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Vegans!

22 replies

AmericasTorturedBrow · 13/08/2013 16:22

We're going to attempt a family vegan challenge for a week, we eat mainly a vegetarian diet anyway (fallen into the habit more than anything) but having read up some more on animal welfare and environmental impact I'd like us to try to steer more towards veganism, I doubt we'll go the full way but I think spending a week re dressing what we're eating and coming up with tasty alternatives will spur us on.

Any good recipes that are family friendly for a 20mo and 4.5yr old? Toddler is a big egg and cheese fan so that will be the major hurdle. I want to steer clear of soy products but I do live in LA where the vegan/vegetarian lifestyle is well catered for

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JiltedJohnsJulie · 13/08/2013 17:37

Not vegan or even vegetarian but have recently been told by the doctor to go dairy free and this week I'm trying to do as many meat free meals as I can before the family notice...Smile. I am using things like soy mince though.

You'll have to let us know how you get on. Sounds interesting Smile

TotallyEggFlipped · 13/08/2013 19:35

I'm intending to try this recipe but haven't yet.

TotallyEggFlipped · 13/08/2013 19:38

this is tasty too.

TotallyEggFlipped · 13/08/2013 19:40

A bolognese-type meal made with lentils, grated carrot, parsnip, courgette and extra mushrooms instead of mince is pretty good.

AmericasTorturedBrow · 13/08/2013 19:41

Thankfully DC enjoy lentils so good call

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mrscumberbatch · 13/08/2013 19:42

It's not particularly healthy but you can't beat some tempura aubergine/courgette/carrot.

AmericasTorturedBrow · 13/08/2013 19:53

Oooh good call, and we have a glut I corvettes in the garden still

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LoveSewingBee · 13/08/2013 22:57

Arab style food, eg hummus (chick peas, tahini), pitta bread, falafel (made with peas or young broad beans), rice with dates or cous cous with large raisins and broad bean/courgette/tomatoes stew. Dessert vegan baklava or vegan cupcakes or fruit sorbet.

Lentil curries with proper mixed grain rice (rice will take 45 mins to cook but will taste so so much better).

Bruschetta, spaghetti with home made tomat sauce (italian recipe, cook for at least 1 hour to get intense flavour), vegan cake.

KatOD · 13/08/2013 23:03

Was pretty much going to say what lovesewingbee said. Middle eastern food and beans are your friends.

My 21 mo loves lentil curry with sweet potato and carrot in it and cous cous with Mediterranean veg and chick peas. Also pasta and sauce with whatever veg/beans I've got about. She's addicted to houmous too.

I improvised broad bean burgers tonight and they were (surprisingly, I'm a shocking cook) good!

Have fun and good luck.

ppeatfruit · 14/08/2013 15:10

Iam mainly vegan and also deadly nightshade free. The way you make your lentil and bean dishes is the most important thing IMO; I ALWAYS gently fry chopped onions and garlic in olive oil and add a little stock from the steaming veg. as a base (you can add the curry spices you like) and chopped up carrots|celery\tomatoes for a more Italian feel to your dish (whatever it 's going to be).

I also have a 'cooking day" when I cook veg. stews etc., whole rice and quinoa etc. then freeze so you can have a quick meal in the week.

Katod I like the sound of broad bean burgers ! I also use aduki\haricot beans for them.

AmericasTorturedBrow · 14/08/2013 15:32

I think a cooking day is a good idea - both children are in daycare on Wednesday's so I could plan for next wed then kick it off

My bean burgers always fall apart, anyone got a fail safe recipe?

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ppeatfruit · 14/08/2013 17:30

Of course it's a bit tricky to make them without eggs; if you use breadcrumbs and or flour with the cooked onions and garlic and whatever beans you're using. Then always leave them in the fridge for at least an hour to harden up before frying (i'm also wheat free so I'd crumb up some spelt or rye bread.

Hugh Fernley Whittingstall's River Cottage VEG everyday is a great book for recipes

ppeatfruit · 14/08/2013 17:33

I make a mean chocolate almond vegan cake which isn't crumbly 'cos I use maple syrup! Also almonds stop stuff crumbling even in burgers!

spilttheteaagain · 14/08/2013 22:32

Curries are very easy to vegan-ise. I have a 2 year old and she really loves the flavours. What works well for us is to make the curry with all the spices apart from the chilli so it has loads of flavours but no heat. Then I dish hers up, let it cool for a couple of mins whilst I sprinkle dried chilli flakes into the main dish which gives it some of the heat we like.

Favourites here with DD are:
Veg bhajis/pakoras. Finely shredded onion + carrot/spinach/peas/whatever mixed with gram flour & spices, made up to a batter with water and fried.
Channa massala (chickpea curry) I use the Hairy Bikers Great Curries book for this
Rajma (red kidney bean curry) Rick Stein India for this one, just leave out the swirl of yogurt

She's sadly not into lentils yet, but if your two are, dahl is great. Motherinferior posted her mum's recipe ages ago and it's the one I use. Brilliant.

Ratatouille/roasted med veg

If your kids like dipping then hummous/guacamole with pitta strips and veg crudites would be a good lunch

I make a puy lentil and roasted veg salad which keeps & travels well so is perfect lunch food. Roast up small cubes of onion & aubergine, then when they are part cooked add courgette and red pepper. Meanwhile cook puy lentils in veg stock & with a bay leaf. When cooked, drain the lentils and dress while hot with olive oil, lemon juice, season to taste, add lots of finely chopped chives & basil, add some chopped sundried tomatoes and the roasted veg. Mix. Gorgeous.

Mixed bean chilli. Finely grated courgette really helps make a nice textured sauce to this.

spilttheteaagain · 14/08/2013 22:33

Peanut butter and banana sandwiches/on toast for breakfast! Food of the gods!

AmericasTorturedBrow · 14/08/2013 22:56

Yes DS is ADDICTED to peanut butter and banana quesadillas!

Great lists everyone, thanks. I think out big stumbling block will be eggs as DD is sometimes randomly fussy and only a scrambled egg will do. But I'm at least researching the local farmers market to see if their "pasture raised" eggs mean all round good welfare practices

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spilttheteaagain · 15/08/2013 09:13

And don't forget the old beans on toast!

Breadandwine · 15/09/2013 01:32

Great thread, ATB!

I think it was in response to your mention of going vegan for a week on the Mumsnet 5:2 threads that I created this suggested vegan menu on my blog:

nobreadisanisland.blogspot.co.uk/2013/08/a-vegan-weeks-menu.html

How's it going so far?

Some other lovely suggestions on here - thanks everyone! Thanks

(Bit intrigued by the time on your last post, spilttheteaagain! It's timed at 0913 on the 15th, but it's only 1.30 ATM! Confused

Be interesting to see what time this post goes under..)

Breadandwine · 15/09/2013 01:35

Oops! Just realised that the last post in this thread was in August - now it all makes sense! (Well, it is late! No alcohol was involved in this confusion!)

Blush

Well, ATB, how did it go?

beccaamuseyourbouche · 15/09/2013 10:36

Are you a fan of curry? www.amuse-your-bouche.com/creamy-mushroom-chickpea-curry-vegan/

Another one with coconut milk - such a great alternative to dairy www.amuse-your-bouche.com/quick-red-thai-curry-noodle-soup/

sashh · 21/09/2013 06:42

On the dinner party thread I put a recipe for tomato and aubergine casserole, you swap the cream for yofu to make it vegan.

Curries are easy vegan options, as are chips (obviously not every day)

Breadandwine · 21/09/2013 13:50

Hi becca

Thanks for that - I am a great curry-lover and I'll have a go at that one soon.

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