4 vegan versions of the best comfort foods

Many people associate comfort foods with warm, rich meals that remind them of their youth. However, many mistakenly believe comfort foods must have meat or creamy dairy in them to taste delicious. In reality, you can make many comfort foods without animal products. Check out four simple, vegan comfort-food recipes below.

Chili is a great, filling meal on a cold winter day.

1. Combine two cups of vegetable broth, one chopped onion, one tablespoon of chili powder, a tablespoon of cumin, a tablespoon of Worcestershire sauce, two minced garlic gloves and two cans each of black beans and pinto beans.
2. Cook the chili on low heat in a slow cooker with a lid for about eight hours.
3. When it's finished, you can top it with chopped scallions or cilantro and jalapenos.

1. If you're a "mac and cheese" lover, start by cooking a package of macaroni as per the instructions on the box.
2. Next, boil a pot of water and add half of a chopped onion, one chopped carrot and a chopped potato. Let them sit in the water until they are soft -- about 10 minutes.
3. When the veggies are done, puree them in your blender.
4. Add three-fourths of a cup of your cooking water to the blender, then add in half a cup of cashews, a quarter of a cup of coconut milk, two tablespoons of nutritional yeast and a tablespoon of lemon.
5. Blend that all together, then pour it over the macaroni and season with salt, garlic powder, pepper and paprika as you like.

Vegan mashed potatoes are simple to make.

1. Chop and boil six potatoes until they are tender. Then put six cloves of garlic in aluminium foil in the oven and roast them.
2. Once the potatoes are done, drain them and put them back in the hot pot. Now you're ready to start mashing your potatoes with the garlic and four tablespoons of vegan butter.
3. Finish it by adding some chopped chives on top.

1. To make a great vegan dessert that satisfies your sweet tooth, combine a banana, half a cup of cashews, a third of a cup of water and a tablespoon of maple syrup in a blender.
2. Then add half a teaspoon of vanilla extract and a cup of ice cubes. Blend this all together, and you'll have a treat that's filling and delicious.

These comfort foods are completely free of animal protein, without sacrificing flavour.