Exploits of a Vegan Wannabe

Because I have been vegetarian for the majority of my adult life, it has meant that there are many seemingly ordinary dishes that I have never tasted like corned beef, salmon or SPAM.  I went from the foods you eat as a basic 20 year old in her own apartment, (vodka) pepperoni  pizza and hot wings to eating an all vegetarian diet.

Last night I had the opportunity to have General Tso’s Chicken for the  first time because a restaurant in our town is doing it vegan style. Red Star Chinese restaurant will create any dish on their menu with vegan beef or chicken. They also serve it with vegan Wonton soup and vegan egg rolls. What?

So here is the crazy part. Do you remember the old school Almond Chicken that was battered chicken smothered in  the most divine gelatinous yellow  gravy, sprinkled with almond slivers, scallions and served on a bed of ice berg lettuce? Why the lettuce? The chicken was  battered, salty and oddly the most delicious and comforting meal on the planet. Not in a healthful way, in a soulful way. Almond chicken conjures up memories for me of moments shared and meals enjoyed with fortune cookies, take out boxes and Wonton soup.  I’m not even sure they are memories of actual events that I have enjoyed but Almond Chicken resonates with me as a treasure.  Tonight,  our waiter assured me they were making it vegan, so I couldn’t wait to try it.

As the courses came one by one I was transported back to a time before tofu and compassionate consumption. To a time when ordering in a restaurant was motivated simply by desire. The Wonton Soup was so craveable I wanted more. Then the egg roll came. I haven’t had an egg roll in 15 years. Half way through, I offered Sandy a bite which she declined and said,”I couldn’t possibly, you are enjoying it too much.” She was right, I was. Then the main events arrived….Almond Chicken on a perfectly wilted bed of Iceberg lettuce and my first ever taste of  General Tso’s chicken.

The Almond Chicken was so eerily like chicken that I had to fight the urge to make  the waiter come back and assure me that it wasn’t. The chicken and the gravy with the warm lettuce were like puzzle pieces in my memory clicking together forming a sense memory of meals passed. I felt soothed and satisfied.  Sandy told me that the General Tso’s chix was spot on for flavor and the sauce was the best she had ever had. I can see why it could be a dish to be missed if you had become vegan.

I am sharing this for several reasons….most importantly because you must try Red Star Chinese restaurant if you are ever  in Dearborn. But I also wanted to share this because it felt important to talk about consuming meat analogs.  Some veg and vegan schools of thought don’t like these meat analogs (fake meat) because they believe that if you are veg, you shouldn’t even want to emulate the feeling, taste or experience of consuming meat. I understand that position, but feel as though it is more limiting than I want to be.  I believe that the journey we are on belongs uniquely to each of us and choosing a path that brings us closer to compassionate consumption, however you forge it, is right for you.  My goal in becoming vegan is to live and experience my life in an abundant way without negatively impacting, killing or exploiting other living things. I can still accomplish that while eating a veggie burger or vegan Almond Chicken.

If fake meat helps you transition to a veg diet one, two or seven days a week then bon appetite. If  fake Almond Chicken can transport you to a childhood meal with a positive sense memory then dig in. If meat alternatives make you feel more welcome at a family event, company picnic or birthday party then I say….have at it. Its your journey. The rules to being a “good” vegan or vegetarian are yours to define. Enjoy yourself and eat foods that create satisfying and decadent experiences.

Have a delicious day.

Tags: compassionate eating, dairy free, going veg, plant based diet, Red Star Chinese restaurant, trying vegan, trying vegetarian, vegan, vegan challenge, vegan experience, vegan products, vegan transition, vegan wannabe, vegetarian transition