Category Archives: Vegan

Is This the Best Vegan Roast in England?

Having travelled the world, and spent many a weekend pining for one, I know from experience that us Brits really do enjoy a traditional Sunday Roast. It’s the cornerstone of family gatherings, and it not only celebrates getting together with loved ones to essentially gorge until we feel sick, it celebrates our seasonal root veggies and greens in all their glory.

All hail the Sunday Roast, and every second of indigestion it gives us! 

But what happens when you move away from the joint of meat to a hearty nut roast? Are Vegan Sunday Roasts as good? Sadly, they are simply quite hard to come by; and when they are, they can often be nothing short of uninspiring. I’ve sat solemnly many a time looking at a plate of roasties and a few blobs of saggy, overcooked veg while friends tuck into all the trimmings. It’s enough to make your weekend a whole disaster!

But, every now and then, you stumble across an establishment who take their vegan roast dinners seriously, and give them the love and attention they so deserve. And when you find these stars, oh how your world lights up!  Continue reading Is This the Best Vegan Roast in England?

Dear Cafe Scrouge: an open letter from a vegan to Cafe Rouge

Dear Cafe Rouge

I’m sure you will agree that the festive season leading up to Christmas day is a time for family, friends, fun and feasting – something I imagine you hope to host in your national chain of French cuisine restaurants.

Having had a large majority of my family live in the South West of France for the last 29 years – and thus spending the large majority of my childhood holidays there – I am very partial to the French style of eating and its focus on rich, decadent flavours. Hearty bean cassoulet, warming onion soup and wine drenched mushroom bourguignon are some of my favourites; all washed down with a glass of classic Bordeaux.

It may surprise then, if I admit that I haven’t actually visited your restaurant before. In fact, I haven’t even contemplated it. Why? Well, that’s because I am a vegan.  Continue reading Dear Cafe Scrouge: an open letter from a vegan to Cafe Rouge

Vegan Dining in London: Sagar Covent Garden

Last night my spirits were lifted by not one, but three, heart warming and belly loving treats: a night at a comedy show, a chance to support an amazing cause close to my heart, and a delicious Vegan South Indian feast. Proof that Monday’s aren’t always evil!

Stand Up for Animals was a jam packed night at the Comedy Store in London,  in aid of the fantastic animal protection charity Humane Society International.  The line-up included awesome comedians Alistair Barrie, Aisling Bea, Rob Deering, Alasdair Beckett-King and Stewart Francis to name just a few. All proceeds from the night went to funding HSI’s animal protection campaigns and projects on the ground in the UK and around the world. Continue reading Vegan Dining in London: Sagar Covent Garden

Vegan Recipe: Chocolate Chai Cheesecake

Chocolate. Chai. Cheesecake. Three of of my favourite things merged into one seriously naughty dessert. Alliteration never sounded tastier!

Having spent the last couple of weeks wading through the boxes I stored whilst travelling, I came across a very special box the other day which filled me with instant happiness: the parcel I sent to myself from India. Due to a limited budget, I had selected only a few small items to purchase and send home.

Naturally the box contained things like incense, fabrics and artwork, but there was one special thing which I knew I could never quite replicate at home: traditional Masala Chai spices! Continue reading Vegan Recipe: Chocolate Chai Cheesecake

Vegan Dining in Hobart: Monsoon Thai Fusion

I’m not going to lie, if there is one thing living in Australia has bestowed on me, it’s a healthy (or not so. You decide…) addiction to Thai food. Whilst the UK enjoys a large tasty melting pot of Indian and Chinese cuisine, the Aussies sure know how to put on a good Thai spread.

Now, Sydney has it’s fair share of great vegan Thai restaurants. Blossoming lotus, a modest buffet restaurant in Newtown which boast a giant “Vegetarian Food” sign outside, is my ultimate fav. Their mock lemongrass “ribs” and crispy tofu strips have been my faithful friend from the very first week I came to Sydney.

However, when a couple of weeks ago I was lucky enough to visit the beautiful quaint Tasmanian city of Hobart, I encountered a whole new kind of vegan Thai heaven. Monsoon Thai Fusion was recommended to me by a friend from back home who has been living  in Hobart and had been blown away by their vegan dishes. Naturally I had to investigate her claims of divine yumminess and, despite not actually being hungry at all after a late lunch, I went all out. Just for you guys, obviously… Continue reading Vegan Dining in Hobart: Monsoon Thai Fusion

Three of Sydneys Best Vegan Burgers

As they say in Cornwall “Well, Burger me!”. I love a burger. A vegan burger of course. But I have been a bit fed up in the past of the same three choices: Falafal burger, lentil burger or non descript “veggie burger” which usually consists of mashed potato with peas and sweetcorn in the shape of a patty. BORING!!

Luckily Sydney is the vegan fatties dream when it comes to cruelty free burgers, and I’ve been munching my way through quite a few.

I still have a little research left to do (followed by a lot of exercise I expect…) but here are my 3 favorite vegan burgers I’ve been chomping through in Sydney: Continue reading Three of Sydneys Best Vegan Burgers

Nourishing Vegan Avocado, Lime and Coconut Face Mask

Ooops I’ve done it again. I have promised to be better at posting blogs, only to get distracted by sunny Australian beaches, lazy Game of Thrones nights and wine…Sorry!

But on the plus side, my lazy winter procrastinations (yes it is pretty cold here in Sydney) has meant that I have been testing out a vast variety of home made pamper treatments and have discovered this tropical blend.

During a long weekend break to Byron Bay with my lovely friend Kate, we binged on episodes of Lost, windy beach walks and this AMAZING avocado, lime and coconut yogurt face mask. We honestly got so addicted we indulged 3 nights in a row, and left the party beach atmosphere of Byron looking more glowing and refreshed than when we arrived! Continue reading Nourishing Vegan Avocado, Lime and Coconut Face Mask

Vegan Dining in the Hunter Valley: Bonta Vera

This weekend I treated myself to a sunny Autumnal weekend in New South Wales’ famous wine region, the Hunter Valley. Established in the early 1800s, this small region just two hours North of Sydney is home to over 100 Vineyards, some of the states top restaurants and stunning agricultural scenery. It’s the perfect destination for wine tasting, stocking up on cases of your favourite wine, or simply soaking up the sun in one of the most laid back and indulgent parts of the state.

However, with most tours offering cheese and wine matching, and almost every vineyard explaining what meat or fish your chosen wine would work well with, it’s not necessarily the most vegan friendly area to visit for culinary delights. In fact, aside from the wide range of delicious Olives you can sample in the many gift shops across the valley, the majority of restaurants and cafe’s who specialise in local produce near by are either lacking vegetarian options of any kind, or are heavily cheese and cream based. There’s certainly some work to be done in welcoming the increasing number of plant powered Australians and visitors!  Continue reading Vegan Dining in the Hunter Valley: Bonta Vera