When it comes to vegan or vegetarian food, nothing can beat the options available in the Indian cuisine. Many food connoisseurs, including chefs from different countries have agreed that desi food has the best taste and flavour even without adding meat to it. And U.S. Senator and Republican vice-presidential nominee JD Vance too is impressed with Indian food. Recently, on a podcast called-The Joe Rogan Experience, he revealed his love for Indian vegetarian food how his Indian American wife, Usha Vance introduced him to the rich cuisine.
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In the three-hour podcast that featured a conversation between Vance and Joe, Indian vegetarian food was a highlight. The host, Joe Rogan is a known advocate for whole foods over processed alternatives, criticized lab-made plant-based meats and referred to them as “highly processed garbage.” Instead, he praised traditional vegetarian cuisines, specially Indian, for their rich flavours and wholesome ingredients. “If you want to eat vegetables and be vegetarian, eat Indian food. They make really delicious vegetarian food,” Rogan remarked.
Agreeing to his point, Vance revealed how Usha’s Indian roots has expanded his culinary horizons. "I’m married to an Indian American," he said, adding that her family's vegetarian dishes introduced him to flavours he hadn’t considered before. Vance admitted that his initial attempts to make vegetarian meals weren’t as successful, humorously recalling one such effort. “I rolled out a flat thing of crescent rolls, put raw broccoli on top, sprinkled ranch dressing, and baked it for 45 minutes,” he shared, chuckling as he recalled the “disgusting” result.
Despite these initial kitchen mishaps, Vance soon discovered the depth of flavours in Indian vegetarian cooking. Now, he often indulges in dishes like paneer, chickpeas, and rice, all of which he considers far more satisfying than processed meat substitutes. "If you're vegetarian, dive into paneer, rice, and chickpeas," he advised. "Skip the fake meat—it’s all about real ingredients."
Usha Vance, who comes from a Hindu background, has played an important role in Vance’s introduction into vegetarianism. At the Republican National Convention earlier this year, she shared how her husband had adopted her vegetarian lifestyle and even learned to cook Indian recipes from her mother. "JD has been willing to learn and adapt, both with food and in many aspects of life," she said, describing his culinary journey as part of their shared values. So, do you agree Indians have the best vegetarian cuisine?