Vegan food choices and recommendations

[Cowley]

Split from this thread: https://www.railforums.co.uk/thread...-that-annoy-you-in-a-lighthearted-way.219994/

Vegetarian sausages.

Mrs C is vegan so when we eat together we tend to eat vegan stuff which is fine. I’ve developed a serious disliking for vegetarian sausages now though because they all (apart from the ones Wetherspoons do strangely enough) taste awful.
This morning I made a cooked breakfast for both of us and I cut two sausages each out of cardboard and put them on the plate and I’m surprised she noticed the difference actually…

 

[Calthrop]

I get the general feeling, from experience of overall airing of views re vegetarian / vegan matters (a couple of relatives are in the veg / vegan camp): that the majority of people, whatever their food / diet choices, find that the whole scene of "vegetarian imitations of maybe-hankered-for 'meat things' " -- basically doesn't work; the "imitation" is worst-of-both-worlds wretchedly poor and ineffective. Generally seen as an attempted compromise, which satisfies few if any: the sensible course here, found to be -- "play to the strengths of vegetarian stuff; attempted half-measures here, don't cut it".

 

[D821]

There's some decent meat substitute stuff out there but some bad stuff too.
I think half the problem is the way they hype it up. My wife tried some of the Vegan Butcher range, which the way the advertised it on TV made it sound like a miracle. It was pretty bad. But then they tried one of the more expensive vegetarian steaks which I was surprised at when I tried it. Not as good as the real thing, but a pretty decent substitute if you are vegetarian.

 

[Gloster]

I often eat vegetarian stuff, although I have not yet gone the whole distance: once I get my household situation sorted out I intend to try to be pescatarian. I do remember the minted lamb steaks that you could buy: they smelt delicious when cooking, but tasted like damp cardboard when eaten.

 

[PeterY]

Vegetarian sausages.

Mrs C is vegan so when we eat together we tend to eat vegan stuff which is fine. I’ve developed a serious disliking for vegetarian sausages now though because they all (apart from the ones Wetherspoons do strangely enough) taste awful.
This morning I made a cooked breakfast for both of us and I cut two sausages each out of cardboard and put them on the plate and I’m surprised she noticed the difference actually…

I wouldn't make a good veggie. Sweetcorn, tomatoes, nuts, fruit and peppers would have to be banned (for me).

What's the difference between a Greggs sausage roll and a Gregg's veggie sausage roll...... None. Neither have any meat.

 

[Techniquest]

Vegetarian sausages.

Mrs C is vegan so when we eat together we tend to eat vegan stuff which is fine. I’ve developed a serious disliking for vegetarian sausages now though because they all (apart from the ones Wetherspoons do strangely enough) taste awful.
This morning I made a cooked breakfast for both of us and I cut two sausages each out of cardboard and put them on the plate and I’m surprised she noticed the difference actually…

Woo! Big up Mrs C!

Have you tried any of the Linda McCartney sausages? They're vegan and really good, those Quorn sausages Spoons use I have no interest in as they're just not that great.

There's so many companies making things like burgers, sausages, steaks and plenty more besides that are vegan-friendly versions. Many of them are terrible, and I'm trying to work them out of my desires/normal eating habits as the fat content in such food is disgraceful.

So on the topic of vegan-friendly foods to be banished, I submit one from this week which I really didn't like:

Sainsburys' Plant Pioneers No Ham Slices. Just don't bother! The Quorn vegan ham, oh yes I will have that happily. The nonsense Sainsburys sell in their Plant Pioneers range, just no. There's no nicer word for it! Most of the stuff in that range is lousy though, so I should not have expected much.

However, I must big up a vegan food I tried this week and liked, which was Cauldron's Moroccan Falafels. I'm not a big fan of them cold, but when warmed up they're just so good! Their Tandoori Bites are also good, as are the Korean Bites. Yes yes yes! Seriously worth trying, I've never really been a fan of falafels before but these have changed my opinion. I have some in the fridge, which may not be there for much longer!

 

[Cowley]

I’ve split this into a new thread as it’s a good subject to talk about.
This thread is for discussing food options though and not for telling people that their choice of how they want to live is entirely wrong though ok?

I get the general feeling, from experience of overall airing of views re vegetarian / vegan matters (a couple of relatives are in the veg / vegan camp): that the majority of people, whatever their food / diet choices, find that the whole scene of "vegetarian imitations of maybe-hankered-for 'meat things' " -- basically doesn't work; the "imitation" is worst-of-both-worlds wretchedly poor and ineffective. Generally seen as an attempted compromise, which satisfies few if any: the sensible course here, found to be -- "play to the strengths of vegetarian stuff; attempted half-measures here, don't cut it".

I think that’s where I am with some of what’s available these days, but there are things that I prefer - ie I prefer oat milk to cows milk now but I’ve not found much in the way of vegan cheese that I like.
That might be because I really different cheeses though!

Woo! Big up Mrs C!

Have you tried any of the Linda McCartney sausages? They're vegan and really good, those Quorn sausages Spoons use I have no interest in as they're just not that great.

I really don’t like the Linda McCartney sausages because they just taste a bit too dry and herby for my palette, Mrs C likes them though so she can have mine.
However their vegan pulled pork burgers are magnificent especially if done with proper baps, ketchup, salad and fries etc.

There's so many companies making things like burgers, sausages, steaks and plenty more besides that are vegan-friendly versions. Many of them are terrible, and I'm trying to work them out of my desires/normal eating habits as the fat content in such food is disgraceful.

So on the topic of vegan-friendly foods to be banished, I submit one from this week which I really didn't like:

Sainsburys' Plant Pioneers No Ham Slices. Just don't bother! The Quorn vegan ham, oh yes I will have that happily. The nonsense Sainsburys sell in their Plant Pioneers range, just no. There's no nicer word for it! Most of the stuff in that range is lousy though, so I should not have expected much.

Yep I don’t think much of the Plant Pioneers range either although there’s a couple of things I like.

However, I must big up a vegan food I tried this week and liked, which was Cauldron's Moroccan Falafels. I'm not a big fan of them cold, but when warmed up they're just so good! Their Tandoori Bites are also good, as are the Korean Bites. Yes yes yes! Seriously worth trying, I've never really been a fan of falafels before but these have changed my opinion. I have some in the fridge, which may not be there for much longer!

I’ve tried most of these with mixed results and I think a bit like @Calthrop intimated, I’m probably on the side of not looking for replacements too much as they can lead to disappointment if you expect too much. That Quorn vegan ham is decent but then I don’t really eat much in the way of meat these days anyway and I can’t remember the last time I had ham.

One substitute food that I have really liked recently (I know that this isn’t a particularly healthy option obviously) is the Pizza Express vegan pizza that they sell in Tesco’s.
Has anyone else tried them?



Anyway. Always up for recommendations…

 

[gg1]

However, I must big up a vegan food I tried this week and liked, which was Cauldron's Moroccan Falafels. I'm not a big fan of them cold, but when warmed up they're just so good! Their Tandoori Bites are also good, as are the Korean Bites. Yes yes yes! Seriously worth trying, I've never really been a fan of falafels before but these have changed my opinion. I have some in the fridge, which may not be there for much longer!

I think falafels are one of those foodstuffs which really need to be bought and eaten fresh, the pre packed ones are generally vastly inferior. The same's true of samosas, I could eat fresh ones all day but all the shop bought ones I've tried were manky. Of shop bought falafel I definitely agree Cauldron are the best, though I haven't seen the Moroccan ones for a while, I though they'd dropped that flavour.

 

[Arglwydd Golau]

Split from this thread: https://www.railforums.co.uk/thread...-that-annoy-you-in-a-lighthearted-way.219994/

Vegetarian sausages.

Mrs C is vegan so when we eat together we tend to eat vegan stuff which is fine. I’ve developed a serious disliking for vegetarian sausages now though because they all (apart from the ones Wetherspoons do strangely enough) taste awful.
This morning I made a cooked breakfast for both of us and I cut two sausages each out of cardboard and put them on the plate and I’m surprised she noticed the difference actually…

As others have said, there is so much choice! I've been vegetarian for 40 or so years and now eat 99% Vegan (the 1% is eggs from our hens and I still have a dash of milk in my tea). My other half prefers Richmond vegan sausages followed by the 'This isn't Pork Sausages' range. I think they're OK, but I do prefer the Quorn Vegan bangers. Think we've tried just about everything...a freezer drawer is stacked full of them! I tend to cook from scratch (I enjoy cooking) but find no harm in having the odd banger.
We've got into the habit of taking sausage butties with us when we have an early start by car or train.

 

[Cowley]

As others have said, there is so much choice! I've been vegetarian for 40 or so years and now eat 99% Vegan (the 1% is eggs from our hens and I still have a dash of milk in my tea). My other half prefers Richmond vegan sausages followed my the 'This isn't Pork Sausages' range. I think they're OK, but I do prefer the Quorn Vegan bangers. Think we've tried just about everything...a freezer drawer is stacked full of them! I tend to cook from scratch (I enjoy cooking) but find no harm in having the odd banger.
We've got into the habit of taking sausage butties with us when we have an early start by car or train.

Interesting thanks for that.
One way I do quite like veggie sausages actually is to chop an onion up, mix some gravy and a tiny bit of mustard up and then cook the whole lot in a pot in the oven to have with mash and peas. That’s lovely because the sausages aren’t all dried out.

 

[Techniquest]

To answer your question very quickly Cowley, as I unfortunately have lots to do today and a food coma nap has messed those plans up, I have seen that pizza in Tesco but not yet tried it.

Their own range, Plant Chef, used to have a margarita pizza in the chilled range but it never seems to be sold in my local Tesco shops now The same for the fake pepperoni one, I never got to try it and all they've ever got now is the mushroom pizza

I'm a very fussy vegan, although one of my friends at work (former vegan who surrendered to cheese, but is mostly vegan still) has managed to persuade me to try a few different things in a bid to help me develop a wider range of taste. Which is how I got into falafels, amongst other things, although I still have a lot to try.

I love to cook, but I'm also really a lazy vegan

Also, since we have a new thread (love the idea!) and I can't yet go and do what I need to do, I should add that I tried Branston's chickpea dahl out of a tin today, putting it with some boiled potatoes. Really recommended!

 

[Cowley]

Also, since we have a new thread (love the idea!) and I can't yet go and do what I need to do, I should add that I tried Branston's chickpea dahl out of a tin today, putting it with some boiled potatoes. Really recommended!

I’d not heard of that but I’ll look into it.

 

[Class172]

One substitute food that I have really liked recently (I know that this isn’t a particularly healthy option obviously) is the Pizza Express vegan pizza that they sell in Tesco’s.
Has anyone else tried them?

I've not tried that but I would recommend the range by White Rabbit - available in most supermarkets I think and a good number are also available as gluten free.

 

[Cowley]

I've not tried that but I would recommend the range by White Rabbit - available in most supermarkets I think and a good number are also available as gluten free.

Yes we’ve had those a few times and they’re quite nice. The do a garlic bread type thing as well.

 

[xotGD]

My New Year resolution was to go meat-free. I'm still eating dairy. So far, so good.

One day we had some pretend beef burgers. While I liked the texture, they had a bit of a funny aftertaste. And a lot of these things have goodness knows what added to make them impersonate meat.

So what I have figured out is that the best approach is to enjoy what you are eating on its own merits, be that fruit, vegetables, pulses or whatever. Tonight we had leek and potato soup with lentils added to provide some protein. Very tasty and not a dodgy additive in sight.

Eating out I thought would be a challenge, but by choosing somewhere with a good range of meat free options I've done OK and not even looked at the meat or fish options. Last Saturday I had a vegan chilli and it was cracking. And in an Indian restaurant there is no problem getting a delicious meal.

 

[D821]

I'm not vegetarian myself but my wife has been on and off and neither her or my daughter eat much meat. As I rarely cook, I'll eat whatever is put in front of me.
I don't mind some of the substitutes, they just lack the moisture or chewiness of meat. Burgers aren't too bad, making use of relishes, sauces and the like to make them more tasty.

 

[Ediswan]

A few weeks ao I was aiming to make a chilli con carne. The local Co-op had no beef mince left. They did have Quorn mince in the freezer. Not a success. The flavour was OK, but the texture just did not work for me. If the same situation occurs again, it will be a meat-free chilli.

 

[D821]

Quorn mince was something I struggled with for that reason. You can get used to it, but it's not the best, IMO.

 

[yorksrob]

As someone who gave up meat recently (and who's always loved meat) I think Burger Kings plant based whopper is wonderful, as is its vegan chicken royale.

Maccy D's McPlant is also excellent.

 

[Darandio]

Meat alternatives I really cannot get away with, believe me i've tried and whilst I fully understand the ethical and environmental reasons behind why many are moving away from it I certainly won't be moving away from meat any time soon.

That said we have as a family started to really reduce the amount of meat we do eat. Things like diced steak and mushrooms in a big yorkshire pudding on Sunday, now use half the steak and add extra chestnut mushrooms which are very meaty anyway. A baked chilli con carne with half of the mince and adding more kidney and baked (yes, works well!) beans. Then instead of a traditional banger use things like sausages that don't pretend to masquerade as meat such as mediterranean red pepper etc.

Obviously there is a lot more to vegan than simply removing or reducing meat but it's a start for us.

 

[telstarbox]

As someone who gave up meat recently (and who's always loved meat) I think Burger Kings plant based whopper is wonderful, as is its vegan chicken royale.

Maccy D's McPlant is also excellent.

Finally tracked down the KFC vegan burger yesterday and it was good! I don't mind the fake meats, but usually prefer a bean style burger as sold at Wetherspoons.

 

[GrimsbyPacer]

As a meat eater, I find the best vegetarian food are Onion Rings, they are so yummy.
Ofcourse you would need to check what oil or fats were used in cooking as not all meet the vegan requirement.

 

[route101]

I tried Lidl vegan pepperoni pizza. Lacked cheese and flavour. But was cheap.

Vegan Richmond Sausages are quite decent.

 

[Techniquest]

As someone who gave up meat recently (and who's always loved meat) I think Burger Kings plant based whopper is wonderful, as is its vegan chicken royale.

Maccy D's McPlant is also excellent.

Congratulations on giving up meat! It's not easy at first is it? I started it as a 7 day challenge, which failed on Day 6 but I restarted it and I never looked back. I did similar with vegan last summer, I thought I'd struggle and it was hard to begin with but thoroughly worth it in my view.

The fact I still do vegan (I did have a slip-up and forgot to check the contents of a sauce at a restaurant recently, which did reinforce my desire to be more careful and up my vegan game) I am proud of. It is a lot easier these days than it used to be, it must be said.

Those burgers you mention, I want to try them but I find it difficult to support such places if I'm honest. McDonald's is easier to support because of their hash browns and cheap but good coffee, but Burger King I try to avoid. KFC, yes their vegan burger sounds nice but occasionally I can smell their kitchen from near the railway station when I pass by and it really puts me off. So do their adverts to be honest, I just can't make myself go into a KFC. If it was that or nothing, I'd have to hastily replan my eating habits and morals to at least try and go in for that vegan burger. When there's choice nearby though, absolutely not!

There's no judgement from me on anyone here who eats meat, I really don't agree with it but I used to eat it so I cannot fairly judge anyone.

Someone mentioned meat substitutes, I have to be honest I do have them semi-regularly but it is on my list of things to change. I've already cut back a long way on such food, so it's an improvement. Before I go and get my evening meal served up, I must give kudos to Co-Op for their surprisingly good vegan range.

Tonight, for example, I'm having one of their frozen vegan burgers with a load of potatoes, runner beans and peas. The burger itself is not too bad, I prefer the Birds Eye Green Cuisine ones I have to confess but these are pretty good. This is in their Gro range, and I must big up their gunpowder chickpea masala and rice ready meal in their chilled range. Surprisingly nice, and yes it's not the same as a chicken tikka masala but I liked it. It's on my list to have again!

Also, Sainsburys' sweet potato katsu curry and rice ready meal is pretty awesome. Expensive at £3, so best bought when on offer (I keep getting 150 bonus Nectar points offers on it, so I buy it fairly regularly) really, but worth a go. There's another ready meal, I think a cauliflower and chickpea curry and rice one, that I haven't yet tried but it sounds excellent. I also recommend their carrot, butternut squash, ginger and turmeric soup in plastic containers in their chilled range. Really nice, although expensive at £2. If you're a lazy vegan like me, it's worth it in my mind.

I do have plans to stop being so lazy and actually make more of my own food, but it's not happening too much yet!

 

[telstarbox]

The recipes by Meera Sodha on the Guardian website are excellent if you want to try cooking something new.

 

[ComUtoR]

Have a gander at this : https://www.channel5.com/show/go-veggie-and-vegan-with-matt-tebbutt It's a new series on CH5 for vegan cookery.

For a semi decent meal out, Wagamamas is a decent Vegan/Veggie option. I preferred them before they introduced their new vegan menu but they have improved their vegan offering so that's a good thing.

I learned that wine isn't vegan friendly but look at some Malbecs(red wine) as there are quite a few that have now been labelled up as vegan.

Heinz vegan mayo is gross and watery but https://www.sainsburys.co.uk/gol-ui/product/leon/leon-aioli-245ml Leon Garlic Aioli is delicious.

 

[route101]

I tried Beyond meat burgers tonight. Were pretty tasty and juicy. The oil coming out of them was a little red like a steak!

 

[Cowley]

I tried Beyond meat burgers tonight. Were pretty tasty and juicy. The oil coming out of them was a little red like a steak!

Yes they’re pretty good actually, we have those quite often.

One thing I’ve noticed about a lot of pubs that have a vegan offering on the menu is that it’s very often some variation of a Sweet Potato Curry…
Has anyone else noticed that? Touch luck if you don’t like curry!

 

[Spamcan81]

I'm neither vegetarian nor vegan but I do have meat free days so have tried some of the vegan alternatives. Had a vegan "steak and onion" pie and the mince was almost indistinguishable from the real thing. Was very tasty. Vegan meatballs made from fungi are to my liking as well. Tried a vegan cheese and tomato sandwich and that wasn't too bat but on the other hand vegan "ham" was like eating a facecloth so won't be repeating that experience.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 30 Jan 2022 ==

I tried Beyond meat burgers tonight. Were pretty tasty and juicy. The oil coming out of them was a little red like a steak!

A friend of mine is a vegan and she detests the meat free burgers that are produced to look like a very rare steak. Her reasoning being that as she is against eating meat, why would people think she would like eating something that looks like raw meat?

 

[yorksrob]

Finally tracked down the KFC vegan burger yesterday and it was good! I don't mind the fake meats, but usually prefer a bean style burger as sold at Wetherspoons.

Yes, it's not bad when you can find it. It would be nice to have the option of substituting it into their zinger burger.

I do see what you mean though as I enjoy a bean burger as well. It's a shane that Burger King have discontinued theirs as I fancy it sometimes as a change.

Congratulations on giving up meat! It's not easy at first is it? I started it as a 7 day challenge, which failed on Day 6 but I restarted it and I never looked back. I did similar with vegan last summer, I thought I'd struggle and it was hard to begin with but thoroughly worth it in my view.

Chicken Madras is what I miss the most.