Disruptions in the supply chain may result in de facto meat rationing. So it’s good to keep in mind the other sources of protein: pulses, grains, nuts, and seeds.

Pulses are the edible dried seeds from plants in the legume family (with pods), such as beans, peas, lentils, and chickpeas. Brown lentils are a great stand-in for meat in shepherd’s pie and chili. I’ve tried vegan crumble, but I prefer lentils.

Grains: There are grains and “ancient grains,” so-called because they’ve come down to us unchanged since like, forever. I’ve cooked with barley and quinoa (actually a pseudo-cereal), and now I’ve added millet and farro to my repertoire.   

Nuts: I got a huge bag of pecans from Costco and I thought I’d never finish them. But it turns out that a bowlful of pecans and raisins is a lovely snack to nibble on while watching TV.  

Seeds: a mix of toasted sunflower seeds, pine nuts, and pepitas sprinkled over pasta adds a nice crunch and a bit of protein.

When making plant-based meals, think of big flavours. Red wine vinegar to add zing to borscht. Smoked paprika for a taste and aroma that’s like grilled sausages. Vegan Worcestershire sauce adds beefy flavour. Fennel seeds add a pop of licorice flavour that goes well with roasted veggies and herbs. Capers and black olives give pungency and saltiness to a basic tomato sauce.

Using veggie stock in place of water makes a richer base for soups and stews. I found a recipe for stock cubes where the veggies are pureed in a food processor, frozen in ice cube trays, then reconstituted in boiling water.

It takes a bit of thinking and planning to replace meat with plant-based proteins. I’ve been following a vegan diet for about a year, and I’ve found that big flavour goes a long way.

Postscript: The ants made a brief reappearance. I turned into a clean freak. The bag of compost waste goes in the freezer. No food sits out on the counter. Dishes go right in the dishwasher, the door latched. Pots are barely cool before they’re washed and put away. No knives or utensils in the sink overnight. On the bright side, it’s nice to wake up to a spotless kitchen.