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Dinner Recipe

Chilli & Lentil Hot Pot

Chilli and lentil hot pot vegan

Chilli and lentil hotpot - perfect for the cold evenings. One of my favourite recipes to make during the week as it's so simple, minima ingredients, most of which can be found in your cupboards!

Vegan, gluten free and full of flavour - I hope this can become one our staple weekly recipes too. 

chilli and lentil hot pot recipe 

Ingredients

1 red onion 
3 cloves garlic
1 tin tomatoes 
1/2 cup rinsed lentils
750ml stock
1 chunk dark (85%) chocolate
100g fresh spinach

1/2 cup dairy free single cream

Spices
1/2 tsp paprika
1/2 tsp smoked chipotle flakes
1/2 tsp sage 
Pinch salt

Method

Fry off the chopped onion in a little oil, followed by the mined garlic for a further 1 minute
Add all of the remaining ingredients (apart from the chocolate) and simmer for 20-25 minutes
Once the lentils are cooked add the chunk of chocolate and the dairy-free cream then serve up (I also added some fresh spinach)

Favourite way to enjoy

Eat with a thick slice of toasted bread and top with toasted pumpkin and sesame seeds

Chilli and lentil hot pot vegan
Dinner Recipe

Vegan Butternut Mac and Cheese

vegan mac and cheese instagram

Cashew Nut Based Mac & Cheese Recipe

Instead of using a plant based cheese, I’ve opted for a cashew base instead. They’re rich, creamy and perfect for making a thick sauce such as a cheesy one (made cheesy using nutritional yeast). It takes 30 minutes from start to finish and is perfect for a cosy night in. Let’s get to the recipe!

Breakdown of Ingredients

Macaroni – To make a classic mac & cheese you need to start with macaroni pasta. This can easily be swapped for gluten free, just be sure to check the cooking times.

Cashews- Rich and creamy, they make a perfect base for a thick vegan sauce. You can use them for a bechamel sauce.

Nutritional Yeast- This is a common ingredient found within vegan cooking/ vegetarian cooking as it has a nutty, slightly cheesy flavour to it. It’s often added to pestos, sauces and salads to give them a bit of depth.

Seasoning- With any sauce it’s important to season, make sure to taste test adding a little more salt, pepper and paprika if needed. I like using smoked paprika as it gives a lovely warmth to the dish.


vegan mac and cheese recipe

vegan mac and cheese instagram

Cashew Based Mac & Cheese

Using cashew nuts and nutritional yeast, this cheesy mac & cheese is completely vegan friendly. It's also gluten free if you swap the pasta for a GF option.
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Servings 2 People

Ingredients
  

  • 100 g cashew nuts 3/4 cup
  • 125 ml plant based milk (I used a thick one such as a full fat oat milk)
  • 2 tbsp nutritional yeast
  • 1/2 tsp mustard
  • 1 tsp turmeric
  • 1/2 tsp smoked paprika
  • Pinch chilli flakes
  • Pinch salt & pepper
  • 1/2 small butternut squash
  • 3-4 sprigs fresh rosemary & thyme
  • 160 g servings of Macaroni (around 2 portions)

Instructions
 

  • Dive the butternut into 3cm cubes, drizzle in olive oil, fresh rosemary and thyme and roast at 180º for 30 minutes
  • Add the macaroni pasta to a pot of water and bring to a boil for 15 minutes (might be less depending on cooking instructions)
  • In a blender / powerful food processor, add the cashews, milk, nutritional yeast, mustard, and spices and blend till creamy smooth
  • Drain the water from the pasta and add the sauce to heat through, adding in the roasted butternut
  • Taste test, adding a generous pinch of salt & pepper or maybe more chilli and enjoy

If you like this recipe why not try my truffled cheesy pasta recipe (the cheesiest yet).

cheesiest vegan pasta recipe
Breakfast dessert Recipe

French Toast with Caramelised Banana Crust

vegan french toast recipe lucy and lentils

 vegan french toast recipe lucy and lentils

One of the ultimate decadent brunch recipes - french toast with a caramelised banana crust. This recipe is vegan and gluten free, however you can enjoy this with plain flour and plain white bread

The main ingredients are as simple as: bread, almond milk, banana, cinnamon & berries. It's so simple to put together and perfect for enjoying with friends. 

Ingredients:

  • 3 Slices of GF White Bread (the more stale the better)
  • 1 ripe banana
  • 2 tbsp GF flour
  • 1 cup innocent almond drink
  • 1 tsp cinnamon
  • 1/4 tsp ground nutmeg
  • 1/8 tsp ground cardamom •pinch salt
  • tbsp coconut oil
  • 1/2 cup blueberries
  • Handful of blackberries
  • Pinch of fresh mint
  • maple syrup (optional)

Method:

  • Mix the flour, spices and salt together in a bowl then slowly add the innocent almond drink •Mash the banana into a paste then add to the bowl and whisk together
  • Submerge each slice of bread into the mix then one by one fry in a pan on a medium - high heat
  • Fry until golden (adding a little more coconut oil if needed) and place on a hot plate whilst you fry the other slices
  • In a separate pan ad a little coconut oil then heat the blueberries through
  • Assemble to toasted bread adding the hot blueberries, and decorate with the blackberries and fresh mint

Enjoy

vegan french toast
vegan french toast recipe lucy and lentils
Lunch & Light Bites Recipe

Doorstop Pesto & Cheese Sandwich

vegan toastie recipe

I've create the ultimate door-stop sandwich perfect for lunchboxes or if you're a student in need of a sobering-up sandwich. 

Filled with pesto, chargrilled peppers and a vg cream cheese, this is a tasty sarnie to create.

Recipe:

3 slices sourdough bread
3 tbsp pesto
3 tbsp  vg cream cheese
handful of baby spinach leaves
1 red pepper

Method:

Using a toastie machine or grill, heat the sliced pepper through until charred
Lightly toast each slice of bread till lightly golden
Layer the cream cheese with the spinach, pesto and charred peppers then place back in the toastie machine / grill until heated through
Enjoy

vegan toastie recipe
Breakfast Recipe

Creamy Porridge Topped with Fresh Figs

vegan oatmeal with figs

What's more comforting than a creamy bowl of hot porridge topped with seasonal fruit and crunchy nuts? Nothing you say? Well good because here is a delicious recipe for you to make (or prepare and take to work, you can always use the microwave).

Fun fact of the day it's The World Porridge Making Championships this week in Scotland (October 3rd). Every bowl is actually made with oatmeal instead of rolled or jumbo which is what I've used today. Mornflake's to be exact!

 

Ingredients 

1/4 cup Mornflake stoneground oats
1 cup of water (or oatly barrista mylk)
1tbsp maple syrup / honey
1 tbsp peanut butter
 
To Top:
2 ripe figs halved 
1tsp desiccated coconut 
handful of blueberries + 1/2 tsp coconut oil
handful of hazelnuts
 
 

Method

For the oats:
Add the stoneground oats and water in a pan and bring to a simmer for around a minute
Turn the heat down so the oats gently simmer for a further 3 minutes
 
In a separate bowl add the blueberries with the blueberries and heat on a low heat until they start to pop and bubble 
 
 
To serve:
Once the oats are cooked and creamy, serve into a bowl topping with the blueberries
Add the peanut butter, coconut nectar and hazelnuts then dust with the desiccated coconut. 
Lastly place the halved fig on top and enjoy with a mug of tea
 

Back To Breakfast Recipes

 

vegan oatmeal with figs
Dinner Recipe

Squash and Coconut Curry

vegan coconut curry

One of my favourite ways to use up any leftovers in the fridge, is  by compiling it into a tasty vegan curry.

The ingredients list may look long, however all you need as a base is a tin of coconut milk, garlic, chilli and a good scoop or curry powder. This is supposed to be a simple recipe so feel free to adapt this to fit what’s in your cupboard / fridge.

squash curry autumn recipe

Squash & Coconut Curry

Ingredients
  

Fresh

  • 1 finely chopped white onion
  • 1 small precooked butternut if it's not precooked, just cut it into 3cm cubes so it'll cook quickly
  • 1 large courgette
  • 1 red chilli
  • 3 cloves minced garlic

From the pantry

  • 1 tin full fat coconut milk
  • 1/2 pack coconut cream optional to make extra creamy
  • 3/4 cup white rice
  • handful of cashews

Spices

  • 1 tbsp turmeric
  • 1 tsp cumin
  • 1/2 tsp curry powder
  • 1/2 tsp fennel seeds
  • large pinch of salt and pepper

Instructions
 

  • Heat the dried spices and seeds in a pan for around 60 seconds then add 1 tbsp coconut oil with the finely chopped onion and fry until see through (you can substitute coconut oil and fry in water)
  • Add the finely chopped chilli to the pan then after a few minutes add the minced garlic & cook for a further 60 seconds
  • Add the courgette halves and precooked butternut to the pan and allow to infuse the flavours for around 8 minutes then add 1 tin coconut milk + 1/2 pack coconut cream
  • Let the pot simmer for around 15 minutes, be sure to test that the butternut is soft to eat
  • add large pinch of salt and pepper and give the pot a taste adding more spice where needed
  • Whilst the curry is lightly simmering, steam or boil the rice then serve up in a bowl topping with coconut yogurt, toasted cashew nuts and fresh coriander

 

coconut squash vegan curry

Breakfast Lunch & Light Bites Recipe

Ras El Hanout Vegan Shakshouka Recipe

ras el hanout vegan

I'm sharing a newly created shakshouka recipe using Ras El Hanout (a beautiful spice blend).

I met Tom, the owner of Freshly Spiced a few months ago at my local food market and got chatting to him about his company. Since I’ve been to his workshop and learnt about the value of freshly ground spices and the difference between Tom’s handmade blends to the dried packages I buy in the shops.

I’ve been so blown away by how much more flavour they have and also the importance of reading the sell by date. I’ve been trying his blend packets and using them in my baking & cooking and wanted to share it with you.

Recipe

1 onion

100g tomatoes

1 red pepper

1 red chilli

3 cloves garlic

1 tin chopped tomatoes +half the can of water

1 tsp sage

1 tbsp smoked paprika

½ tsp paprika

2 tbsp ras el hanout (I used Freshly Spiced)

100g potatoes (I used new potatoes)

large pinch of salt & pepper to taste

Method

In a pot, bring the chopped new potatoes to boil, then simmer for a further 10 minutes

In a large pan fry off the chopped onion and chilli in a pan with a large glug of olive oil

Add the minced cloves of garlic and fry for around 1 minute

Add the chopped fresh tomatoes, then add all the dried spices and fry for around 5 minutes before adding the tinned tomatoes

Pour in ½ the tin of water into the mix (feel free to add a dash more if you like a thinner consistency)

Once the potatoes are soft, add them to the shakshouka then leave to simmer and infuse for another 5-10 minutes

Taste test, adding a little more salt and pepper if needed.

Enjoy!

ras el hanout shakshouka
Bread & Dough Recipe

Tortilla Recipe

easy vegan tortilla recipe

These homemade tortillas are so easy to make and don't require any yeast. I'm particularly lazy when it comes to baking bread, however this recipe is a great one to have in the bank. 

Vegan

Easy

Less than 5 minutes to cook

Ingredients

1 3/4 cups of plain flour

1/4 tsp baking powder

3 tbsp olive oil

1/2 +1 tbsp cup warm water

Large pinch of salt

 

Method

Mix the dry ingredients in a bowl together then add the olive oil

Mix together then slowly add the warm water then combine

Bring the dough together then need for around 3-4 minutes

Place in a bowl and cover with a tea towel and leave to prove for around 10 minutes

Half the dough, then three times again until you have 8 small balls then using a rolling pin roll out into thin tortillas (around 0.5cm thick) 

Heat a medium non-stick pan then add each tortilla. As soon as they start to bubble on one side, flip over and cook for a further 30 seconds

Continue until the batch is cooked

Enjoy with a veggie filled fajita mix

easy vegan tortilla recipe
Dinner Recipe

Lemongrass Rainbow Veg Curry

vegan lemongrass curry

This quick curry can be on the table in less than 30 minutes. I’ve tried to include some key ingredients such as garlic, ginger and lemongrass, but stripped it back enough that it’ll still be a speedy recipe. Using seasonal fresh greens to top this will give a gorgeous crunch in contrast to the silky smooth sauce.

Vegan

On the table in 30 minutes

Gluten free


lemongrass and ginger curry vegan recipe

 


Breakdown of ingredients

Ginger- Now ginger has to be one the best ingredients to add into a curry, it gives a beautiful kick and fragrance. Top tip, dice half of the ginger to add at the start, then grate the other half into the curry once the coconut milk has been added.

Garlic – If you’re intolerant to garlic, please feel free to leave this one out however if you’re not, feel free to add an extra clove if you like it strong!

Lemongrass- Similar to the way ginger is fragrant, this will add a lovely tang with the fresh lemon flavour coming through. If you’re using dried lemongrass, be sure to add an extra strand.

Steamed tenderstem –  I love adding crunchy veg to the top to add a lovely contrast to the silky smooth coconut curry sauce.


lemongrass and ginger curry vegan recipe

 


 

As always, be sure to tag me on Instagram if you give this a go! You can find all of my images over on Lucy & Lentils

 

lemongrass & ginger cambodian style curry

Lemongrass & Ginger Cambodian Style Curry

A simple and stripped back recipe keeping this ready in less than 30 minutes of a recipe but still tasty! Naturally vegan and gluten free.
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Servings 2 people

Ingredients
  

Spices:

  • 1 1/2 tsp ground cumin
  • 1 1/2 tsp turmeric powder
  • 1 stalk of fresh lemongrass or two dried lemongrass stalks

Veg & Stock:

  • 1 tbsp coconut oil or olive oil
  • 1 thumb sized piece of grated ginger or finely chopped
  • 3 cloves minced garlic
  • 1 orange bell pepper diced into large chunks
  • 1 courgette diced into large chunks
  • 1 green chilli finely chopped
  • 6-7 cherry tomatoes halved
  • 4-5 tenderstem stalks
  • 60 g sugar snap peas
  • 100 g diced firm tofu/ quorn of vegan 'chicken pieces' diced tempeh will also work
  • 400 ml tin full fat coconut milk

Serve / Season with:

  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 200g g long grain rice You want around 400ml water for boil
  • fresh coriander
  • handful toasted cashew nuts

Instructions
 

  • If eating with rice, place your rice of choice onto boil
  • Start by heating a generous glug of coconut oil or olive oil olive oil in a pan then adding the spices and lemongrass to heat through (this helps release the aroma and flavour)
  • Add diced pepper, courgette, chilli and ginger in a pan with a drizzle of oil for around 5 minutes before adding the minced garlic
  • After the garlic has fried (should only take around 1-2 minutes) add in the tofu / quorn, continue to fry for 3 minutes before adding in the coconut milk
  • Allow to simmer for around 3 minutes before adding the tenderstem and sugar snap peas to the pan then place a lid over and allow to steam for a further 4-5 minutes until softened, season with a generous pinch of salt
  • Garnish with chopped toasted nuts, fresh coriander, chopped tomatoes - optional to add a little extra coconut cream when serving
  • Serve with the drained rice and enjoy!

Video

Notes

  • Additional ingredients: You can add 1-2 tbsp thick coconut cream to make this extra thick and delicious!
  • You can add the chopped tomatoes to the stock to bubble away with the veg or serve them right at the end
Keyword curry, dinner ideas, easy curry, lemongrass and ginger

Find me on Pinterest here.

lemongrass and ginger vegan curry recipe

Dinner Recipe

BBQ Pulled Jackfruit Burgers

bbq jackfruit burger

This recipe for bbq pulled jackfruit burgers is perfect for those nights where you need a little comfort. Jackfruit is really easy to grasp once you've cooked with it once, so why not try in within a burger! 

Ingredients

400g tinned jackfruit (you want young jackfruit in either brine or spring water)

3 cloves minced garlic

1 heaped tsp smoked paprika

1 finely chopped small red onion

1 finely chopped red chilli

1/4 cup bbq sauce

To Finish

brioche burger buns (I just used shop bought)

vegan mayo

seasonal beef tomato 

curly lettuce

Method

Preheat the oven to 180˚C

Heat a glug of olive oil to an oven proof pan and gently fry the red onion and chilli 

Prepare your jackfruit by draining the tin and pulling apart the fruit to give a 'pulled pork' looking texture then add to the frying pan with the onion and chilli. 

Add the dried spices with a large pinch of salt and cook for a further 5-6 minutes

Add the minced garlic and fry for 1 minute before adding the bbq sauce (if you like yours even richer, add another glug of bbq sauce

Place in the oven for around 20-25 minutes until starting to crisp

Serve up on a brioche bun with a thick layer of vegan mayo, curly lettuce, sliced tomato and another dollop of bbq sauce on top. 

 

Enjoy!

 

 

 

 

bbq jackfruit burger
vegan jackfruit burger