A Quick Guide To Cooking Bgan Italian Blend

Italian cuisine is famous for its meat and cheese-based dishes, but there are plenty of vegan alternatives to the classics. From pizza and pasta to risottos and soups, there are many ways to enjoy Italian food on a plant-based diet.

Vegan Italian cooking is all about fresh, quality ingredients. From ripe tomatoes and seasonal vegetables to aromatic herbs and crunchy salads, Italian food is all about simplicity and letting the ingredients speak for themselves.

How to make a vegan Italian blend

Ingredients

• Fresh and high-quality ingredients such as ripe tomatoes, aromatic herbs, and seasonal vegetables
• Classic Italian herbs like basil, garlic, black pepper, and red pepper flakes
• Plant-based proteins like tofu, lentils, chickpeas, and plant-based alternatives
• Vegan cheeses such as parmesan or ricotta
• Dairy-free alternatives like dairy-free cheese and milk
• Breads such as focaccia, crostini, and bruschetta
• Pasta in various shapes like spaghetti, bucatini, penne, and rigatoni
• Vegetables like eggplant, zucchini, bell peppers, artichokes, tomatoes, cucumbers, and onions
• Legumes such as beans and chickpeas
• Fruits like oranges, strawberries, and apples
• Nuts like almonds and walnuts

Method

• Choose fresh, quality ingredients and master herb and spice pairings to elevate the flavors of your dish.
• Explore plant-based proteins to replace meat and maintain the heartiness of the dish.
• Experiment with vegan cheeses to achieve the creamy and rich textures of Italian cuisine.
• Balance flavors and textures by combining creamy sauces with crunchy vegetables or al dente pasta.
• Prepare vegetable-based appetizers like bruschetta, focaccia, and crostini.
• Create easy pasta dishes like aglio e olio, pasta e ceci, and mushroom ragù.
• Make vegan desserts such as cannoli, apple cake, or egg-free biscotti.
• Cook pasta al dente and combine with your choice of sauce and vegetables.
• Roast or fry vegetables with Italian herbs and breadcrumbs for a bold flavor and juicy texture.
• Blend ingredients for creamy sauces and soups, like a tomato basil soup.
• Top your dishes with vegan cheese and fresh herbs.

What to cook it with

There are endless possibilities when it comes to cooking with an Italian blend of spices. Here are some ideas to get you started:

Pasta Dishes

Create your own pasta dishes by adding the Italian blend to pasta sauces, such as a creamy marinara sauce or a simple tomato-based sauce. You can also add it to stuffed pasta dishes like cannelloni or ravioli. For a healthier option, try using zucchini noodles or other vegetable noodles as a base for your sauce.

Pizza

Add an Italian twist to your pizza by sprinkling the blend over your regular base before adding toppings. You could also try a white pizza, where the Italian blend is mixed with olive oil and spread over the base, topped with vegan cheese, and baked.

Salads

Enhance a simple salad by sprinkling the Italian blend over fresh greens, tomatoes, cucumbers, and red onions. For a heartier salad, add beans, lentils, or chickpeas. You can also use the blend as a seasoning for homemade croutons or include it in a vinaigrette dressing.

Breads

Add flavour to your bread dough by mixing in the Italian blend. This works well with focaccia, flatbreads, and even homemade crackers. You could also sprinkle the blend over a bread bowl filled with soup or dip.

Soups

Use the Italian blend to add depth of flavour to soups, such as a minestrone or a bean-based soup. You can also sprinkle it over a bowl of soup as a garnish, or use it to make a flavoured crouton to float on top.

Vegetables

Roast or grill vegetables like zucchini, eggplant, bell peppers, artichokes, or green beans, and sprinkle them with the Italian blend for a flavour boost. You can also use the blend to make a compound butter to melt over steamed vegetables.

Rice Dishes

For a flavourful rice dish, cook rice in vegetable or mushroom broth and add the Italian blend. You can also use the blend to make a pilaf by toasting the spices in oil before adding the rice and liquid.

Vegan Cheese

Make your own vegan Parmesan or ricotta cheese by mixing the Italian blend with nuts, nutritional yeast, and other seasonings. You can sprinkle this over pasta, salads, or soups, or use it as a filling for stuffed vegetables or shells.

Meat Alternatives

Add the Italian blend to tofu, tempeh, or seitan for a savoury flavour. You can marinate these alternatives and then bake, grill, or fry them to add to pasta dishes, sandwiches, or salads.

Breakfast Dishes

Add the Italian blend to tofu scramble, or sprinkle it over avocado toast for a flavourful breakfast. You can also mix it with nutritional yeast and nuts to make a savoury porridge.

How long to cook it for

The cooking time for BGAN Italian Blend will depend on the recipe you are using and the method of cooking. Here is a detailed breakdown of the cooking times for different recipes and methods:

Vegan Italian Blend in the Oven

If you are cooking BGAN Italian Blend in the oven, the cooking time will vary depending on the recipe and the desired level of doneness. For example, in the Vegan Eggplant Parmesan recipe, the oven is preheated to 425°F, and the cooking time is 10 minutes for the first bake and 10 to 15 minutes for the second bake.

Vegan Italian Blend on the Stovetop

For stovetop recipes, such as the Spaghetti Pomodoro, the cooking time is approximately 15 minutes. This includes the time to prepare the tomato sauce, cook the pasta, and finish cooking the spaghetti in the sauce.

Vegan Italian Blend in the Air Fryer

When using an air fryer, the cooking time can be reduced. For example, in the Air-Fryer Eggplant Parmezzan with Pasta recipe, the eggplant rounds are cooked in the air fryer to achieve a delicious crunch without the use of oil.

Vegan Italian Blend in the Slow Cooker

Slow cooker recipes, such as the Slow Cooker Minestrone Soup, allow for a longer cooking time at a lower temperature. This method is ideal for developing rich flavours and tenderising meats or vegetables.

Vegan Italian Blend in the Instant Pot or Pressure Cooker

If you are short on time, an instant pot or pressure cooker can be a great option. The Vegan Spaghetti Marinara with Lentil Balls recipe, for example, can be prepared in an instant pot, reducing the overall cooking time.

It is important to note that the cooking times may vary depending on the specific recipe, the portion size, and the desired level of doneness. Always refer to the recipe instructions and adjust the cooking time as needed.

What to serve it with

There are many options to serve alongside BGAN Italian Blend, here are some suggestions:

• Vegetable Sides: BGAN Italian Blend would go well with a variety of vegetable side dishes. For example, roasted zucchini with Italian herbs, or a tomato cucumber onion salad. You could also try something like a green bean and tomato salad, or grilled seitan with Italian salsa verde.
• Bread: As Italian food often features bread, you could serve it with bruschetta, focaccia, or crostini. Alternatively, you could make a Panzanella salad, which combines stale bread with fresh seasonal vegetables.
• Salads: There are many salad options that would complement BGAN Italian Blend. For example, a fennel orange salad, or a Caprese salad with tomatoes, fresh mozzarella, and basil. You could also try a chickpea salad with roasted garlic vinaigrette, or a simple green salad with a vinaigrette dressing.
• Pasta: As BGAN Italian Blend is designed to be used in pasta, you could serve it with an additional pasta dish. For example, you could make a pasta salad, or a simple dish of pasta with marinara sauce. Alternatively, you could make a more complex dish like pasta puttanesca or pasta alla norma (eggplant pasta).
• Other: BGAN Italian Blend could be served with other Italian dishes such as gnocchi, risotto, or polenta.

How to store leftovers

To store leftovers of BGAN Italian Blend, follow these steps:

Refrigerating Cooked Pasta:

• Place the cooked pasta in an airtight container. Use a container with a lid or secure closure to prevent air from getting in, as the moisture in cooked pasta can become a breeding ground for bacteria and mould when exposed to air.
• Add some butter or olive oil to the pasta. This will keep the pasta from clumping and sticking as it dries out. Lightly coat the pasta with 1-2 teaspoons of oil or butter, then stir it in.
• Refrigerate the pasta within two hours of preparing it. Cooked, un-sauced pasta will usually stay fresh in the fridge for 3-5 days.
• Store the pasta away from other foods with strong odours, as these may be transferred.
• Reheat refrigerated pasta by dunking it in a pot of boiling water for 20-30 seconds.

Refrigerating Sauced Pasta:

• Transfer leftovers to an airtight container. Let hot pasta cool to just above room temperature before transferring to a container.
• Refrigerate the pasta and consume it within 2-3 days.
• Warm up sauced pasta in the oven at 350 degrees F (176 degrees C) for about 20 minutes. Covering the baking dish with aluminium foil will help lock in moisture.
• Alternatively, reheat sauced pasta on the stovetop over low heat, stirring frequently.

Freezing Leftover Pasta:

• Place the uneaten pasta in a large freezer bag. Press out all excess air from the bag before sealing.
• Drizzle the pasta with oil or butter before freezing to prevent clumping.
• Store the pasta in the freezer. Leftover pasta will be preserved for three months or longer, but aim to consume within one to two months for optimum freshness and flavour.
• Thaw the pasta in the refrigerator before reheating. This will help preserve the flavour and texture.
• Reheat thawed pasta in boiling water and combine with sauce, or reheat sauced pasta in the oven.

Frequently asked questions