The Vegan Thread

It’s in date. Think the cafe who sold it to me haven’t stored it cold enough, or it was in transit too long. Gunna take it back to them today and see what they say.

I'm meeting a friend near Brick Lane, he's a non vegan visiting from Slovakia, I'm a vegan visiting from Leeds. Where's good to get grub? Think he fancies Indian food! Also, suggestions for pubs round there are also appreciated.

I don't know the Indian restaurants there, but the Canvas Café in Hanbury Street did very decent food the one time I've been:

https://www.thecanvascafe.org/vegan-cafe

There's also a new Picky Wops:

http://fatgayvegan.com/2019/12/05/vegan-pizza-restaurant-to-open-on-brick-lane/

I haven't been yet, as it was only due to open on the 13th December.

Neither may be what you're after if he likes Indian food, but just in case.

And I'd forgotten about this place, which I still haven't been to yet, either:

https://veganyes.uk/

Steak bakes! Never had a meat one but imagine I'll bosh a few of these, cheers greggs.

As a meat eater Greggs really nailed the vegan sausage roll. I’m excited to see what they do with the steak bake.

Thanks for the suggestions! If we don't make it to those places today I'll check them out in the future.

I've been flirting with the idea of going vegan for awhile now and have decided to try 'Veganuary' (awful name) to give it a proper go.

I'm not too worried about during the week. I eat a mainly vegan breakfast and lunch as is. Dinners will be trickier as my wife does most of the cooking for the family and won't be switching with me.

I reckon I'll have to do a fair bit of batch cooking on weekends as I don't have much time in the evenings.

Anyone got any tips for me? Hopefully the whole Veganuary isn't frowned upon round these parts!

No judgement from me, Veganuary can only be a positive thing in my book (apart from the extremely obvious, cynical capitalist cash in element). When I first went vegan years ago I found that trying to replicate my favourite non vegan recipes with meat/dairy replacements was never as satisfying as I hoped it would be so my advice as somebody who's giving it a go would be to find recipes you would like to eat that happen to not have any animal products in and go from there. You'll never find a totally convincing substitute for a non vegan product. It'll make you think more about what you're cooking and hopefully get you out of your comfort zone in a positive way!

Agree with this. If you're looking for some 'just happen to be vegan' recipes Meera Sodha has been doing some good vegan stuff in the guardian for a while, maybe peruse her stuff and see if anything takes your fancy.

Personally vouch STRONGLY for the Gado Gado

https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2017/nov/11/celeriac-smoked-tofu-kale-gado-gado-salad-recipe-vegan-meera-sodha

Get the Taifun smoked tofu for this and go off.

Xmas away at the family, successfully navigated the cheese board ridden week, stopped off at a National Trust place on the way home and had a chocolate cake labelled as vegan but it was way too rich for me which is odd because only a few months ago there was no such thing as "too rich" in my vocabulary before veganism. Anyone else had similar change of tastes?

🙋🏼‍♂️
I can sense even the smallest amounts of butter, so on the rare occasion I’ve given something with butter, cream or dairy in it, I know right away and can stop eating.

Also happened with the beyond meat burgers. They were just too rich and meaty, and I used to like meat. Now I’m more of a soyboy:)

Worst superpower ever.

hahaha, so true

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OYU-G_TGSD8

That looks delicious! Will defo try that.

Sound advice, nice one @ltc

Hope it helps! I would also say that veganism gets exponentially easier, I think the hardest part is breaking old habits and making new (better) ones.

Tbf my experience as a vegetarian hasn't been the same as some have said, I like making "substitute" meals. Vegan substitute suggestions would be: linda mccartney quarter pounder burgers and sausages - very satisfying. Morrisons vegan mince is pretty good for chilli and bolognese. Soy chunks (as long as you squeeze the water out after hydrating) are great for stir fry and curry. Quorn vegan chicken nuggets are mint, quorn vegan pieces also good for stir fry.

Good luck and good on you! As above, it's only a good thing.

I used to have two for lunch every day in year 10. So excited.

Hey, you do you.
It’s always positive and never a bad thing, even if you go back. :)

I agree with ltc and belagerent. Meals that are naturally great as vegan dishes are the best. Like falafel. I’ve never heard of anyone trying to add bacon to falafel, because it’s perfect.

Are you doing a meal plan every week?
I personally find that easier and especially since you’re changing your habits. My suggestion is to put a region to each day, and then google recipes based on that, an example could be:

Monday: soup (sweet potato)
Tuesday: Indian (Dahl)
Wednesday: poke bowl (grains, greens, veggies, tofu or beans, and nuts/seeds)
Thursday: pasta (puttanesca)
Friday: Asian (stir fry with tofu)
Saturday: burgers (bean patties or bought)
Sunday: Mexican (Chili or burritos)

Bosh.tv are pretty awesome and their dishes are very good with lots of flavour.

Out of pure curiosity, can I ask why you are giving this lifestyle a go?

✌🏼🌱

Baked potato with beanz
Tex Mex with a mince substitute with plenty of chilli, make your own guacamole
Linda Mac sos, mash and your own onion gravy
Veg curry
Salads with the above
Samosas &/or nuts for snacking
Oatly Barista in coffee
Naturali vegan block butter
Henderson’s relish is the equiv of Lee & Perrins.

make your own guacamole

this

One thing you have to do is read the ingredients on the back of packets. You’ll be surprised what goes into stuff.
Oh and maple syrup is your honey alternative 👍
Enjoy your month

Enjoy your month!

Had a go at making Gaz oakleys seitan roast for chrimbo this year. Thought it was delish. Deffo looking forward to more gluten based experiments in 2020

Terrible pic attached. Looks it but wasn’t dry at all. also made a gravy, out of the broth that the seitan was steamed in.

1 Attachment