but most of these variants are very vegan. Some focaccias have tomatoes or rosemary within the bread.
While focaccia has many variations, a good one can be distinguished by its thickness. Good focaccia is not thick, heavy bread. Instead, it is light and moist with a chewy interior. It is packed with flavour, with hints of garlic and olive oil. The Italian focaccia is delicious when it is paired with a cheese board and some olives, but this may make it too heavy to be an appetizer.
Rocket Salad
Salads are good entrees as they don’t make you too full, and they have good nutritional value. A salad is a dish made of mixed ingredients, such as tomatoes, lettuce, cucumbers, and more. In this instance, the rocket salad is a good dish to try. It is a fairly common appetizer in many restaurants, so trying one shouldn’t be a challenge. But if you are too far from restaurants, making a rocket salad yourself in your kitchen is fairly easy.
The rocket salad is made with arugulas and complemented with a dressing like balsamic dressing and shaved parmesan toppings. Rockets or arugulas are great for your body as they are low in sugar, calories, carbohydrates, and fats. They are also high in vital nutrients such as calcium, potassium, vitamin A, vitamin K, and vitamin C. Arugulas have a distinct peppery taste.
Polenta
The polenta is an ancient dish that has been around since Roman times. The fact that this dish has survived this long means it is good. This dish is made of boiled cornmeal and can be served in many different ways. It can be served as a hot porridge, but it can also be cooled down and served into a loaf that may be either baked, fried, or grilled.
When served as an appetizer, the polenta comes in small loaf bites topped with different ingredients such as mushrooms, fresh tomatoes, and herbs. With all of these spices, it can make for a tasty treat right before the main dish. It is entirely up to you on what you want to add to your polenta.
Enjoy a Variety of Dishes Only at Cucina Dolce
Whether you’re a fan of Italian entrees or a vegan who enjoys eating flavourful dishes from Italy, you’ll be delighted to dine in Cucina Dolce, we offer the best Italian food in Melbourne. Embrace your love for authentic Italian cuisine as you step foot in our restaurant and bite into our expertly made dishes.
For more details and information, call us now at (+61) 03 9772 9091. You can also email us at fred@cucinadolce.com.au. Your favourite food place is right here in Chelsea!
