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Dinner Recipe

Sun Dried Tomato and Kale Pasta Soup

Posted on October 13, 2021
Sun Dried Tomato and Kale Pasta Soup

Easy Pasta Soup Recipe with Sun dried Tomato & Kale

Vegan, hearty and rich sun dried tomato pasta soup. Packed with kale for added vitamins and texture, this soup is delicious and can be served with or without the plant based cream depending on preference.

Why settle for soup or pasta, but combine them to create the ultimate vegan dinner idea. This one is so comforting and perfect for either summer or autumn. You can add plant based cream at the end of the cooking process to create an even richer pasta soup if preferred.

What’s in the pasta soup?

Pasta- I’ve used Conchiglie pasta for this one as the little shells make perfect cups for holding more of that delicious soup filling. If you don’t have this pasta, feel free to use whatever you have in your cupboards.

Sun dried tomatoes – These give a sweet but rich flavour and depth to the recipe. I’ve used them in the stock by chopping them fine, but also to top the soup so you get a delicious pop of flavour.

Kale- It’s best using the leaf rather than the stalk for this recipe, so strip off the leaves and scrunch with your hands. Lot’s of people call it ‘massaging kale’ but essentially the process is just making the leaf a little easier to digest and chew.

Vegan Cream- There are so many brands that do a plant based cream alternative now, so it’s really easy to find in the shops. This makes the recipe even richer, creamier and delicious. If you don’t want to add the cream, please feel free to leave this out and just have a tomato based soup.

Pasta soup recipe

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Sun Dried Tomato and Kale Pasta Soup

Sun dried Tomato and Kale Pasta Soup

Vegan, hearty and rich sun dried tomato pasta soup. Packed with kale for added vitamins and texture, this soup is delicious and can be served with or without the plant based cream depending on preference.
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Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Servings 2 people

Ingredients
  

  • 100 g conchiglie pasta or any dried pasta
  • 2 tbsp plant based butter
  • 1 red onion finely diced
  • 5 garlic cloves finely chopped
  • 2 tbsp chopped sun dried tomatoes
  • 1 roasted red pepper finely chopped (I use the ones that you get in jars)
  • 2 tbsp tomato puree plus a splash of boiling water
  • 1 stock cube + 1l boiling water I used the pasta water
  • 80 g kale roughly massaged and torn
  • 1 tsp each dried sage basil and parsley
  • Large pinch of salt and pepper to season

Serve with

  • Cracked black pepper
  • Sun dried tomatoes
  • Toasted bread
  • 100 ml plant based single cream

Instructions
 

  • Start by getting a pot of water onto boil with a generous pinch of salt and add the pasta, leave to cook for around 8-10 mins
  • Add the vegan butter to a pot and start frying the red onion, chopped sun dried tomatoes and pepper for around 6 minutes
  • Add the minced garlic to the pot and continue to fry for a further 2-3 minutes
  • Drain the pasta, adding the water to a bowl and mix with the stock cube
  • Add the tomato purée with a spoonful of water and whisk together and leave to fry for a few minutes before adding in the vegetable stock, dried herbs and kale*
  • After a minutes of bubbling away, add the pasta and continue to heat for a minute or two before serving with sun dried tomatoes on top and cracked black pepper
  • If you're adding the vegan cream, add with the last 3 minutes of cooking as you don't want a high heat otherwise it'll curdle. Stir through and enjoy with some crunchy toast.

Notes

Top tip with the kale, remove the big stalks, roughly massage top help make it easier to cook and chew

If you like this recipe why not try my hearty harissa, cauliflower and potato stew

Chickpea and potato stew vegan

pasta soup recipe

Dinner Recipe

Coconut Curry with Vegan Meatballs

Posted on September 20, 2021
coconut curry with vegan meatballs

Creamy Coconut Curry with Vegan Meatballs

A creamy coconut curry with vegan meatballs and courgette noodles. Golden, warming and perfect for a simple but indulgent meal. Vegan friendly and easy to swap out ingredients. If you want to add basmati rice to serve on the side, feel free!

 

What’s in the recipe?

Coconut milk- To help create the creamy curry I like using full fat tinned coconut milk. Any brand will work, there’s no real preference but full fat will ensure a deliciously creamy and thick sauce.

Meatballs- Again, no real preference, I feel like you all know your favourite brand for vegan meatballs however I used the Linda McCartney ones. They need baking along side the curry being made, then adding to the pot. If you’re making this in a slow cooker, they can simply cook from scratch over the hours of the day.

Tinned tomatoes- This creates a gorgeous sweetness to work with the coconut milk. Definitely recommend using a good quality tinned tomatoes or a passata. Passata will give a richer curry flavour, especially if you use a one with added garlic and herbs.

Turmeric- This helps give a gorgeous golden colour to the curry. It’s flavourful and colourful and perfect for this recipe.

creamy coconut curry with vegan meatballs

Swaps and Changes

Want to make this more filling?

Add in 80g of cooked basmati rice per person if you want to bulk out this meal and make it perfect for dinner time with friends.

Don’t like vegan meatballs?

Using something like quorn vegan chicken pieces will also work for this recipe. You don’t have to use a vegan meatball if it’s not your thing.

Don’t have birdseye chillies?

Don’t worry, simply add 1/2 tsp hot chilli flakes to the recipe.

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coconut curry with vegan meatballs

Coconut Curry with Vegan Meatballs

A creamy coconut curry with vegan meatballs and courgette noodles. Golden, warming and perfect for a simple but indulgent meal. Vegan friendly and easy to swap out ingredients. If you want to add basmati rice to serve on the side, feel free!
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 35 minutes
Servings 2 people

Ingredients
  

  • 1 tbsp oil
  • 1 large shallot finely diced
  • 4 cloves garlic finely diced
  • 1 tsp tamari
  • 1 thumb size piece of ginger finely chopped
  • 250 g vegan meatballs
  • 400 g tinned tomatoes or 250g Passata with 100ml water
  • 400 g full fat coconut milk
  • One red pepper thinly sliced
  • 1 tsp mustard seeds
  • 1/2 tsp cumin powder
  • 1/2 tsp turmeric
  • 2 dried Birdseye chilli mild
  • 1 courgette peeled with a serrated julienne peeler
  • Salt & pepper

Instructions
 

  • Drizzle a glug of olive oil into a large pan, add the finely chopped shallot, mustard seeds and bursdseye chillies and fry for 4 minutes
  • Add the ginger, chilli and garlic to the pan and continue to fry for a further few minutes before adding the pepper and vegan meatballs and tamari*
  • After a few minutes add the chopped tomatoes or Passata and coconut milk, and reduce to a low simmer, add the cumin, turmeric, salt and pepper and pop a lid on top so the meatballs can cook (around 15-20 mins)
  • If the curry is looking a little thick, add a ladle of water to loosen it up, taste test adding a little more spice if needed
  • In the meantime prepare the courgette, check if the vegan meatballs are cooked through then add the courgette noodles and heat through for 3-4 minutes just to soften slightly
  • Serve and enjoy

Notes

*if you’re using frozen meatballs, I’d suggest baking them in the oven whilst cooking the curry for around 12-15 mins before adding to the curry to finish cooking
*if you’re adding rice noodles to bulk out this dish, add to the pot along side the courgette noodles

If you like this recipe why not try my Creamy Chana Masala recipe

vegan chana masala recipe tilda rice

coconut curry meatballs

Dinner Recipe

Best 10 Minute Instant Noodle Hack

Posted on August 16, 2021
instant noodle hack vegan

10 Minute Instant Noodles

This instant noodle hack (which is vegan friendly) will become your new go-to on those nights where you want a delicious and quick recipe that takes less than 10 minutes to make. This recipe is made with and instant ramen noodle pack mixed with a few key ingredients to give it loads of flavour, making this a tasty hack to turn instant noodles into something bougie.

What’s in the recipe?

Instant Noodles- I used a vegan friendly instant pack of ramen noodles, the ones that you just add boiling water and add the flavour packet. You can use whatever noodles you have to hand, but I find ramen noodles work brilliantly with the flavours of ginger and garlic.

Ginger- I love grating ginger into the recipe, it adds lots of zing, flavour and subtle heat.

Garlic- You can use garlic powder or fresh garlic to this recipe, whatever you have at hand. If you use fresh garlic, mince it to make it quicker to cook and to make sure there’s no large garlic chunks in the noodles.

Tenderstem- I love tenderstem as it has a lovely crunch however you can use broccoli florets or sugar snap peas.

10 minute noodle hack

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instant noodle hack vegan

Best 10 Minute Noodle Hack

A 10 minute instant noodle hack to instantly upgrade instant ramen noodles. A delicious bowl of comfort food when you need something delicious but with minimal effort and time in the kitchen. It makes enough to serve one HUGE portion, or two smaller portions for lucnh.
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Prep Time 3 minutes
Cook Time 7 minutes
Servings 1 people

Ingredients
  

  • 1 pack of instant ramen noodles
  • Enough boiling water to cover the noodles
  • chopped Tenderstem I use about 4 stems
  • add the packet seasoning you get in the instant noodles
  • 1 tbsp grated ginger
  • 1 tbsp soy sauce
  • 120 g chopped tofu
  • 1 tsp chilli crisp oil

Garnish with

  • 1 tsp chilli crisp oil
  • 1 tsp sesame seeds
  • chopped spring onion

Instructions
 

  • In a wok, cover the instant noodles in boiling water*, add the chopped tenderstem and simmer for 3 minutes
  • Drain 80% of the water leaving a good ladle full in the wok, add the packet seasoning you get in the instant noodles along with 1 tbsp grated ginger and 1 tbsp soy sauce
  • Add in 120g chopped tofu and 1 tsp chilli crisp oil and fry on a high heat for around 5 minutes
  • Garnish with more chilli crisp oil and sesame seeds and enjoy!

Notes

*For the water, I had enough to submerge the noodles and broccoli fully, so around 300ml

If you like this recipe why not try my Pearl Barley Risotto Recipe

pearl barley risotto lucy and lentils

Dinner Recipe

Pearl Barley Vegetable Risotto

Posted on July 28, 2021
vegan vegetable risotto with bulgar wheat

Pearl Barley Roasted Vegetable Risotto

Using pearl barley as the base for a risotto instead of arborio makes a delicious alternative. This vegan friendly risotto is packed with flavour and brilliant eaten cold the next day. If there’s just two of you there’ll be loads for leftovers in the week. 

What’s in the recipe?

Pearl Barley- This is a grain that can be either cooked from raw or soaked overnight. If you know you’re cooking this in the evening, soak in the day, drain then add to the pot just as instructed. It will take less time to cook if it’s been soaked.

Vegetables- I’ve used courgette, tomatoes and peppers, sliced into small pieces as it works with the grains if they’re slightly smaller. If you roast the vegetables on a tray with the herbs and olive oil, it gives a delicious flavour instead of adding to the pot. If you’re unable to roast them, simply add the vegetables to the pot after frying the onion and garlic, sizzle for a few minutes then add the grains and white wine.

White Wine- I get asked if you can replace the wine, however having made risotto without it, can confirm it doesn’t create the same flavour. It’s really difficult to find a good substitute so find a nice white wine (vegan friendly if you’re vg) and enjoy. You don’t have to spend much on a bottle

Cooking Tips

Pear Barley- When cooking this grain, you can soak them for a few hours beforehand if you want to, however it isn’t essential to this recipe. If you do soak them, it will reduce the cooking time from about 40 minutes to 25 minutes.

White wine- I think the wine is a really essential ingredient for a good risotto, pour it into the pot before adding the stock, so it absorbs into the pearl barley. That way it’ll cook off the alcohol but retain the flavour.

Roasting the veg- I think adding the vegetables to the oven gives a delicious caramelised flavour. If you chop them up into fairly small pieces it also really helps it work with the grains without being too bit to take a big bite.

Slow and low- With a risotto the trick is to not rush but instead simmer and stir slowly. This will allow all the delicious flavours to marry each other and turn into a pot of comfort food.

Add my pepper and garlic oil to each bowl. Find the recipe just HERE. It’s a paste recipe, almost like harissa, so add a drizzle of the oil made from the paste to each bowl, it’s delicious!

pearl barley risotto vegan

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vegan vegetable risotto with bulgar wheat

Pearl Barley Vegetable Risotto

Using pearl barley instead of arborio to make this delicious vegetable risotto. It's vegan friendly with lots of flavour and brilliant eaten cold the next day. If there's just two of you there'll be loads for leftovers in the week.
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Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 44 minutes
Servings 4 people

Ingredients
  

  • For the roasting tray:
  • vine of tomatoes about 250g
  • 1 courgette diced
  • 1 pepper diced
  • Generous pinch of salt pepper, smoked paprika and thyme
  • For the pot:
  • 1 Knob of vegan butter 2 tbsp
  • 5 cloves garlic
  • 1 large shallot or red onion
  • 250 g Pearl barley
  • 200 ml white wine
  • 1.2 l Boiling water + stock cub
  • 1 tsp dried thyme
  • 1 tsp salt
  • Generous serving of cracked black pepper to own preference
  • 1 tsp fresh parsley or dried

Instructions
 

  • Pop the oven on to 200°C and add all of the veg to a roasting tray, add the seasoning with a drizzle of olive oil and toss, then pop in the oven and leave for 30 mins
  • Place the large pot on a medium heat, add the vegan butter and the diced shallot and fry for 4 minutes before adding the finely chopped garlic cloves
  • After a few minutes add the Pearl barley and toast before pouring in the white wine and allow to simmer and soak
  • Once soaked up, add the dried thyme and vegetable stock a cup full at a time until each batch has been absorbed
  • Once you’ve added all of the stock, add the salt and pepper, pop a lid on top and leave to simmer on a medium heat for a further 15 minutes or so
  • After around 30 minutes once the veg has cooked, the risotto should be about fully absorbed, add the roasted veg to the pot, mashing in the delicious tomato juices
  • Once the Pearl barley has softened and cooked, serve up with fresh chopped parsley (or dried) another pinch of salt and pepper and enjoy!

Notes

•Flora vegan butter is great
•A good drizzle of extra virgin olive oil to top each dish is also great!
•If you want an extra kick add my garlic and pepper paste oil to each dish also!

If you like this recipe why not try my Asparagus and Mushroom Risotto

asparagus and shiitake vegan risotto

 

pearl barley risotto lucy and lentils

Dinner Recipe

Garlic and Mushroom Tagliatelle

Posted on July 15, 2021
creamy vegan tagliatelle

Creamy Garlic and Mushroom Tagliatelle

This oyster mushroom and garlic tagliatelle is creamy, delicious and ready in 15 minutes. You can easily swap the mushrooms to the type you have at hand. It makes two huge portions with a little leftover for lunch.

What’s in the recipe?

Mushrooms- I’ve used a mix of oyster and shiitake mushrooms in this recipe, however you can use chestnut, portobello or cup. Any will work for this, it helps to have 2 or 3 different types to add different textures.

Tagliatelle- I’ve chosen tagliatelle as it works perfect at holding lots of that delicious creamy sauce, however any pasta will work with this recipe.

Garlic- I like using 5 cloves for this recipe as it really works with the cream, however if you’re not a huge fan of garlic use 3 cloves instead.

creamy mushroom vegan tagliatelle

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creamy vegan tagliatelle

Garlic and Mushroom Tagliatelle

Oyster and shiitake mushroom creamy tagliatelle recipe flavoured with lots of garlic, and all vegan friendly. This easy recipe takes 15 minutes to make with minimal preparation. You can easily swap the mushrooms to fit what you have available.
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Servings 2 people

Ingredients
  

  • 200 g tagliatelle
  • 300 g wild mushrooms
  • 5 cloves garlic or 3 large cloves
  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 tbsp tamari
  • 1/2 tsp marjoram
  • 1 tsp smoked paprika
  • 250 ml vegan single cream I use Oatly
  • 1 tsp cracked black pepper
  • 1 tsp salt
  • Ladle pasta water 250ml
  • 1 tbsp fresh chopped basil or oregano to top
  • Salt & Pepper for garnishing

Instructions
 

  • Get a pot of water on to boil, heavily salt then add the tagliatelle, and bubble for 10-12 minutes
  • Roughly chop the mushrooms and finely dice the garlic cloves. Add the garlic to a frying pan with the olive oil, fry for 1-2 minutes then add the mushrooms and tamari, continue to fry
  • Add in the dried herbs, after a few minutes when the mushrooms have browned off add the vegan single cream and drop the heat to low, to make sure the cream doesn't curdle
  • Heavily season the creamy mushrooms with salt and pepper and add a ladle full of the pasta water, mix
  • Drain the cooked tagliatelle and add to the creamy mushrooms and stir until coated, top with fresh oregano or basil, plate up and serve with a little more salt and pepper to top

Notes

Swap tagliatelle for any pasta of choice
Swap marjoram for dried sage
Swap 5 cloves of garlic for 1 tsp garlic powder
Swap fresh oregano for fresh basil

If you like this recipe why not try my Meatball Tagliatelle Recipe

creamy vegan meatball pasta

Dinner Lunch & Light Bites Recipe

Baked Cream Cheese & Tomato Gnocchi

Posted on July 15, 2021
cream cheese vegan gnocchi

Cream Cheese & Tomato Gnocchi – Slowly Baked

This delicious vegan baked cream cheese and roasted tomato gnocchi is full of flavour, comforting and a delicious plant based dinner option. It’s an easy recipe to pop in the oven and let it do its magic whilst you wind down for the evening. It’s a similar process to the viral Tiktok baked feta pasta recipe, this time swapping the feta for vegan cream cheese and swapping pasta for gnocchi.

What’s in the recipe?

Gnocchi- I use dried gnocchi as you quite often find fresh gnocchi has milk powder in it. However either will work!

Cream Cheese- I use a delicious vegan version from Nush. You can find lots of brands have this as a vegan option now, such as Oatly or supermarket brands. Plain or herbed will work for this recipe, whatever you have at hand.

Tomatoes- I’ve used baby tomatoes for this recipe however a range of tomatoes will work. I find the smaller cherry sized tomatoes work better for a recipe like this. Slowly roasted they transform into beautiful pockets of flavour and texture to mix into the cream cheese.

Garlic- You can use 5 cloves or if you’re doubling up the recipe, whack a whole bulb of garlic in to roast. It’s a key ingredient in this recipe.

cream cheese gnocchi vegan recipe

Cooking Tips:

Peel the garlic- Before adding to the roasting dish, peel the garlic so it roasts easily, making it easy to mash with the back of a fork into the cream cheese.

Mash together- Once the tomatoes, cream cheese and onion have baked, mash together with a potato masher or the back of your fork until deliciously creamy. If you want the onion to be pulsed in, add the entire thing to a food processor before adding the gnocchi.

Gnocchi water- Add a ladle full of the water used to boil the gnocchi to make the sauce delicious and smooth. I’d take a mug full so around 250ml.

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cream cheese vegan gnocchi

Baked Cream Cheese & Tomato Gnocchi

Vegan baked cream cheese and roasted tomato gnocchi pot. Just a few key ingredients to make this delicious plant based recipe, and only two pots needed to bring this together. It's a similar concept to the viral baked feta pasta, this time with a vegan cream cheese and gnocchi.
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Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 39 minutes
Servings 2 people

Ingredients
  

  • 250 g gnocchi
  • 5 cloves garlic
  • 100 g vegan cream cheese I use nush
  • 1 red onion optional
  • 200 g tomatoes baby or cherry
  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • 1 tsp dried basil
  • 1 tsp dried thyme
  • Large pinch salt & pepper
  • Garnish with fresh oregano

Instructions
 

  • Preheat the oven to 200°C fan
  • Add the tomatoes, quartered red onion, peeled garlic cloves and olive oil to a roasting dish
  • Add the dried herbs, create a space in the middle and add the cream cheese to the middle, pop in the oven and bake for 25 minutes
  • In a pot of boiling water, add a generous pinch of salt with the gnocchi and simmer for a few minutes, drain but leave a ladle full of the water in the pot
  • When the tomatoes have baked, mash the garlic and tomatoes into the cream cheese and mix until creamy then add in the cooked gnocchi and water
  • Mix together then add back to the oven for 5 minutes, garnish with fresh oregano or basil and enjoy

If you like this recipe why not try my Roasted Tomato Risotto

vegan tomato and garlic risotto

cream cheese vegan gnocchi

Dinner Recipe Sides & Savoury Snacks

Grilled BBQ Watermelon Skewers

Posted on July 6, 2021
grilled watermelon recipe vegan

Grilled BBQ Watermelon Skewers (Perfect Vegan BBQ)

These grilled bbq watermelon skewers transform the flavour of the sweet watermelon usually eaten as a snack. The marinade creates a delicious umami packed flavour which works perfectly with the watermelon when grilled on a high heat. Ideal for skewers when paired with corn on the cob and peppers to have at a BBQ.

What’s in the recipe?

Watermelon- I’ve used 1/2 a watermelon to make 6 packed skewers. Cutting the watermelon into similar size cubes helps with the cooking process.

Corn- I’ve chosen a precooked corn on the cob, however if you have it raw, simply parboil for 15 minutes to soften.

Garlic- Lots of delicious garlic to marinade the watermelon and veg. Paired with the soy sauce and smoked paprika, it creates a delicious dressing.

Soy Sauce- You can use soy sauce or tamari if you’re gluten free. This helps create a lovely rich flavour with the garlic and soaks up into those veggies.

Smoked Paprika- I prefer smoked paprika as it has a lovely rich undertone to the spice. You can use regular hot paprika if you prefer more spice to smokey.

grilled bbq watermelon skewers

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grilled watermelon recipe vegan

Grilled Watermelon Skewers

Grilled BBQ watermelon skewers perfect for a vegan BBQ. Flavoured with garlic and soy sauce marinade this grilled fruit transforms from a sweet to umami packed bite.
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Prep Time 23 minutes
Cook Time 14 minutes
Servings 2 people

Ingredients
  

  • 1 green pepper
  • 2 corn on the cob precooked
  • 1/2 watermelon
  • 3 cloves garlic
  • 4 tbsp soy sauce
  • 2 tbsp garlic infused olive oil
  • 1 tsp smoked paprika
  • Good pinch salt & pepper

Instructions
 

  • Start prepping the corn by popping in a pot of boiling water for 15 minutes to soften
  • Prep the watermelon by slicing into cubes along with the pepper
  • In a large dish mix the soy sauce, olive oil, paprika, and minced garlic cloves then add the pepper and watermelon, quarter the sweetcorn and add in once softened
  • Salt and pepper the veg and leave for at least 15 minutes
  • Get the BBQ on, add the marinated veg to skewers (should make 4-5) and add to the grill, leave to sear on each side for around 5 minutes
  • Enjoy topped with fresh herbs and pine nuts, or just enjoy as is!

Notes

  1. Once you have the skewers on the bbq, brush in the leftover marinade to make sure there's none going to waste
  2. If you don't have precooked corn on the cob, simply chop each cob in half and add to a pot of boiling salted water for 15 minutes to soften
  3. Leaving for 30 minutes to marinade will help add flavour, if possible marinade for a few hours to soak up the flavour

If you like this recipe why not try Grilled Lettuce Recipe

leftover lettuce recipe ideas

Dinner Lunch & Light Bites Recipe Sides & Savoury Snacks

Asparagus and Tofu Stir Fry

Posted on June 8, 2021
asparagus and tofu stir fry vegan

Asparagus and Tofu Stir Fry with Chilli and Sesame

Asparagus and crispy tofu stir fry made with ginger, garlic and chilli oil. Perfect as a side dish or as part of a main if served with noodles or rice. Made in less than 15 minutes this recipe is perfect for a week night meal or as a light lunch option. This easy stir fried recipe can be prepared the night before to make it really quick to make on the day.

What’s in the recipe?

Asparagus- When asparagus is in season it’s beautiful to cook with. I’ve bought locally grown asparagus, roughly chopped and added to the stir fry.

Tofu- I like using Cauldron Tofu which is soaked in a water bath, simple drain the water and press. If you don’t have a tofu press, just wrap in a bit of kitchen roll and allow to soak the excess water.

Cornflour- If you toss the tofu in cornflour and fry in sesame oil, it’ll create a lovely crispy coating before adding the marinade. It’s a good cooking hack to help absorb any excess moisture in your tofu.

Chilli oil- I love using Pippy Eats chilli oil, it’s perfect for garnishing tofu or stir fried vegetables such as this. If you don’t have chilli crisp oil, definitely look out for some next time you’re in the supermarket.

 

tofu and asparagus stir fry

Cooking tips:

Medium Heat- It’s tempting to whack the heat right up to get ‘crispy’ tofu however you run the risk or burning the marinade. I would suggest a good quality non stick pan, medium heat and allow the tofu to crisp on each side before turning.

Fry First then Coat- I prefer to fry the tofu in a bit of corn flour to crisp and turn golden before adding the marinade. It helps prevent the garlic and ginger from burning and give it just enough time to cook off the ingredients.

Don’t overcook the asparagus- By adding the asparagus to fry only for the last 3-4 minutes will allow it to cook until a little tender without burning.

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asparagus and tofu stir fry

Asparagus and Tofu Stir Fry

Asparagus and crispy tofu stir fry made with ginger, garlic and chilli. Perfect as a side dish or as part of a main if served with noodles or rice. Made in less than 15 minutes this recipe is perfect for a week night meal.
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Prep Time 3 minutes
Cook Time 12 minutes
Servings 2 People

Ingredients
  

  • 350 g block of tofu
  • 1 heaped tbsp cornflour
  • 200 g asparagus locally grown if possible
  • 3 large cloves garlic
  • 1 thumb sized piece of ginger
  • 2 tbsp sesame oil
  • 1 tbsp tamari or soy sauce
  • 1 tbsp chilli crisp oil if you don’t have this, add 1 tsp chilli flakes to the marinade

Instructions
 

  • Drain & cube the tofu block and toss in the cornflour, fry in a non stick pan with a drizzle of sesame oil
  • Prepare the marinade by mincing the garlic and ginger then add to a bowl with the oil and tamari and whisk together
  • Once the tofu has crisped, add the marinade to the pan and continue to fry on a medium heat
  • Chop the asparagus and add to the pan to fry for a further 2-3 minutes
  • Serve up and drizzle the chilli crisp oil over the top & enjoy

Notes

  • If you don’t have chilli oil, add 1 tsp chilli flakes to the marinade
  • I used Pippy Eats chill crisp oil
  • Serve as a side or add sticky rice or noodles with more chilli oil

If you like this recipe why not try my Easy Tofu Ramen

Tofu easy vegan ramen recipe

gluten free asparagus and tofu stir fry

tofu and asparagus stir fry vegan

Dinner Lunch & Light Bites Recipe

Asparagus and Shiitake Risotto

Posted on June 7, 2021
asparagus and shiitake vegan risotto

Vegan Asparagus and Shiitake Mushroom Risotto

This asparagus and shiitake risotto is vegan and gluten free.  It’s easy to make and just takes 30 minutes of stirring to create a delicious hearty week-night meal. Asparagus season  is here so let’s celebrate with a recipe that works perfectly with the shiitake mushrooms.

What’s in the recipe?

Asparagus – Celebrating the season of asparagus, try and find locally grown asparagus to help cut down on air miles.

Shiitake Mushrooms- I’ve used shiitake as the texture is slightly meaty agains the fluffy rice, however you could easily swap this for whatever mushrooms you have available.

 Arborio Rice- This short grain rice is perfect for risottos and is readily available in most supermarkets. You can swap this for bulgar wheat, follow the same process but remember to soak the wheat for a few hours before.

Vegan Butter- I’ve used the flora salted butter because it is a really good vegan alternative to butter. You want at least 2 heaped tbsp in this recipe to make a delicious creamy risotto.

Stock- I use boiled water and vegetable stock cubes for this, it’s cheap and easy to make. You can use a home made stock if you prefer.

Lemon- To cut through the salty, herby, creamy risotto, you need a good squeeze of lemon juice for acidity to really help the risotto have a full and round flavour profile.

Seasoning- I can’t express how important salt and pepper is to this recipe – don’t be scared of seasoning! Get generous with the seasoning and enjoy.

vegan risotto asparagus and shiitake

Risotto Cooking Tips

Absorb- Letting the rice absorb each ladle of stock before adding the next is crucial. It’s important not to add it all at once, it may mean taking time to stir it through but it’s worth it.

Seasoning- Don’t be shy of the salt and pepper for this recipe.

White wine- I’m not fussy when it comes to what wine you use for risotto. I won’t pretend to be a connoisseur  so just choose a wine anywhere from £4-7 and it’ll do the job!

 

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asparagus and shiitake vegan risotto

Asparagus and Shiitake Risotto

Vegan and gluten free asparagus and shiitake risotto recipe perfect for batch cooking. Easy to make, just takes 30 minutes of stirring and you have a delicious hearty week night meal.
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Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Servings 2 people

Ingredients
  

  • 5 cloves garlic minced
  • 250 g asparagus
  • 2 tbsp butter
  • 120 g shiitake mushrooms chopped
  • 1 tsp dried parsley
  • 1 tsp dried thyme
  • Salt & pepper
  • 1 1/2 tsp dried thyme
  • 150 g arborio rice risotto rice
  • 550 ml veg stock I used boiling water and a stock cube
  • 200 ml white wine
  • Squeeze 1/2 lemon
  • 1 tbsp extra virgin olive oil to top when serving

Instructions
 

  • Start by finely chopping the garlic and add to a large pot with the butter, place on a low- medium heat
  • After a few minutes add the chopped shiitake mushrooms and fry for a further five minutes
  • Add the seasoning and the dried herbs then add the risotto rice and toss in all of the flavours before adding the white wine, then leave to absorb
  • Add the vegetable stock a ladle at a time allowing it to absorb before adding the next bit, continue this process until all of the stock has been used
  • When add the last ladle of stock add the asparagus stalks so they can soften for the last few minutes of cooking
  • After 3 minutes squeeze in 1/2 lemon juice, season generously season with black pepper and salt before serving and enjoy. Add a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil to the top of each bowl when serving (optional)

Notes

If you snap the ends off your asparagus, finely chop them up and add to the pot along with the mushrooms to prevent food waste

If you like this recipe why not try my easy tomato and garlic risotto recipe

vegan tomato and garlic risotto

 

vegan asparagus and shiitake risotto lucy and lentils

asparagus and shiitake risotto

Dinner Recipe

15 Minute Simple Garlic Pasta

Posted on May 26, 2021
15 minute garlic pasta vegan

Simple 15 Minute Garlic Pasta Recipe

Vegan friendly and easy to make, this 15 minute garlic pasta recipe is perfect for mid week cooking. If you just have a few key ingredients you can create this at home. You will need garlic, tomatoes, pasta and tenderstem and seasoning to make this. 

What’s in the recipe?

Garlic- I’ve opted for about 3 large cloves, or if you’re using a much smaller garlic bulb go for around 4-5. The aim is to have a beautiful garlic flavour so don’t be afraid to go heavy!

Pasta- I chose rigatone pasta for this recipe as I love the way the filling seeps into the tube and gives a pop of flavour with every bite. You can use any pasta you have to hand, this will work!

Tomatoes- I find fresh tomatoes work a lot better with this recipe. It’s pretty versatile for whichever kind of tomatoes you have but I love using smaller tomatoes such as cherry, piccolino or roma.

Seasoning- I’ve used marjoram, parsley and thyme for this recipe. Marjoram has a gorgeous spice to it, perfect in recipes such as this. It’s not as strong as chilli but gives a slight punch. If you don’t have marjoram substitute for 1/2 tsp oregano.

cherry tomatoes and garlic pasta sauce

Tips and Tricks

Pasta Water- Save some of the pasta water, usually a good ladle full (between 100-200ml) to mix in with the tomatoes. It’ll help create a delicious silky smooth texture to coat all of the pasta.

Season heavily- The trick to good pasta is heavily seasoning the pot of boiling water, seasoning whilst cooking and just before serving. Pasta also loves cracked black pepper so be generous with that too!

Thicker sauce? If you like loads of sauce to your pasta, double up the tomatoes to 600g.

garlic and tomato pasta

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15 minute garlic pasta vegan

15 Minute Easy Garlic Pasta

Vegan friendly and easy to make, this 15 minute garlic pasta recipe is perfect for mid week cooking. If you just have a few key ingredients in the house, give this plant based recipe a try. Full of flavour with 10 main ingredients, it's perfect for batch cooking
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Prep Time 3 minutes
Cook Time 12 minutes
Servings 2 people

Ingredients
  

  • 130 g pasta
  • 3 large cloves garlic
  • 7 Tenderstem
  • 300 g tomatoes
  • 2 tsp tomato purée
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 1/2 tsp pepper
  • 1/2 tsp marjoram
  • 1 tsp Parsley
  • 1 tsp thyme
  • 100 ml pasta water
  • 1 tbsp nutritional yeast optional
  • 1 tbsp pine nuts optional

Instructions
 

  • Start by frying the chopped garlic cloves in olive oil for 2 mins
  • Add the roughly chopped tomatoes and seasoning and leave to fry
  • Meanwhile whack a seasoned pot of water on to boil and add the dried pasta, after about 8 mins add the roughly chopped Tenderstem
  • Mash the tomatoes into the garlic and add the tomato purée, mix together
  • Once the pasta is aldente, drain (leaving a good ladle full of pasta water) and add to the pan of tomatoes and garlic
  • Stir together, taste and season generously with salt & pepper again
  • Top with nutritional yeast and pine nuts if you’re feeling fancy, otherwise ENJOY!

If you like this recipe why not try my Garlic, Tomato & Veg 15 Minute Pasta

vegan tomato pasta recipe

 

15 minute garlic pasta vegan

15 minute garlic pasta recipe