The Mediterranean Vegan

Baba Ghannoug is served in many countries of the Mediterranean and under various names. In Turkey, it is known as patlican salatasi . In Greece, melitzanosalata. It is often served as a dip or salad and its base is roasted, pureed eggplant. This is the traditional Levantine variation but you can also add onion, mint, or other roasted vegetables. Serves 3-4 What you need: 2 eggplants (aubergines) 1/2 cup tahini 2 tbsp vinegar 2 tbsp lemon juice 1 tsp salt 1/2 tsp pepper 2 cloves garlic 1 tbsp parsley 1 tbsp cumin 3 tbsp olive oil Preheat the oven to 200 C (400 F). Put the whole eggplants on a baking sheet and bake for 45 minutes. Remove the eggplants, let cool, and peel off the skin. Then add all of the ingredients into a food processor or blender and blend until smooth. Serve with pita bread.

These breakfast beans are part of the Egyptian Coptic Diet, which is primarily vegan. The name means "buried fava beans" and refers to its ancient method of cooking that involved burying a pot of water and beans under hot coals. Serves 2-3 What you need: 3 tbsp olive oil 3 cloves garlic, minced 3 cups cooked brown fava beans 1/2 tsp salt 1/2 tbsp lemon juice 2 tbsp fresh parsley 1 tomato, chopped In a pan on medium heat, fry the garlic in the olive oil until the garlic becomes golden. Add the cooked fava beans and begin mashing them with a large wooden spoon while cooking for 10 minutes. Add the salt, lemon juice, and parsley and cook for another minute or so. Top with more fresh parsley and chopped tomato and serve with bread.

Kushari is one of the most popular dishes in Egypt and happens to be vegan! Enjoy. Serves 2-3 What you need: 1 cup white rice, cooked 1 cup pasta (any kind), cooked 1 cup lentils, cooked or canned 1/2 cup chickpeas/garbanzo beans (optional) 2 cups tomato sauce (with or without vegetables) 1 tsp red pepper flakes 1/2 onion, diced 1 tbsp margarine salt pepper Make the rice, pasta, and lentils according to the package instructions. Meanwhile, make the simple tomato sauce . Add the red pepper flakes to the tomato sauce while cooking. Add diced onion and margarine to a small pan and fry until caramelized (around 25-20 minutes). Mix the rice, pasta, and lentils together. Top with the tomato sauce and caramelized onions. Add salt and pepper to your liking. You're done!