Since the end of the 17th century, Minas Gerais has developed recipes that have traveled the world, they are treasures from a land rich in ore that carries, in addition to its unique aroma and flavor, a lot of history. As most of the state's typical cuisine is based on pork, we made some changes so that those who do not consume products of animal origin are not left out of the “party”. We adapted two Minas Gerais dishes for veganism.Minas Gerais recipes adapted for veganism A survey carried out in 2018 by the Instituto Paulista de Opinião e Pesquisa (IBOPE) showed that 14% of the Brazilian population declares themselves vegetarian. Although we do not have numbers for vegans, it is an indication that there is a predisposition in many people to stop consuming products of animal origin, especially meat.
It is important to highlight the difference between vegetarianism and veganism: vegetarians do not eat meat, but eat other foods of animal origin, such as milk, butter, etc., unlike vegans who opt for a vegetarian diet without any sources of food of animal origin. . .
Do you love Minas Gerais food and are you vegan? You will be surprised by the menu below!
Vegan chicken with okra There was a time when food delivery in Minas was so difficult that people were a little stuck in the cities that we now call historic, like Tiradentes, Ouro Preto and Mariana.
To feed themselves, people had to resort to whatever was easiest. Given the success of okra cultivation in the region and the abundance of free-range chicken farming, they decided to combine the two by raising okra-infused chickens.
Although we know these facts, the origin of the dish is still unknown. It may have originated in Portugal or even in African countries, but there is no historical proof.
Vegan chicken with okra is a recipe that does not contain any foods of animal origin. It's an adaptation of the original that, if done well, can transport anyone to a monumental state of mind.
Leaving history aside, although it is interesting to eat with historical knowledge of cuisine, let's get straight to the point. The recipe!
Ingredients for vegan chicken with okra – Minas Gerais recipe
100 grams of poached vegan chicken protein (do not squeeze)
300 grams of organic okra
1 whole onion
7 cloves of garlic
1 piece of chopped pepper
Salt to taste
Spicy paprika to taste
Saffron flavor
Pepper sauce
Shoyu sauce to taste
Green aroma (parsley and chives)
How to Prepare Vegan Chicken with Okra – Minas Gerais Recipe
Brown the garlic and onion, add the salt, add the protein, all the seasonings except the green pepper, and fry well, without adding water.
Once well mixed, add the chopped okra and add the water little by little, until it reaches 2.5 cm below the top of the pan. Boil well and add the green scent. Turn off the pan and serve.
Vegan tropeiro beans Tropeiro beans are another staple of Minas Gerais cuisine. With a self-explanatory name, the recipe was developed by tropeiros, men who traveled from city to city in the central-west and southeast regions of the country, transporting cattle, goods, horses, mules and other products. Most of them were merchants whose activities were much more intense in the 18th century.
It was a time when Brazil lived under the rule of the Portuguese crown. The customs of the people who already lived here, the Indians, changed, as well as their diet.
With the forced arrival of Africans to work as slaves in the country, three cultures began to prevail and merge: indigenous, European and African, which explains the origin of the tropeiro bean, which in short is a mixture of beans and flour.
In the context of trophy traders, as they traveled frequently, it was easier to transport, for their own consumption, less perishable foods, such as flour, beans, bacon, corn, coffee, among other foods that cannot travel for long periods of time. of the tropeiros.
Tropeiro beans emerged as a practical survival measure. Over time, the mixture acquired new ingredients, such as seasonings, green scents, other meats, such as sausage and eggs, and became another “heritage” of Minas Gerais.
Just because someone decides to become vegetarian or vegan doesn't mean they have to stick to the cuisine of their country's history, right? See!
Ingredients for Vegan Tropeiro Beans
250 grams of green beans
60 grams of pepper cut into medium cubes
70 grams of chopped pine nuts (cooked)
60 grams of green pepper cut into medium cubes
1 slice of lemon
60 grams of yellow pepper, chopped into medium cubes
½ carrot cut into medium cubes
60 grams of eggplant, cut into medium cubes (add lemon juice to the eggplant to prevent browning)
60 grams of Paris mushrooms, cut into chips
60 grams of zucchini cut into medium cubes
1 clove of garlic to cook with beans
80 grams of chopped garlic
200 grams of onion chopped into medium cubes
½ unit of onion to cook with beans
1 teaspoon chopped and seedless pepper
½ teaspoon cumin
½ packet of green perfume
100 grams of cassava flour
100ml olive oil
Salt and pepper to taste
How to do it
Cook the beans in the pressure cooker with half the onion and garlic. Don't let it cook for too long as it will need to become clumpy enough to mix later. After boiling, wash the beans to remove any remaining broth.
Saute the garlic and onion in olive oil. Add the carrot and pine nuts. Let it boil a little. Add the eggplant, paprika and zucchini. Stir well and add the pepper.
Add the mushrooms and salt. Take the remaining beans and mix. Add the remaining seasonings and smell the greens. Finish with flour. Stir well and turn off the pan.
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Check out more typical Minas Gerais recipes on the Mais Minas website.