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Adding 'Creative' to Vegan Dishes

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Vegan Ice Cream

 

Back in my days as a chef, if a vegetarian walked through the doors, we could manage as we already had a wide variety of ingredients in the kitchen. But if a vegan walked in, it was considered a real pain in the neck; it threw the kitchen off-kilter because we were uneducated and ignorant to their needs.

Roll on 30 years and how the world has changed. We now live in a much-travelled and more informed world where people take a more ethical stance on the source and environmental impact of their food, driving the popularity of vegan dishes. There has never been a better time to encourage a vegan customer into your business - but be different and add value to your offering; the days of a veggie burger and a slice of tomato are gone.

Here are a few practical ideas to spruce up your offerings.

Dressings are an integral part of dishes. So, where possible, buy vegan alternatives to mayonnaise, pickles, coleslaws etc - this saves you having to duplicate as you can also use them on meat dishes. But more importantly, it eliminates any risk of getting meat or dairy products into vegan products, and of course, reduces the allergen risk.

The vegan go-to on every menu is a burger. So offer a Vegan Filthy Burger by adding things like a spoon of vegan chilli con carne, vegan mac and cheese, jalapeno, pickles and onion rings. Before you know it, you’ve got an excellent burger that everyone starts shouting about. You may want to provide a list of ingredients for the customer to spruce up their burger.

Brioche Buns, have you tried the vegan ones on the market? They are incredible, and the question is, do you need two types?

Ethnic foods are excellent go-to items for satisfying the taste buds. Commonly served with rice, mango and salsas, they are pretty predictable. As a point of difference, try alternative options like filling butternut squash, aubergines, peppers to add value and increase revenue.

One of the most popular chicken dishes is Hunters Chicken. This is easily converted to a vegan option by doing the same as you would do using a vegan chicken fillet - serve with BBQ sauce, vegan cheese slice, faux bacon and voila!

And don't forget dessert! Gone are the days of a fruit platter. Now that ingredients and recipes have improved, a vegan cheesecake can be just as creamy and delicious as its dairy counterpart and sponge cake made without eggs or butter and smoothered in a biscoff cream is just as decadent as any other cake

These are a few suggestions; also, look at vegan restaurants on what they are serving. You may find a little gem that requires no more to your shopping list but gives another point of difference. Check out our Vegan Directory or search 'Vegan' on our Online Ordering portal.

We are at the cusp of a Vegan revolution. Jump on board as it’s not about to go away.

Contributed by Paul Hunt, Development Chef, food stylist and chef trainer with 40 years of experience working in the UK and Europe

 

 

Mini Potato Skins
 

Mini Potato Skins filled with Vegan Arrabbiata

Oven baked mini jacket potato, halved, scooped and filled with an arrabbiata and mozzarella-style melt.

 

 
Vegetable Gyoza
 

Vegetable Gyoza

Half-moon shaped Japanese-style dumplings with a five vegetable (cabbage, peas, edamame beans, carrots, white radishes) and soy sauce filling and spinach flavoured dumpling pastry.

 

 
Vegan Chip Shop Bites
 

Vegan Chip Shop Bites

A croquette filled with potato and crushed peas encased in a cyder vinegar batter.

 

 
Aromatic Garden Burger
 

Aromatic Garden Burger

A rustic mix of broad beans, peas, potato and spinach, seasoned with aromatic spices. Lightly coated in gluten free breadcrumbs, oats and parsley.

 

 
Vegan Burger
 

Moving Mountains Vegan Burger

A 100% plant based burger, unlike any other veggie burger. A juicy patty created without the loss of a single animal life. Watch it sizzle in a pan like an actual beef patty.

 

 
Blueberry Croissant
 

Blueberry Croissant

A fruity vegan croissant made with added spelt flour and a delicious blueberry filling. Topped with seeds for extra crunch.

 

 
Vegan Style Brioche Bun
 

Vegan Style Brioche Bun

Enriched with a vegan butter substitute. This glazed bun has the taste and texture of brioche whilst being suitable for vegans.

 

 
Pretzel Hotdog Roll
 

Pretzel Hotdog Roll

Long wheat roll belonging to the ”Laugengeback” family. A German baked speciality, with a typical Pretzel taste and a brown crust alternated by pale incisions.

 

 
Vegan Banana, Toffee & Pecan Cake
 

Vegan Banana, Toffee & Pecan Cake

Vegan and gluten free banana & date cake layered with vegan cinnamon frosting. Topped with vegan caramel sauce & cinnamon pecans.

 

 
Belgian Chocolate Fudge Cake
 

Belgian Chocolate Fudge Cake

Three layers of vegan light chocolatey sponge generously layered and topped with creamy chocolate buttercream and side coated with chocolate nibs.

 

 
Vegan New York Cheesecake
 

Vegan New York Cheesecake

A gluten free and vegan crunchy biscuit, topped with a smooth, rich, vanilla vegan cream cheese.

 

 
Vegan Ice Cream
 

Vegan Ice Cream

Ice cream that tastes just as great as dairy, but happens to be plant-based. Our range of dairy-free ice creams has many more flavour choices than the regular chocolate, strawberry and vanilla.

 

 

 

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