Vegan and Vegetarian

Crimson Rhino Aberystwyth

Sep26
2016 Leave a Comment Written by maggie

Veggie Cafe & Evening Bistro Aberystwythimg_2438

If you happen to be in mid Wales try out the Crimson Rhino.  It has been open for a little while now and slowly but surely it is getting better and better.  They started out really small with some sandwiches and juices,  now you can get some full on delicious meals, lots of vegan choices and can even have an evening meal.

The decor has improved and now they have an outdoor seating area at the back which is really great.  This is a small business who does nothing but reinvest back in to create a lovely space for everyone who likes yummy reasonably priced food.

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Paul tried the veggie burger which was served with a saucy dip and chips,  he enjoyed it.  I had some sweet potato fries, humous and an avocado.   Very good and filling food.

www.crimsonrhino.co.uk

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Vegan London Trip

Sep21
2016 2 Comments Written by maggie

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I had a little break in London and of course I visited my favourites including Mildreds, Manna and Tibits.  However I got a chance to try out a couple of new places and I found the best Vegan dessert I have ever had.

 

Veggie Pret

I have been wanting to go here since they opened a few months ago as a pop up,  they have decided to keep it open and have plans to open more veggie only branches.   There is a good choice of vegan options and everything else is vegetarian.  I sampled a few items, including the vegan wholegrain porridge, focaccia bread,  veggie sticks and humous,    vegan yoghurt with fruit and nuts, vegan cakes too.  They offer all kinds of non dairy milks.  I am so impressed with Pret.   You can eat here pretty cheap.  I just wish they had a veggie Pret in every town.

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Fed By Water

A short run out to Dalston, Kingsland High Street, is an all vegan Italian style restaurant.  Prepare to be literally stuffed.  The portions are massive.  My advice is not to order a starter unless you are really hungry or share it.  The food is excellent.  We tried the Bruschetta and garlic bread to start ( it was enough for at least 4 people we were just 2)  For main I had the tagliatelle with seitan and cream sauce, this was yummy however I could only eat about half,  it was so filling.  Paul had a classic pizza, he loved it but again could not finish it.   We could not manage dessert.   The menu is very appealing and I look forward to going again

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Mildreds

The best Vegan Dessert I have ever had.  It was a vegan meringue with vegan coconut cream, rhubarb and rhubarb sauce.  You would not think it was vegan.  You have to try this dessert.

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I really enjoyed my trip to all the veggie restaurants,   Tibits was its usual selection of yummy buffet food, and we had Sunday lunch at Manna which was so tasty.  In London veggies are spoilt for choice.

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Quorn Hot & Spicy Vegan Burger

Aug25
2016 Written by maggie

Vegan Quorn Burgerquorn_hotspicyburger_pack

I was so excited when Quorn announced a vegan burger,  but this is the first time I have had a chance to try them

These are relatively small by normal burger standards. They can be cooked in the oven for 19 minutes, or pan fried for 10 minutes – I pan fried mine.

When cooked, they have a nice golden colour.  They have a crisp exterior from the breadcrumbs and a fake chicken type interior texture and colour.  There is a good amount of heat that builds over time.

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Overall, whether you like these or not will depend if you like chicken-style burgers. If you do, and you like them with dollop of heat, then these are well worth a try.

Suitable for vegans.  I got mine in Morrisons supermarket, freezer section.

www.quorn.co.uk

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Morrisons 4U Chocolate Coated Ice Lolly

Aug24
2016 Written by maggie

Vegan Choc Ice Lolly4u_chocice_pack

Thanks to my readers for telling me that Morrison’s do a version of a vegan ice cream lolly.  Tesco do them too which I reviewed recently.

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The ice cream is vanilla creamy non dairy ice cream with a chocolate coating which is lovely,  it cracks when you bite into it.  it does seem to go everywhere when you bite into it, but that is part of the fun.  I really enjoyed them and they are pretty good value.  £1.50 to £2 per pack.

Suitable for vegans.  Sold in the freezer free from section, (not the ice cream section in my store)  240kcal per lolly

www.morrisons.co.uk

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Suma Vegan Beans & Sausages

Aug19
2016 Written by maggie

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I have hoped for a vegan version of beans and sausage in a tin for years.  There is a veggie version but it has eggs in.  Now we have a vegan version from Suma, finally.

The Lincolnshire style meat free sausages flavour reminds me of the vegetable ravioli in a can  (i have not had that for years as I think it is veggie not vegan).   The baked beans are what you would expect and the sausages are quite soft.  Perfect for a quick meal.

This is not a great culinary delight, however it is a classic combination,  a great product in my opinion.   I think lots of people will keep these in the cupboard for those days when you want something comforting, tasty and easy.  Perfect with toast.

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I got mine as a sample from my local health food shop who very kindly saved me a tin,  available from September 2016 from Suma stockists.

Suitable for vegans. Per 100grams is 120kcal.

www.suma.coop

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Tofurky Smoky Maple Bacon Tempeh

Aug15
2016 Written by maggie

Vegan Bacon

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Paul tried these for me, here is what he said.

As someone who loves maple syrup (try a glug of it in a jar of sliced pickled gherkins – yum), I was looking forward to this.

That excitement disappeared during cooking – the smell was very off-putting. Let’s be kind and call it “ammonia”..

These are very narrow for rashers at just 11.5cm x 1cm, but they hold together and the texture is a mix of firm but crumbly.

If you’ve tried the vBites tempeh rashers, you’ll recognise the initial savoury hit, which is pleasant – but there remained a faint essence of “ammonia”.

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Paul was not impressed with these, shame.

They are suitable for vegans.  100 grams is 115kcal Got ours in Holland & Barratt.

www.tofurky.com

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Hippeas Organic Chickpea Puffs

Aug10
2016 Written by maggie

Vegan Chickpea Puffshippeas_prod

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I found these in Holland and Barratt.   A vegan snack made from chickpeas.

They are like a “large wotsit” about 5cm long, and very crispy.  They are quite dry and very puffed up.  The 3 flavours :-

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“In Herbs we Trust” has a strong, sweet oregano, rosemary and thyme flavour.

“Pepper Power” is the least complex flavour of the three, delivering on salt and pepper.

“Sweet & Smokin” has the familiar flavour of sweet smoked paprika.

The flavours were all quite salty and I found I had to have a drink of water with them. A different and interesting snack, but not something I would rush out for again.  Quite expensive at £1.19 a pack.

Suitable for vegans and 91kcal per bag. gluten free and no trans fats.

www.hippeas.com

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Tesco Vegan Choc Sticks

Aug04
2016 Written by maggie

Vegan Ice Cream Lolly

A pack of 3 dairy free chocolate coated ice cream lollies from Tesco free from range.tesco_chocsticks

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The lolly is a good size quite big really.  The chocolate coating is OK, it is dark chocolate over a vanilla ice cream.   The flavour is a little bland, I would have liked more vanilla.  But the lolly was pleasant enough as a vegan dessert.

I bought mine through the Tesco delivery service, however they are hard to find,  you have to search for “Choc Sticks”. I paid £1.50 for a box of 3.  Each lolly is 236kcal.

www.tesco.com

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O Joy Shrewsbury

Jul19
2016 Written by maggie

Veggie Cafe & Bistro

Formerly known as Optimum Joy, the cafe has had a face lift and is now mostly vegan.

We went for lunch,  the atmosphere is pleasant,  the food choices are quite simple for lunch, with lots of tapas food on offer.

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I went for the cashew cheese sandwich,  Paul had the Haggis sandwich.  Both were served with a little bit of salad and vegetable crisps.  I enjoyed the cashew cheese,  the bread they use is very tasty, but was very chewy on the crusts.  Paul said the Haggis sandwich was tasty and quite filling.

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We decided to share a cupcake for a dessert,  they looked yummy, however that is the only compliment I can say.  It was truly the most awful cupcake I have ever had,  the cake was dry and very crumbly like sand,  I thought it might be improved by the creamy topping,  it was not.  I am not sure what was in it, but they seriously need to rethink this.

IMG_4709Vegan cakes are not hard to make, very few veggie places do a good vegan dessert.  I like pudding, and I know lots of vegans who do too.  Stick to the savoury when you visit, then you will not be let down.

Located in Wyle Cop, Shrewsbury

www.ojoywellness.com

 

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Morrisons Free From Ice Cream Cones

Jul07
2016 Written by maggie

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Vegan Ice Cream Cornets

I found a strawberry/vanilla pack and a chocolate vanilla pack, not with the ice cream  but in the special diets section of the freezer in Morrisons.  (swedish glace is with the standard ice cream. so you have to send a search party to find them )

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The strawberry one is OK,  the cone was a bit soggy which is a common complaint with supermarket ice cream,  I don’t think they store it too well.  The flavour is pleasant strawberry with creamy vanilla,  it was overall quite nice.

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The Chocolate and vanilla flavour again was pleasant,  nice and chocolaty offset with the creamy vanilla.  The cone on this one was really crispy which was a nice surprise.  I enjoyed this one more.

Each box of 4 cones is suitable for vegans and vegetarians.  Gluten Free.  236kcal per cone.  Sold in Morrisons freezer section (but you have to hunt).

www.morrisons.co.uk

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Calon Lân Ale Chutney

Jun28
2016 Written by maggie

Vegan Ale Chutneycalon_lan_ale_chut_prod

Made in Wales in small batches an apple & tomato chutney with ale.

It is a nice looking chutney, defined cubes and a good brown colour. Good mix of sweetness and sharpness, and the ale does come through.  Lots of onion, so this chutney cuts through other flavours.  Ideal to liven up a sandwich or as a condiment.  Tasty.

Suitable for vegans.

www.calonlanfood.co.uk

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Mr Organic Soya Pasta Sauce

Jun28
2016 Written by maggie

Vegan Pasta Saucemr_soya_prod

This is a natural looking tomato sauce with the predominant flavours of tomato and pepper. The soya adds a bit more body to the sauce, but it’s more of a background flavour and texture.  Overall a pleasant tomato pasta sauce.  Ideal for a quick meal,  sprinkle it with some vegan cheese to add more flavour.

Suitable for Vegans, gluten free, zero air miles.  Organic. made in Italy. Per 100grams 64kcal.  Got ours from Holland & Barratt.

www.mr-organic.com

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M&S Coconut Pot

Jun25
2016 Written by maggie

Vegan Yoghurt PotIMG_4681

A non dairy coconut plain yoghurt with yoghurt cultures from Marks and Spencer.

At £3 per pot, I thought it was not too bad, as coconut products are expensive.  The yoghurt is quite thin compared to others I have tried but it is quite creamy and does not taste watery.  I like that it has friendly bacteria.

The flavour is light coconut, not sweet which is pleasant.  I like this with some cereals and fruit,  you could stir in some agave or fruit sauce to make it sweeter.

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Suitable for vegans,  per 100grams is 136kcal.

www.marksandspencer.com

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Swedish Glace Strawberry Lolly

Jun16
2016 Written by maggie

Strawberry Ice Cream Lollyswed_glace_pack

I am not sure why these lollies are not labelled suitable for vegans, as they appear to be suitable.  Swedish Glace is a long term vegan brand, so it makes no sense to me.

The lollies are very small.  The flavour of the strawberry ice cream is pleasant,  the chocolate outer is nice.  I enjoyed them, but felt a little bit let down. There are 5 lollies in the pack.

I got mine from Tesco.

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Ananda’s New Vegan Wagon Wheel Flavours

Jun14
2016 Written by maggie

Mint Wagon Wheel, Orange Wagon WheelIMG_4666

I love love love the original Roundups (vegan wagon wheels) from Anandas.  They have been busy in their kitchen, recently bringing gluten free options, and a lovely heart shaped one for Valentines day.

Now we have a Mint version and and Orange version.  They look exactly the same, the only difference is that instead of a fruity jam in the original,  we have a mint fondant centre and an orange fondant centre.  The marshmallow and the chocolate sponge with drizzled vegan chocolate are the same.

Wow they taste great.  I love mint chocolate so that one is my preference,  however the orange is really great too.  Good flavours that do not overpower the wagon wheel,  but do make it taste completely different.  Well done Ananda’s  these are great products.

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Personally I would like to see even more flavours,  but I am greedy for great vegan treats,  maybe coffee, salted caramel, mango could be the next ones,  and maybe even a Christmas spiced one for December.

You must try these heavenly treats,  all handmade by a little company who is making great vegan products and like all little vegan companies, they need our support.

I bought mine direct from Anandas, and delivery was quick.  The items arrived in perfect condition, the moment the box was open I had the kettle on as these are perfect with a mug of your favourite hot drink.

www.anandafoods.co.uk

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