You've got to pick a packet or two

It's book club this week and this month's host has just texted in a panic, remembering that I was aiming to do Veganuary. "Don't worry" said I, "as long as there's something vegetarian." That's the thing, I don't really want to put anyone out. My friends are used to me being vegetarian and are happy to join in and/or provide for me but asking them to go out and buy dairy free milk, butter, cheese etc for my supper seems too much to ask. Years ago I used to offer to bring my own food to parties but now people seem happy to supply (and share) veggie food. Is vegan a step too far?

I recently read an article stating which everyday storecupboard items were actually vegan. These included:-

Generally - Dried pasta, Rice, Rice noodles, Pulses, Beans

Baked beans

Tomato ketchup, HP sauce, Branston pickle, Mustard, Tabasco, Marmite, Soy Sauce

Porridge, Weetabix

Peanut butter, Jam 

Jacobs crackers, Oreos, McVities Ginger nuts & Rich Tea

Doritos chilli heatwave (thank goodness!), Pringles original & BBQ

However, when I checked my own cupboards there were a lot of items which said "suitable for vegetarians" but didn't specify vegans. I would have thought many were okay for vegans but probably need to check out for animal derivatives in the ingredients list. If being vegan becomes the way forward we definitely need to call for better labelling.

This bad boy has just joined my condiments and he's labelled loud and proud. If only everything were as obvious ...

Vegan Venture

So, my Like a Vegan (or LAV) campaign is going reasonably well. I have embraced vegan spread (can't tell the difference), vegan cheese (okay to cook with), plant based milks (although not in tea) and, in particular, LOVE the Waitrose vegan creamy sauce which I used in my butternut squash lasagne and in my gnocchi and brocolli dish. The sauce is made from cauliflower, solidified coconut derivatives and Dijon mustard. I think it would be fab to use in a cauliflower cheese or macaroni cheese.

  Butternut squash lasagne

Going out for a meal this week to an independent Italian restaurant was a real test. There was barely anything vegetarian, let alone vegan. Maybe I'll have to ring ahead next time. 

It would seem that our high street chains have jumped on board with vegan alternatives appearing on their menus. Greggs have made headlines with their new vegan sausage rolls this week, McDonald's have introduced a vegan-friendly Happy Meal, TGI Fridays have a vegan burger which actually bleeds beetroot juice, Pizza Express have vegan pasta, pizza and puds.

In stores vegan ready meals and snacks have recently launched including Marks and Spencer's Plant Kitchen, Tesco's Wicked Kitchen, Sainsbury's Love Your Veg, Waitrose Vegan range and others. 

It's definitely making it easier to eat vegan, whether you want to go all the way, adapt from a vegetarian diet like I do, be a flexitarian or just have a dabble.

Like a Vegan

With Christmas behind me, I have sailed into the New Year on a wave of prosecco, champagne, wine and gin. Hm maybe it's time for dry January. Not only that, but a slight change in diet. I would like to announce that I'm doing Veganuary but, in truth, the fridge is full of left-over cheese and I feel unable to fully commit. I was gifted a vegan cookbook and have had a trip to the supermarket to stock up on some of the essentials for a vegan diet so I'm about to make some small changes without going the whole hog (sorry, tofu)

So, going vegan is, arguably, better for me, the animals and the environment. When I first became vegetarian in 1990 it was difficult to eat out and even more so abroad. But gradually things have changed and improved, making life as a vegetarian easier. I do still feel that I am seen as being awkward or different and I think a switch to Veganism would be seen in the same light but we are on the crest of change. Social media has shone a light on a healthier diet with environmental credentials, all beautifully presented and photographed.

Visiting a local restaurant on New Year's Day I was pleased to see they had a vegan menu and enjoyed a delicious spiced coconut curry with Ras el hanout squash and sweet potato, sticky jasmine rice and a scorched red chilli. Since then the vegan pizza was very tasty and today I made the butternut squash and sweet potato soup from Feed me Vegan. 

Today would be a good day to have an epiphany and go completely vegan but I think small changes will suffice for now.

Soup and a soupçon

The temperatures have dropped, my waistline has expanded and the diets and gym memberships have risen. Lots of people are channeling their inner resolutions to do Dry January and Veganuary. Personally I like the sound of Ginuary (trying a new gin combo every day of the month); certainly it might be an antidote for tomorrow's Blue Monday when we supposedly hate the weather, our post Christmas debt and the fact that we haven't stuck to our resolutions.

So, a combination of comfort yet healthy vegetarian food, minus alcohol and without too many calories on a cold January day. What to have?

The Answer? Soup of the day. Soup every day. Super soup.

   Roasted tomato soup with creme fraiche and basil

    Roasted pumpkin soup with yogurt and pumpkin seeds

There are so many recipes for soup using a myriad of ingredients; you could probably have a different one every day of the month. And if that doesn't blow your mind, you can add a different topping every day too. There are no limits.

Below are a few ideas, just compliment the flavours:-

Oil - a drizzle of your favourite (ie truffle) or just good old extra virgin olive oil

Condiments - mustard, soy sauce, hot sauce, Hendersons ...

Seeds - toasted pumpkin, sunflower ...

Cream - creme fraiche or yogurt if you're watching your waistline, or coconut milk

Herbs - fresh, lightly fried or dried

Spices - for a warm kick

Fruit and Veg - grated in to compliment the soup - carrot, beetroot, apple ...

Dried onions - for a slight crunch

Nuts - chopped and sprinkled

Cheese - dabs of goats cheese or a Parmesan equivalent (Gran Moravia)

Croutons - any size or shape with any flavouring to float on top

Puff pastry - ditto

Cheese straws - ditto

Popcorn - plain or salted

Go on - make it a souper day.

Living Life on the Veg

My last meal of 2017 was prepared at a friend's dinner party by a private chef! Way to go! My vegetarian menu consisted of:-

Chestnut, watercress and whole grain croquette with beetroot puree, mulled poached pear & pomegranate salad - festive flavours and very tasty.

Sweet potato, red onion and feta pithivier with tomato provincial and toasted pine nuts - delicious.

Frozen chocolate marquise with berry compote and coulis and chocolate soil - lovely and rich.

Well sadly that hasn't set a precedent and during 2018 I will be cooking my own meals. However, my husband has volunteered to go vegetarian midweek in order to eat healthily and be supportive. That's great as it will hopefully make me up my game a bit. Can't imagine he will be happy with jacket potato, cheese and beans for his main meal of the day!

So, we might not be doing Veganuary but it's certainly a step in the right direction.