I’ll be showing you what’s in my cupboards and freezer in a moment but first, a little context…
I think because the majority of food that the UK produces is milk and wheat based, it’s easy to think there isn’t anything else. All you have to do is look at other cultures and continents, Asia being a specifically apt example, to realise there is so much choice! Coconut milk instead of cows milk; gram (chickpea) flour instead of wheat flour and pea protein or tofu (bean curd) instead of meat are three of my most used swaps.
Pantry
(Clockwise)
Coop Free From noodles – I add chopped up veggie sausages and tomato pasta sauce with added tomato paste to make Spaghetti Bolognase.
Nairn’s Wholegrain Crackers – Much crunchier than original oat cakes
Grano Vita Mock Duck – Apparently it can be eaten cold on a sarnie or hot with your Sunday lunch but not tried it yet so take take my word for it!
Asda Free From Fiery Chilli Rice Noodle Pot – These are perfect for when you need something really quick.
Alpro Hazelnut – OMG this has to be the best milk substitute ever.
Pine nuts – Adds crunch and flavour to pasta with red or green.
Amy’s Kitchen Chunky Tomato Soup – I cannot believe this is dairy free and it is even richer with nutritional yeast flakes added for a cheesy/creamy flavour.
Free and Easy Chickpea and Lentil Curry – I’m glad they haven’t called this Daal because it doesn’t taste like the authentic Indian curry, more like a Mexican dish but it is lovely and very filling.
Tesco Free From Red Pesto – (I often get Saccla brand as well) for spaghetti bolagnaise or pizza.
(Out of shot)
Huge bag of rice, Genius Seeded Loaf.
Snack Cupboard
(Clockwise)
Kettle Chips, Sheese and Red Onion – I could eat these ALL day!
Eat Real, Lentil Chips, Chilli & Lemon – I love how chunky these are and that you get a robust flavour from the lentils along with the added zingy flavour.
Kind bars (just seen) – These are made of different kinds of nuts held together with dark chocolate, peanut butter or (contains dairy) caramel. Gives me lots of energy quickly.
Roasted Salted Peanuts – Great to put into Satay Sauce or Nasi Goreng Indonesian Chilli Salad or a Waldorf salad but also great to snack on while drinking beer. Cheers!
Pom-bear – Does anyone else buy a huge bag of these when on self-catering holidays abroad?
Tesco, Free From Onion Rings – So much better than those little 20p bags you used to get as a kid. I’m quite gobsmacked by them being free-from actually.
Ten Acre, The Story Of When The Cheese Met The Onion – Apart From the highly pretentious and, let’s face, weird tittle, these are delicious! You won’t believe they are dairy free. Their Pastrami flavour is fantastical well.
Freezer
(Clockwise)
Linda McCartney’s Rosemary and Red Onion Sausages – Not the best veggie sausages but certainly not the worst I’ve had, these are lovely with gravy; not so much for a sausage butty with brown sauce though.
Applewood Vegan Smokey Cheese – Wow! How on earn does a vegan cheese taste this good!? It even grates and melts perfectly.
Oomph! Kebab Strips – The best meat alternative I’ve ever found.
Deliciously Ella, Cauliflower and Lentil Dahl – Nope! Lovely flavour but tastes more like a mild Thai curry made with coconut milk. Tiny for the price but I like them breakfast/lunch on colder days.
Quorn, Comforting Cottage Pie – I add a bit of tomato or HP sauce and have this with steamed veggies.
Amy’s Kitchen, Veggie Lasagne – I add a tiny bit of Sriracha sauce and nutritional yeast to this. Really nice with the spinach inside.
McCains, Potato Smiles – Crunchy on the outside and fluffy in the middle. 😊
What do use as substitutions and/or what tinned or packet ingredients do you mix together to make a meal? Have you tried any of these and do you have any recommendations?
