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 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.

tofu korma.

A fragrant and warming vegan curry recipe which is super simple too. This dish takes inspiration from the classic korma and adds tofu, baby corn and green beans for a healthy veggie alternative. It’s a mild but comforting sauce which can be adjusted to taste and packed with lots of wholesome vegetables. Serve with piping hot basmati rice and your favourite Indian bread. It’s perfect for make-ahead meal too and can be easily frozen for simple midweek meals.

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...

homemade pumpkin spice syrup.

We're fully into Autumn now, and I'm loving it. Autumn for me means cosy nights in, my birthday month, an excuse to buy a new coat... and of course pumpkin spice lattes. I've already made PSL macarons so the obsession is loud and clear (PSL and macarons that is). So I've taken it upon myself to make some homemade pumpkin spice syrup and bottle it up for when those red cups make an appearance. Pumpkin spice forever.

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. 

vegan starter, main and dessert ideas with coop.

Did you know that there are now over 600,000 vegans in the UK? A study by the Vegan Society in 2018 discovered this incredible stat - which compares with around 160,000 people following a vegan lifestyle back in 2006. It's no surprise that with this great rise comes lots of incredible plant-based options on our supermarket shelves, restaurant menus and street food stalls. Long gone are the times where dairy free diners could only choose from the likes of sad salads, portobello mushrooms that call themselves burgers or fruit medleys for dessert. With so much amazing choice - the rise of vegan junk food, beautiful bakes and scarily realistic mock meat is now on the menu.

When Central England Cooperative challenged me to create a three course meal with their new products - as well as low alcohol drinks for Dry January - I couldn't wait to take on the challenge for plant based perfection.

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.

dairy free mint hot chocolate.

A cosy (and super simple) hot chocolate recipe for this chilly Spring we're having. Last March I remember sunny drives visiting friends down south, warm evenings in pub gardens and getting ready for Spring weddings. Now, we get snow and frostbite. So it makes sense to share this minty hot chocolate recipe which also happens to be vegan and dairy free. Perfect in your favourite mug curled up in a blanket fort with a box set. Plus, you only need three ingredients.

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. 

convenient veggie meals with goodlife.

Looking to get more veggies into your diet but are always on the go? Perhaps you want to try out more vegetarian meals but don't know where to start? Want ideas for 5:2 meals? Having really enjoyed the GoodLife vegetarian sausages, kievs and falafels, I couldn't wait to try out the newest additions to the range. Coming in at under 300 calories and towards three of your five a day, these tasty meals are perfect for stocking up your trusty freezer with go-to healthy meals.

celebrating the new vegetarian society approved vegan trademark at their cookery school.

From fancy filo desserts to a decadent dairy free chocolate cake, a couple of weeks ago I went along to The Vegetarian Society near Manchester to swot up on the basics of vegan cookery. The occasion? The Vegetarian Society are celebrating this Summer's launch of the official Vegetarian Society Approved vegan trademark to help shoppers navigate the shelves for their plant-based favourites.

Established in 1847, the charity are dedicated to helping those who want to embrace a meat-free lifestyle, and help those that are already vegetarian or vegan. The recognised Vegetarian Society Approved vegetarian trademark is a smart way of helping veggies to rest assured that the product has met their criteria.

Now as many vegetarians turn to a dairy and egg free diet, the fancy new trademark can help newby vegans (and perhaps old school veggies) have peace-of-mind that products are 100% vegan. Since there are print runs to wait for on large scale packaging it'll take a while, but you'll soon be spotting them on your favourite vegan brands!

It couldn't have been a better way to celebrate - thoroughly enjoying my day with some likeminded bloggers and learning lots of vegan cooking and baking skills along the way!

miso mushroom gyoza.

An exciting parcel arrived on my doorstep recently. An exciting parcel bursting with organic goodies. To celebrate Organic September, Organic UK had sent me a variety of fresh, dairy and dry produce to get creative with. From vibrant fruit and vegetables to soy sauce and plain flour to pasta, there were lots of ingredients to play around with in my #OrganicUnboxed package... even wine! I hadn't realised so many foodie products could be organic and couldn't wait to experiment. 

After getting my thinking cap on, I knew I had to use the red miso paste and soy sauce to create something Japanese inspired. And so I present to you... homemade miso mushroom gyoza featuring and organic mushroom filling, pastry made from Doves Farm flower and Clearspring soy sauce for dipping. Yum - and they're vegan too!

thai peanut potato and spinach curry.

An indulgent vegan curry featuring the unique Rooster potatoes from Albert Bartlett. Their signature potato has unmistakable deep red skin and a texture that makes them perfect for mashing, boiling, baking and roasting. To celebrate this fantastic potato, I've teamed up with Albert Bartlett to create this Thai inspired curry with hints of peanut, chilli, lime and coriander. The potatoes are the star of the show, with added nutrients from the finely chopped spinach throughout.