Veganuary 2025

[kikisparks]

A thread for anyone doing this who might need any help or tips 😊 I’m already vegan but happy to offer suggestions or support if anyone wants it!

I made the base for some cottage pies in the slow cooker today on a day off. Unfortunately when I was mashing the mash and putting in oats milk, I didn't check the use by date of the Barista M&S oat milk and it turned out to be 9/1. Never had it before. Only bought it recently & it was cupboard storage not fridge. Anyway it tasted ok so fingers crossed 🤞 pictures tomorrow

Sounds good, perfect cottage pie weather at the moment too! The oat milk will be fine, it's really not like dairy milk but it is a weird thing to change that mindset on, it certainly took me a while but now I'll happily eat soya yogurts months out of date and I am pretty sure I've been using the same carton of oat milk in the office since about October!

I feel like I want to make some cottage pies for my freezer stash today now

I know. Feel very lazy but trying to get chilli and cottage pie in the freezer at least.
The slow cooker cottage pie base was easy just red onion leek carrot and parsnip I ended up sautéeing for a few minutes as not that used to the slow cooker. Out that in and added out and brown lentils, tin of mixed beans, one tone tomatoes and some stock - Bouillon with a little red Bisto. Tasted quite nice
Chilli did in a normal big stew pan with red onion chopped peppers courgette fresh cherry tomatoes one tin tomatoes, the crushed chilli and garlic from Morrisons some tomato purer white wine vinegar. Was ok a bit tomatoey but will probably be nicer tomorrow will probably have it on a jacket pot

Looks delicious!
A surprising of the dried packet mixes are vegan by ingredient (although a lot of them are now labelled as such too) so I have a standard stash I keep in the cupboard for when I'm lacking time and inspiration. Things like chicken casserole mix, chilli con carne etc. They work well in the slow cooker too.

That's good to know. I had some stuffing mix at Xmas but haven't used it yet just reminded me.

They look delicious

Thanks. I'm obsessed with mash

That's very valid, mash is great 😂

I've been topping cottage pie with more of a bubble and squeaky type mash to cut down on calories but my favourite has to be really buttery mash with a very generous helping of nutritional yeast mixed in 🤤

Sounds nice. My love for mash includes parsnip / potato mash and butter bean mash 😋
Day off today decided to use up a butternut squash to make a Bhuna with chickpeas,fresh tomatoes potato green beans etc. want to put some in the freezer for ready meals in the werk :)

Sorry ignore the rogue chilli photo lol

That looks absolutely delicious!

I'm wondering how people are feeling now it's (finally!) February. I swear January was 625 weeks long...

I know. It went on for ages but now it's the end of Veganuary.
I made this yesterday from a ' Grubby' recipe box - I don't get it every week about once a month. It was delicious- a tofu burger in a brioche bun with ancho chilli, tamari, little gem lettuce, a weird sounding garlic and tamari gravy which was amazing , home made chips and slaw

I mean thanks too ☺️

So much lovely food!

I'm making scrambled tofu for toast (finally) today. Can't wait! Then trying to make vegan lamingtons later with kids

Interested to hear your thoughts on the scrambled tofu! I made another 8 portions for the freezer this morning. I think I have a problem 😳

Delicious. Me and DH ate it for lunch. He said 19g per half block serving of the tofu!! I think it's the most protein I've had in a month. I'm soooooo full now!! Probably not have with a slice of toast next time. But I will definitely have again. May be brave and add some chilli flakes too next time!

Sounds nice. I had two Linda McCartney sausages in a roll !

Glad you liked it after all that 😂 I must have a much larger appetite - my breakfast this morning was 2x toast, scrambled tofu, 2x sausages and mushrooms. 51.4g protein according to my app!

Making sweet and sour "chicken" for dinner and have a curry on the go for the freezer. I think I caught the tail end of the 3 for 2 in Asda in the chilled aisle today so have had a bit of a stock up.

I think my body just found all that protein really filling! It is meant to be isn't it! I definitely need to eat more

Yeah I find if I start the day either a decent protein filled breakfast, that requires me to sit and eat with a knife and fork (rather than inhaling and not even registering I've eaten!) then I don't feel overly hungry all day. Without that, the snackage is real.

That said, my current calorie goal is 3000 per day 😂

Ooh I love sweet and sour

Don't you find if you have a big breakfast you get upset tummy at the gym? However weekend lunches will be my protein power houses!

The vegan lamingtons have turned out amazingly well!! This is the recipe in case anyone else fancies trying

www.rainbownourishments.com/easy-vegan-lamingtons/

I actually think I'm going to do it- go vegan! Although eldest has been begging me to start being 'normal' again all day 🙄

Oh and whoever recommended the Amanda Ducks YouTube channel that has also been brilliant

@Gymbunny2025 that was me! She's great.

I had falafel with salad and sweet potato fries with tomato relish, hummus and lots of other nice things, was so good (and easy).