gro: lunchtime inspiration from the new coop plant based range.

Whether you're taking part in Veganuary, looking to switch to plant based plates one day a week or are follow a egg or dairy-free diet, you'll be pleased to know that your local Coop might be worth stopping by. I've been trying out their new GRO plant based range, which has a range of delicious dinner ideas, snacks and desserts at your convenience. In this post I'm trying out a few of their lunch options, which are great for on the go.

At my local Central England Coop, I picked up a colourful Falafel & Tabbouleh Salad (£2.95) and Hoisin D'uk Protein Pot (£1.50). Packed with cucumber, carrot, red onion and sweet red pepper houmous, the salad made for quite the healthy lunch indeed. Although vegans will be au fait with falafel, it's good to see these options being made mainstream against the classic cheese sandwiches and sausage rolls. On the other hand, the mock duck made for a great alternative snack pot to the boiled eggs and spinach you often see. Although it didn't say how many grams of protein there were in the 110g, the label assures of high protein within the soya bites with edamame, spring onion, cucumber, hoisin sauce and a pumpkin seed topping.

Although not in my particular Coop, other mouthwatering lunch options include Vegan Mexican Salad, Mango & Passionfruit Bircher and Crash Bang Cauliflower Salad. But you can find out more about them here.

The flavours and textures were great, with the spiced falafel marrying perfectly with the red pepper houmous - just like you'd expect. It didn't make me miss meat at all, offering my palette a vibrant lunch that was both interesting and nourishing. I was particularly a fan of the protein pot, as the mock hoisin duck was convincing and worked well with the classic cucumber and spring onion, as well as the addition of edamame beans.

The only unfortunate thing about pre-packed lunches is of course the plastic - however once cleaned this could be recycled, and the plastic fork re-used.

Have you tried the GRO range yet? What grab and go vegan lunches appeal to you?

Next up, I'll be trying their vegan pizza as well as a three course vegan meal from the GRO range!

In collaboration with Central England Co-op