Vegan Effect

Written by McDonald, T.   |  Date 31st of October 2022   Whether you call them Jacket potatoes or baked potatoes they're always great, so how about using a sweet potato instead of a white one? Sweet potatoes are actually sweet in taste and packed full of vitamin A.  Additionally,  there're orange in colour on the inside with a brown skin on the outside.  Notably, I find they cook quicker than white potatoes and are definitely softer after cooking. 

Written by McDonald, T.   |  Date 24th of October 2022 If you like pizza, this is a must try!  Calzone is basically a small folded pizza baked in the oven that resembles a Cornish pasty in looks.  However, unlike a Cornish pasty, it has a pizza filling such as pepperoni. You can choose what ever filling you like, but I will be using the Catholic vegan pepperoni filling.  While a New Yorker filling has just cheese and pepperoni, a Catholic vegan pepperoni filling has cheese, pepperoni, mushroom, onion and green pepper.  Although you can choose any filling, this one is one of my favourites. 

Written by McDonald, T.   |  Date 17th of October 2022 I first learned about tuna pasta bake as a young support worker in supported living and quickly gained a liking for it.  However, since becoming a vegan, I have not found a recipe for it that takes my liking until now.  You may have had jackfruit burgers or curry as it is sometimes used as a pulled pork substitute.  Nonetheless, it works fine as a tuna substitute in this recipe.  

Written by McDonald, T.   |  Date 10th of October 2022 Garlic sauce is great with kebabs, salads and many other foods.  There is no great secret to making this strong flavoured creamy white sauce, so anyone can easier make it.  I use it as a sauce on some dishes and as a dip.  I love to dip white cabbage and sticks of carrot into it. 

Written by McDonald, T.   |  Date 3rd of October 2022      If you are looking for a blob of something to go on your chilli, this is it!  This cream is great for curries, chilli, bolognaises or anything else you fancy, even pancakes and desserts.  It is very easy and quick to make once the nuts have soaked.  Keeps in the fridge for 5 -7 days.

Written by McDonald, T.   |  Updated 30th of September 2022     Are you feeling tired, irritable, and sad?  Maybe it is time you looked at your diet and upped your intake of vitamin C. 

Written by McDonald, T.   |  Date 19th of September 2022      Rosh Hashanah is a Jewish festival for new year starting on the 25th this year, which is this Sunday.  However, whatever year it is or even if you are just looking for something different, let me introduce you to this traditional Jewish dish .  This dish can be thin or deep pan, but is always crispy around the edges.  Although the original recipe uses egg, we can make it vegan by using flaxseed as the egg replacement.  You, can, of course, use something like cracked or just egg, but the flaxseed is fine to use if that is all you have.

  Written by McDonald, T.   |  Date 12th of September 2022 Beans are highly underrated.  There are many types, colours, and shapes of bean to be had, all of which have amazing nutritional value.  With this in mind, why not try this fantastically tasty white and black bean stew?  The black beans stain the white beans changing their colour and are a great source of protein. 

Written by McDonald, T.   |  Date 9th of September 2022 As a boy in the 70s and 80s, I used to love my bike, my pets, my Nan, and my Nan's cooking.  Obviously, I loved my parents and Pop too.  Whenever I was feeling down or if school was getting to be a bit much, my Nan would make the most amazing Bread pudding.  A chunk of the dark brown goodness more than made up for the threat of nuclear war.  It was so sweet and tasty with a crusty sugar coated top layer.  You can serve it with cream, ice-cream, custard or even on its own with sugar sprinkled on top.  Thank you, Elsie!

Written by McDonald, T.   |  Date 5th of September 2022 Add a little twist to an all-time classic!   Cauliflower cheese has always been a favourite in many households in the UK.  Imagine the tender pieces of cauliflower smothered in a tangy vegan cheese sauce with bites of facon.