Jainism and Animal Issues 1997

Author(s): Federation of JAINA
Publisher: USA Federation of JAINA

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Many grocery stores now stock these products, so ask for them (may be in a separate section). All are available at health food stores. Try different non-dairy milk brands to find which you like best! Try homemade nut milk or rice milk (blend nuts or rice with water, strain, add sweetener).
Meat Substitutes in Sauces or Stir Fries
Jainism and Animal Issues
For buttermilk in baking, mix in 1 T lemon juice or guests. Add crumbled veggie burgers or finely chopped "not-dogs" vinegar to curdle one cup of soy milk
to spaghetti sauce or stir fry, for a heartier meal. (Try different brands to find which you like best. Also, be aware that a few of these products do contain eggs, etc.). Or, add crumbled tofu to do the same. For variety, try TVP (textured vegetable protein), sliced tempeh or seitan.
Substitutes for Onions and Garlic
Jain cuisine often compensates for the absence of these with extra amounts of other seasonings. In Italian, Mexican and Indian dishes, fried cumin seeds and a little asafetida (hing), can add flavor and interest. Also, refer to Hare Krishna cookbooks since they avoid onions and garlic.
While meat substitutes are a turn off for some vegetarians, they provide a convenient way to get quick, nourishing meals for non-veg
For cheese: be aware that many soy cheeses have casein (a dairy product). Experiment with the recipes and ideas in The Uncheese Cookbook by Joanne Stepaniak.
EATING OUT VEGETARIAN
With growing health and ethical concerns, it is becoming easier to find vegetarian food in restaurants everywhere. Still, some situations pose a challenge: in a new city, with people you don't know, for example, you may feel that your choices are limited. By suggesting ethnic restaurants, such as those listed below, you'll usually ensure plenty of vegetarian options, and a memorable culinary adventure for everyone. (Best bets marked "*").
Caribbean
Indian
Ethiopian
Italian
Japanese
rice, beans (check for animal fat), plantain chips, veggie "Jamaican patty" (check if meatless), roti and seasoned vegetables.
injera, a large variety of flavorful greens, vegetables, bean, lentil dishes.
many breads, vegetable and bean dishes, rice, vegetable samosa, pakora.
pasta (check for eggs, check if cooked in chicken broth) and marinara sauce, pasta primavera, pasta with pesto, vegetarian lasagna, salads, soups (check for chicken, beef broths), eggplant parmigana (check for eggs in batter).
tofu dishes, miso soups, rice noodles, vegetarian sushi, vegetable stir-fries. vegetable tempura (check if tempura batter has eggs).
Lebanese/Egyptian falafel, humus and pita, baba ganoush,
Mexican
mujaddara, tabouleh, stuffed grape leaves (check if meatless), rice-stuffed peppers, eggplant moussaka (check if meatless), spinach pie (check for eggs).
Thai/Chinese/Indonesian vegetable stir fries with nuts, tofu,
tempeh, seitan (check if they use vegetable oil or animal fat, check for animal broth, oyster sauce, fish oil), rice (steamed rice is safer than fried), noodles (check for eggs), steamed spring rolls (can often be made without eggs or meat).
At unfamiliar restaurants: when you get your menu, tell the waiter or server that you're vegetarian and ask what he or she recommends. Be clear about what you do and don't eat. He, or she, may need to confer with the kitchen, to answer your questions. This approach gives the establishment some time to accommodate your needs - which is what they're in business to do! You'll likely be served an enviable delight...if all else fails, a chef's special, made just for you.
beans (check for use of lard) and rice (check if cooked in chicken or other animal broth), if meatless: burritos, tacos, enchiladas, fajitas, tostadas.
When ordering, ask for confirmation that your meal is vegetarian ("Spring roll, please. That doesn't have any meat or eggs, right?"). Since they do not list all ingredients on the menu, it's better to ask questions up front to avoid unpleasant surprises such as ham bits in a seemingly innocent salad. If they do accommodate you, tip well, and let them know that you'll mention it at local vegetarian events. Calling ahead can also help. And before you travel, look up veg-friendly restaurants in guide books and on the World Wide Web (see our listings of books and websites).
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Try this for a perfect communication. Make a small card, that you can send to chef, that specifies clearly everything like this: "JAIN VEGAN DIET; NO MEAT (no beef, pork, chicken, fish, or eggs); NO DAIRY (no yogurt, cheese, or sour cream); NO HONEY; NO ROOTS (no onions, garlic, potatoes, carrots, beet, mushrooms, reddish, ginger, yam, or chives). This card leaves no room for a mistake or misunderstanding, by you, the waitor, or the chef.