7 vegan versions of your favourite comfort foods

Believe it or not, a popular pork alternative is jackfruit. Jackfruit is a tree species in the fig family native to Southeast Asia and thought to have originated from southern India. The fruit has thousands of flowers and the edible part is the fleshy petals. One jackfruit tree can produce two to three tons of fruit annually and harvested just like bananas. Once jackfruit is cooked it becomes soft and starts to pull apart becoming a shredded texture, similar to pulled pork. BBQ jackfruit sandwiches are the latest plant based trending substitute for pork. The Minimalist Baker, known for creating exciting recipes with 10 ingredients or less, has a delicious recipe for vegan jackfruit pulled pork sandwiches. (Photo via The Minimalist Baker)

Buffalo wings, typically made from chicken, are often associated with watching sports. If you are looking for an alternative to Buffalo wings next time you are hosting game day, check out this recipe made entirely from cauliflower. That's right, cauliflower Buffalo wings are real, and they're spectacular. Not to mention this cruciferous vegetable has multiple health benefits including vitamin C, vitamin K, fiber, folate, minerals and anti-oxidants. (Photo via vegan.com)

For those of us that devoured Kraft Dinner as a staple while students (or just because we loved it) you are in luck. If you’re vegan, or just looking for an alternative to dairy, there’s no need to ditch the dish. If you are in a rush Daiya Cheezy Mac will satisfy your craving and everything you need is in one box. If you are feeling creative, grab your favourite pasta, non-dairy milk, margarine and creamy Chao cheese slices made from coconut milk. If you pop Chao slices in the freezer for five minutes they become chilled and you can grate them so they shred to melt into a yummy cheese sauce over cooked noodles. (Photo by Getty Images)

While these vegan fish sticks can't be purchased (yet) from your local Fish and Chips truck, they are readily available in grocery and health food stores. Gardein golden fishless filets are made with non-genetically engineered soybeans and wheat gluten, and include algal oil -- a plant source of Omega. They come frozen, so all you do is heat and serve with your favourite dipping sauce. They are delicious in tacos, on rice, or in sushi. (Photo via Getty Images)

There are many tuna-less salad recipes using chickpeas, otherwise known as garbanzo beans, and loaded with protein and key nutrients. Yamchops, a veggie butcher shop in Toronto, sells their own version of this fishless delicacy called tuna-less tuna. Or create your own with Happy Herbivore‘s mock tuna salad recipe loaded with protein, is easy to make, and tastes great. Either way, you will be contributing to your health and ocean conservation. (Photo via Happy Herbivore)

There are countless plant-based burgers on restaurant menus and lining grocery store shelves. So it really should come as no surprise that last year the best burger of the year award from GQ went to a vegan burger. If you are looking for a burger to convince your meat-eating friends that vegan burgers are superior, look no further. A few winning options include the hand formed Fieldburger by Field Roast made with barley, fresh carrots and celery; adorable and scrumptious Gardein beefless sliders; and Amy's Texas vegan burger made with soy, vegetables and grains that tastes like they were just cooked on a BBQ. (Photo by Getty Images)

Craving egg salad without the egg? Firm tofu can be drained, sliced and mashed to create a texture very similar to traditional egg salad. Mustard gives it a yellow colour and vegan mayo and nutritional yeast add a lovely flavour. Some recipes add black salt that helps give it an additional eggy flavour. Veg Kitchen with Nava Atlas has an easy "egg salad" recipe that is perfect for sandwiches or pita. (Photo via Veg Kitchen)