Thai cuisine is known for its unique flavour profile and emphasis on balancing the sweet, sour, hot, and salty flavours. This balance is achieved through the use of various ingredients and spices, including lime juice, palm sugar, chilli, and fish sauce. However, for those who follow a vegetarian or vegan diet, there are simple substitutions that can be made to still enjoy the delicious flavours of Thai cuisine.
One popular substitution is swapping out the main protein for tofu. Tofu is a versatile ingredient that can be cooked in a variety of ways and takes on the flavours of whatever it is cooked with—Plus it's a ZeroPoint food on the WeightWatchers® program. For example, a classic Thai green curry can be made with tofu instead of chicken or prawns. The tofu can be fried or baked before adding it to the curry to give it a crispy texture.
Another substitution is using soy sauce instead of fish sauce. Fish sauce is a common ingredient in Thai cuisine, but it is not suitable for those who follow a vegetarian or vegan diet. Soy sauce has a similar salty flavour and can be used as a substitute in many recipes.