A Veggie and Vegan thread

[C70R]

devnull said:

Genuine question: has vegan cheese advanced on from the utter crap that is violife? I swear the makers have a small chuckle amongst themselves with every packet that is sold. It tastes like edible plastic. I have a couple of vegan relatives who I am more than happy to accommodate, but the lack of a proper cheese substitute - i.e. tasty, melty is lacking.

Following this with interest. I spotted a couple of interesting looking options in WholeFoods in Kensington a couple of weeks ago, but not sure whether they are just expensive/well-marketed or actually any good (or available in normal shops).

[ZedLeg]

There are some nice ones but they’re usually quite pricey. It’s violife I used on that and it works ok in toasties but I do miss decent cheese.

The Vegan Applewood smoked cheese is decent. Still not a patch on actual cheese though.

[Output Flange]

There's a vegan version of German smoked cheese I picked up in Waitrose which is on par with the Applewood, but I'm still yet to find something that matches proper cheese.

[C70R]

That's a shame, because I'm not a fan of the artificial taste of that smoked cheese (vegan or otherwise). I suspect it's probably the easiest flavour to replicate, and masks the fact that the vegan cheese doesn't taste of cheese.

[Puggit]

Wife is diary intolerant, but a cheese lover. I can confirm that nothing comes close to the taste, texture, or melting ability of real cheese.

[Output Flange]

Coincidentally, my wife ordered a delivery from https://shop.lafauxmagerie.com/ which arrived yesterday. Have yet to try any of them, but will report back once I do.

[C70R]

Output Flange said:

Coincidentally, my wife ordered a delivery from https://shop.lafauxmagerie.com/ which arrived yesterday. Have yet to try any of them, but will report back once I do.

VERY interested.

[Output Flange]

This is going to come piecemeal I'm afraid, but I can confirm that the Shamembert is very nice.

It has the same texture as a well-rested Camembert, even down to the rind. The difference is the flavour - I don't think it's really aiming to taste the same, as the predominant flavour is truffle.

Can also be baked, apparently.

[SamR380]

People need to stop buying Violife, it really is terrible and the sooner they stop making it the sooner pubs with a 'vegan pizza' will stop using it.

I've found the supermarket's own 'cheddar style block' to be as good as any other and better than Violife. Tesco, Morrisons and Asda at least all sell the same product with their own label.

[Phil.]

SamR380 said:

People need to stop buying Violife, it really is terrible and the sooner they stop making it the sooner pubs with a 'vegan pizza' will stop using it.

I've found the supermarket's own 'cheddar style block' to be as good as any other and better than Violife. Tesco, Morrisons and Asda at least all sell the same product with their own label.

This is excellent, can’t recommend it highly enough. We use it on pizza. I don’t like their other cheeses. Is this what you are buying?

https://violifefoods.com/us/product/just-like-feta...

[SamR380]

Phil. said:

This is excellent, can’t recommend it highly enough. We use it on pizza. I don’t like their other cheeses. Is this what you are buying?

Looking at their product lineup on the website it looks like they might not do it any more. It was a pale yellow rubbery block and it put me off anything with Violife written on it. I might give the feta stuff a try if I see it on offer.

[sbarclay62]

A vegan alternative for a cheeseboard folks, any recommendations? Thinking some hummus and guacamole would go well with crackers. Anything else? Vegan cheeses are ok melted on a burger or pizza but not overly fond of them cold.

I've given up dairy for 3 months now and feel great for it. Will be going fully vegan Jan 2nd once festivities are over.

[anonymous-user]

Meera Sodha's Sprout Nasi Goreng

A ricey, sprouty, street-foody delight! Looked just like the pic below, which proves anyone can do it. I'd up the amount of sprouts though, as the topping was a bit sparse the first time.




Sorry sbarclay62, I struggle with vegan cheese too and have no suggestions. I guess you've seen the link a couple of posts up (La Fauxmagerie). I'm yet to try them.

[geeks]

DDg said:

Meera Sodha's Sprout Nasi Goreng

A ricey, sprouty, street-foody delight! Looked just like the pic below, which proves anyone can do it. I'd up the amount of sprouts though, as the topping was a bit sparse the first time.




Sorry sbarclay62, I struggle with vegan cheese too and have no suggestions. I guess you've seen the link a couple of posts up (La Fauxmagerie). I'm yet to try them.

Looks great. Will do a simplified version I think. Faffing will sesame oil and rapeseed oil etc

[anonymous-user]

geeks said:

Looks great. Will do a simplified version I think. Faffing will sesame oil and rapeseed oil etc

I'd get hold of some sesame oil if you can - it really adds something.

btw, see if your local Chinese supermarket has these...



Had them as a side to the Sprout Nasi Goreng - makes a change to the usual spring rolls...

[sbarclay62]

I'm now vegan (well plant-based diet, still got leather items and goose down jackets etc etc).

Anyhoo, any hidden items in the ingredients on the packets of stuff i should keep my eye out for that sound fancy that no-one knows what they are?


Look out for whey, gelatine and milk. Any others?

[petemurphy]

sbarclay62 said:

I'm now vegan (well plant-based diet, still got leather items and goose down jackets etc etc).

Anyhoo, any hidden items in the ingredients on the packets of stuff i should keep my eye out for that sound fancy that no-one knows what they are?


Look out for whey, gelatine and milk. Any others?

if you're plant based the golden rule to me is if you dont know what the ingredient is its prob not natural and you shouldnt be eating it

[sbarclay62]

petemurphy said:

if you're plant based the golden rule to me is if you dont know what the ingredient is its prob not natural and you shouldnt be eating it

Not overly fussed if its not natural or not. I drink enough ste (Tennants and Glens for example) to stop worrying about that haha. More bothered about if its an animal product over if its a chemical. You pick up a bag of nuts or crisps and there are about 3 dozen things listed for what is a simple product!

[geeks]

DDg said:

These are £1 at Sainsbury's at the mo'. Maybe not for everyone, but if you want a break from the tofu, seitan and tempeh, then I can recommend chips, beans and...



I can't tell the difference with the real thing, although that was a long time ago.

I didn't know they were doing a beef and onion one, the "chicken" and mushroom one isnt bad the pastry is a bit dry but the filling is nice enough.

[yellowbentines]

sbarclay62 said:

I'm now vegan (well plant-based diet, still got leather items and goose down jackets etc etc).

Anyhoo, any hidden items in the ingredients on the packets of stuff i should keep my eye out for that sound fancy that no-one knows what they are?


Look out for whey, gelatine and milk. Any others?

Not fancy names, but things to look out for.

Honey. It's an animal product of course so you can't be vegan and eat honey and it catches some out, but....some who eat a plant based diet will still eat products containing honey as they don't feel it's harming any living thing - make your own choice on that.

Egg. Simply as many think egg comes under dairy (despite chickens and cows being quite different animals...) and so something can be dairy-free and suitable for example for someone with a dairy allergy, but still contain eggs so not vegan. Best example is quorn pieces, they do a standard version and a vegan version, the standard contains egg but many switching to a vegan diet might mistakenly assume all quorn products are vegan when they're not.