Vegan packed lunch ideas?

nuatha

first78 wrote: »

Nuatha, I'd be really grateful for any vegan recipes you've got, I'm making the switch to a vegan diet and am a little overwhelmed by everything at the moment, especially trying to ensure I get all the vitamins that I need. I'd greatly appreciate any recipes you have.

What sort of things do you enjoy?
I've regularly cooked for vegans for 25 years, so have developed or adapted a wide range of recipes. Would rather post recipes that you are likely to enjoy.
Recently posted a recipe for Red Dragon Pie.
If you're a biscuit fan try Twink's Hobnobs, using Pure Sunflower spread.
There was a long series of threads on here a few years back Old Style vs the USDA started by Weezl74 which contains a lot of useful nutritional info in a fairly accessible format, out of these grew Cheap Family Recipes which includes a vegan meal planner which provides a good basis for ensuring all your nutritional needs are met.

Its probably easier to start with the dishes that are similar to those you already know you like than face a whole load of unfamiliar ingredients and tastes. Its also surprising just how many dishes you are already familiar with can easily be made vegan (and without resorting to over processed and packaged - and priced - meat and dairy replacements)

kafkathecat

Boodle wrote: »

Hi ShandyClover

Kafkathecat.... if you don't mind, could you please share your Russian Salad recipe?

I used this one

http://www.vegancampaigns.org.uk/resources/recipes/ssRussianSalad.html

but added some piccalilli, I think, as it was a bit bland.

first78

nuatha wrote: »

What sort of things do you enjoy?

Could you tell me how you make your empanadas please? :j

Oliver14

babyshoes wrote: »

I'm not veggie myself, but I should think that even a simple peanut butter sandwich would be a good addition to the fruit she is currently taking in. Nuts are a good source of protein and good fats, while wholewheat/brown bread is a slow release energy source.

Be careful with the brand of peanut butter some have been known to contain whey powder. I find wholeearth is the best as its nuts and oil.

Also as a warning to the OP some bought breads contain milk, milk powder or even buttermilk so that needs to be checked I personally make my own to be sure of the ingrediants

first78 wrote: »

Nuatha, I'd be really grateful for any vegan recipes you've got, I'm making the switch to a vegan diet and am a little overwhelmed by everything at the moment, especially trying to ensure I get all the vitamins that I need. I'd greatly appreciate any recipes you have.

I really wouldn't worry to much about Vitamins. The only one you really need to keep an eye on is B12 but as soya milk and many other things are fortified it's not normally much of a problem. Most vegans find it easier to get the amount of vitamins for a healthy diet than meat eaters just due to the amount of fresh veg you eat.

some good sights for recipes include the vegan society. There are loads if you just do a search. Get creative in replacing items from vegetarian recipes using things like soya yoghurt or rice cream.

Just to add someone mentioned Vegan cheese earlier. Personally I avoid the stuff as it's pretty vile in most cases and i've tasted socks that have tasted better,

As for the original post I agree with what a lot of other people have said your daughter needs to take responsibility for her diet. When i went vegan originally at 18 I was so interested in my new choice I wanted to learn the best foods etc.

nuatha

first78 wrote: »

Could you tell me how you make your empanadas please? :j

With pleasure.
900g White Bread Dough (after first rise and knocked back)
250g Spinach (steamed)
450g Onions (finely chopped, or blitzed in a food processor)
450g tomatoes, (skinned and roughly chopped, quartered is fine for small toms, halved for cherry toms)
200g Walnuts (roughly chopped)
½ tsp Nutmeg (ground)
1tsp Paprika
½ Black Pepper, (ground)
Pinch salt
5 tbsp Basil (fresh, chopped, I use a good handful)
2 tbsp Oil for frying
Soya Milk for glazing

Gently fry the onions until translucent, add the spices and fry for another 2 minutes, stir through the tomatoes and walnuts, and fry for another minute. Remove from heat, mix in the spinach and allow to cool. Drain excess liquid, (I do this in a sieve set over a pan and later add the liquor to vegetable soup) Mix through the chopped basil.
Roll out the dough to about 3mm thick and cut circles around 150mm thick (use a teaplate or similar as a template) Put a heaped tablespoon of filling in the centre of the dough circle, moisten the edges, fold over and crimp with a fork. Put on an oiled baking tray, repeat until all the ingredients are used - I usually get 6 or 7 from the above.
Brush with soya milk, allow to prove for 45 minutes to an hour. Bake in a preheated oven at 200C for 20-25 minutes until golden brown.

When they come out of the oven brush them again with the soya milk and allow them to cool.
These freeze really well, just individually wrap, I find that I can remove one from the freezer in the morning and its perfectly thawed for lunch, a friend thaws overnight in the fridge.


Variations on the filling, replace the walnuts with smoked tofu, (I've been playing with vegan feta recipes recently which should work in this, I'll update when I've a recipe I'm happy with). Peperonata is excellent as a filling. Basically these work best with a filling that is moist (but not wet).

I've done sweet ones with lightly stewed apples and sultanas, and mini ones with mincemeat one Christmas.
HTH

Boodle

kafkathecat wrote: »

I used this one

http://www.vegancampaigns.org.uk/resources/recipes/ssRussianSalad.html

but added some piccalilli, I think, as it was a bit bland.

Thanks - that looks yum

Racheldevon

The bbc good food website has a specific section on vegan recipes, also lots of vegetarian ones - split into categories http://www.bbcgoodfood.com/content/recipes/vegetarian/

first78

nuatha wrote: »

With pleasure.
900g White Bread Dough (after first rise and knocked back)
250g Spinach (steamed)
450g Onions (finely chopped, or blitzed in a food processor)
450g tomatoes, (skinned and roughly chopped, quartered is fine for small toms, halved for cherry toms)
200g Walnuts (roughly chopped)
½ tsp Nutmeg (ground)
1tsp Paprika
½ Black Pepper, (ground)
Pinch salt
5 tbsp Basil (fresh, chopped, I use a good handful)
2 tbsp Oil for frying
Soya Milk for glazing

Gently fry the onions until translucent, add the spices and fry for another 2 minutes, stir through the tomatoes and walnuts, and fry for another minute. Remove from heat, mix in the spinach and allow to cool. Drain excess liquid, (I do this in a sieve set over a pan and later add the liquor to vegetable soup) Mix through the chopped basil.
Roll out the dough to about 3mm thick and cut circles around 150mm thick (use a teaplate or similar as a template) Put a heaped tablespoon of filling in the centre of the dough circle, moisten the edges, fold over and crimp with a fork. Put on an oiled baking tray, repeat until all the ingredients are used - I usually get 6 or 7 from the above.
Brush with soya milk, allow to prove for 45 minutes to an hour. Bake in a preheated oven at 200C for 20-25 minutes until golden brown.

When they come out of the oven brush them again with the soya milk and allow them to cool.
These freeze really well, just individually wrap, I find that I can remove one from the freezer in the morning and its perfectly thawed for lunch, a friend thaws overnight in the fridge.


Variations on the filling, replace the walnuts with smoked tofu, (I've been playing with vegan feta recipes recently which should work in this, I'll update when I've a recipe I'm happy with). Peperonata is excellent as a filling. Basically these work best with a filling that is moist (but not wet).

I've done sweet ones with lightly stewed apples and sultanas, and mini ones with mincemeat one Christmas.
HTH

Thanks for sharing this...can't wait to try them!!

MandM90

Like puddleglum we cook double of everything and take in a tupperware box/flash with a piece of fruit for lunch.

If not, peanut butter sandwiches are a favourite here too!

shandyclover

Thanks to everyone that has posted - has given me lots of ideas! Sorry I didn't thank and respond to each post, my pc has issues so getting online has not been easy.

Here is my recent discovery, the whole website has some amazing recipes, but this recipe in particular works well for lunches or ravenous teenagers who can't wait for dinner. I've taken to making up a batch of the mixture and keeping in the fridge for such emergencies, knowing that gram flour is high in protein comforts me that they are getting nourished as well.


http://www.holycowvegan.net/2011/03/eggless-vegetable-omelet-besan-chilla.html