And just like that, it’s January again! For many people, this remains the most popular month for experimenting with changes to diet and lifestyle. Think fresh start, New Year, new you! It’s easy to understand why so many people are so motivated to do things differently this month. However you celebrated Christmas, it’s likely that
a lot of festive feasting was involved. Unfortunately, those December indulgences often result in undesirable effects on weight, skin, mood and energy levels by the time a new year begins. To counter this, many people earmark this month to commit to new diet and exercise plans. And, for increasing numbers of them, that means Veganuary.
These 7 Ingredient Vegan Florentines are the Perfect Treat and are Delicious With a Cup of Tea!
Launched in 2014 by a non-profit organisation of the same name, Veganuary’s mission is to inspire and support people to try going vegan. It aims to create a global mass movement that champions compassionate food choices, which in turn help to protect the planet and improve human health. Interested? You’re not alone. Over 580,000 people signed up to Veganuary’s 2021 campaign,
and 98% would recommend this special month to a friend. But we understand that making major changes to your diet can be intimidating. And despite the many health benefits linked to eating vegan, it’s important to understand that not all vegan food is automatically healthy! To give you inspiration, national trainer Jo has put together a selection of delicious and nutritious recipes to try:
This taco dish, from team BOSH! is tasty, economical, packed full of vitamins, and takes just 20 minutes to get from fridge to fork. I really can’t recommend it enough. It’s always been well received by everyone I’ve served it to – even the committed carnivores. So, this makes an excellent option for Veganuary newbies.
Ultimate vegan tacos
What I like most about this dish is the different texture combinations of the tangy salsa, creamy guacamole and crunchy corn tortillas. And the black beans are a great source of plant-based protein, fibre and folates. Serve with a scattering of fresh coriander leaves and a generous squeeze of lime.
Oven-roasting the vegetables really intensifies their flavours. Our C2234 Classic Electric single oven would be perfect for this. It incorporates our signature MotionHeat+ function which distributes hot air evenly around the cavity, ensuring everything is always cooked evenly on all sides. It also reaches the desired temperature quickly, with no need to preheat, saving you time and money – perfect if you’re overdoing it during the January sales!
When you need a speedy but satisfying supper, there’s nothing better than pasta. This particular recipe, from Delicious magazine, is a Veganuary hob staple of mine.
Pasta with wild mushroom sauce
Combining moreish mushrooms with a delicious dairy-free sauce, it’s warming, filling and takes just 20 minutes to make. Wilted baby leaves add extra vitamins – and a dash of colour. Choose a pasta variation that’s wide enough to ‘hold’ the sauce (I like pappardelle). Garnish with a drizzle of good-quality olive oil and lashings of freshly ground black pepper.
Our C864iGM Induction Hob is ideal for this type of pasta dish. It’s one of many appliances we offer in on-trend gunmetal grey, allowing you to create a sleek, chic, cohesive look in your kitchen. But this hob doesn’t just look good, it’s highly functional too, with slider touch controls and four cooking zones, each of which comes with a handy booster to speed up cooking time.
If you’re keen to add a crowd-pleasing winter warmer to your Veganuary repertoire, look no further than Krumpli’s butternut squash chilli. It requires just 10-15 minutes’ prep, and then you’re free to amuse yourself however you choose for an hour while it’s simmering, so it’s definitely a ‘cook ahead’ option.
Vegan pumpkin chilli
Cleverly nicknamed chilli sans carne, this dish can be made with all sorts of different squash, but be aware that cooking times may differ, depending on ripeness and moisture content. I promise there are no serious culinary skills required. You simply peel, chop, fry, stir and simmer! The warming flavours of cumin, chilli, paprika and cocoa powder are the perfect antidote to cold, dark, miserable January days. Butternut squash is low-calorie but loaded with fibre and antioxidants, and the kidney beans are a rich source of protein. I like to serve this with brown rice, some chives and cashew nut cream.
If you love the taste of chilli, but aren’t so keen on the odour hanging around, I would recommend our DD810BK Induction Downdraft Extractor. This state-of-the-art appliance incorporates an integrated motor, located just below the hob, which gives you the option of recirculating the air using a charcoal filter, or ducting it outside. It looks super-smart too with an illuminated display and touch controls, which disappear from view when this model is not in use.
Chickpeas are the star ingredient in so many Veganuary recipes, with good reason. A great source of protein, they’re also high in fibre, potassium, magnesium, vitamin B6 and iron. Tinned versions need no pre-soaking, so they can help you make a meal in minutes. Curry lovers should definitely check out Olive’s colourful, comforting chana masala recipe, which puts chickpeas firmly centre-stage.
Chana masala for Veganuary
This easy, healthy vegan dish contains fewer than 200 calories per serving, and takes just 40 minutes to make. The method is a simple mix of chop, stir and simmer on the hob (although ideally you’ll also need a food processor to make a quick purée to begin). Once cooked, spoon into bowls and serve with rice or roti for a more filling family meal.
The only downside to cooking curry like this on a hob is the odour that lingers behind afterwards. We offer a huge range of extractors designed to solve this common problem. If you’re looking for a serious show-stopper, feast your eyes on our COR540SL Ceiling Hood. This model combines high-performance extraction with an eye-catching, modern circular design that incorporates four speeds and reduced noise levels. It even includes a practical, dimmable LED light and a handy remote control.
Many people put off going vegan because the thought of giving up certain foodie favourites is just too hard to bear. Mac and cheese together make one of those iconic dishes. But you can still enjoy it during Veganuary, thanks to this clever vegan version by HealthyLivingJames.
Vegan mac and cheese
It’s rich, creamy ‘cheesy’, and the perfect comfort food for a quiet night in. The recipe does include both cashews and almond milk, so it’s unsuitable for anyone with a nut allergy.It’s ready in about 30 minutes. You’ll just need to boil your pasta on the hob, then bake it in the oven afterwards. Don’t skimp on the nutritional yeast! This vegan staple (sometimes known as ‘nooch’) can be used to add extra protein, fibre, vitamins, minerals and antioxidants to meals. It also adds a convincing ‘cheesy’/umami flavour to foods.
If you’re planning to batch-cook this recipe for all the family, Our C2902 Sense Electric 90cm Single Oven is more than up to the task. This appliance boasts a generous 96-litre capacity, insulated oven doors to ensure the heat stays in, and telescopic shelves for easy access and manoeuvrability.
Your Veganuary adventure doesn’t have to be dessert-free. At the best of times, January can be too depressing to navigate without the occasional, cheering slice of cake. I’m a big fan of this vegan sponge recipe from BBCGoodFood. It really is the perfect coffee morning pick-me-up.
Vegan sponge cake
Nowadays there are so many excellent dairy-free alternatives to milk and butter, and all available from a range of supermarkets. I tend to use soya or oat substitutes. For the best results, don’t overwork the buttercream and – as with non-vegan recipes – let the sponges cool completely in their tins before turning out.
Our C2237 Classic Electric Single Oven is versatile enough to cope with all sorts of baking. It incorporates nine different functions, including full grill, fan heat and defrost. I’d recommend the conventional heat option for this recipe. This way, it will ensure that your Victoria Sponge emerges with the perfect level top.
Who doesn’t love a brownie? I must confess, they are one of my all-time favourite indulgences.
Vegan brownies
Thanks to this fabulous Peta UK recipe, you can enjoy one during Veganuary too! Don’t be put off if you’ve never cooked with aquafaba before. I’m aware that the liquid left over from cooked chickpeas might not sound too appealing, But, trust me, it’s an amazing vegan egg replacer in baking. This brownie recipe is rich, dense and gooey. It takes just 10 minutes to prep, 40 minutes to cook and delivers up 16 servings. How many you eat – and how many you share – is of course completely up to you!
Our C2220 Classic Side Opening Electric Single Oven offers five different functions, to bake your brownies to perfection. The handy side-opening oven door offers easy access and this helps to make cleaning a breeze. And its full-width inner glass door means you can keep a watchful eye on everything while it’s cooking, without disrupting the temperature inside.
Missed our exclusive interview with Made In Chelsea’s Tiffany Watson? She’s vegan and she chose a selection of Caple appliances for her kitchen makeover. Read all about it here.