I'm new to this vegan life and like many who've decided to turn vegan, I'm very excited about this lifestyle! After 2 months I've enjoyed countless new dishes and flavours, I have boundless energy, I'm smashing my gym workouts and I've opened myself up to the ethical side of veganism. At first I thought 'I'll be a 95% vegan' - one who doesn't care about egg in a pizza dough or who will carry a leather bag. But now I see that veganism is a way of life and you should carry it forward in all aspects if you can.
I'm also a bit lazy when it comes to cooking so when I turned vegan, I thought that its going to take a lot of time and effort to cook dishes to suit my lifestyle. Not true! Through a lot of research from YouTubers and Instagram, I've found quick and easy ways to create really tasty dishes in less time than I would spend cooking a meat dish. This is mainly because of my pressure cooker purchase - I love my pressure cooker. I chop veggies, add spices and flavour, press a button and boom! Dish is done in 15 mins while I'm kicking back watching Game of Thrones.
Here's one of my favourite recipes which is an adaptation of a Vegan Shepherd's Pie from The Plantiful Table cookbook:
Chop:
1 big carrot
1 onion
10 mushrooms
Rosemary
Garlic
Put directly into your pressure cooker bowl. I keep it beside me on the kitchen counter.
Add:
A tin of lentils
A tin of tomato puree
1/2 cup water (I fill the tomato puree can which is quite small and use that as a measure)
1/2 teaspoon of black pepper
A teaspoon of ground coriander seeds
A teaspoon of oregano
A teaspoon a vegetable stock powder
You can also add a tin of flageolet beans which are very nice but I didn't have any at the time.
I'm also a bit lazy when it comes to cooking so when I turned vegan, I thought that its going to take a lot of time and effort to cook dishes to suit my lifestyle. Not true! Through a lot of research from YouTubers and Instagram, I've found quick and easy ways to create really tasty dishes in less time than I would spend cooking a meat dish. This is mainly because of my pressure cooker purchase - I love my pressure cooker. I chop veggies, add spices and flavour, press a button and boom! Dish is done in 15 mins while I'm kicking back watching Game of Thrones.
Here's one of my favourite recipes which is an adaptation of a Vegan Shepherd's Pie from The Plantiful Table cookbook:
Chop:
1 big carrot
1 onion
10 mushrooms
Rosemary
Garlic
Put directly into your pressure cooker bowl. I keep it beside me on the kitchen counter.
Add:
A tin of lentils
A tin of tomato puree
1/2 cup water (I fill the tomato puree can which is quite small and use that as a measure)
1/2 teaspoon of black pepper
A teaspoon of ground coriander seeds
A teaspoon of oregano
A teaspoon a vegetable stock powder
You can also add a tin of flageolet beans which are very nice but I didn't have any at the time.
Pop the bowl back in the pressure cooker and cook for about 15 mins. Note that I've added no salt or oil - if you are a HCLF (high carb low fat) vegan this is perfect for you.
Meanwhile throw some potatoes and aubergines/eggplant into a pot of boiling water. Take the eggplant out after about 7 mins as it takes less time to cook than the potatoes. Once the potatoes are ready, drain the water, mash with a fork and add the eggplant. I also add a spoon of powdered veggie stock for flavour.
In a dish, put the tomato veggie mix from the pressure cooker on the bottom and layer the mash on top. Sprinkle with rosemary and pop in the oven for about 15 mins or until crispy on top.
It takes a bit longer to make than my other dishes but its soooo good! Its comfort food for the soul.
