Food trends are a lot like fashion trends - what’s hot today may be gone tomorrow, only for history to repeat itself a few years later and we’re back to loving the old again.
The plant-based movement is a big trend around the world, including South Africa, and forecasters predict the trend will continue to grow into 2019 - pardon the pun.
If, like me, the thought of giving up meat (even if just for a week) has crossed your mind, then now’s the time to take the plunge, as October is also known as Vegetarian Month.
Jessica Kotlowitz, a registered dietitian - also known as The Green Dietitian - says the health benefits of a plant-based diet include lowering the risk of chronic health conditions such as high blood pressure, cholesterol, heart disease, obesity and diabetes.
There are other ways to embrace this lifestyle, like going vegetarian for one week a month, embrace meat-free Mondays or doing a spiritual fast.
With the price of meat going through the roof, a vegetarian lifestyle may not be such a bad idea!
The experts at Sunfoil sunflower oil share their tips for creating lekker vegetarian dishes and have identified four flavours - sweet, sour, salty, umami flavours.
The sweet flavour comes from fruit, honey, sugar or sweet tasting vegetables.
Sour foods come from using lemon juice, vinegar or tomatoes which can be sweet or sour.
The salt flavour may come from foods such as seaweed, and soya sauce.
Lastly, umami flavour comes from kos such as mushrooms, asparagus, sweet potato, carrots, avocados and soya beans.
Make it smooth or crunchy - adding variety to a meal is important as it gives you different sensations in the mouth.
Tossing in protein-based foods such as beans, pulses, legumes and healthy fats like avos, nuts, and olive oil not only smaaks lekker but makes you full.
Also try roasting your veg then tossing in chickpeas and toasted seeds, or griddle your aubergine to enhance the flavour of the dish.
Lastly, adding spices such as cumin, coriander, cardamom, chilli, turmeric, and paprika will pep up any vegetarian meal.