The Vegan Thread

FGV is back in London and starting a new vegan social event:

https://fatgayvegan.com/london-vegan-social/

The next one will be on the 5th of January. I probably won't make that, but just in case someone here is keen.

If anyone happens to be in Penge, Penge General Store on the high street have got some great vegan mince pies in at the moment. They do alright coffee as well. Might make a good pit stop on the way in to or out of Kent/Surrey.

This is definitely a guy who has never been known to blink:

“It’s more interesting watching someone butcher a piece of meat than chopping up a carrot.”

https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2021/dec/15/vegetarians-pick-a-bone-with-masterchefs-meat-heavy-menu

We stopped watching MasterChef ages ago. Every dish is meat and two veg with a sauce which becomes boring after so many series.

I feel a bit out of my depth in the actual mince pie thread, so I'm just popping in with some brief thoughts on my limited "free from" supermarket mince pie tastings so far.

Tesco: not great. Typical mediocre supermarket pie traits: not deep filled enough, filling too sweet and gooey with no discernible texture.
Co-op: not bad. Deeper filled, some actual bite in the texture of the filling with a decent spicy taste. Pastry's pretty ordinary though.

Where else should I be looking?

Gregg's

Gregg's have been suffering a bit of a drought recently - I had 4 misses recently, before finding one today and stocking up with 4 boxes.

Aye Greggs. The Sainsbury's ones are awful.

Anyone seen any places stocking Tofurkey roasts this year? Usual suspects (H&B, Whole Foods) have drawn a blank.

I heard that Tofurkey are leaving the UK market completely, so there's basically zero stock of any of their products anywhere

Ah bollocks, but thanks! Seems weird when the market for vegan stuff is going gangbusters.

I think it seems odd, but guess perhaps there's too much competition these days or they work with a Euro distributor and post-Brexit it's just not worth the hassle?

Remember where I saw it mentioned https://www.instagram.com/p/CW-yQv0oWeT/

The frozen vegilantes stuff from Morrissons (dunno if you can get it elsewhere) is pretty good. It feels like a bit of a guilty pleasure but they are nice.

Well, Brexit has just ruined Christmas. Thank you Farage.

Sigh

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I think it's going to be an challenging year for vegan brands. I get the feeling that we've reached peak veganism, with the people who were interested from a health/dietary perspective are dropping off, like any other dietary fad. Articles like this Graun one don't help.

The stats out of Veganuary in 2022 are going to be interesting. They previously published country specifics sign-ups, but didn't in 2021, which to me means either the UK was static, or dropping off.

You have to cook it tho

I couldn't find a Keto thread, but as the place is vegan friendly I thought I'd post it here.
My friend started her own coffee shop/bakery in Notting Hill a few months ago called Klear Labs. They make and sell amazing baked goods which are gluten free, sugar free, organic etc, as well as great coffee.
If you happen to be in the area I strongly recommend paying them a visit.

Their sister company Ketogenic also has lots of their products in stock in Planet Organic stores should you want to try anything.

Cool, is it a vegan as well as keto?

Edit/ Ah I see you said it’s vegan friendly already nvm

Is there a forum approved seitan recipe? I’ve never made it myself and would like to give it a go!

I posted a fried chicken recipe way back when, if that's what you're after. It's very tweakable. Also if you search for the laminate method, although time consuming it is worth it

https://www.lfgss.com/comments/13418880/

Cheers!

I've been making this recipe since you posted it but with various herbs and spices added depending on the application. Good stuff! The laminate method is definitely worth the time investment, gives a much better texture.

I made this a while back and then again today to have on Boxing Day

https://carlocao.com/ultimate-vegan-extra-tender-seitan-roast-beef/#recipe

Had the I am nut ok cheese box with lunch today. They do amazing things.