The Vegan Thread

Great book. When I became vegan I missed cakes so much so I bought this book. When people taste them they can't believe they don't have cow milk or eggs.

...and red lentils rule!

I first had really good vegan cakes at the old Pumpkin's (predecessor, although quite different, i.e. not volunteer-run to Pogo's) as long as about twelve or more years ago. Dessert was always a massive slice of cake with vegan ice cream. They still make the cakes to the same recipe there. Recently, in the way in which great minds think alike, it seems that various bakers have moved into cheesecakes. I have yet to have the Shambu's version, but the veganpeasant version was delicious. I've got cake and brownies from them the last two Sundays. :)

What's the best vegan cookbook to ask for as a christmas present? preferably food prep and main meals.

What's the best vegan cookbook to ask for as a christmas present? preferably food prep and main meals.

If you want a fancy one with silly ingredients then 'Plenty' is a really nice one which you can get some tasty results from.
I DON'T recommend 'easy vegan', all of the recipes in it are unimaginative and a bit rubbish.
Anything by Isa Chandra.
Most good ones seem to be american which is annoying regarding ingredients.

So this Vegan Drinks thing. Are we making it a thing?

I first had really good vegan cakes at the old Pumpkin's (predecessor, although quite different, i.e. not volunteer-run to Pogo's) as long as about twelve or more years ago. Dessert was always a massive slice of cake with vegan ice cream. They still make the cakes to the same recipe there. Recently, in the way in which great minds think alike, it seems that various bakers have moved into cheesecakes. I have yet to have the Shambu's version, but the veganpeasant version was delicious. I've got cake and brownies from them the last two Sundays. :)

I'm from Barcelona and we have a secret weapon here: http://www.lujuriavegana.com/ The best cakes (vegan or non vegan) that I have ever tasted! I attended one of his cooking courses and learned some tricks :D

I'll meet you at dawn for a cake fight. I'll bring a Pogo mango cake. We throw coins for who gets to choose the icing.

I wish I knew more Spanish to read the site. It all looks delicious. It does seem to include a whole menu of reposts, though. ;)

Do it, Nhatt! Are you coming, too, Ewan?

Pretty keen, will see if my wife is interested too

Brilliant. I'm really looking forward to this.

I DON'T recommend 'easy vegan', all of the recipes in it are unimaginative and a bit rubbish.

Do you mean the one by Leah Leneman? I've had some decent results from that. I like some of the avocado recipes.

Most good ones seem to be american which is annoying regarding ingredients.

And measurements in 'cups'. :)

I must admit that I cook from a wide variety of cookbooks, and as I mostly vary recipes, anyway, I get on fine with books whose recipes I have to adapt.

So this Vegan Drinks thing. Are we making it a thing?

I think we should.

veganpeasant chocolate torte recipe:

http://veganpeasantcatering.com/2011/12/chocolate-torte/

I had some of this on Sunday and it was gorgeous.

...measurements in 'cups'. :)

...is pretty straightforward, actually.

Had to get used to it at the beginning, but now I think it's the quick and simple way to do it.
I have a type of glass i use as a 'cup' measure, if you don't, do like this (scroll down a bit).

veganpeasant chocolate torte recipe:

http://veganpeasantcatering.com/2011/12/chocolate-torte/

I had some of this on Sunday and it was gorgeous.

Good man. My ex used to make this - its delicious.

Anyone recommend a good spot to pick up nut roasts for the 25th?
Was just gonna go with M+S but if there are better options out there....

...is pretty straightforward, actually.

Had to get used to it at the beginning, but now I think it's the quick and simple way to do it.
I have a type of glass i use as a 'cup' measure, if you don't, do like this (scroll down a bit).

I made one like this a few years ago. It didn't last long, though, and splintered when washing it up.

I was half-joking--I normally assume about 200-250ml per cup, and I don't have a great deal of difficulty with it, but there is definitely a variability as to how recipe writers use the measure. Some explain it at the start of their books, but many don't.

I found this a few days ago:

http://fatgayvegan.com/london-vegan-drinks/

Anyone keen to go? Sounds like a forum drinks, only without gear inch fetishists. :)

Bump. This is this Thursday (15th).

no discussion of facon sandwiches, i am d̶i̶s̶a̶p̶p̶o̶i̶n̶t̶ relieved

Bump. This is this Thursday (15th).
I'd go but I'm going to try to recover from lurgy and get to ladies' drinks.

Read this and then try to still have the strength not to come:

The first news that should get the crowds in is the new dessert menu being unveiled for Winter. The menu is the stuff of vegan dreams. *tibits *will be offering the following vegan desserts during December (many appearing at London Vegan Drinks!): berry crumble, blood orange cream, Bircher muesli, dates, fig cream, fruit salad, gooseberry fool, Mandarin cream, mango mousse, papaya, quince cream, Sharon fruit, sticky toffee pudding and wild berry cream.

For those of us who can't manage multitasking... Can we do our own in the new year maybe? Some sort of potluck affair (baking/cooking optional) maybe?

There'll be more 'official' monthly Vegan Drinks in the New Year, but our own meet would certainly be great.

This was totally lovely, really nice crowd, welcoming and open. I'm definitely going again.

veganpeasant chocolate torte recipe:

http://veganpeasantcatering.com/2011/12/chocolate-torte/

I had some of this on Sunday and it was gorgeous.

Got all the ingredients for this today. Gonna give it a go on Friday. Will feed back.

So ... ? :)

I've not had a totally vegan Christmas so far. Couldn't resist Heston Blumenthal's Spiced popping candy chocolate tart yesterday. There wasn't an alternative except missing out on a pudding. It was divine.

One of my new year resolutions is to assist LMNH with making a soya coffee that doesn't curdle. Maybe that will redeem me?

I did make a very tasty fresh sweetcorn and vegan cheese polenta with mushroom ragu on Christmas Eve and a 10 vegetable bake for my main course yesterday.

London Vegan Drinks is on again this coming Thursday, January 19th, at tibits just off Regent Street:

http://fatgayvegan.com/london-vegan-drinks/

Ugh, why is it always a Thursday?!

It's not, today's a Monday.