Vegans Of Faith

Written by McDonald, T.   |  Date 21st of May 2021    I am a great believer in letting food tell a story and Pentecost should be no different.  Since this is the case, lets look at the story and then examine this delightful dish.  Mary, the apostles and the disciples are all in the upper room when the Holy Spirit, promised by Jesus, descends upon them and is described as being like fire.  Peter, whom Jesus said was the rock that he would build his Church upon, rushes out and preaches to a crowed of Jews from all over the world who were in town for the feast of weeks (Shavuot).  Three thousand people convert to Christianity that day.  The main focus of the story is God's gift of the Holy Spirit and the birthday of the Church.  In this dish red is a theme since red is the colour of Pentecost.  The red peppers and sweet potato represent Pentecost.   The mushroom, which should be a big one, represents Peter.  Turn the mushroom over so it looks like a rock.  The peas represent the thr

Written by McDonald, T.   |  Date 17th of May 2021     With Pentecost only days away at the weekend we need a dinner with a story to tell!  Since red is the colour of Pentecost, this dish is mainly red. Red pepper, red lentil pasta and tomatoes, which are red.  Undoubtedly many of you will be fasting for nine days before Pentecost and some of you will find all of this new.  Whatever stage of understanding you are at, you will all understand a really great dinner!  Since you are vegan or are looking to try something vegan, you will be used to trying something new.  If you want to stick to some Sunday dinner like meal. you can.  If you are looking to explore new dishes, this is a great place to start. Ingredients Red lentil pasta x 50g Red lentils x 30g Red bell pepper x 40g Red chilli pepper (to symbolise flames) x 1/2 Red onion x 40g Carrot x 30g Leak x 40g Mushrooms 50g Quorn vegan pieces  x 50g Garlic cloves x 3 Vegan cheese alternative to grate on top Vegetable stock x 150ml Mint s

Written by McDonald, T.   |  Date 16th of May 2021  On the lead up to Pentecost , the Christian festival where we celebrate the descent of the Holy Spirit, many of us will be completing a novena , a nine day fast, in preparation.  Often, the fast will allow for one small meal each day and this is one such meal.  Usually, i like to give the meals meaning to symbolise the life of Jesus and this is no exception.  This dish serves as a recap of what has happened.  Mary was in her room alone on Easter morning with John and Peter in the next room in Jerusalem after Jesus has been crucified.  Mary is visited by Jesus who has risen from the dead, but has told her to not say anything until Jesus has spoken to Mary Magdalene and the others.  The word Pentecost means 50 and Pentecost is 50 days after Easter Sunday.  That is seven weeks, which is 7 x7 = 49 days with Pentecost on the 50th day.   The vegetables symbolise the harvest festival while the potato is symbolic of the risen Lord.  Jesus di

Written by  McDonald, T.    |  Date 8th of April 2021 This is a great polish dish that is veganised with comparative ease.  This is diffidently different with a great spicy flavour.  When it is cooked this way, it resembles lasagna.  Maybe that is why it goes well with chips and salad or avocado.  Serves 2 Ingredients  Cabbage leaves x 4  Vegan white sauce  Vegan cheese (optional) about 30g grated  Filling  Black beans x 30g Pinto beans x 30g Sweetcorn x 60g Chopped tomatoes x 30g Peas x 30g  Carrot x 30g Onion x 1/4 Garam masala x 1 tsp Goan x 1 tsp Turmeric x 1/2 tsp White pepper x 1/2 tsp Balsamic vinegar x 1 tbsp Teriyaki sauce x 1 tbsp Chilli pepper x 1/2  Vegetable stock cube x 1 Marmite x 1 tsp (optional, it gives a more beefy taste) Nutritional yeast x 1 tsp Method  Prepare the beans if you have dried ones by soaking overnight and boiling for 30-40 and drain.  Dice finely the carrot and mushroom. Fry the onions, carrot and mushroom.with the spices and beans in a little olive o

Written by  McDonald, T.    |  Date 2nd of April 2021 Being vegan does not stop us from baking.  Just because we don't use eggs or dairy doesn't mean we get left out.  You can, if you want, spend time and money in the supermarket looking for that accidentally vegan stuff or you can make your own.  There is nothing wrong with buying buns and bread; however, making your own is much more fun and you get to control the ingredients, so this is especially good if you have specific dietary needs.  These hot cross buns are wholemeal, vegan and devious!  Because they are wholemeal, theze buns will be a little heavier than then plan white counterpart.  Makes 6 buns Ingredients 150 ml unsweetened vegan milk 25g vegan spread or butter 250g strong white or wholemeal bread flour 3.5g  fast action yeast 35g golden caster sugar Orange or lemon zest 1 heaped tsp cinnamon 1 heaped tsp mixed spice 35g sultanas 25g mixed peel 1/4 tsp salt Apricot jam for the glaze (Look for a smooth jam) For the

Written by  McDonald, T.    |  Date 30th of March 2021 I am feeling lonely again.  I am heart broken.  Today in Catechism class we were taught conspiracy theories that come out of the The Prothetical Of The Elders Of Zion, which is an anti-Semitic book and has nothing to do with the Catechism or the Catholic Church.  In class, these conspiracy theories were being taught as if they were true even though no evidence was presented.  I am horrified at the incident and i now feel that i can't trust the Church i go to.  Nevertheless, i continue fasting but i have stopped praying.  Instead, i am tempted to forget about Easter and go with Passover instead.  If i head to a synagogue, at least i will not have to put up with the paranoid rantings from some crazy person.  At least it was not the priests that were teaching this rubbish.  I must admit, the whole thing has put me off.  Faith is treated like a big joke by most people who are just looking down their noses at us and when i do meet

Written by  McDonald, T.    |  Date 28th of March 2021 Charoset sometimes called Haroset is a traditional food at Passover and has special meaning on the Seder plate.  The Seder meal tells the story of passover from the book of Exodus.  This particular part of the meal represents the mortar used to make bricks by the Israelites who were enslaved by the Pharaoh of Egypt.  Since i don't drink alcohol, i have used pomegranate juice.  I have used pecan and pine nuts, but you can use any nuts you like for instance walnuts or almonds are fine to us. Ingredients Apple x 1 Apple sauce x 1 tsp Golden syrup x 1 tbsp Pecan nuts x 6 - 8 chopped Pine nuts x a sprinkle Ground almonds x 2 tsp Cinnamon  1/2 tsp Pomegranate juice Method  Chop the apple and nuts then soak them in the pomegranate juice Add all the other ingredients immediately and stir You should end up with a lumpy thick past  Happy passover!

By McDonald, T.   |  Date 22nd of March 2021 | Updated 15 of May 2021 What i great dinner this is!  If you want something different and vegan: this is it.  The creamy vegan peppercorn sauce will have you delighted while the mushrooms will excite your taste buds.  Furthermore, it is a great dish for Shavuot because of the soya milky sauce.  It is also fine for a small meal during the lead up to Christian Pentecost.  Ingredients 1 Courgette, spiralized to make the courghetti. Some mushrooms, sliced. 1 tsp of garlic granules.  Vegan peppercorn sauce (either home-made or packet). 1/2 a sweet pepper sliced. 1/2 a chilli chopped. Method  Lightly fry the mushrooms, chilli and sweet pepper in a saucepan with some olive oil.  At the same time, lightly fry the courghetti in a frying pan with the garlic granules and some olive oil.   Add the fried mushrooms and sweet pepper to the courghetti and take of the heat.   Make or heat the peppercorn sauce until it is ready then poor onto the courghetti

Written by  McDonald, T.    |  Date 19th of March 2021 Whether you are celebrating Passover or Easter, this is the vegan dinner you where looking for!  It's a typical dinner around Easter that i have veganized for us vegans.  It's also fine for your passover feast too, but it is not the Seder meal.  Easter and Passover have many connections since the Last Supper was the Passover meal that Jesus and His disciples ate together.  For Christians, the last supper is where the Eucharist and the breaking of bread comes from and was the occasion Jesus had passover with His disciples (Luke 22:7-13).  Jesus said: ' ...unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you have no life in you . ' (John 6:53).  Since the passover story has a lamb sacrificed at the temple at night, this dinner would usually have roast lamb.  Since lamb is out of the question for vegans, i had to come up with something else.  I have tried a variety of mock meats with some better than ot

Written by  McDonald, T.    |  Date 16th of March 2021  The whole feel of Lent has changed for me.  I don't feel lost or lonely any more. Most noticeable, is my desire to pray more than ever.  In fact, i find myself praying endlessly all day and just want to stay in and pray all day, which i then do.  I also get the distinct feeling that i am not alone, which is the opposite of what i have been feeling and the need to pray the chaplet for the Mercy to Forgive Another almost overwhelming.  I still find myself disappearing into the past; however, the crying has not stopped.  I look out of the windows and at the blue sky and then i notice the fence, which in turn leads to a feeling of being back in one of the houses i grew up in.  The second house i remember living at to be exact.  I remember going to see Star Wars and becoming fascinated by it to the point that i was surrounded by cards with gum and magazines about it. I would watch it when ever it came on the TV too.  Then i realis

Written by  McDonald, T.    |  Date 9th of March 2021 Lent is a time of fasting and repenting.  It is a time of simple clothing and simple foods.  Most will give more and pray more during the Lenten period.  As we get deeper into Lent, we deepen our faith in Jesus turning to Him more for comfort.  Although this is a sombre time of year, it can greatly increase our trust in God.   Attacks On The Christian Church Early this week, i have found it difficult to ignore the attacks on the Christian Church.  Mostly, it is an attempt to silence the Christian Church.  Many people have had their posts removed from different social media platforms or even been banned!  This Lent has been the hardest i have ever had.  I really do feel that we are under attack from foreign nations and pro-communists and i believe that Satan is ultimately behind it all. Something Feels Wrong Nothing feels right, so i try cleaning everything but it doesn't change how i feel.  I really get the feeling that a deepe

Written by  McDonald, T.    |  Date 2nd of March 2021  I feel compelled to write something about my experience this Lent.  It has not been like any other Lent and i might struggle to explain.  For some reason i have found it difficult to fast as i usually would; nonetheless, i am getting to grips with it.  However, as we move deeper into lent i feel more and more lonely, which is an experience i seldom have.  Perhaps God wants me to experience loneliness so i can better relate to others who do feel lonely most days.   Throughout my live i have always had company even if i am on my own, i know family are never to far away and that, at least, they exist.  Now i feel alone because nearly all my family i grew up with have gone.  I have nothing, but Jesus.  Is this what it is like to have no one?  Could an orphan relate to my experience of loneliness? It must be tough to grow up with no family.  I can't imagine what that would feel like.  I do, however, wonder what an orphans prayers m

Written by McDonald, T.   |  Date 24th of February 2021    Lent is a period of fasting and repentance.  Sometimes people give up something that they like as an offering to God and in order to spend more time with God in prayer.  For most of us, the fast means one meal with two small snacks that wouldn't make a meal if added together. Meal ideas for Lent Since the idea is to keep meals simple, i have stuck with how my Nan taught me, which is no eggs or dairy throughout the duration of Lent.  For us vegans, this means no egg or dairy alternatives and no mock meats on Wednesday and Friday.  However, many will just stick to eating less and giving up something. Latin Fried Potato Salad This is one of my favourite meals.  Full of flavour goodness and taste.  This is a light meal that will keep you going through the day. Caramelised Apple And Tempeh Basic dish that you can add to with veg and potato or even pasta if you need.  A very light meal for lent that has good levels of protein

Written by McDonald, T.   |  Date 17th of February 2022  Pancake day is almost here, yay!  But now you are a vegan and you want to know how to make vegan pancakes.  Well, it is very straight forward and easy and I have two classic recipes for you depending on if you like your pancakes thin with lemon or fat with fruit.  Before we get started, what is Pancake day and why is it called Shrove Tuesday? Shrove Tuesday This is the day before Ash Wednesday, is in preparation for Lent and the subsequent fasting.  For some this period of fasting will mean simple eating with no meat, fat, sugar, dairy, eggs, or some luxury.  Shrove Tuesday is about repenting of sins before starting lent.  Notably, people would make pancakes as a way to use up any eggs, milk, and sugar that they had in the house before the solemn season of Lent.  However, since we are vegan, we don't have dairy anyway.  Nevertheless, giving up dairy alternatives would be a great thing to do during Lent.  Thin with lemon (En

By McDonald, T.   |  Date 8th of January 2021 Everyone loves a roast dinner.  This is the original vegan roast dinner with a twist. It is simple to prepare, very appetising and goes great with vegan gravy.  In addition, it makes a great alternative dinner at Rosh Hashanah because of the pomegranate juice and the cabbage symbolising the head of the year.  Time :  40 mins Severs 1 Ingredients Potatoes Cabbage  Carrots Parsnips  Courgettes  Chili pepper   Mushroom  Nutritional yeast 1/4 cup Pomegranate juice  1/2 tsp Balsamic vinegar   2 Crush garlic cloves Sun-dried tomato  Flour Rosemary   Method  First boil the potatoes until they are part soft.  Drain them and leave to dry for 20 minutes then coat them in the flour.  Cut the carrots and parsnips into strips.  Cut the courgette into bite size pieces.  Place the carrots, parsnips, courgette, mushrooms into a small roasting dish with highsides.  Chop the chilli into small and large pieces and add to the veg tin.  Add the pomegranate ju

By McDonald, T.   |  Date 15th of December 2020 Every year almost everyone gets in a fluster over Christmas.  The shops will be packed out with frantic last minute shoppers looking for that ideal gift for a loved one.  In addition, many will moan and complain about Christmas because they don't know how to afford the expensive gifts or are just grumpy for a hobby.  With all this in mind, what is Christmas really about?  Christmas is a Christian festival that's about the birth of Jesus, the messiah and is celebrated on the 25th of December in the UK.  First let's outline the whole story with a timeline of events. Mary is visited by an angel and agrees to carry the child of God (Luke 1:26-38). Mary visits her cousin Elisabeth (Luke1:39-45). An angel tells Joseph, in a dream, it will be OK to take Mary as his wife (Matthew 1:18-24). Jesus is born in a stable because there is no room at the inn (Luke 2:7) An angel visits the shepherds (Luke 2:8-20) The three wise men visit the