Vegan Effect

Written by McDonald, T.   |  Updated 16th June 2025 Never miss out on chocolate bars again.  Making your own vegan chocolate bar is so easy and requires no baking at all.  You can have this recipe ready to eat in a few hours and take only minutes to prepare.

Written by McDonald, T.   |  date 2nd of June 2025 Why make your own curry powder? If you have trouble with a sensitive stomach, store bought curry powder might not be for you.  Some people have trouble digesting onion powder or garlic powder, so making your own is the best option.  Whatever your reason, it's very simple to do. Ingredients Coriander x 4 tbsp Cumin x 2.5 tbsp Turmeric x 2.5 tbsp Ginger x 1 tbsp Paprika x 2 tsp Chilli powder x 2 tsp (if you want it hot, use 3 tsp. If you like it mild, use 1 tsp) Black pepper x 1.5 tsp Salt x 1 tsp (optional) Cinnamon x 1 tsp Ground fenugreek x 1 tsp Dried fenugreek x 1 tsp Cardamom x 1 tsp Clove x 1/2 tsp Method Mix all the ingredients together with a spoon and store in an airtight container. I usually mix them into the pot I will be storing them in and give it a shake with the lid on at the end just to be sure.  I hope you decide to give this a try. If you do, please let me know what you thought in the comments...

  Written by   McDonald, T.    |  Date 26th of May 2025  This curry is based on a fish curry. Instead of fish, it uses jackfruit and grated tempeh to simulate chunks of fish and fish flakes.  It has a great texture and a good amount of heat to its taste. 

Written by   McDonald, T.    |  Date 12th of May 2025 A very quick and easy red vegan pesto!  This has a wonderful taste and goes great with pasta or even spread on some homemade bread.

Written by   McDonald, T.    |  Date 5th of May 2025 This was a favourite of mine while growing up.  With today's vegan ranges, it's very easy to make.  I used banana bread cut into fingers for the sponge, but you can use a regular sponge if you want. Notes I used banana bread cut into fingers in place of the sponge fingers. I used Flora double cream, which took a lot of whipping! I used Alpro vegan custard.   I used wibble strawberry jelly crystals   Serves 6 Time - 2 days Ingredients  Strawberries x 1 tin Vegan custard x 1 carton Vegan double/whipping cream x 1 carton Vegan jelly crystals x 1 sachet Vegan sponge fingers x  Apparatus Medium glass bowl Measuring jug  Hand whisk Method  Cut the sponge into fingers about the size of a finger and add to the glass bowl. Drain the strawberries and add to the glass bowl.  Make the jelly as directed on the packet. Pour the jelly over the sponge fingers and strawberries....

Written by McDonald, T.   |  Date 21th of April 2025 Filled with rhubarb and strawberries and topped with a biscuit crumble.  This has got to be one of the best desserts in the world! It's so comforting and easy to make.

Written by McDonald, T.   |  Date 14th of April 2025     The spicy tastes to this dip is so good!  It's a combination of garlic, jalapeños and sundried tomatoes all blended into the chickpea paste.  Great as a dip with carrots, celery and pitta bread or used as a side dish.

Written by   McDonald, T.    |  Date 7th of April 2025 Straight forward bread with no need for a Dutch oven. Get great results the same day with this easy to make and fantastic tasting bread. Waste Short term waste: Zero  Long term waste: Flour packaging Yeast packaging Salt container  Notes Hydration is at 80%. Baker's notes Flour 100% (500 g) Water 80% (400 g) Yeast 1.4% (7 g) dry  [Fresh is 4% (20) g]  Salt 0.012% (6 g) Water temperature Between 40 °C and 46 °C   Makes one 800 g loaf Ingredients 200 g white flour strong bread flour 300 g wholemeal strong bread flour 6 g Salt   7 g active dry yeast/instant yeast 1 tbsp of vegetable oil 400 g of lukewarm water Seeds optional Apparatus Dough scraper Danish whisk Spatula Large mixing bowl Baking sheet Method  Add both flours to the mixing bowl and mix flours together with the balloon whisk.  Add the salt and yeast in different places, and then mix with the balloon whisk aga...

Written by McDonald, T.   |  Updated 31st of March 2025 Fancy a traditional English dinner?  This is one of my favourites and is easy to make vegan. Textured vegetable protein (tvp) has been around forever and is great when mixed with green lentils.  You will get great textures, flavours and a good dose of protein.