4 Amazing Recipes for World Vegan Day

November 1, every year, is globally recognised as World Vegan Day. It is celebrated to spread awareness regarding the health benefits that come with following a vegan lifestyle. Whether you're a seasoned vegan or just starting your plant-based journey, we have laid down 4 recipes – breakfast, lunch, snack, and dessert – for you to try and take a chance to change your lifestyle on World Vegan Day.  

1. Breakfast – Vegan Pancake

Ingredients: 1 teaspoon baking powder, 1 tablespoon sugar, vanilla extract, 300 grams self-rising flour, 400 ml almond or any other plant-based milk, 1 tablespoon vegetable oil.

Instructions:

1. With a whisker, mix all the dry ingredients with 1 teaspoon salt and vanilla extract.
2. While whisking, slowly introduce almond milk till you get a thick and smooth batter.
3. Now, in a non-stick frying pan, heat some oil over medium flame. Add batter the size of a small round pancake. Cook it for 3 to 4 minutes or until bubbles start to appear on the surface. Flip it over.
4. Cook the other side for a couple of minutes or until it is golden brown.
5. Prepare the remaining pancakes the same way.

2. Lunch - Leek and Mushroom Risotto

Ingredients: 1 chopped leek, 200 grams risotto rice, vegan cheese of any brand, 80 grams unsalted vegan spread, 1 litre vegetable stock, 300 grams mushroom, olive oil, pepper, and salt to taste.

Instructions:

1. Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a Durban Saucepot, and add some of the vegan spread.
2. Add the leek and mushroom once the vegan spread has melted. Let the vegetables cook for some time.
3. Slowly add the risotto rice and pour the vegetable stock while continuously stirring.
4. Cook for approximately 10 minutes then turn off the gas.
5. Now add the vegan cheese and the remaining vegan spread. Mix well to get a creamy texture.
6. Sprinkle some black pepper and serve hot.

3. Snack – Black Bean Burger with Sweet Potato Fries

Ingredients: 250 grams drained black beans, 2 tablespoons buckwheat flour, red chilli flakes, ground cumin, 2 tablespoons smoked paprika, 300 grams peeled sweet potato, half lime, 1 chopped tomato and onion, and salt to taste.

Instructions:

1. Preheat the oven to 180°C. Slice the potatoes into the fries. Combine them in a mixing bowl with paprika, some oil, salt, and black pepper.
2. Place the fries neatly on a baking tray and bake for 30 minutes or until they are golden. Turn them halfway.
3. Heat some oil and sauté chopped onions and tomatoes in a fry pan on medium heat. Add drained beans, chilli, cumin, salt, and paprika. Mix them well and let it cook for 2-3 mins. Add a little water during the last minute, and transfer into a mixing bowl. Mash well and then stir in the flour. Let the mixture rest until cool enough to shape it into a burger patty.
4. Reheat the frying pan with some oil and cook the burger patty for a couple of minutes on each side, until brown.
5. Serve the burger alongside the fries and enjoy!

4. Dessert - Vegan Chocolate Ice cream

Ingredients: 100 grams almonds, 300ml water, 1 banana, 1 tablespoon cocoa powder, 2 tablespoons sugar, and a few drops of vanilla essence.

Instructions:

1. Blend the almonds with the skin in 300 ml water. Once blended, strain the liquid.
2. In a stainless steel fry pan, reduce the almond mixture for 2 minutes. Let it cool after reduction.
3. In a blender, blend the almond reduction along with all other ingredients. Put the mixture in a mixing bowl and freeze for over an hour.
4. Remove from the freezer and re-blend it for 2 minutes and return the mixture to the mixing bowl. Freeze it for another hour and the vegan chocolate ice cream will be ready to be devoured.

This World Vegan Day, let’s continue to savour the flavours of compassion and health while whipping up delectable, wholesome vegan meals that will tantalize your taste buds and nourish your body.