Off grid. It’s a scary concept for some, but for people like me, it’s an aspiration. Imagine living a self-sufficient life and no longer being beholden to ‘the man’. It sounds quite hippy-trippy-60s anti-establishment, but there is great appeal in disentangling oneself from the clutches of societal expectations. To truly live off grid means digging…
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I’ll be totally honest. Vegans have, for the most part, always made me feel uncomfortable. I didn’t question their choices, but I did find that their decision to live a life free of animal products made me examine my own way of life and feel a bit bad about it. I knew deep down that…
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Living in the country has its benefits. The air is clean and fresh, there is loads of space between houses, and life tends to move at a slower pace. I lived in Glasgow for a few years and really loved it, but I have to say that country life suits me better. But living out…
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This recipe is guaranteed to make you popular. I’ve never met anyone who wasn’t smitten with these after the first bite. They’re the perfect item to take to parties (make lots) and they’re also wonderful as gifts. I give away many kraft tin-tie bags full of these beauties every Christmas. This is a super-simple dish,…
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There was much excitement in the Fig & Pen household this week when we discovered a plant milk we actually enjoyed. While we regularly use Innocent’s Hazelnut Milk for porridge and cereal, we’ve yet to find a plant milk that can be enjoyed in tea or simply drunk as a beverage. Most of the ones…
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I flung this together when it was too hot to think about cooking. It’s vegetarian, but using vegan mayo will make it suitable for vegans. This recipe makes enough for 3-4 wraps, so feel free to scale up or down. Also, be as generous as you want with the various ingredients. Just remember to leave…
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Since giving up meat, I’ve found sandwiches a bit challenging. While vegetarians can enjoy cheese or egg filling, there are precious few options for vegans. I’m not vegan myself, but I am trying to cut down on dairy. Yesterday I adapted one of my favourite recipes for chicken salad and was happy with the result.…
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Photo courtesy of Sgaia Foods. While link hopping vegan restaurants in Glasgow, I stumbled upon a product called Mheat from Sgaia Foods. To say I’d had a fortuitous bounce would be an understatement, as I’d discovered the best vegan meat I’ve ever tried – purely by accident. And I do love a happy accident. Before…
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A while back, I wrote about being super impressed by Iceland’s No Bull Vegan Burgers. I still think they’re amazing, so I’m thrilled to report that Iceland has expanded the No Bull range with some outstanding beef substitutes. There are also some very good chicken replacements, but this review will cover the beefier options. Here…
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Every so often, I find myself eating too much sugar and have to cut back. I’ve gone so far as to not eat it at all, and while I do feel good when I’m off the sweet stuff, my sweet tooth always gets the better of me. In an attempt to achieve some balance, I…
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I am obsessed with roast dinners at the moment. Maybe it’s the change of season, but I am seriously craving stodge – mashed potatoes, roast potatoes, Yorkshire puddings – anything carby and comforting that can be paired with my favourite roast, and I’m after a rich, delicious gravy to top all of this lovely food.…
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I’d always assumed that giving up meat would mean giving up traditional meals that I’ve loved since childhood. How could I enjoy a roast dinner without a roast? I’d tried a vegetarian roast from a rather popular brand, but didn’t like it, and while there are loads of good veggie burgers on the market, none…
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For the past couple of years, I’ve been a ‘flexitarian’. Being married to a vegetarian means I eat many vegetarian meals, and became quite adept at cooking them, too. Over the last year, I found myself eating less and less meat until one day I decided not to bother with it anymore. My timing could…
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This is one of the easiest make-ahead breakfasts around, and it’s incredibly nourishing and delicious. You can easily scale this recipe up as it keeps well in the refrigerator for up to a week. Do use salted peanuts for your garnish. Trust me – it’s a lovely counterbalance to the sweetness of the banana and…
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Vegan meals don’t need to be time consuming or a faff. With just a few ingredients, it’s easy to put together a nutritious, delicious and satisfying dinner. This recipe is my go-to when I’m tired or just can’t be bothered, and is the epitome of what I like to call ‘jazz recipes’. ‘Jazz’, because it’s…
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