5 easy vegan recipes that I love

 

This year was the first year I tried Veganuary. Not only did it mean we reduced our meat intake for a month, we also found so many new recipes and meal inspiration that we still try weeks later. It was interesting to say the least to try out the dairy free cheese, with varying success. The meat substitutes were much better and I found a new love for oat milk and vegan chocolate However bringing more vegetables to our dishes was the best bit. 

If you're looking to try a month of being vegan, I really recommend The Vegan Kind supermarket and trusty BBC Good Food as well as these Olive Magazine favourites or pick yourself up some bargain vegan recipe books from The Works. Here are a few of my favourite vegan recipes, which all bring out a rainbow of vegetables and pulses, with no meat alternatives in sight. 

vegan tacos with homemade mushroom & bean mince.

A delicious homemade veggie mince recipe that is both vegetarian and vegan! In this case, I've added some subtle spice to create a chilli style mince, perfect for tasty tacos. But the results are so versatile! The recipe is also perfect for dairy free diners who also may avoid soya or eggs in the supermarket bought varieties.

Using my trusty new Veggie Bullet, I was so pleased that shredding up healthy mushrooms and borlotti beans was such an easy way to create a mince-like base for so many meals. With around 20 calories in 200g of mushrooms too, the cheap ingredient means you can create a really low fat, low price meat substitute which is packed with nutrients too. Will you be giving it a try for #MeatfreeMonday?

gluten free salted caramel brownies.

A classic brownie recipe that I swear by - the only difference with this one is there's a tasty salted caramel twist. This recipe also happens to be accidentally gluten free, as I prefer to use ground almonds over flour; though if you're a a fan of nutty flavours then these will be a winner. Gooey on the inside and a bit of crunch to the outside. Divine!

baked dill salmon with beetroot risotto.

A tasty and wholesome dish for seafood lovers. Salmon, dill and beetroot go hand in hand, so I thought it was about time I made something with them again. When I have extra time at the weekend I love to slowly stir a risotto, simmering away. So I thought I'd bring these ingredients together in a vibrant risotto, for a recipe that is a great source of protein, iron, energy and also goes towards your five a day.

easy gluten free coconut flour pancakes.

A deliciously fluffy stack of pancakes, just in time for Pancake Day. And guess what, these ones are totally gluten free. I've teamed up with Indigo Herbs to try out some of their awesome products and bring you a sweet treat which features some flippin' great superfoods too. The gluten free coconut pancake recipe is made using coconut flour and cooked in coconut oil. To finish, they're scattered with strawberry powder and crushed pistachios, with an obligatory drizzle of maple syrup. Read on to see how the ingredients stacked up...

vegan coconut shortbread with chocolate drizzle.

A tasty treat that happens to be dairy free and egg free too! This melt-in-the-mouth vegan shortbread recipe is scattering with coconuts and baked before being drizzled with heavenly dark chocolate. A naturally vegan sweet recipe which is perfectly bitesize.

butternut squash and goat's cheese risotto.

Risottos, biryanis, arancini, sushi and paella... delicious dinner ideas all with the same ingredient. Rice! An Autumnal inspired dish, I've paired the earthy flavours of roast butternut squash with sweet red peppers, creamy goat's cheese and peppery rocket to create a comforting risotto recipe.

avocado pesto, sweetcorn, pepper and roast tomato risotto.

With an avocado and basil pesto stirred through and scattered on top, this deliciously colourful risotto is packed with roast tomatoes and peppers and jewelled with toasted sweetcorn. If you're looking for vegan recipes or are taking part in veganuary, you might be pleased to know it's a totally plant based recipe too. Whether you're looking to introduce more veggies into your diet, try out something new or get involved with meat free Monday, there are lots of ways to get more plant based ingredients into your day-to-day at your local Co-op. 

I'm collaborating with Central England Cooperative throughout January on their healthier, plant-based and low alcohol ranges - and I can't wait to share with you what I find, and what I think. But for now, read on for this tasty vegetarian avocado pesto, sweetcorn, pepper and roast tomato risotto recipe. All of which can be found at your local store - even the ripe avocado, tomato medley and fresh herbs.

homemade vegan sausage rolls.

Bringing together delicious flaky pastry and comforting filling, there's something very welcoming about a homemade sausage roll straight from the oven. Whether you're already vegan or plant based, taking part in Veganuary, trying to cut down your meat consumption or are just curious, you may have tried out a vegan sausage roll this January. Looking for a similar recipe? Here's how to make homemade vegan sausage rolls with just three simple, ready-to-go ingredients.

I love vegetarian sausage rolls anyway and often use the likes of Linda McCartney, Quorn and Good Life in my cooking. For these, I used Fry's vegan sausages as they were most like the kind you get in a classic sausage roll, though Quorn are similar too I could only find vegetarian. You'll find lots of pre-made puff pastry sheets are dairy free too; so you can use Jus Rol as well as many supermarket own offerings for all your pastry needs. They also worked out at around £3 for 6 vegan sausage rolls, with the added convenience that the main two ingredients are from the freezer aisle.

So how did I make these mouthwatering homemade vegan sausage rolls? Scroll on for the super easy recipe...

vegan sesame mushroom gyoza + a simple homemade dumpling pastry recipe.

Gyozas, potstickers, wontons, mandu... all with their very slight differences, shapes, fillings and quirks of the culture they are from. Gyozas in particular, hailing from Japan, are a favourite of mine, whether fried or steamed. The most fiddly part is probably the assembly, but actually making the dumpling pastry and filling is very simple. And if you didn't want to create the classic pleated gyoza shape, you could always just create a simple half moon shape at first. The best part is, for the dumpling pastry recipe you only need two things. Plain flour and water. As for the filling? Let your imagination go wild...

When Indigo Herbs got in touch asking if I'd like to try out a few of their products to create a vegan recipe, I couldn't wait to bring a really exciting plant based flavour together. As well as mushrooms, spring onions, ginger, garlic and chilli, their Japanese Maitake Mushroom Powder adds a smoky flavour, the sesame seeds an extra nutty taste and their Irish Seaweed Salad of course introduces that beautiful umami taste you often find in South Asian cooking. Think nori in sushi, soy sauce and miso,  for an idea of that slightly salty and savoury essence.

plant based kashmiri spice pizza.

As well as grab-and-go snacks, convenient vegan ready meals and delicious desserts, Co-op have added a pizza to their GRO range, their plant based options that have proved popular with vegans and omnivores alike.

Aside from the fact that it is totally plant based, I was intrigued by the Indian inspired flavours. Not to mention how these would work the the addition of cheese that is anything but paneer. The clever Co-op chefs have created a spiced cauliflower and chilli topping with Kashmiri-style sauce and stringy MozzaRisella - a well-known vegan cheese brand. So what were my thoughts?

vegan piña colada style smoothie.

Combining fruity flavours inspired by the Piña Colada cocktail, this tropical inspired drink features creamy coconut milk, wholesome banana and tangy pineapple juice to create a refreshing Summer treat. Simply whizz up the ingredients to create this dairy free, gluten free non-alcoholic Piña Colada style smoothie which goes towards your five a day. I've teamed up with the lovely lot at Wayfair to bring you a bright and bold smoothie idea, featuring their quirky mason jar glasses and rustic wooden holder. 

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.

vegan bean chilli.

A chilli for the chilly months. This cosy and warming dish is perfect for getting those veggies in after the festive season. Whether you're in a post-cheese slump or are fighting the sniffles, this could be wholesome, veg-packed dish for you. It's vegan, dairy free and gluten free too - plus since it's so easy to whip up and batch cook it's perfect for lazy Winter teas and midweek meals.

mexican style cauliflower steaks.

Cauliflower really is the ingredient of the moment. Gluten free rice, vegan steak and wheat free pizza base - so much more than the classic cauliflower cheese (also delicious). So I thought I'd give the meat free trend a try with this dairy free, vegan friendly take on steak. I was really pleased with the results; a versatile texture with crunchy and crispy edges. I created a Mexican twist on it, since what doesn't go well with salsa, tortillas, chilli and heaps of guacamole. 

almond butter quinoa granola with indigo herbs (vegan and dairy free).

A vegan, dairy free and gluten free granola for all. It's certainly not taste free either; Indigo Herbs stock some delicious products that are perfect for shaking up your own homemade granola. Featuring puffed quinoa, cacoa nibs, chia powder and raw almond butter, the vegan and sugar free granola is packed with protein and lots of good stuff to take you through the morning. Fellow fans of nuts will love it too, as the almond and toasted flavour of quinoa really comes through. I enjoy it served up with almond or hazelnut milk but the rest is up to you.

egg fried cauliflower rice: veggie bullet review.

Spiralized vegetables, cauliflower rice, nutrient packed sauces; it's true we've fast become a nation of the hidden veg. With all the gadgets and gizmos on the market these days, there are so many ways to embrace this trend and switch out carbs for wholesome vegetables. What, wait, no more spaghetti? Now you can whizz up zoodles, boodles, swoodles and whatever other oodles you had in mind, it's super simple to pack out dishes where pasta might have been before.

Don't get me wrong, I love pasta. But I also love trying out new ways to get my five-a-day in a flash. Working 9-5 and on the blog doesn't leave me much time to be grinding away on a spiralizer, let alone taking a picture for Instagram of the results. Cue stage right; the Veggie Bullet. The latest addition to the NutriFamily, this NutriBullet's snazzy younger brother is a 3-in-1 electric Spiralizer, Shredder and Slicer that promises to make cutting down carbohydrates all that more convenient.

healthy gluten free brownies with comvita manuka honey.

A guilt free brownie? Could it be true? Enriched with Manuka honey, coconut oil and coconut flour, these refined sugar free and gluten free brownies are anything but boring. Fudgey, moist and deliciously chocolately, this brownie recipe is rather nice without being too naughty. Created by and featuring Comvita Manuka Honey, this recipe means you can rustle up a warm batch of gluten free, naturally sweetened brownies in around thirty minutes. Customise as you wish with your favourite toppings (almonds for me!) to create the ultimate brownie recipe. Yum!