Vegetarian / Vegan recipes

[PK]

12 hours ago, velma said:

Does anyone have a good recipe that uses tofu, that doesn't involve coating it in cornflour and frying it first? I pretty much only use it for stir fries in that manner and while I love it, I suspect it is slightly undermining the health credentials. 

 

I've found these two lists of tofu marinades quite useful, the ones I've tried have all been nice.

 

https://itdoesnttastelikechicken.com/12-seitan-or-tofu-marinades/

 

https://www.kathysvegankitchen.com/marinades-for-tofu/

[Lovelyman]

23 hours ago, velma said:

Does anyone have a good recipe that uses tofu, that doesn't involve coating it in cornflour and frying it first? I pretty much only use it for stir fries in that manner and while I love it, I suspect it is slightly undermining the health credentials. 

Fat really isn't unhealthy, especially if you use vegetable or olive or coconut oils. 

[velma]

43 minutes ago, Lovelyman said:

Fat really isn't unhealthy, especially if you use vegetable or olive or coconut oils. 

 

True, but shallow frying it means rapeseed oil which isn't great and frying in that manner means soaking up a lot of oil. Eating a lot of fried food isn't great, whatever type of oil is used. 

[Exidor]

On 28/08/2021 at 19:59, velma said:

Does anyone have a good recipe that uses tofu, that doesn't involve coating it in cornflour and frying it first? I pretty much only use it for stir fries in that manner and while I love it, I suspect it is slightly undermining the health credentials. 

 

This worked well enough for me to bookmark a tweet of a comic two years ago. Tofu bacon.

 

 

The embedding has come out a bit weird there.

[ucci]

Anyone ever made a cashew puree sauce to use instead of a white sauce?

[Chewylegs]

On 29/08/2021 at 19:49, velma said:

 

True, but shallow frying it means rapeseed oil which isn't great and frying in that manner means soaking up a lot of oil. Eating a lot of fried food isn't great, whatever type of oil is used. 

Actually rapeseed oil has its benefits along with the other oils.  

There is far too much emphasis on oils being bad for you.

 

You can do the tofu in the oven as well. So no frying but a small amount of oil added to the mix.  Then cooked in the oven on a baking sheet.

[grounded_dreams]

Went to a lovely vegan food fair yesterday locally here in Southend, some wonderful food stalls.

Had an incredible pasty which I'm trying to find where I can them from locally, unfortunately the stall that was selling them are from the other side of the country.

They are called Salteña pasties, filled with lentils, potatoes, carrots, peas and bolivian sauce. Look like this:

 

 

No luck yet, asking a few bakeries near me.

[stephen129]

On 28/08/2021 at 19:59, velma said:

Does anyone have a good recipe that uses tofu, that doesn't involve coating it in cornflour and frying it first? I pretty much only use it for stir fries in that manner and while I love it, I suspect it is slightly undermining the health credentials. 

Silken tofu is good.

 

https://www.google.com/search?q=silken+tofu&rlz=1C1GCEA_enGB906GB906&sxsrf=AOaemvK_vLrT4IMpu61AJAcI0TIVBX95_g:1630931527063&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwiQ0MqyreryAhWMNcAKHTdjBV8Q_AUoAnoECAEQBA&biw=1396&bih=665&dpr=1.38

[Oracle]

3 hours ago, grounded_dreams said:

Went to a lovely vegan food fair yesterday locally here in Southend, some wonderful food stalls.

Had an incredible pasty which I'm trying to find where I can them from locally, unfortunately the stall that was selling them are from the other side of the country.

They are called Salteña pasties, filled with lentils, potatoes, carrots, peas and bolivian sauce. Look like this:

 

 

No luck yet, asking a few bakeries near me.

 

Theres naff all vegan savory pastries in southend afaik (bar greggs)

[grounded_dreams]

14 minutes ago, Oracle said:

 

Theres naff all vegan savory pastries in southend afaik (bar greggs)

 

I've contacted some places wider afield in Leigh and Westcliff, but no joy yet.

Just looked up the stall company and they are based near Colchester (for some reason I thought they were further away), going to message them to see fi they supply anyone nearby or when next down this way at another fair.

[revlob]

On the subject of good vegan pasties, I had one of these a few weeks ago, and I was so impressed I had to look them up:

 

https://phatathome.com/product/keralan-cauliflower-chickpea-onion-bhaji-pasty-vegan/

[Oracle]

1 hour ago, grounded_dreams said:

 

I've contacted some places wider afield in Leigh and Westcliff, but no joy yet.

Just looked up the stall company and they are based near Colchester (for some reason I thought they were further away), going to message them to see fi they supply anyone nearby or when next down this way at another fair.

 

If leigh doesnt have them, then it's dooooomed. SOS is getting better at vegan alternatives but still a ways to go.

[Ravern]

Air frying is great for tofu - really cuts down on the oil. It's the same idea as the baked version above but just more convenient.

 

In my opinion it's fine going in strongly flavoured Thai curry style sauces just untreated and warmed through.

 

I've also tried baking it whole in foil surrounded by a good marinade and then cooking for a little with the foil off, but the outcomes have not always been great.

[grounded_dreams]

Not a recipe but if anyone is interested, McDonalds have announced they are doing their McPlant at 10 locations in Coventry from the 29th September and then expands to 250 from mid October across the UK and Ireland.

Had a look at the list for the mid October expansion and there are no branches near me nor in the whole of my county of Essex from what I can see.

 

From the site it states:

A vegan burger made with a juicy plant-based patty co-developed with Beyond Meat® featuring vegan sandwich sauce, ketchup, mustard, onion, pickles, lettuce, tomato, and vegan cheese in a sesame seed bun. Vegan certified.

 

[Lovelyman]

I will try it I guess. It will prob be the best burger they do.

[phresh]

On 06/09/2021 at 14:04, revlob said:

On the subject of good vegan pasties, I had one of these a few weeks ago, and I was so impressed I had to look them up:

 

https://phatathome.com/product/keralan-cauliflower-chickpea-onion-bhaji-pasty-vegan/

 

I think these might be available at National Trust cafes, or at least something almost identical is. I've had a few in two different places (Gloucester and near Exeter) and they were incredible, maybe a bit sweet for some but really tasty.

[Shimmyhill]

On 09/09/2021 at 08:59, grounded_dreams said:

Not a recipe but if anyone is interested, McDonalds have announced they are doing their McPlant at 10 locations in Coventry from the 29th September and then expands to 250 from mid October across the UK and Ireland.

Had a look at the list for the mid October expansion and there are no branches near me nor in the whole of my county of Essex from what I can see.

 

From the site it states:

A vegan burger made with a juicy plant-based patty co-developed with Beyond Meat® featuring vegan sandwich sauce, ketchup, mustard, onion, pickles, lettuce, tomato, and vegan cheese in a sesame seed bun. Vegan certified.

 

 

All the Norwich ones have them, whoop whoop - will defi give it a try!

[FishyFish]

I had a McPlant this lunchtime and was pleasantly surprised. I was half convinced that someone had put a normal beef patty in it by mistake given how close it was in taste and texture to other McDonalds burgers.

 

It was only later that I realised the cheese slice wasn't standard either - again, a very close analog to the dairy alternative (although I'm not sure how "dairy" processed cheese slices are in the first place...). I'd definitely have one again if eating at McDonald's.

[grounded_dreams]

50 minutes ago, FishyFish said:

I had a McPlant this lunchtime and was pleasantly surprised. I was half convinced that someone had put a normal beef patty in it by mistake given how close it was in taste and texture to other McDonalds burgers.

 

It was only later that I realised the cheese slice wasn't standard either - again, a very close analog to the dairy alternative (although I'm not sure how "dairy" processed cheese slices are in the first place...). I'd definitely have one again if eating at McDonald's.

 

Nice, glad it tasted alright. Shame there is no branches anywhere near me to try it yet. Think they are expanding again next year to more areas.

[MarkN]

1 hour ago, FishyFish said:

I had a McPlant this lunchtime and was pleasantly surprised. I was half convinced that someone had put a normal beef patty in it by mistake given how close it was in taste and texture to other McDonalds burgers.

 

It was only later that I realised the cheese slice wasn't standard either - again, a very close analog to the dairy alternative (although I'm not sure how "dairy" processed cheese slices are in the first place...). I'd definitely have one again if eating at McDonald's.

Some of the vegan burgers and sausages available are getting really good.

 

As an aside, it strikes me as strange that the bacon alternatives seem a bit pants in comparison - given firstly that it's many veggies and vegans most-missed foods, and secondly that there are products (such as Hellman's Vegan Baconnaise) that are getting a closer flavour (OK that's a completely different product, but if I could buy veggie bacon that had a similar bacon vibe to it I absolutely would). Also, it's one of the biggest-selling meats (I know, I pick loads of the stuff for orders each day) and yet there are comparatively few veggie options available on the supermarket shelves. There must be a dozen types of veggie sausage on the shelves and in the freezers where I work, and about half of them are pretty bloody good. There may be 4 or 5 types of fake bacon, and I don't think any of them are even remotely ballpark to the actual thing, on flavour alone, let alone texture (which is even worse, and usually it's clear no effort has been made to even attempt to replicate it).

[PK]

I think all the bacon substitutes are designed to be fried crunchy, like they do in the US, rather than eaten a bit softer. You're right though, none of them are very nice. Although your post has reminded me that a local company makes this:

 

 

Which I shall buy this weekend and report back on!

 

On a semi-related note, the Bury Black Pudding Co's black pudding is very nice. It obviously doesn't have anywhere near the same iron taste as the actual thing - it's made primarily from black beans - but it's lovely and peppery and has a decent umaminess to it.

 

[Lovelyman]

On 13/10/2021 at 15:48, MarkN said:

Some of the vegan burgers and sausages available are getting really good.

 

As an aside, it strikes me as strange that the bacon alternatives seem a bit pants in comparison - given firstly that it's many veggies and vegans most-missed foods, and secondly that there are products (such as Hellman's Vegan Baconnaise) that are getting a closer flavour (OK that's a completely different product, but if I could buy veggie bacon that had a similar bacon vibe to it I absolutely would). Also, it's one of the biggest-selling meats (I know, I pick loads of the stuff for orders each day) and yet there are comparatively few veggie options available on the supermarket shelves. There must be a dozen types of veggie sausage on the shelves and in the freezers where I work, and about half of them are pretty bloody good. There may be 4 or 5 types of fake bacon, and I don't think any of them are even remotely ballpark to the actual thing, on flavour alone, let alone texture (which is even worse, and usually it's clear no effort has been made to even attempt to replicate it).

I've had a couple that were decent. The M&S one is good, IMO.

[ucci]

Controversial @PK but do you steam, simmer or fry your black pudding? 

[Chewylegs]

Just wanted to recommend Bill's (restaurant) for a really damn nice Vegan burger with a truffle sauce.

[PK]

Not a recipe, but Gauthier's vegan 'faux gras' is fucking amazing and they're doing a 3 pack with a matched wine for £45 here: https://gauthierhome.store/products/gauthier-soho-faux-gras-terrine-3-pack-with-matched-wine

 

[Capwn]

Is it possible to make Yorkshire puddings without milk? Am fine with oat/almond/cashew/soy/coconut milk so would any of those be better than water?

[BedroomBusinessman]

59 minutes ago, Capwn said:

Is it possible to make Yorkshire puddings without milk? Am fine with oat/almond/cashew/soy/coconut milk so would any of those be better than water?

We used Oatly for our early Christmas dinner last night. Worked well.

[Lovelyman]

Is that for lactose intolerance?

[BedroomBusinessman]

Anyone else tried Gran Kinara ‘Parmesan’? It’s a vegetarian rennet based hard cheese made using (otherwise) traditional process. Easily the closest to a regular Parmesan I’ve tasted, nice salt crystals etc.

 

https://www.vorrei.co.uk/products/gran-kinara-vegetarian-parmesan-250g

 

If you’re in London, Eataly in Liverpool Street sell it for £6ish.

[grounded_dreams]

Looking for some advise if that is alright, I've always taken a Holland & Barrett multivitamin since going vegan to just top up anything which I may be missing. I'm running out on the one I've always taken and checked and they have discontinued it, now the only vegan version similar to mine  is a High Strength option which I don't really need, plus its more expensive.

Looking at what else they have, I found this one which states its suitable for vegetarians, I tried having a look over the Ingredient and its all rather confusing but can't see what makes it not vegan friendly. Anyone have any idea?

 

The list of the vegetarians version Ingredients:

Spoiler

Bulking Agents (Calcium Carbonate, Microcrystalline Cellulose), Vitamin C (L-Ascorbic Acid), Corn Starch, Niacin (Nicotinamide), Vitamin E (d-Alpha Tocopheryl Acid Succinate), Vitamin A (Retinyl Acetate), Pantothenic Acid (d-Calcium Pantothenate), Maltodextrin, Glazing Agents (Hydroxypropyl Methylcellulose, Polyvinyl Alcohol (PVA), Carnauba Wax), Anti-Caking Agents (Magnesium Stearate, Silicon Dioxide, Tricalcium Phosphate), Stabiliser (Cross-Linked Sodium Carboxymethylcellulose), Thickeners (Hydroxypropyl Methylcellulose, Sodium Carboxymethyl Cellulose), Vitamin D (Cholecalciferol), Vitamin K (Phytomenadione), Vitamin B6 (Pyridoxine Hydrochloride), Vitamin B2 (Riboflavin), Vitamin B1 (Thiamin Mononitrate), Folic Acid (Pteroylmonoglutamic Acid), Antioxidant (L-Tartaric Acid), Biotin (d-Biotin), Vitamin B12 (Cyanocobalamin).

 

Or if Holland and Barrett do another type which is friendly that anyone can recommend at all, as I get a discount from them?