Vegan Store Cupboard Challenge

115K

I should be making some more homecooked meals as I've been lazy lately.

I'm going to make a batch of tomato, bean and chilli soup today with a dollop of vegan pesto in the middle. It's getting colder and I love a bowl of soup for lunch.:)

bmma

like the thread will be lurking x

icontinuetodream

MandM90 wrote: »

Had a great meal tonight, vegan and most ingredients are staples.

Olive oil
Onion
Two garlic cloves
1 chilli/chilli flakes
1heaped tsp of ras el hanout (or a pinch of cinnamon, turmeric, paprika, cumin seeds, mustard seeds and ginger)
A star anise
A cardamom pod
One courgette, diced
One small squash, diced
One can of chickpeas
Half a tin of chopped toms/2 tbsp tom pur!e

Fry onion, garlic and spices until onion is translucent, add all other ingredients to slow cooker or pot. Add enough water to cover. Bring to boil then cook on high for 4 hours in a SC or simmer for half an hour on the hob.

Then cover 300g cous cous with boiled water (I steeped some saffron in my water which made the cous cous really fragrant) and leave for ten mins, then drizzle with olive oil and fork through.

Before serving try to fish out the star anise! Should serve four.

It was delish!

Sounds lush!!

Justamum wrote: »

I wish I could be as organised with meal planning as you are icontinuetodream! I'm rubbish at it.

It's not too difficult if you stick to a routine

My Monday = Grain, Tuesday = Pasta, Wednesday = Raw/Salads, Thursday = Potato, Friday = Rice, Saturday = Soup, Sunday = One Pot/Roast helps a lot when planning stuff!

The other thing to bare in mind is to have a certain amount of flexibility - for instance, today is so poo weather wise that a raw/salad day doesn't feel appropriate, so I will substitute it for Friday's rice day and have the salad tomorrow when the weather will be better. I am happy to change things around if we end up with a better deal on different products so I use the plan more as a guide than anything else....

A warm welcome to bmma, 115k and lizling too!! :hello: Nice to have you aboard!!

Well, it's the first proper vegan day today - I have sunk a couple of soya lattes and remembered how much I love them!!

For lunch, I had last nights leftover 'bubble & squeak' that I served with the salmon. It had roasted celeriac, sweet potato and parsnip in it along with some past its best broccoli, red onion, carrots, a spoonful of djon mustard and a few spoonfuls of an almond and vanilla jam that my friend made last year. It was lush!! Cabbage, red beans and rice for dinner later - total comfort food in a bowl and served with cranberry sauce...nom nom!!

Justamum

icontinuetodream wrote: »

Sounds lush!!



It's not too difficult if you stick to a routine

My Monday = Grain, Tuesday = Pasta, Wednesday = Raw/Salads, Thursday = Potato, Friday = Rice, Saturday = Soup, Sunday = One Pot/Roast helps a lot when planning stuff!

The other thing to bare in mind is to have a certain amount of flexibility - for instance, today is so poo weather wise that a raw/salad day doesn't feel appropriate, so I will substitute it for Friday's rice day and have the salad tomorrow when the weather will be better. I am happy to change things around if we end up with a better deal on different products so I use the plan more as a guide than anything else....

I've vaguely tried your idea before. When I did it it did work (and took a lot of stress out of thinking of dinner). I'm going to have to sit down and really put my mind to it. There would be no more panicking at 4.30pm wondering what to cook when I know that one or other of my family have to have eaten and be out of the house by 6!

WantToBeSE

LOVE this thread I am transitioning to vegan at the moment. I have been seriously transitioning for a few months, and loving feeling healthy. Watched 'Earthlings' last night and cried buckets However, it has really helped to re-confirm my reasons behind wanting to be vegan.

Can anyone recommend documentaries about the Dairy industry?

pumpkinlife

I am enjoying this thread, I am currently winding our storecupboards down and using up odds and ends of weird and wonderful ingredients.

WantToBeSE, as for dairy films specifically, I don't know.

'Cowspiracy' is worth a watch. It's all about the effect that animal ag - especially cows - have on climate and pollution. There is some ethical stuff in there too.

One of the loveliest but hardgoing films I have ever seen is Peacecable Kingdom. There is an ex dairy farmer in there IIRC.

'Mad Cowboy' is about Howard Lyman, the cattle rancher turned vegan. It is next on my list to watch.

You might want to check out Colleen Patrick Goudreau's podcasts, she has definitely covered dairy - http://www.joyfulvegan.com/podcast-radio. Lots of inspiration to keep you on track too.

WantToBeSE

Thanks Pumpkin

I am now at the end of my first week as a total vegan. I have to say, its not been as difficult as i thought it would be.

The only thing i am missing is milk in my coffee, as i find that all alternative milks separate when added to the coffee. Its OK though, i have started drinking it black instead.

I think i must have saved some money too. Although i am spending more on vegetables (eating mainly plant based), i used to spend £45 a month on meat, plus dairy products, so I'd guess about £20 a month on that too.

I am not missing meat whatsoever, but i am yet to try and eat out as a vegan.

Justamum

WantToBeSE wrote: »

The only thing i am missing is milk in my coffee, as i find that all alternative milks separate when added to the coffee.

The Alpro soya milk doesn't separate. You have to get the right one though, not the chilled and not the light as they do separate. Not sure about the sweetened one as I don't like sweetened soya milk.

In tea the Tesco Value soya is fine, but does separate in coffee.

WantToBeSE

Thanks justamum, i think i am just going to continue with black coffee. I worry about drinking/eating too many products that contain soya anyway, as i have heard than it has been linked to higher levels of cancers.

I still need to research that though.

pumpkinlife

You will definitely save money. Even if I was stocking up on lots of fake meats and cheese, they are still cheaper than equivalent meaty versions. The only thing that costs more litre for litre is plant milk.

I use cafetiere coffee and find Alpro doesn't curdle, but that could be because the coffee cools down whilst it brews, or that cafetiere coffee is less acidic. Sainsbury's UHT is also fine. COOP often have Alpro on a 3 for 2 offer.

Eating isn't as hard as you may think. Ethnic restaraunts are usually good. Items like burritos and pasta can normally be veganised depending upon the chef.

Perhaps I should start a new thread as we are veering off topic?