" We're here to facilitate your plant-based journey "

PlantPlate.com is here to provide the recipes, information, and practical advice needed to follow a healthy plant-based diet. Whether you're interested in improving your health, losing weight, or eating more sustainably, a whole foods plant-based diet may be the perfect solution for you.

My name's Emma, and I started PlantPlate in 2013 with the help of my husband Scott, a web developer and fellow plantivore. I’m a certified Plant-Based Nutritionist who loves to cook, and I've followed a plant-based diet for over a decade. Having lived in various locations throughout the world - sometimes on a shoestring budget, and often with irregular and demanding work schedules - I’ve had to constantly adapt my diet in order to make it work. It’s taught me a lot, and it’s motivated me to show others just how accessible and enjoyable this way of eating can be.

The recipes featured on PlantPlate are based on minimally processed plant foods, including fruits, vegetables, whole grains and legumes. They're free from all animal products, processed oils and refined carbohydrates, and are made with simple and affordable ingredients. Our articles are aimed at providing you with plant-based know-how when it comes to shopping, cooking, nutrition and day-to-day living. We have answers to common questions and share practical knowledge that we have acquired through experience. Finally, the resources section contains links to books, DVDs, and video presentations from some of the world's leading experts on plant-based nutrition. It is our hope that these resources will help you to fully understand and evaluate the health benefits of this wonderful way of eating.

Welcome to PlantPlate!  We hope you enjoy your visit. If you have any questions or comments, please feel free to email us at contact@plantplate.com.

The information on this website is designed for educational purposes only. It is not intended to substitute for informed medical advice or care. You should not use this information to diagnose or treat health problems or illnesses without first consulting your doctor.

How to Saute, Grill and "Fry" Without Oil

Guide By PlantPlate
Cooking without oil is easier than you may think! If you need some pointers, this 3-step guide to mastering the basics is a great place to start.

For most people, cooking with oil is standard procedure, and is rarely given a second thought. But if you want to reap the health benefits of a whole foods, plant-based diet, eliminating oil is one of the first things you should do.How do you go about sautéing, frying and grilling, without the grease? It's probably easier than you think!

Sautéing: You can either use water or vegetable stock (preferably a low-sodium variety) for sautéing your onions, garlic and vegetables. While you're sautéing, add extra liquid as it evaporates in order to prevent things from sticking to the bottom of the pan. Vegetable broth will impart a sweetness that is similar to the "caramelised" flavour that's achieved when cooking with oil.

Frying: Technically, you won't be doing any "frying", at least in the traditional sense! You can stir-fry in much the same way as you would sauté; by using vegetable broth instead of oil. Use a small amount in a wok or fry pan, then add more broth as needed during cooking in order to prevent sticking. When it comes to cooking things like pancakes or veggie burgers in a fry-pan, a good quality ceramic pan is best, as they are non-stick and non-toxic. You can also warm burgers, tofu, falafel and similar items on a non-stick baking sheet in the oven. As for 'deep frying', you can now purchase Air-Fryers which mimic the crispy, crunchy texture of fried foods, but without the need for any oil at all. These can be used to make fries, falafel, vegetable croquettes, crispy tofu bites, and more. Air-Fryers can be purchased in most major electrical goods stores, or online.

Grilling: If you want to grill vegetables or veggie burgers, it's best to do it on a silicone baking sheet, or a sheet of baking paper, on a tray in a hot oven. Use the broiler or grill setting to get a similar flavour to that of barbecuing. When grilling vegetables, it's best to season with herbs or spices, and toss in a little vegetable broth before popping in the oven. The broth will help prevent the vegetables from drying out as they bake. When cooking burgers in the oven, flip them over half way through the cooking process, to ensure they're evenly cooked on both sides.

 

Wondering why you should be cooking without oil? We've got answers in this article.

Interested in baking healthy treats? Check out our guide to baking without oil.

What about oil-free salad dressings? We've got a list of easy recipes here.

 

 

Article photo courtesy of Gavin Tapp via Flickr