Supersized soups

Vegetable soup is the perfect meal for cold, blustery days. It is not only an easy way to eat more vegetables but it is a cheap meal. 

One way to make a simple soup extra special is to make it thicker. This is a good idea for making the meal more filling. By adding pearl barley you can make the soup thicker and add a nice flavour. 

This is a cheap addition to a soup. It gives a vegetable soup a kick and fills you up. It is a good idea if you are making a meal for a lot of people, you can make it filling without needed lots of extra ingredients. 

The simple ingredients of a vegetable soup become even more delicious. You can have a very basic soup of carrots, sweet potato, leek and brown pasta and add pearl barley for flavour.  

The barley makes it filling, adds a nutty taste and easily cooks as you bring the soup to the boil. 

It is also a cheap addition to your food cupboard and great to have in as it can also be used as a rice alternative. This is only 0.55p in Tesco, which is great for anyone on a budget. A small packet will last a while and make a wintry soup even more delicious. 

Try it in your soup recipes and see how it can improve on a classic dish. 

The Vegan label

I've noticed a change in food products lately. More and more food products are labelling themselves vegan, I've seen it in bread and now I've noticed it on peanuts 

Some might say this isn't necessary, surely something like peanuts would definitely be vegan but sometimes companies add in flavours and additives that you can be unsure about. I'm an obsessive label checker so I welcome this change. It saves you from scrutinising the ingredients and making a shopping trip longer than it needs to be. 

It also shows that veganism is gaining in popularity as companies are recognising the need to label a product as vegan. It is not difficult to add a label and it puts peoples minds at rest, it also makes sure a product has more buyers, surely this is the best thing for any company. 

I for one welcome this change. Let's hope more products follow suit and the vegan label is everywhere.  

Biscuit break

A cup of tea and a biscuit, the perfect pair, a classic combination, the dream team! 

Vegan options are easy to find so your tea doesn't get lonely. 

I only recently found out Lotus biscuits were vegan. This is amazing as they are served in a lot of cafés as a standard accompaniment to a hot drink, so now you know this is a vegan option you can have them whilst you are out. Even better they are now sold in supermarkets and at 0.99p a packet you can recreate your favourite cafe treat at a fraction of the price. Your guests will be impressed by the tasty snacks that melts in your mouth when dipped in a brew.

Another classic biscuit are jammy dodgers. 

These accidentally vegan treats are available in most shops. They are not labelled vegan like the lotus brand but contain no dairy. 

Grab a packet of biscuits, put the kettle on and invite a friend for a brew and a biscuit. And the best part is it's all vegan! 

* for non dairy milk options see my earlier blog on oat milk there's a vegan option for everything! 

http://vegoutveganguide.blogspot.co.uk/2016/01/fancy-cuppa.html

A Minty Moment

The Moo Free range is becoming my favourite vegan chocolate range. 

The Mini Moos are the perfect chocolate bars. They are a handy, small size and come in a variety of flavours. The larger bars are nice but it is far too easy to eat a lot of it, these make the perfect individual snack to take to work or have with a cup of tea in the evening. 

I have yet to find a flavour I don't like. The minty moo is a perfect choice for lovers of mint chocolate- the chocolate has the nice taste of milk chocolate with crunchy pieces and a mild mint flavour. Gorgeous! These bars will convert anyone to how vegan chocolate can easily be as nice or nicer than any others and you won't miss out with all the flavours available.

Booja booja truffles

I got a snack box for Christmas of vegan treats. The perfect present! It contained these Booja Booja truffles.

Thankfully I brought these with me for my Nofolk trip. I've always wanted to try them but find the boxes a little expensive. Nice for special occasions but they are not something I would buy every week.

The Ecuadorian Dark chocolate truffles are not ones I would have picked myself as I am not the biggest fan of dark chocolate but I am pleased I got to try them as they are delicious. The dark chocolate truffles have an extremely rich flavour. The taste is strong and just like the Booja Booja ice cream a little is enough. The box contained two truffles and this was more than enough as a treat, any more and the strong rich flavour may give you a headache. 

This is definitely one for chocolate lovers and fans of dark chocolate will love these truffles. The superior quality would make these a lovely gift. I'd recommend trying the small boxes first as they may not be to everyone's taste. I like the fact that they are organic and gluten and soya free. They are also clearly good quality, you do pay a little extra for these chocolates but they are worth it. 

These are perfect for presents, special occasions and little treats. 

Fancy a Cuppa?

A nice cup of tea is an English classic. It's also enjoyed all over the world, can you imagine a world withou tea? Let's not even think of it! 

Tea is also one reason why some people believe they could never go vegan. "But I couldn't give up milk in my tea" I've heard this plenty of times, I used to say it myself. 

When I was thinking of going vegan I started trying different non dairy milks- there are more than I imagined- Soya isn't your only option and you need to try them all to find out which one you prefer. I didn't like the taste of soya mik in a cup of tea, it didn't taste the same. I tried a few others before I found oat milk. 

Oatly have an organic oat milk drink, it is the best addition to a cup of tea. It makes the tea creamy but doesn't change the taste of a classic brew. I recommend it to anyone who loves a cup of tea and believes dairy milk is the only thing that tastes nice. You'll realise that you don't need dairy milk at all and other options can actually taste nicer. Give it a go. 

Twinings Green Tea and Jasmine

I love my herbal teas and they have become a daily habit whilst living in the countryside. One of my favourites so far is the Green tea with Jasmine from Twinings, it has a sweetness to it that takes away the sometimes bitter taste of green tea. I recommend it to all fans of green tea and even those who are not keen, this sweeter version may convert you and with the amazing antioxidant properties of green tea it is perfect for those keen to improve their health. Twinings also has an amazing selection of green teas with added flavours so there is a lot to choose from. 

A vegan option in the countryside

I've been here a week. There are no vegan cafés, no health food shops selling vegan frozen food, no vegan ice cream! But finally I have found something I can eat in the countryside. 

Baked potato and beans with no butter and salad, I didn't eat the coleslaw. Yes it's basic but at least I can enjoy a meal out with my grandad. I had it with my standard green tea- people keep asking me if I want milk with it, so veganism is definitely not well known here yet but maybe one day. Until then at least I can eat. Sadly in some places you will only be able to get basic meals but at least you can adapt options to suit you, by taking away the butter from this option it was made vegan. You can look out for ways to take dairy, eggs and meat out of food options to see if it will be suitable. 

Sweet potato and leek soup

Leek and potato soup is a classic, but why not try it with sweet potato for a variation on a classic. 

Sweet potato adds a different flavour and they are known as a superfood as they are full of antioxidants and nutrients, they are an excellent source of fiber and provide a range of vitamins including vitamin A, vitamin C and B vitamins. 

For a simple soup for one try: 

2 sweet potatos 

1 leek

1 vegetable stock cube (some contain milk check the ingredients) 

Pepper and seasoning 

Add the ingredients to a pan of cold water, bring to the boil and cook until the potato is soft ( around 30 minutes) this is a great basis for a vegetable soup, if this is too simple add carrots, parsnips and brown pasta for a more filling recipe. 

Green Tea on the menu

So far on my holiday staying in Norfolk I've still not found any vegan options. There are so many cute cafés there are no chain stores that you see on every high street they are all individual and unique. I love places like this, they have a unique charm you can't find at a cafe that looks the same whatever town you are in. The downside is so far every cafe I have been in has a menu filled with meat and dairy. Eating out is proving to be difficult, I enjoy cooking for myself but it would be nice to be able to have lunch out now and again. I will keep looking but until then I am becoming an expert in green tea, which is sometimes the only Vegan option. 

Whole Earth peanut butter

Whole earth are now doing a peanut butter which is 100% peanuts. It is suitable for vegans, comes in crunchy or smooth and contains no oils or any additions. 

It is a welcome change to the versions which contain oil, especially palm oil which a lot of people try to avoid. 

It is definitely a recommended product. It is tasty, organic and in a handy small jar although you may wish the jar was bigger once you taste it. 

Currently on offer in Tesco for £1.50 definitely worth trying if you are a fan of peanut butter. 

Quick pasta sauce

Using only basic ingredients you can create a quick, tasty and healthy meal. To make a pasta sauce firstly chop some vegetables. Try red onion, boiled potatoes and spinach as the base. 

Fry in a pan and add a teaspoon of paprika, add some passata sauce, enough to cover the ingredients depending on how many people you are cooking for and add a cap full of white wine vinegar for flavour. More can be added if you like a stronger taste or are making a larger portion. 

Mix all the ingredients together. There isn't anything that needs a lot of cooking time so this can be done while waiting for your pasta to cook. (Around 10-15 minutes). 

Add the sauce to wholewheat pasta. Brown pasta is a lot healthier and full of flavour, if you have never tried it give it a go. 

Once all the pasta and sauce is mixed add some chopped cucumber for added flavour. Optionally grate some dairy free cheese on the top. 

Who says a healthy meal has to be expensive and time consuming. This meal can be made in less than 30 minutes. 

The only Vegan option at the Countryside Cafe

Sadly some places still haven't cottoned on to the idea of having vegan options on the menu. 

Big cities are more vegan friendly but in small countryside towns there is still so much dairy on the menu. 

As much as I like the cafe Charmed in Downham Market the menu is full of omelettes and dairy. There is cheese on everything! There's even the option of cheesy chips and the alternatives to dairy is meat!! 

It's a shame this cute country cafe doesn't have one vegan option! The only thing on the menu was chips. When you are vegan chips almost become the enemy- I'll eat them but I'd rather be enjoying something else. It's not as if just one option would be difficult maybe some vegan cheese to use as a substitute could mean the menu could be the same but with options for those who don't eat dairy. The cakes also look amazing but sadly no dairy free choice. 

One things certain at least you don't spend a lot on lunch in the countryside! 

Potato salad dinner

Using mainly vegetables you can create a quick and healthy meal. 

For this meal I used boiled new potatoes, mixed with cous cous, sunflower seeds, fried red onion and mushrooms mixed together and served with a spinach and cucumber salad mixed with white wine vinegar. I added some Violife cheese for flavour. 

I like simple meals that are quick and easy to create. This was so easy to make and meant I had a healthy meal in no time. Any one who is on a budget, doesn't have a lot of time to cook or is trying to eat healthier can make something like this. With only a few ingredients you can make a meal in minutes. 

Countryside Vegan

The best part of living in a city is the convenience. 24 hour supermarkets, seven days a week shopping and late night openings, if you need anything you can easily find it. Although vegan places are still in the minority there are enough places to go for food, lunch and vegan fashion. In Manchester there are a few totally vegan cafes and restaurants, a lot of vegetarian places and supermarkets that cater for vegans. You can easily get used to the convenience of a city so I think I'm going to struggle with country living. 

I am staying in Norfolk for the next Month, I have been here before on holiday but only for a short amount of time. I've noticed the lack of vegan options in cafes and seen the lack of options in the supermarkets so the next month is going to be a real challenge. It may mean going back to basics and having simpler meals or searching the entire countryside for vegan options. I am looking forward to the challenge, fingers crossed I can find food and hopefully an Internet connection to post my blog! 

Earth Cafe Manchester

Located below the Buddhist Centre in Manchester is Earth Cafe. This should be on all Vegan's lists as a place to visit. Find it at 16-20 Turner Street, in Manchester's Northern Quarter. 

With an entirely vegan menu you will be spoilt for choice! Although they do serve dairy milk all the food and desserts are vegan and there is a wide variety of non-dairy milks to choose from for hot drinks. The menu consists of an ever changing array of healthy meals made from scratch. 

A platter of four items off the hot food menu will cost you £6. It is all healthy, freshly prepared food which is delicious and hearty, perfect for lunch. You can also get a couple of items or vegan sausage rolls or a Jamaican pasty. The menu changes and uses seasonal food so you don't know what's exactly on the menu until you visit but the food usually available is curries, chili, rice, pies and vegetables. A salad bar is always available and there is a large selection of smoothies. 

The Earth burger, which is always on the menu, is delicious as well and worth trying. And then there are the cakes you will be spoilt for choice! As a vegan you get used to either having no options or just one choice but here as everything is vegan you can choose from chocolate, coffee cake or carrot cake, the desserts change all the time as well so you may have different choices on the day but you can guarantee a delicious dessert and soya cream is available. 

The drinks are varied, there is Whole Earth soda, cold drinks, teas, coffees, smoothies and hot chocolate. Anything you like will be available with a variety of non-dairy milks to add to any drink. 

I am a fan of Earth, it is a friendly, inexpensive and healthy place to eat. I always feel full and happy after eating here and look forward to visiting. Every time I eat here I know I will get a delicious, healthy meal whether I want a big lunch or a quick coffee and cake with friends. It is also one of the most relaxing places, it is a haven in a busy city and a must visit place. 

I'm glad to see the cafe becoming more popular- maybe this is because of Veganuary? Whatever the reason more people should visit as you will not be disappointed. 

Add it to your list of vegan places to try. 

Find out more information here: http://www.earthcafe.co/

Invisible Vegan

Living in a city can be great as a vegan as you have access to several supermarkets and can easily find vegan products. The problem is the amount of vegan food you can find varies from location to location. 

Tesco has quite a good vegan range. However it does depend what part of town you shop in. In Manchester the Cheetham Hill store has more vegan products than the store in Blackley. 

Why is this? Do they assume that in one part of town people will buy more vegan options than another? Is there research into this? Or is it down to each individual store to pick what products to stock? 

Whatever the reason it makes it hard to buy Vegan food in certain areas. Plus it doesn't give people the opportunity to try new products or consider going vegan if you only shop in a certain area. 

It is a shame that Vegan's aren't given the same product range in different areas. If you had a whole store that sold no bread at all people would be angry but not having Vegan options is apparently OK. 

If there were more completely Vegan supermarkets around I would never shop in any other supermarket. Until that day I'll avoid stores that think Vegans are invisible. 

Vegetarian Choice Products at Holland and Barrett

I found these in Holland and Barrett- they are called Vegetarians Choice but are actually certified Vegan. 

They are only 99p per box and are a quick and simple meal to have in the freezer for days when you don't feel like cooking from scratch. The main ingredient is soya and they are easily cooked on the grill. 

Holland and Barrett are getting to be a very convenient choice for vegans. Their freezer section are filled with vegan options at reasonable prices. This is definitely a store for Vegans to try as you can find different products not available elsewhere. 

Accidentally Vegan Sweets

If you have a sweet tooth like me going Vegan can limit your choices. While this isn't necessarily a bad thing as think of all that junk food it saves you from buying sometimes you need a treat. Luckily there are many accidentally vegan sweet treats to choose from: 

1) Starburst


2) Skittles


3) Jammy Dodgers


4) Love hearts


5) Fox's chocolate chip cookies- Dark


6) Fox's Party rings 


7) Pringles- BBQ


8) Doritos- Chilli heatwave 


9) Just Roll- Pain au chocolat 


10) Green and Blacks- Mint




Grab yourself a vegan treat and enjoy!