Veganism, new and old Vegans, info, support and recipes

[Epona]

Lidl have vegan gluten-free burger mix packets and falafel mix packets on offer for a piddly £1.29 each in the 'get it before it's gone' section.

Add water to the mix, stir it, leave for a few minutes, then shape it as you please and bake/fry it. Four portions per packet says the box.

Not haute cuisine but not as bad as I've made it sound either.

Moroccan spiced burger mix.
Sweet Chilli burger mix.
Beetroot and chilli falafel.
Spinach and broccoli falafel.

Two highly seductive pictures here: Tag: Artisan Nature’s Kitchen | Vegan Food UK

I went to Lidl the other day and saw these, didn't pick any up though, sometimes that sort of thing is great, other times it can be a disappointment and not worth the faff to make them - will keep an eye out for them in future though as they now come with a recommendation!

 

[Casual Observer]

Had bought but not eaten when I last posted.

Avoid the spinach and broccoli falafel - flavoursome but too much chewy broccoli stem in there. The sweet chilli burger mix was good if a bit peppery, would buy again.

Next to no faff involved - add a bit of water, stir for a few seconds, leave for 5 minutes then shove in the oven or in the frying pan.

 

[Mogden]

I've had mapo tofu today and I finally understand the taste of tofu, particularly silken tofu. I had a moment when I thought it tasted of beans then I realised that's exactly what it is and suddenly it made more sense. Bit but I guess my brain has no frame of reference for a high protein vegetable substance like that. I've gone from gagging at the washing up sponge texture of badly cooked tofu to actually understanding how it cooks and enjoying it.

 

[gentlegreen]

I only eat tofu raw.

 

[Mogden]

I only eat tofu raw.

At this stage I'm not sure I could. Baked firm tofu has the ability to make me a bit parpy and I think eating it raw might lead to methane issues counterproductive to eating more vegan foods! And unless in a "cheese"cake, I'm not sure cold silken tofu appeals. I'm sure I'll get there.

 

[gentlegreen]

At this stage I'm not sure I could. Baked firm tofu has the ability to make me a bit parpy and I think eating it raw might lead to methane issues counterproductive to eating more vegan foods! And unless in a "cheese"cake, I'm not sure cold silken tofu appeals. I'm sure I'll get there.

Breakfast at work used to be a seeded soft wholemeal bap with peanut butter tofu and cherry tomatoes.

 

[nyxx]

I’ve used silken tofu as a base for mayonnaise and it works a treat. It’s also in an aioli recipe but I didn’t like that as much, couldn’t get the flavour balance right.

Tofu based cheesecake is pretty much guaranteed to be great. Oh, except for the time I asked someone else to obtain a packet of biscuits for the base, I said oaty hobnobs if possible please, they came back with a packet of plain oatcakes. That was a challenge.

 

[Mogden]

Just in case people didn't know, the vegan Applewood smoked "cheese" is a culinary miracle when heated to an ginormous bubble on the top of crumpets. Forgive me if I've posted about it before. I had a while ago and thought maybe it was a fluke but I've had it again this morning and it's bloody good.

 

[editor]

Just in case people didn't know, the vegan Applewood smoked "cheese" is a culinary miracle when heated to an ginormous bubble on the top of crumpets. Forgive me if I've posted about it before. I had a while ago and thought maybe it was a fluke but I've had it again this morning and it's bloody good.

Which brand is that?

 

[Mogden]

It's Applewood itself which is the brand.

| Applewood® Vegan

flexifriday.com

Seems to be in quite a few places these days but if you are grilling it keep an eye on it as it has that solid to completely melted and now burning moment in a flash and for some reason it forms into a giant cheese bubble which settles on cooling.

 

[ddraig]

Loads of people rave about applewood, not tried it yet

 

[Mogden]

Loads of people rave about applewood, not tried it yet

I've had the smoked one, the one I'm recommending here, but none of the others yet. I can't eat it out of the pack without mourning the loss of that distinctive dairy taste that hits my savoury fat tooth and an awkward texture but melted it is fantastic.

 

[Brizzel Kicks]

Anyone else feel guilty when/if momentarily think abut eating meat again, I never would but I feel like a bad person if I think about it!

 

[quimcunx]

Can anyone recommend me a good place to buy nuts in large amounts?

 

[ATOMIC SUPLEX]

Can anyone recommend me a good place to buy nuts in large amounts?

Lidl.
They always have offers on but in general sell them pretty cheap.
I have a cupboard full of unsalted, unroasted walnuts, almonds, cashews, and mixed nuts.

 

[Gramsci]

Can anyone recommend me a good place to buy nuts in large amounts?

I agree Lidl have good selection on nuts at affordable prices.

 

[Dogsauce]

Can anyone recommend me a good place to buy nuts in large amounts?

Nowhere seems to have hazelnuts at the moment, other than the expensive roasted ones in Lidl that my other half has become addicted too. Not sure if this is brexit or Covid related, it’s been months though we haven’t checked everywhere. Please report any sightings.

CostCo is good for buying nuts in bulk if you know anyone with membership, I used to pick up bags for my vegan lodger as it was the cheapest place to get them (and almonds - he made his own almond milk).

 

[seeformiles]

I’ve been making vegan sausages for a friend who won’t accept cash for a favour so it’s payment in kind. In the process of making them I’ve found myself enjoying them so much that I don’t think I’ll eat a meaty banger again. Quite a revelation that might put me back on to to vegetarianism again. Cheese is just non negotiable at this point but you never know.

 

[editor]

So I tried the 'What The Cluck' vegan chicken and it was disarmingly similar in taste and texture.It was lovely in a pasta sauce but probably a bit too processed for me to buy regularly.

The Plant Pioneers slightly salted 'butter' is bloody good, but their chicken slices are vile and smelt a bit like disinfectant!

 

[Poot]

Sorry - posting fail. These were for dinner and were delicious in a bun with some sauce.

 

[nogojones]

Can anyone recommend me a good place to buy nuts in large amounts?

As said Lidl, but also Home Bargains. However neither do LARGE packs. Have a look on e-bay. I generally find things like pine nuts by the key are cheaper there

 

[editor]

Oh I had some of those Lidl Gosh! vegan cocktail sausages as they were super chain. Bit too sage heavy for my tastes so I won't be buying them again. The Quorn ones I bought a while ago were really nice though.

 

[nogojones]

Anyone else feel guilty when/if momentarily think abut eating meat again, I never would but I feel like a bad person if I think about it!

No. When I gave up meat I accepted that I quite liked it, so expected to fancy some now and again and set myself a couple of exceptions that were:

1. If someone cooked me a meal and didn't realise I was veggie, I'd eat it, but mention it quietly after
2. if Something was going in the bin, than I'd be cool eating it as I think it would be worse for it to go to waste

After what I guess is nearly 10 years, the first has never happened and when friends who've been staying over have left meat in the fridge it's gone to the cat in the end, rather than me.

 

[seeformiles]

So I tried the 'What The Cluck' vegan chicken and it was disarmingly similar in taste and texture.It was lovely in a pasta sauce but probably a bit too processed for me to buy regularly.

The Plant Pioneers slightly salted 'butter' is bloody good, but their chicken slices are vile and smelt a bit like disinfectant!

I’m not sure I can get with the faux meat offerings. As far as I’m concerned a sausage is just a shape (Glamorgan Sausages being the original veggie version) and most trad. bangers are about 40% rusk, breadcrumbs, herbs etc. anyway so it’s the perfect vehicle to create really tasty veggie and vegan alternatives. I’ve tried 98% meat sausages and they’re pretty tasteless and shit tbh. I wouldn’t entertain faux versions of meat products that are themselves pretty shit to start with.

 

[Epona]

I’m not sure I can get with the faux meat offerings. As far as I’m concerned a sausage is just a shape (Glamorgan Sausages being the original veggie version) and most trad. bangers are about 40% rusk, breadcrumbs, herbs etc. anyway so it’s the perfect vehicle to create really tasty veggie and vegan alternatives. I’ve tried 98% meat sausages and they’re pretty tasteless and shit tbh. I wouldn’t entertain faux versions of meat products that are themselves pretty shit to start with.

Best veggie sausages I've ever had were in a restaurant and they were made from smoked butter beans with thyme and black pepper, mashed and just rolled up, fried and served in a sausage shape - could have been any shape to be fair - but they were fucking lush.

I keep meaning to give that a try at home - I've not yet been able to get hold of smoked butter beans, but I'd go for any sort of beans with a bit of smoked paprika I think. Probably would cook the beans from dried as tinned can be a bit to sloppy for holding their shape under those conditions.

 

[AmateurAgitator]

This is vegan without the yogurt, or with a vegan yogurt. Personally I don't put any yogurt or mango chutney with it and have it with angry lady sauce. You can also add other spices to it with the curry powder. I like to add tandoori spice mix to it, but it's nice enough without it. Rice is also optional and I don't have rice with it :

Easy vegetable curry recipe

An easy veggie curry that makes a cheap and healthy meal. It uses basic store cupboard ingredients so is very quick and easy to cook.

www.bbc.co.uk

 

[Infidel Castro]

As far as sausages go, I've never had better than the M&S mushroom posh dogs. They're an event in themselves, not a meat sub.

 

[moose]

We enjoyed these, with 3 bean chilli and rice last night, will buy again.

 

[Infidel Castro]

We enjoyed these, with 3 bean chilli and rice last night, will buy again.
View attachment 297101

That box is annoying me. My brain is expecting some perspective.

 

[moose]

That box is annoying me. My brain is expecting some perspective.

Oh yeah Sorry. It's a bit skewed.