Looking back on Veganuary, we tried so many new things! Below are what I would rank as the best, and worst, things I tried for the first time:
The Good
- Hazelnut milk – sheer nectar. This is my absolutely favourite milk substitute, so sweet and almost nutella-y that I would gladly drink it by the glass. Mum says it’s amazing in porridge too.
- Tofu – a surprise entry here as we didn’t expect to like it, but if you cut it thinly and cook it till it’s crispy on the outside, it’s really very nice.
- Jackfruit – so simple to cook, so tasty, and a flawless substitute for pulled pork.
- Chia seeds as egg replacements – miraculous stuff, and the reason we were able to enjoy so many pancakes.
- Blended roast aubergine added to any sauce – it makes it so thick and silky. Magical.
The Bad
- Most vegan cheeses – generally speaking they range from disappointing to downright not nice!
- Avocado mousse if the avo isn’t ripe – my attempt was way too starchy.
The Ugly
- Vegan blue cheese – no redeeming qualities, but just about edible in soup.
- Vegan marshmallow – just no. Not in any way a marshmallow… weird Turkish delight texture, and way too sweet.
- Coconut milk – is a weird suntan-lotion-flavoured abomination. Never again!
What were your culinary successes and failures?
The Quiet Vegans 