Vegan Effect

Written by McDonald, T.   |  Date 16 of December 2024     Christmas desserts need a thick brandy cream and this is the one for vegans.   Ingredients 1 tin of coconut milk (Check it is suitable for vegans because some are not) 2 tbsp of coconut cream 3 tablespoons of brandy (Most brandy is suitable for vegans but not all, so check out my vegan alcohol guide) 2 tbsp icing sugar   Method Pour the tin of coconut milk into a bowl.  Melt the coconut cream in a bowl. Take off the heat and add to coconut milk. Stir in the brandy. Place in a fridge to thicken Whip if you so desire. Results I very nice brandy cream that is sweet and flavourful.    I hope that you liked this blog and if you do try this recipe, please let me know how you got on and what it turned out like. You can leave a comment in the comments below.  

Written by McDonald, T.   |  Date 9th of December 2024 If you are looking for a true piece of decadence, this is it. Plenty of flavour from the rum and raisins and plenty of sweetness from the chocolate and coconut cream.  This dessert takes longer to chill than it does to make, so if you are sort of time, this could be for you.  All you have to do is soak the raisins overnight and make the dessert in the morning and put it in the fridge.  When you get home, the dessert will be more than ready. 

Written by McDonald, T.   |  Date 2nd of December 2024 If you want to make your pecan pie a little more fancy for this Christmas holiday, why not add some bourbon?  Yes, adding alcohol to desserts will always make them a little more Christmasy!  This vegan pecan pie is great and I think it is perfectly ok to cheat a little and use pre-rolled pastry, just be sure it is vegan. 

Written by McDonald, T.   |  Date 25th of November 2024 Christmas is the time for baking!  If you would like to have a little treat that is like a Christmas cake, but much quicker and easier, this cake is for you.  It is full of flavour and different texture to delight the senses with every bit. It is full of fruit such as figs and cherries has nut too and looks great dusted with a little icing sugar.

Written by McDonald, T.   |  Date 18th of November 2024 Vegan chilli is packed with nutrition!  Yes, not just is it really tasty, it's also high in roughage , dietary fibre and protein. This is another great comfort food that I would have as a child growing up in England.  It makes any winter night much more fun, so I hope you decide to give it a try, especially if you are a new vegan.  Traditionally, this dish is made with minced beef, we will be using vegan mince, which is lentils and tvp. Notes TVP is Textured Vegetable Protein. It is sometimes known as soya mince or soya curls. This dish keeps well!  You know that it is going to taste even better the next day.   Serves 4 Time, 30 minutes approx, which includes prep time.  More if you use dried lentils. Ingredients Green lentils x 80 g TVP x 8 tbsp (47 g) Onion x 100 g Tin chopped tomatoes x 400 g Tin of red kidney beans x 240 g drained weight Yeast extract x 1 tsp Cider vinegar x 4 tbsp Lemon...

Written by McDonald, T.   |  Date 11th of November 2024 This is a relatively easy pizza.  I say relatively because it can be a little tricky, but not impossible.  The key is to stay calm and not try to rush it. With this in mind, if this is your first time at making a pizza dough with a high hydration, do it on a day that you have time to think and follow the instructions at a pace that suits you. The results are well worth the perseverance and the more you make this recipe the better and easier it gets. I have used vegan pepperoni, but you can use any toppings that you like.

Written by McDonald, T.   |  Date 4th of November 2024 Focaccia is great Italian bread that is easy to make and will impress any dinner guests.  It is light and soft with amazing bubbles, texture, and taste.  I have made a wholemeal version before using strong bread flour.  This time, I thought I would try the more common type using plain flour.  I was pleasantly suppressed on how it turned out. Hydration is at 84% Baker's notes Flour 100% (500 g) Water 80% (400 g) Yeast 1.4% (7 g) dry  [Fresh is 4% (20) g]  Salt 1.8% (9 g) Makes one 800 g focaccia Ingredients Plain flour 500 g Instant dry yeast x 7 g Salt x 9 g Water x 420 g Olive oil x 2 tbsp (you will need another 3 tbsp to grease the pan and more for on top) Apparatus Dough scraper Danish dough whisk Spatula Large mixing bowl Large baking dish  Method  Mix all the dry ingredients together and add the lukewarm water.  Use the Danish dough whisk to thoroughly combine the ingredie...

Written by McDonald, T.   |  Date 28th of October 2024 This is very much like a vegan cheesecake or key lime pie, so if you like those, you really need to try this recipe! Yes, it does include pumpkin spice and has all the flavour of autumn. Although it is called a cheesecake, it doesn't even use vegan cream cheese. Instead, I have just used pumpkin purée and coconut oil to hold it together. With this in mind, you might think, will it stay firm?  The answer to that is yes! The base uses dates and almonds, which is brilliant in taste and texture, but if you can't have nuts, you can use digestive biscuits. Just check they are vegan.

By McDonald, T.   |  Date 21st of October 2024 This beautiful breakfast has a lot of warmth to it both in colour and taste.  The pumpkin spice brings out the natural flavours of the already terrific dish.  The pumpkin spice is made up from cinnamon, cloves, ginger, and nutmeg.  Perfect for this time of year. Serves 1 Ingredients 1/2 a cup (40 g) of rolled oats  1 cup (250 ml) of coconut alternative to milk  1 tsp of chia seeds   1 tsp of flax seeds  1 tsp of ground cinnamon 1/4 tsp of ground ginger 1/4 tsp of ground nutmeg  1/8 tsp of ground cloves 1/8 tsp of salt 15 g of sultanas  Apparatus A jar Method Put the 1/2 a cup of oats into the jar with the sultanas, flax seeds, chi seeds, spices, salt, and sugar, into the jar.    Poor the coconut milk in and give it a good stir.   Place in a fridge overnight. Serve on its own or with fruit of your choice.  I hope that you liked this blog and if ...

Written by McDonald, T.   |  Date 14th of August 2024 This traditional British dish is traditionally made with minced lamb, but we are going to use a tried and tested vegan alternative of green lentils and tvp.  I find this dish fantastic for brighting up any dull day. Its richness in tastes and textures make it a sensational delight for any day in the week.

  Written by McDonald, T.   |  Date 30th of September 2024 Who can resist the light puff pastry and the sweet apple filling?  These are most definitely a great little treat for this time of year.  You could have these ready in no time at all!

Written by McDonald, T.   |  Date 23rd of September 2024     I like a plain vanilla cake with just a little bit of fancy for my birthday. Nothing to flash because I love the flavour of vanilla. This cake is so easy to prepare, is ready in 45 minutes and can be decorated any way you like. In addition, and most importantly of all, it is really tasty and holds together beautifully.

Written by McDonald, T.   |  Date 16th of September 2024 For a long time, I have wanted shaksuka.  Although I can make vegan scrambled eggs, I can't make a vegan egg.  However, there are still two options: use whole beetroots or make some sort of vegan mock egg from tofu.  Both options seem interesting, but tonight, I will be taking the beetroot option; hence, the beetsuka name.  This is easy, quick and very low calorie.  Notes Add some wine for that little extra. The Indian salt adds an eggy flavour to the dish. The beetroot takes the place of the eggs. Time, 20–25 minutes Serves 2 Ingredients Beetroots x 4 Tin of tomatoes Onion x 1, diced  Garlic x 2 cloves, crushed Bell pepper x 1, diced 1 tsp ground cumin 1/2 tsp ground paprika 1 tsp of black pepper  1/2 tsp of Indian black salt Cider vinegar x 60 ml Fresh Coriander Method Fry the onion and diced bell pepper in a suitable sized saucepan in a little oil until the onion turns soft and tra...

Written by McDonald, T.   |  Date 9th of September 2024 Why bother buying a packet job when this recipe is so easy?   It's so easy and only has 5 ingredients. Furthermore, it takes no time at all to prepare, so from now on you never have to miss out scrambled eggs on that Saturday morning fry up again. Notes  The Indian salt is what gives it the eggy flavour.    Serves 1 Time 10 minutes or less Ingredients  Tofu x 110 g Turmeric x 1/2 tsp Cayenne pepper x 1/4 tsp Black pepper x 1/4 tsp Indian black salt x 1/4 tsp   Method Crumble the tofu until it resembles scrambled eggs. Add the turmeric, cayenne pepper and Indian black salt. Mix it all in using a regular metal fork. Heat in a frying pan with just a little oil for about 8 minutes on a medium heat.    After adding the turmeric.   After adding the cayenne pepper and black salt.  Results I hope that you liked this blog and if you do try this recipe, please let me know how you ...

Written by McDonald, T.   |  Date 2nd of September 2024 I really missed Dutch apple cake, so I started looking around for a recipe.  I used to buy Dutch apple cake from Holland & Barrett, but they don't seem to do it any more.  I have tried to recreate that cake from memory and with no recipe to guide me. Much to my amazement, I couldn't find one suitable recipe anywhere.  Since I was really missing it, I decided to make my own by modifying a banana bread recipe I had made years ago.  This cake is stodgily delightful and sweet, which is exactly what I was looking for!

  Written by McDonald, T.   |  Date 26th of August 2024 Quinoa is high in protein and Bulgar wheat is a great source of roughage/fibre, so if you are looking for a dish with protein, but is still fibre rich, this is a great meal to have.  I like to eat this with salad, but you can have it with veg or just have a big bowl of it by its self.  

Written by McDonald, T.   |  Date 19th of August 2024 One simple dinner I used to miss was stewed beef slices in onion gravy.  Well, I don't have to miss this dinner any more and neither do you.  This is so simple and easy you will be able to have it many times a week if you want. I have tried with extra firm and just firm tofu and the extra firm is much easier to slice with a mandolin.

Written by McDonald, T.   |  Date 5th of August 2025 Overnight oats have to be the simplest breakfasts I know.  You put it together the night before and in the morning you have a great tasting highly nutritious breakfast that you just pour in a bowl and eat. Basic ingredients are rolled oast and soya milk.  Great for hot summer days.

Written by   McDonald, T.    |  Date 8th of July 2024 This one of my favourite fruit breads because it's so easy and quick to make. There are many ways to make this bread, but this is a more common recipe that will make a mini loaf with about 14 serving. 

By McDonald, T.   |  Date 1st of July 2024 Do you like carrot cake?  Yes, great! So, why not try out carrot cake flavoured overnight oats?  I know, you think that i'm having you on, but I'm not and it is such a great treat in the morning or anytime.  It still has that creamy taste and texture, but with a distinct carrot cake flavour and with the added bonus of vitamin A.