Weekend Reviews

I am now a events writer at Weekend Notes! I will be doing reviews of events which people may like to visit such as art shows and giving my opinion on cafes and restaurants. I will of course be trying to find the best vegan places around. 

Check out my articles here and subcribe for ideas of things to do at the Weekends:

http://www.weekendnotes.co.uk/profile/835071/

Homemade Nachos

Being vegan doesn't mean missing out, you can have all your favourite foods just using alternative ingredients. I love nachos and they are easy to make without using dairy. 

I bought some ready prepared tortilla chips from Sainsburys then made the topping. I did this by chopping two salad tomatoes, half a green pepper, half a red onion and adding a tablespoon of red wine vinegar. For those who like more spice you can add jalapenos and possibly even lemon juice. I like fresh vegetables but the ready made salsa from Sainsburys' own brand is also vegan which can be used. I then grated Violife vegan cheese and heated it under the grill for a couple of minutes. 

And there you have it, a classic snack made vegan. There is nothing that can't be transformed into a plant based, cruelty free version. It's perfect for snacking whilst studying! 

Morning Fuel Food

Porridge is becoming my favourite breakfast food at the minute. It is easy to make, delicious and most importantly filling. When you are busy in the day at work, university or school you need a hearty breakfast which will set you up for the day. 

Porridge is perfect because oats are naturally filling but also really healthy. I cook mine with almond milk, it gives it a delicious creamy flavour and I often add a splash more on top when it is done. For the topping I love adding chia seeds as these are also filling and full of nutrients. Another favourite topping is banana as it will add some sweetness while giving you an energy boost and not to mention adding some peanut butter, which is a good source of protein and an even better source of deliciousness. 

With the autumn mornings starting this could be the perfect warming breakfast to fill you up and keep you going until lunch, it will also stop the need to snack throughout the morning. It is also quick to make which is important on busy days. This breakfast was made using Organic oats from Tesco which are well worth trying. 

Sunday Scones

Sunday Scones

What's better on a Sunday afternoon than a cup of tea and a Scone? This simple vegan recipe will prove that you don't need dairy to create a classic and you can make the perfect light and fluffy scones to treat your family and friends. This is the perfect accompaniment for afternoon tea on a Sunday...or any day for that matter. This recipe is quick and easy but will create a delicious classic. You could also try them with vegan cream or different flavours of jam, the possibilities are endless and you might be surprised when you taste them that they are vegan! 

Ingredients:

• 8oz self raising flour
• 2oz sugar (for flavour but can be omitted)
• 2oz non-dairy butter (try using Pure or Vitalite)
• 150ml unsweetened almond milk (other non dairy milks can be used)
• a little water to mix
• non-dairy butter and raspberry jam to top

Recipe: (Makes around 12 small scones)

1. Heat the oven to Gas Mark 8
2. Mix the flour and sugar in a large mixing bowl
3. Add the butter, in small pieces, and rub it into the flour with your finger tips to create a breadcrumb like mixture
4. Make a hole in the centre and pour in the milk- mix it to form a dough
5. Add a little water if needed to create the dough
6. On a floured plate or surface knead the dough
7. Roll out the dough and use a circular cutter to create the scones
8. Place on a baking tray lined with baking paper
9. You can brush the scones with milk or flour before baking to create a nice golden look
10. Bake in the oven for 10 minutes until risen and golden on top
11. Leave to cool, then cut and add butter and jam   

An eco-friendly piece of Cake

 What's better than take away cake? Only take away cake in biodegradable container. This delicious cake from V-Revolution in Manchester came in a container than can be added to your food waste bin as it is biodegradable. I am a big fan of using less plastic packaging and being eco-friendly although it is not always easy as most places use lots of plastic and packaging which ends up in the land fill. Of course this vegan business is leading the way in disposable packaging. It means you can save the planet whilst eating cake! 

Vegan Options at University

I was really impressed to find out that my University has vegan options in the cafe. They do a range of vegetarian and vegan food and I was lucky to get the last vegan sandwich (this shows how popular they are!) This houmous and Cajun roast mushrooms and veg was the perfect combination and full of flavour. University is definitely a vegan friendly environment, they had Nakd bars and a selection of herbal teas at the afternoon tea on my induction session and there is always a vegan option on the menu. It is good to see a big institution like a University catering for different diets and it also shows that veganism is popular with an educated crowd. There are other vegans on my course and lots of people seem open minded about it. I think I'm going to like it here! 

Student Snacks

Congratulations to everyone starting at University this week, I just had my first day on my masters course yesterday and my brain already hurts with the amount of work I have to do! I was worried about finding vegan options at University so to make sure I had one less thing to stress about I bought some snacks which are great for students on the go. 

I filled a lunch box with peanuts and dates, these are great options as they provide a quick, filling snack that's easy to carry in a bag, 

I also bought a pack of YoYo bears, these are a great healthy option. It's also lightweight, leaving more room for books. 

I bought some Kinnerton chocolate and broke off a few squares. Chocolate is a great quick sugar hit to keep you going on a busy day, I love this brand as it is made in a allergy free environment. I also bought some Vegan Fudge to try. 

These are just some of the snacks I've found to take to University. Hopefully they will help any student vegans survive a day of lectures and study sessions.