Vegan

A perfect pancake topping recipe

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In celebration of Pancake Day (Tuesday 5th March 2019), Fentimans has devised a gin and tonic pancake drizzle, using their Valencian Orange Tonic Water, for home-bakers to liberally douse on their choice of pancakes.

With the help of Holly Jade, aka The Little Blog of Vegan, Fentimans has transformed its botanically brewed Valencian Orange Tonic Water into a zesty pancake syrup.

Reminiscent of both the French classic Crepes Suzette and a refreshing citrusy G&T, the drizzle combines Fentimans Valencian Orange Tonic Water with orange juice, fresh orange zest and gin. It can easily be whipped up at home thanks to a simple and easy to follow recipe (below) and then poured over fluffy pancakes or delicate crepes. A unique alternative to the usual chocolate spread, sugar or golden syrup.

See the recipe below:

Ingredients:

  • 140ml of Fentimans Valencian Orange Tonic Water
  • 1 tbsp Gin of choice
  • 200ml of Orange Juice (add extra if consistency is too thick)
  • Zest of 2 large oranges (optional)
  • 200g of golden caster sugar
  • 4.5 tbsp corn starch
  • Pinch of salt

Method:

  1. Add all ingredients into a saucepan
  2. Heat over medium – high heat until boiling, stirring constantly (around 5-8 minutes, it should thicken and turn clear)
  3. Remove from the heat and set aside into a heat proof bowl. If consistency is too thick, add extra orange juice at this stage and stir through
  4. Store in the fridge once cooled

Ten vegan things to be excited about in London this week

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Life in the UK can be a bit trying sometimes.

We had glorious but bizarre sunshine and warmth in the middle of winter that we felt guilty enjoying because it is probably a sign of our impending, climate-driven doom.

Brexit is circling all around us like the unseen demons in Bird Box. If we don’t look at it, we might survive.

And our politicians seem to have two function modes; uncaring or incompetent.

We could all use some good news, right?

In an attempt to cheer you up, I’ve put together a quick list of ten vegan things you should be excited about in London this week (w/e Sunday March 3, 2019).

Let’s see if we can turn your frown upside down.

  1. Vegan Delice pop up in Westfield Stratford is stacked with tasty treats.

2. There are now two weekly FGV market sections. Every Saturday in Venn Street Clapham and, from this Sunday, one on Walthamstow High Street as part of Walthamstow Sunday Social.

3. Young Vegans still serving up the best pie and gravy in the capital in Camden.

4. Investigate the huge range of vegan shoes and ethical clothing at The Third Estate in Camden.

5. You can buy vegan condoms from As Nature Intended supermarkets around London. Fuck kindly, people.

6. Visit the newest outlet of comfort food chain Arancini Brothers. It is located on Maltby Street in Bermondsey and not only do they serve the best fries in the city, they also have a burger named after FGV!

7. Nora & Nama bakery and deli in Camden has been closed for renovations this week but reopens in a big way on Saturday March 2, 2019. Cake. Sandwiches. Patisserie. Coffee. And more!

8. The cheeseboard at Essential Vegan in Shoreditch is sensational. Honestly.

9. The London Feel Good Co is making the best vegan sausage rolls you will ever taste. You can buy these delicacies at the FGV sections of both Venn Street Market on Saturday and Walthamstow Sunday Social on Sunday.

10. Wulf & Lamb in Chelsea is now serving mouthwatering vegan pizzas as part of their regular menu.

New vegan pie and mash restaurant in Essex

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Get ready for a trip to the Leigh-on-Sea in Essex because after hearing this exciting news, you will all be rushing along for this amazing food experience.

The Acorn Pie & Mash restaurant is a fully licensed eatery serving comfort food and local beers. Basically, it is my kind of restaurant.

Located in the seaside resort of Old Leigh in Essex, they are a stone’s throw from the beach and Leigh-on-Sea train station.

Of course the main attraction are the pies, all served with mash and gravy or liquor, but there are plenty of other reasons to get along.

The shake menu is a thing of beauty and features flavours as diverse as After Eight, Bounty, Cookies & Cream, Snickers, and Fruit Trifle.

There is also a gorgeous vegan wine list and a range of bottled beers.

Follow The Acorn Pie & Mash on Facebook and Instagram. See the exact location of the restaurant thanks to Google Maps.

Zero waste market returns for London

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Following a successful launch in 2018, London’s first plant-based, zero waste market is back! This is a not-for-profit initiative with all profits going to Animal Equality, a leading animal protection organisation.

Dedicated to all things eco, Zero Mkt is a one-stop shop with over 40 stallholders. You can purchase bulk grains and fresh produce, upcycled accessories, soaps, candles, cosmetics, vintage clothing and much, much more – all under one roof!

And you get to enjoy tasty vegan food and drink as you browse.

There will also be free workshops taking place throughout the day, including a cooking demo from plant-based, zero waste chef Max La Manna; a talk from Humane Society International (UK) about the environmental impacts of animal agriculture; and an eco embroidery workshop with Offset Warehouse.

Zero Mkt is all about:

  • Zero animal products
  • Zero single-use plastics
  • Zero waste

Surplus meals will be donated to City Harvest and leftover food will be composted and used by the venue’s Gardening Club. Trees will also be planted by event founders, as part of a carbon offsetting mission.

Zero Mkt is taking place on Saturday April 13, 2019 between 10am and 5pm at Saint Thomas More Language College on Cadogan Street, Chelsea.

The nearest underground station is Sloane Square. Lifts and disability accessible toilets are available on site.

Entry into the event and all workshops is totally FREE. Simply download your free ticket in advance on Eventbrite to guarantee entry.

You can follow Zero Mkt on Instagram.

Stunning food at Shoreditch cafe

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It has been a long time since I’ve had a chance to dine with Essential Vegan, the superstar vegan café located in Shoreditch, London.

But yesterday I grabbed my chance and thought you might like to see some of the food that hit my table.

Everything featured on the Essential Vegan menu is superb, especially their famous cheese balls and cassava chips.

Our table also made space for the chickn buger, seitan burger, nuggets, and cheese board.

See the mouthwatering delights below and be sure to follow Essential Vegan on Instagram. You can see the exact location of the café thanks to Google Maps.

Panel discussion: can veganism save the planet?

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I was recently invited to take part in a panel discussion titled Can veganism save the planet? at the University of Sussex.

You can watch the full length 1h 30m discussion online via the Facebook embed below. I believe the video starts around the 9-minute mark so you may need to skip forward at the beginning.

I would love to hear what you thought of the topics discussed. Leave comments below!

Legendary vegan business for sale in the UK

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What an opportunity!

Battered is the groundbreaking vegan fish and chip truck that changed the shape of street food in the UK forever.

If you haven’t tried their chips, battered sausages, pies, or vegan fish then I’m quite confident in saying you haven’t tried some of the best comfort food in Europe.

The food truck has enjoyed roaring success at events all around the country including at Hackney Downs Vegan Market and the Vegan Beer Fest UK events. Lines for their food stretched into the hundreds at Vegan Camp Out.

So you’ve eaten with them, but what about buying the entire business?!

Can you see the details in the image above?

The entire Battered business is for sale including their legendary trailer, fryers, the brand itself, freezers, social media pages, website, branded transit van, and a few more bits and pieces.

This is a ready-to-walk-straight-into superstar vegan business opportunity.

If you are interested in finding out more, email emily@getbattered.com to enquire.

Vegan bakery in Mexico City has soft serve

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What’s better than finding out there is a vegan bakery that you haven’t yet tried?

The fact that said bakery also has vegan soft serve, that’s what!

Peace of Cake is a super cute vegan bakery in Polanco, an upmarket neighbourhood and commercial district of Mexico City.

Gil and I trotted over there yesterday, struggling with an unusually hot day in the Mexican capital.

Our efforts in the heat were rewarded when we discovered Peace of Cake has a soft serve ice cream machine. Just like everything in the bakery, the soft serve is vegan.

Check out our treats below and be sure to follow Peace of Cake on Instagram.

New vegan jerky product for UK

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Super quick post to let you know there is a new vegan jerk product ready for your consumption.

Plantifull is a company I’ve written about in the past. Remember their ready meals?

The food business has now launched a range of vegan jerky in three flavours: BBQ Mushroom, Hot Tomato, and Teriyaki Pineapple. All flavours are made from real fruit and vegetables.

Ahead of their launch on Ocado and Amazon, you can be one of the first to try by purchasing a sampler pack direct from the Plantifull website.

Click here to buy now and follow Plantifull on Instagram.

Updated menu for the vegan Mexican eatery

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I’ve written about Vegamo many times in the past, but this quick update needed to happen.

Vegamo is a super cute café located in the historic centre of Mexico City and the people working there are some of the friendliest in the city.

The reason for this post it to let you know that Vegamo has an updated menu with two very delicious additions.

If you get a chance to visit make sure you order the gorgeous cauliflower wings with onion rings, and the irresisitible corn dogs.

Follow Vegamo on Instagram and see their exact location thanks to Google Maps.