What are your favourite vegan foods?

[MyheartgoingBoomBoomBoom]

I’ve been trying to go plant based for years but have found it difficult due to the IBS-d that I’ve suffer from.

However, I am determined to try to slowly transition to full vegan this year as I hate eating meat due to my love of animals, it never feels right to me. I have avoided cruelty free products for years and never wear animal products etc, so I’m a little way there, just need to tackle the food now.

I haven’t touched dairy for 20 years so already drink plant based milk. I also don’t eat eggs so eat egg free mayo etc. I’ve only just started eating vegan cheese having not touched any cheese for these last 30 years. I’ve started on vegan Babybel which I know isn’t to everyone’s tastes but I’m quite addicted to them.

I would love to hear of your favourite vegan food’s whether it’s homemade stuff, natural vegan food or convenience vegan crap foods. Anything to give me the drive and inspiration to go full vegan.

very good quality dark chocolate!
chips

Do you need a vegan butter alternative? Naturli from Sainsbury’s and Waitrose is incredible.

Tesco Finest Cheese and Onion crisps - I'm addicted!
https://www.tesco.com/groceries/en-GB/products/255160730

Lidl's smoked tofu, or Tofoo smoked tofu!

Vegan smoked Applewood is 100% the best vegan cheese.
Magnum and Ben and Jerry’s do the best vegan ice cream. The ‘cookies on cookie dough’ flavour is my favourite.

Aquafaba (chick pea water) meringues can be lovely.

Smoked firm tofu, tossed in cornflour, salt and pepper and pan fried.

Artichoke with a homemade vinaigrette.

Ramona's Heavenly Hummus from Tesco

Those passion fruit and mango flavoured little moon Mochi balls are pretty special and I'm an enthusiastic carnivore.

Thanks everyone, I’ve made a note and will try them all.

Jammie Dodgers

I don't use many fake products because I was never a meat eater, however I did eat (and miss) dairy.

I'll second Naturli spreadable butter substitute. I get oat milk in a traditional milk bottle from the Modern Milkman, or alternatively Minor Figures barista style.

Oatly Greek style yogurt is nice, actually so are Alpro yogurts.

Cheese has been really difficult as I don't like the coconut based ones at the supermarket. I get mine online now. Fauxmagerie for Brixton Blue, Balham Blue, Clapton Chive and Camemvert. Kinda Italian style is a good Parmesan alternative as was their Faux lox spread but they have discontinued it. Vegan Philadelphia is nice as are the Babybels as you've discovered!

Revo do lovely fake smoked salmon and gravlax but it is difficult to get hold of. Squeaky Bean have a fake smoked salmon that you can get from Sainsbury's and Waitrose. Nice in a bagel with vegan Philadelphia - very New York. I'm not keen on most other fish substitutes.

Squeaky Bean also do a vegan Spanish tortilla which is quite realistic.

Bonsan do a nice tofu scramble which we have at Christmas instead of scrambled eggs with the fake smoked salmon.

Finally cheaty meals. I use Linda McCartney sausages and mince because they are soya. I don't like Quorn. Occasional treat is a vegan chicken Kiev or fake fishcake from M&S.

I make a sort of tofu from chickpeas ( the method is online and easy to google) . It has a great texture and I use it in place of paneer in curries and other Indian dishes.

Cathedral city plant based is the best vegan cheese.
Wicked cookie dough ice cream is the best vegan ice cream. Has far more cookie dough in it than Ben & Jerry. ( I only know this because of the way I eat it ). 😂

My daughter thinks the same re Wicked cookie dough ice-cream which is great given the price difference!

I'm not a vegan but I tend to cook vegan when it's just for myself, not catering for the family. Top vegan meals:
Takeaway curry - I get two sides, e.g. tarka dal, aubergine, and a rice or bread, then freeze half of it for a delicious leftover lunch
Half a bag of mixed stir-fry veg with some of a Wagamama Pad Thai sauce sachet. New discovery the other day and I'm hoping the rest of the sauce will be ok later as I froze it. Topped with crispy fried onions. I have a massive bag of these from the international food aisle in Morrisons.
I know lots of people don't like raisins in savoury food, but I do, and this rice is one of my favourite WFH lunches - I fry some spices (cumin seed, cardamon seeds taken out from the pod, garam masala), add 50g each brown rice and brown lentils, boil in enough water to be absorbed at the end and add currants and crispy onions.
Penne arrabiata
Pasta with sundried tomatoes, sliced black olives, lots of garlic, and fresh parsley.
Toasted pitta with hummus, some chickpeas (from a brand with salted water e.g. East End!) and jalapenos.
Also just discovered our Turkish-owned corner shop sells big jars of those pale green peppers you get with Turkish/Lebanese food, bloody lovely with pitta and hummus for lunch.
Home-made tomato and lentil soup with home-made bread.
Veggie stew with whatever is in the fridge, some nice Epicure cannelini beans, half a tin of tomatoes, and if I've been organised enough to roast and freeze some sweet potato cubes they go in as well.
That's quite a lot - got a bit carried away thinking of all the lovely food!

Mint Poppets! Always our go to when out shopping. Obviously, after the Greggs vegan sausage roll. Such a healthy 2 course meal!

Courgettes and butter beans with a really delicious herby salsa. It's altogether very tasty! The recipe is from Zoe, and you can see it here – https://www.instagram.com/p/CxVJqvqIsiv/.

Completely agree on this cheese. It's lovely in a sandwich or melted.

Penne all'arrabiata
Green vegetable soup with vegan pesto and crusty garlic bread
Roast mediterranean veg with roast garlic and minty couscous with peas and toasted pine nuts (optional as they are so expensive)
Peppers stuffed with brown rice, mushrooms, onions, herbs and cashews
Stir fry veg with sesame and chilli noodles
Home made humous and falafel wrap with loads of salad and chilli dressing
Garlic and chilli dahl with lemon and ginger spinach and brown rice or naan
Home made baba ganoush with home made flatbreads and salads
Gigantes (giant butterbeans in a tangy tomato and pepper sauce) with flat bread and salad
Black turtle bean veggie curry with brown rice or baked potato

I like coconut oil or mashed banana in baked goods. If you make cashew milk with a milk bag, mix the "curds" with salt and nutritional yeast, it makes a lovely home made vegan cheese.

Also this recipe, it really tastes like cookie dough!

Juicy Marbles for a steak substitute. They are delicious.

Itsu pot noodle soups are great for quick lunches, just add hot water.

I'm into making soup at the moment as well. I finely dice some or all of the following: onion, spring onion, Leek, celery, carrot, garlic, courgette and then fry for a bit.
Add water and herbs and simmer for ten mins.
Blend, then you can add beans (butter beans or similar) if you like. Or blend after adding beans to make it creamy.

I'm only 6 months in but so many favourite things

Hip chocolate

Tofu scramble

Chickpea and pesto pasta. Sainsbury's sell really good vegan pesto

Aldi freezer pizzas

Alpro yoghurt

Co op's hot cross buns are vegan

Amanda ducks on YouTube for so many good recipes.

BBC good food vegan shepherds pie

I could go on!