Spice up your cooking this Veganuary

This month is Veganuary so we’ve been getting inspired and exploring ways to participate in this month’s challenge.

Veganuary is an annual initiative set up by the UK based non-profit to give people the tools to try out a plant based lifestyle and help educate us on the benefits for people and planet. 

In the majority of cuisines in the world, we are heavily reliant on meat and other animal derived products for our main sources of protein. This is highly unsustainable as agricultural farming - and deforestation to make way for it - contribute a quarter of global greenhouse gas emissions. 60% of these emissions come from animal farming, making it a huge polluter. (1)

In a world with high levels of food insecurity, using so much land for animal farming is a highly inefficient use of space and our crops would go much further if they were consumed directly, rather than as feed for livestock. 

Additionally, the animal agricultural industry often involves high levels of animal cruelty, much of which can be hard to trace, especially if buying meat within other products, such as ready meals, takeaways, or cured meats. 

Overall, we could all benefit from a more vegan lifestyle and Veganuary is a great chance to give it a go. You don’t have to be super strict with it but it might give you an opportunity to think outside the box with your cooking and try new foods and flavours. What's not to love?

On that note, here are some of the foods we will be prioritising in January:

Beans, Lentils, and Pulses

Foods such as chickpeas, butter beans, haricot beans, and different types of lentils are fantastic for adding to so many dishes. They can be used to bulk up soups and sauces and carry strong flavours well, so lend themselves to using a range of spices. This food group is high in protein, fibre, and nutrients and digests slowly, meaning you feel fuller for longer. Try recipes like a warming spiced lentil dahl, or Spanish-style bean and tomato stew. 

Tofu and Tempeh

A popular and widely used vegan food is tofu, while tempeh is less well-known in Western cuisines. Tempeh is very similar to tofu but is made using the whole and fermented soy bean, giving it a more nutty flavour, and chunkier texture. These foods are extremely versatile and can be used in a wide range of dishes, from curries and noodle dishes, to grilling, stir frying, or even an egg-style scramble. 

Winter Vegetables!

Of course the most obvious vegan food group is vegetables but this doesn’t have to be boring. Prioritising a variety of veg during winter is a great way to keep your immune system strong and stay healthy during the colder months, helping you avoid endless winter colds. Some British winter veg to choose from could include carrots, parsnips, kale varieties, pumpkin & squash, cabbage & red cabbage, leeks, chard, sweet potato, cauliflower, broccoli, and spinach.

Plant Based Milk, Butter, and Yoghurt

Plant-based dairy alternatives have really improved in recent years and there are now so many to choose from. Switching the milk in your tea or coffee could be a great small swap for Veganuary, or why not try coconut yoghurts to switch up breakfast time?

Rice, Bread, Noodles

Maintaining your intake of healthy carbohydrates during Veganuary is a fairly easy one. Many of our core carbs are already vegan such as rice, lots of breads, dry pasta, rice or wheat noodles, oats, and of course potatoes. However, if you’re feeling adventurous this Veganuary, you could opt for red lentil pasta, quinoa, wild rice, or simply explore wholegrain options.

Spice it up

A key way to make vegan food rival your usual meat and dairy options is by getting creative with spices and flavouring. Experiment with Indian style spices like turmeric and cumin, East Asian sauces such as soy and vegan oyster sauce, as well as the huge range of herbs including parsley, coriander, or thyme to freshen up any dish. And never underestimate the power of aromatics like garlic, ginger, and fennel for adding fantastic flavour. 

There are some amazing vegan recipes out there now so you’re sure to find alternatives for your favourite comfort dishes. You might find you notice improvements to your health this month as well, with many people citing a vegan diet for improvements in bloating and digestion, energy levels, heart health, and skin issues.

Read on for more information about vegan swaps...

Check out our guide to Vegan Food

How veganism affects the fashion industry

And read about our PETA vegan certification

References: (1) Greenpeace

All photos © Canva