Going vegan......old style?!

BilberryCharlotte · 3 April 2009 at 1:26PM

BabyMother wrote: »

Unfortunately, can't give it up altogether as we all love it so much and fake cheese/tofu don't do it for me......:o

I am not sure all the substitutes will do it for me either, I tried cubes of silken tofu in a salad, just as I would have used Feta, and it actually made me feel queasy. I think that was due to the complete lack of taste.

We did try cheezly mature cheddar type though, and although not exactly the same as `real` cheddar, we found we enjoyed it enough to eat in a sandwich or on biscuits. We are happy just with vegetable meals, but it is nice to try some of the manufactured vegan foods.

I suppose the thing is, that it is unlikely we will like everything we try, and sometimes you just have to accept things taste different, just as diet things are from regular things. :-)

sleepymy · 3 April 2009 at 1:37PM

Cheezly with bacon style pieces is where it's at for sarnies and salads ladies.

Also, raw tofu on salad! *gagg*

I've heard the uncheese cookbook has some good recipes for making your own.

BilberryCharlotte · 3 April 2009 at 1:43PM

Justamum wrote: »

I was in Tesco today and the woman in front of me had bought a box of Value eggs which quite clearly state on them that they are caged eggs. I felt like asking her if she knew exactly how tiny those cages are! Unfortunately I didn't have the nerve, but boy was I boiling inside!

I saw your post last night and have been thinking about it quite a bit, it is a difficult one. I would be very upset if I saw someone buying a product like that, can there be many people who don`t know of the abject misery the poor creatures who produce these eggs live in?

So - what to do, ask if the other shopper is aware of the cruelty involved and risk a smack in the mouth or have to endure a rant along the lines of "you are a food nazi"? I suppose we could all stand in the aisles where eggs are stocked, and point and hiss at anyone buying eggs laid by caged birds, but I guess that would lead to a custodial sentence.

Perhaps she thought she was buying low cost nutritious food for her family, or perhaps she simply doesn`t care how the animals who provide her food live and die, unfortunately there are people like that. Either way the cost is high for the poor chickens.

twinkle_star_2 · 3 April 2009 at 2:55PM

BilberryCharlotte wrote: »

I am not sure all the substitutes will do it for me either, I tried cubes of silken tofu in a salad, just as I would have used Feta, and it actually made me feel queasy. I think that was due to the complete lack of taste.

We did try cheezly mature cheddar type though, and although not exactly the same as `real` cheddar, we found we enjoyed it enough to eat in a sandwich or on biscuits. We are happy just with vegetable meals, but it is nice to try some of the manufactured vegan foods.

I suppose the thing is, that it is unlikely we will like everything we try, and sometimes you just have to accept things taste different, just as diet things are from regular things. :-)

I don't really enjoy the fake cheeses either! But I've come to the conclusion that part of being vegan is giving up these things rather than trying to replace them. There's no way anything vegan is going to taste scrummy like a piece of cheddar or feta but a salad full of fresh veggies, crunchy seeds, squashy avacado and a dressing will be ok for me. :T So far I've only successfully used replacements for things where the cheese/egg/meat would be mixed in with other things - cheesey mash, quiche (silken tofu) and vegan chilli. Plain cooked tofu wasn't great and fake cheese on pizza was ok. The only exception is vegan sausages which are yummy!

On the salad side of things I had the most amazing salad at the weekend. Was travelling back from London and got it from M&S. Was pleasantly suprised that there were a few things to choose from. The salad I had was called something like Wholefoods balanced salad. It has couscous, butternut squash, tenderstem broccoli, asparagus, pomegranate & sunflower seeds with a zingy dressing. Lush! Could also have had another salad or two, falafels, hummous, butternut squash parcels, stuffed vine leaves and a couple more bits. Well done M&S!:j

BilberryCharlotte · 3 April 2009 at 3:12PM

sleepymy wrote: »

Cheezly with bacon style pieces is where it's at for sarnies and salads ladies.

Also, raw tofu on salad! *gagg*

I've heard the uncheese cookbook has some good recipes for making your own.

I must try to find some of that, it sounds good. Yes the tofu on the salad was pretty vile, but at least I know not to try it again. :-)

suep · 3 April 2009 at 3:16PM

BilberryCharlotte wrote: »

Thanks for that, it seems a very handy recipe, and if the claims that firm make are even half true, it has got to be good for us. Microwave butternut squash risotto doesn`t look fantastic either, but is very tasty and comforting :-)

I love butternut squash, please please please could we have the recipe, the risotto sounds lush

BilberryCharlotte · 3 April 2009 at 3:21PM

twinkle_star wrote: »

I don't really enjoy the fake cheeses either! But I've come to the conclusion that part of being vegan is giving up these things rather than trying to replace them. There's no way anything vegan is going to taste scrummy like a piece of cheddar or feta but a salad full of fresh veggies, crunchy seeds, squashy avacado and a dressing will be ok for me. :T So far I've only successfully used replacements for things where the cheese/egg/meat would be mixed in with other things - cheesey mash, quiche (silken tofu) and vegan chilli. Plain cooked tofu wasn't great and fake cheese on pizza was ok. The only exception is vegan sausages which are yummy!

On the salad side of things I had the most amazing salad at the weekend. Was travelling back from London and got it from M&S. Was pleasantly suprised that there were a few things to choose from. The salad I had was called something like Wholefoods balanced salad. It has couscous, butternut squash, tenderstem broccoli, asparagus, pomegranate & sunflower seeds with a zingy dressing. Lush! Could also have had another salad or two, falafels, hummous, butternut squash parcels, stuffed vine leaves and a couple more bits. Well done M&S!:j

I will ask my daughter to look out for them, they sound lovely, and anything that extends the amount of dishes available and gives variety is always good. :-)

BilberryCharlotte · 3 April 2009 at 3:27PM

suep wrote: »

I love butternut squash, please please please could we have the recipe, the risotto sounds lush

I have to admit that I am sure I got this recipe on this forum, but am ashamed to admit I didn`t make a note of the kind soul who posted it.

MICROWAVE BUTTERNUT SQUASH RISOTTO

Serves 4

Super healthy
Hassle-free comfort food
Ingredients
250g risotto rice
700ml hot vegetable stock
1 medium butternut squash
big handful grated parmesan , plus extra
handful sage leaves, roughly chopped

Tip the rice into a large bowl, then add 500ml of the hot vegetable stock. Cover with cling film and microwave on High for 5 mins. Meanwhile, peel and cut the squash into medium chunks (see tip, below). Stir the rice, then add the squash and the rest of the stock. Re-cover with cling film, then microwave for another 15 mins, stirring halfway, until almost all the stock is absorbed and the rice and squash are tender.
Leave the risotto to sit for 2 mins, then stir in the parmesan and sage. Serve topped with more grated cheese.

I hope you enjoy it, we really like it, and I found I was also able to buy some frozen butternut squash which saved even more time, and is great for the fingerly challenged.

Thank you to whoever originally posted this recipe, please take a bow.

suep · 3 April 2009 at 3:27PM

Justamum wrote: »

I was in Tesco today and the woman in front of me had bought a box of Value eggs which quite clearly state on them that they are caged eggs. I felt like asking her if she knew exactly how tiny those cages are! Unfortunately I didn't have the nerve, but boy was I boiling inside!

Firstly let me say, I agree with you and I think most people do know about the treatment of caged hens and dont like it but the price of free range eggs is too much for a lot of people so the ones at fault are whoever makes up these prices farmers, supermarkets or whoever it is.

suep · 3 April 2009 at 3:33PM

Thankyou Bilberry Charlotte that was quick ! I love anything quick and easy to make for days when Im too tired to cook.

Obviously I'll use the vegan parmesan lol

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Going vegan......old style?!

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