Muristek
Gone are the days of being mocked at barbecues. Eating a plant-based diet is now a completely ordinary way of life
Food is a serious business in my family. Whenever I visit my aunt I’m always reminded of the scene from My Big Fat Greek Wedding where the fiance is revealed to be vegetarian: “What do you mean, you don’t eat no meat? That’s OK, I make lamb.” For her, the idea of a plate without meat on it makes no sense, and she is always trying to sneak something on, claiming “a little won’t hurt”.
So I came prepared for my first family barbecue as a vegan. This was long before the days of Beyond Burger, so I opted for spicy jerk-seasoned portobello mushrooms and peppers, Creole spiced sweet potatoes and smoky carrot hotdogs. OK, smoky carrot hotdogs may sound abysmal, but I promise you they’re magic when done right. I prepared them the night before, marinating every inch, and was really excited to eat, drink and catch up with my cousins. My uncle was at the grill, babysitting sausages, burgers and chicken thighs, and I proudly walked up to him with my vegetables to inquire when I could get them on.
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