Veganuary 2025
Tutor: Ollie Bragg, Vegan chef, V for Life
Ollie cooks up a delicious Vegan meal for Veganuary, the non-profit campaign that encourages people to try a vegan diet and lifestyle for the month of January. Ollie Bragg is a chef from V for Life, the leading authority on diet and healthy living advice for older vegans and vegetarians. During this delicious vegan cook-along, Ollie is a roving chef for V for Life, as well a nutritional chef and lecturer, and will be making Herby Tofu Scramble, Peanut & Chocolate Protein Balls and a Berry Sunrise Smoothie. Yum!
Preparation
Set out your ingredients and equipment.
Video time
40 minutes
If you’re avoiding eggs, try this clever trick with tofu. This easy dish is packed with protein.
*If preparing for someone who eats kosher, check they are happy to eat Dijon mustard, which contains spirit vinegar. This ingredient is optional.
Serves: 1
Time to prepare: 10 mins
Time to cook: 20 mins
Dietary requirements: Dairy-free, Egg-free, Halal, Kosher, Vegan
Ingredients:
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• ½ onion, finely chopped
• 1 garlic clove, crushed
• 1 tbsp white flour
• 120ml soya milk
• 1 block tofu (200–250g), crumbled
• ½ tsp dried mixed herbs
• ½ tsp turmeric
• 3 medium vine tomatoes, finely chopped
• 1 dsp Dijon mustard (or to taste)
• Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
Optional:
2 handfuls of spinach leaves (add at stage 3 below)
Instructions:
1. Fry the onion and garlic on a low heat until soft.
2. Stir in the flour, followed by the soya milk. Stir well to get rid of lumps and cook for a minute or two.
3. Add the tofu, tomatoes, herbs, turmeric and mustard (and spinach, if using) and stir for 5 minutes.
4. Serve on toast, with fresh basil leaves and salt and pepper to taste.
These simple, no cook peanut and chocolate protein balls are fortified with dates and peanut butter.
300 kcal, 6.7g protein per 2 balls
Serves: 14 balls
Time to prepare: 05 mins
Dietary requirements: Dairy-free, Egg-free, Vegan
Ingredients
• 300g/10½oz pitted dates, such as medjool
• 70g/2½oz peanut butter
• 65g/generous 2 oz oats
• 3 tbsp dark vegan chocolate chips
• 1 tbsp ground flaxseeds
• Pinch of salt
• 3 tbsp cocoa powder
Instructions
1. If the dates are dry, add a little boiling water to them
2. Blend all ingredients together in a food processor.
3. Roll into small balls - you should get a bout 14 from this recipe.
4. Store in fridge until ready to serve.
This smoothie is a great way to start using tofu. Be sure to get the silken type, not firm tofu. You can use frozen berries straight from the freezer and your smoothie will be ice-cold and refreshing.
Serves: 4
Time to prepare: 05 mins
Dietary requirements: Dairy-free, Egg-free, Halal, Kosher, Vegan
Ingredients
• 1 banana
• 55g silken tofu, drained
• 175ml orange juice
• 200g frozen mixed berries
Instructions
1. Roughly chop the banana and the tofu into smaller pieces.
2. Place all of the ingredients into a food processor or blender, or place into a large, deep bowl and use a hand-held blender. Blend gently until thoroughly combined.
3. Serve immediately in a tall drinking glass.