Is Banana Blossom the next vegan food choice ?

Is Banana Blossom the next vegan food choice ?

Converting the banana blossom into food

We have heard of jackfruit vegan curries, vegan burgers made of beetroot, and of course the wide range of soya and tofu related products. Now, the stage has been set to feature a new exciting vegan choice – banana blossom !

But what is banana blossom ? Is it a banana or it it a tasty exotic flower ?

Banana blossom is simply a purple-skinned flower which grows at the end of a banana fruit cluster. Grown in south-east Asia, it can be eaten either cooked or raw. When consumed, the experience has been described as having a chunky, fleshly texture that can be used as a substitute for meat. Some have described the blossom having similar texture specifically to fish and even lamb.

How can banana blossom be prepared ?

  • it is an excellent absorber of multiple seasonings
  • stir fry with other vegetables
  • it can be made as croquettes and dumplings
  • create a mince meat texture when diced small

It’s very interesting to see the rising interest of a plant based lifestyle. It is now believed that at least one in eight people in the UK are now either vegan or vegetarian.

It the above new to you ? Make a NEW START today. Your health is your wealth.

Vegan milk can be used for breakfast cereals, lunchtime meals and evening tea

Vegan milk can be used for breakfast cereals, lunchtime meals and evening tea

vegan milk

Can vegan milk be a tasty alternative to dairy milk for your hearty breakfast, midday lunch and evening tea ?

What is vegan milk ? Vegan milk is simply a plant based alternative that does not contain any ingredient that originates from an animal (i.e. cows milk, goats milk etc.).

What are common vegan milk examples ? Coconut milk, soya milk, rice milk, hazlenut milk, almond milk, cashew milk, oat milk, hemp milk and even flax milk ! Vegan milk options are excellent for those who have allergies to animal milk or those who wish to consume healthier, cholesterol-free milk alternatives.

Most supermarkets and food shops stock a vegan milk type. You can even consume vegan milk with included natural sweeteners and calcium.

However, if you are adventurous, you may wish to follow a vegan milk recipe and create your own plant-based milk supply.

See a few vegan milk recipes below:

1) Soya Milk

Ingredients:

  • ½ cup yellow soybeans (80 grams)
  • 4 cups water (1 liter)
  • ½ teaspoon of homemade vanilla extract or a piece of vanilla bean (optional)
  • 4 dates (optional)

Soak the soybeans in water overnight for a minimum of 12 hours.
Drain the soybeans and remove the outer skins.
Blend the soybeans with 3 cups of water (750 milliliters) until well blended and almost smooth.
Strain the blended mixture using a cheesecloth, a napkin or a strainer.
Pour the mixture in a saucepan, add 1 cup of water (250 milliliters). Place the saucepan on the stove over high heat and bring to a boil. Stir and skim foam.
Cook over medium heat, stirring occasionally, for 20 minutes.
Let cool the soy milk. You can add other ingredients such as vanilla or dates. Blend the mixture if necessary.
Store the soy milk in a sealed container in the fridge for four or five days.

2) Rice Milk

Ingredients:

  • 3/4 cup (150 g) uncooked long grain white rice*
  • 4 cups (960 ml) water (use less water for thicker, creamier milk!)
  • Pinch salt
  • optional: 1 date, pitted, or 1 Tbsp (15 ml) maple syrup for sweetness
  • optional: 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
  • optional: 2 Tbsp (10 g) cocoa or cacao powder for “chocolate milk” or 1/4 cup fresh berries for “berry milk”

Soak rice in 2 cups very hot (not boiling water) for 2 hours. The rice should be soft but still very raw – you should be able to snap a piece in half with your fingernail without much effort. Drain and add to a high-speed blender.
Add water, salt, and any additional add-ins (optional). Top with lid and cover with a towel to ensure it doesn’t splash. Blend for about 1 minute until the date specks are very small and the mixture seems well combined. It doesn’t have to be 100% pulverized.
Scoop out a small sample with a spoon to test sweetness. If it’s not sweet enough, add more dates.
Pour the mixture over a large mixing bowl or pitcher covered with a thin towel or clean T-shirt. In my experience, it benefits from a double strain through a very fine towel. A nut milk bag lets too much residue through.
Transfer to a sealed container and refrigerate. Will keep in the refrigerator up to 5 days (sometimes more). Great for use in things like smoothies, granola, vegan cheese sauces, and baked goods!

3) Coconut & oat milk:

Ingredients:

  • ¾ cup rolled oats
  • ¼ cup quinoa (cooked)
  • 1½ cup coconut milk
  • ½ cup water
  • ¼ cup coconut flakes
  • 1 tbsp coconut sugar
  • 1 tbsp chia seeds
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract

If you already haven’t: Cook the quinoa according to the instructions on the package
Add oats, coconut milk, water, vanilla, coconut flakes, coconut sugar and chia seeds to the pan and bring to a simmer on medium to low heat. Stir until the water is just absorbed and the porridge has thickened. Add oatmeal to a bowl and (if you like) add more coconut milk on top. Decorate with seasonal fruits or nut butter as you desire.

For more vegan recipe ideas click here.

 

 

 

Is Quorn vegan ?

Is Quorn vegan ?

is-quorn-vegan

When the desire has come to consider a new healthy lifestyle including making changes to the diet, one of the most popular questions that arise when considering a vegan lifestyle is – “Is Quorn vegan ?”

Some who choose to adopt a plant-based lifestyle may opt to conduct dietary changes immediately from meat to plants (fruits, vegetables, nuts, seeds and grains). However, many may choose more slower steps toward changing their diet that may take weeks or even months to make the complete healthier vegan change.

Quorn may be purchased from many food shops and supermarkets. In the past, all Quorn products contained dairy items including milk and eggs. However, more recently, Quorn has launched a new array of vegan, plant-based products.

Quorn have quoted on their website: “Our delicious selection of vegan Quorn products make great ingredients for really tasty vegan meals. Whether you are looking for a vegan lunchtime solution to create the ultimate sandwich, or dinner time meal inspiration with Quorn Vegan Pieces, Nuggets or our versatile Quorn Spicy Vegan Burgers. Explore our delicious vegan range and create all your favourite dishes.”

Some of the vegan Quorn products available include:

  • Quorn Vegan Nuggets
  • Quorn Vegan Fajita Strips
  • Vegan Breaded Fillet
  • Quorn Vegan Fillets
  • Quorn Vegan Ham Free Slices
  • Quorn Vegan Fishless Fingers
  • Quorn Vegan BBQ Strips
  • Quorn Vegan Hot & Spicy Burgers
  • Quorn Vegan Five Grain Fillets
  • Quorn Vegan Cumberland Sausages
  • Quorn Vegan Pieces
  • Quorn Vegan Burgers
  • Quorn Vegan Chicken Free Slices

See – https://www.quorn.co.uk/products/vegan – for more information.

In the meantime, please see a great list of vegan recipes that can incorporate your quorn product choices – Vegan recipes.

Healthy Vegan Cheese Recipe Options

Healthy Vegan Cheese Recipe Options

vegan-cheese-recipe

How many of us enjoy eating cheese ? What’s the attraction ? Is it the taste ? The texture ? The colour ?

Are there healthier plant-based vegan alternatives to dairy based cheese ? Try the very simple vegan cheese recipe below:

  • 11/2 C hot water 2 TBL corn flour
  • 3/4 C cashews 1/4 C pimentos
  • 3’/3 TBL sesame seeds 1/3 C Brewer’s yeast flakes (optional)
  • I tsp salt I TBL lemon juice
  • 2 tsp onion powder
  • 1/8 tsp garlic powder

Blend all but the lemon juice.

Bring to boil while stirring constantly.

Boil for 2-3 minutes.

Remove from heat and ADD lemon juice.

Did you enjoy the vegan cheese recipe above ? Try also the vegan Tofu Cheese and Pimento cheese recipe options.

 

Why are dairy based cheese options unhealthy ?

  • high in saturated fat
  • increases blood cholesterol
  • tranmits animal diseases to humans
  • risk of dairy milk based brucellosis disease
  • made from waste products of milk molds and bacteria
  • fermenting process can produce a neurotoxin such as roquefortine (i.e. blue cheeses)
  • produces an amine that can cause headaches
  • rennet can come from pig stomachs
  • holes in Swiss cheese come from the action of gas forming bacilli, similar to those which form gas in the bowel
  • some cheeses contain mites (such as Milbenkäse, Cantal and Mimolette cheeses. See picture below.)

Cheese-mite

Vegan Mayonnaise With Cashew Nuts

Vegan Mayonnaise With Cashew Nuts

 

This is an ideal recipe for those who are vegans or those who may be intolerant to dairy products. The key ingredient are the cashews.

Recipe Ingredients:

  • ½ cup cashews
  • ¼ onion raw
  • 1/3 cup warm water
  • ½ teasp paprica or cummin
  • pinch garlic powder
  • 2 tabs lemon juice

Blend together water and cashews first then add remaining ingredients and blend.

To make guacamoli or avocado dip, add 1 avocado and adjust seasoning to preferred taste.

See more vegan recipes.

Enjoy !