I'm now 9 days into my 30 Day Vegan Challenge. Time for a few initial reflections.
- I've had to accept that my beloved cuppa will never taste as good as it does with cow's milk. I have been experimenting with some of the impressive range of alternatives. Soya milk tastes chalky and rice & almond milk curdles. Oat milk has proved to be the most acceptable, but none of them produce a liquid of the right colour.
- Porridge, however, is improved with being made with rice and almond milk. I suspect this will hold true for rice pudding.
- Avocado on toast makes a good breakfast, spiked with a few drops of Tabasco and a squirt of lemon juice.
- Vegan margarine looks like it belongs in a garage.
- You can't go wrong with olive oil, onions, garlic, tomatoes, a tin of beans (any variety) and a shake of dried herbs (again, any variety). Served with a grain, the job's a good 'un.
- Vegan risotto is alright, but would be even better with the addition of crispy bacon and a sprinkling of parmesan.
- Tofu fried until crisp on the edges is a thing of beauty.
- Adding water to a carrot cake mixture is scary, but it works.
- Wagamama's Yasai Katsu Curry is yummier than the chicken version (my younger daughter's verdict and, believe you me, she's an expert!).
- It didn't take long before I relented and bought a tub of 'Sheeze'.
- Watching The Hairy Bikers and The Great British Bake Off while undertaking this challenge is not helpful (which is when the 'Sheeze' came in handy!).
