YOUR FIRST VEGAN DINNER | VEGANUARY

Veganuary is a cool concept where people go vegan for the month of January in an attempt to improve health and environmental impact on the planet by cutting out animal products. Going vegan can seem daunting but we've writing this recipe especially for beginners. We break a recipe down and explain why we add each component. After it you'll hopefully understand how to create a recipe and you'll feel more confident on your journey.

All the best,
Dave & Steve.

[danid]

My recipe notes from the video, in case they're useful to anyone else:
INGREDIENTS:
Wholemeal noodles (gluten-free options: buckwheat or rice noodles or rice grain)

1 block firm tofu, cut into 4 thin slabs
2 Tbs oil

Glaze for tofu:
3 Tbs dark red miso
2 Tbs maple syrup

1 thumb size piece of ginger
, minced
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 red chili, medium hot, minced (for
less heat, remove seeds)
1 leek (white & green parts) sliced lengthwise and chopped into large chunks.
1 large bunch pak choi / bok choy (remove base, chop and separate white and green parts)
1 tin black beans (rinsed & drained)
1 tin coconut milk (lower fat option: substitute veg stock and reduce down to thicken)
2 Tbs tamari
Juice of 1 lime
Optional garnish: pomegranate seeds

DIRECTIONS:
Boil noodles for 4 mins (or time stated on packet). When cooked, drain and rinse in cold water to stop cooking.

Gently squeeze tofu to remove moisture.
Heat 2 Tbs oil in large frying pan on high heat. Sear tofu strips on one side, until golden. Mix miso and maple syrup to make glaze.

Turn over tofu and smear the cooked side with miso-maple glaze. Turn over tofu again and add glaze to other side.
Once tofu is slightly blackened on each side (approx 1 min each side after adding glaze), remove from pan and set aside.


To the same frying pan, add 100 ml water to deglaze, scraping bottom of pan. Add ginger, garlic, chili and stir. Add leek and cover pan for 3-4 mins to steam.

When leek is softened, add white part of pak choi. If pan dries out, add a bit more boiling water to maintain steaming. Cover pan again for couple of minutes, until the vegetables are softened.


Cut cooked tofu into different size chunks, and add to pan.
Then add coconut milk, tamari, lime juice and cooked noodles (or cooked rice). Lastly, add chopped green part of pak choi. Stir together. Top with pomegranate seeds.

[emilylouise]

Whole wheat noodles
Firm tofu block
2 tbsp oil
3 tbsp miso paste
2 tbsp maple syrup
Garlic
Ginger
Chilli
1 leek
Black beans
Bok choi
Pomegranate seeds

[johndough]

I'm doing the challenge to help a co - worker go 100% vegan. She's about 95% now and needs some help getting over the crest of the hill. I told her about your channel and what you guys are doing for January. We both appreciate the support and help. Keep up the great work!

[carolcarnegie]

Hi happy new year to you both, in Scotland we use the whole of the leek especially in soup, glad I found this video I've seriously been thinking about going veggie or vegan and this is great encouragement thank you 😊 Carol

[Prettykittychimi]

This is why I love you guys. You take the time to explain WHY instead of just listing ingredients, instructions, etc. Although I've been vegan since 2005, I have learned so much from watching your videos and can now use the knowledge you've given me to tweak recipes using ingredients I have on hand or create new ones. I used to somehow survive off of frozen chick patties and Oreos and now because of The Happy Pear I've never been healthier! I thank you guys from the bottom of my gut!

[patriciacorlis]

Happy new year, guys. This Canadian loves the fact you are always using maple syrup. This time of year here in my part of ontario, Canada, I make a lot of hearty vegetable soups which give me a belly hug. My favourite is parsnip, pear.

[vedranaz]

Regarding coconut milk/cream - if you're not used to cooking with it, start with a smaller amount first, taste, and add more if you find you like it. Personally, it's too strong for me to use a full can like this in any dish, but a small amount goes a long way as far as taste goes, especially in curries. I'm not scared of fat, but for some reason I find warm coconut cream particularly heavy on my digestion, so what I'll often do when I want a coconut flavour is add dry shredded coconut instead of milk/cream. If you don't like the texture of it in your dish - the small dry(ish) bits all over the place 😉 - soak a while beforehand in hot water or grind up into coconut flour. Nom! 😋 😊

[Dibdib]

Love this and gonna have to get something to replace the beans as I’m on fodmap. Happy New Year guys🥳🎉
*update* so, I swapped out the wheat noodles for rice noodles, added tinned lentils instead of beans and used courgette, pak Choi and spinach! Honestly, my husband actually asked for more, he’s still clueless he was eating tofu🤣🤣it’s the first time I’ve ever used it. This was a big hit and will definitely be made again. 😀

[spacepineapples]

happy veganuary! 4 years vegan today 😊

[shanmukhaoo]

What you both create is nothing less to pure love for Healthy cooking and it just amazes me. Thank you so much for spreading the Happiness.

[naturesbliss]

Happy New Year, Happy Pear! Love you guys; I have learned so much about vegan cooking since finding your channel. Thanks much. Cheers, and have a great year.

[GigiTanya]

This is my third time trying! I only fail because I run out of inspiration as to what I want to eat but your channel has been a life savour!! Everything looks generally nice and fun to make

[lissykate]

Love this video and how calming it is, not overwhelming at all. Thanks, guys, for all your vids back in 2018 and for this jazzy new start ^^

[demiday]

I’ve been a vegetarian for the past 3 months and bought my first tofu couple of days ago.Its been sitting in my fridge because i didnt know how to cook it. This recipe looks right up my street so im gonna give it a try! Thanks!

[imichelle]

i used the instructions and tips from this video to make a Thai green curry.... oh my goodness!!! one of the best homemade meals, yet!! thank you for these videos!

[Davearmstrong]

I love your vids and am even planning a trip to visit your eateries... but I would love it if you could talk about how to make recipes without the oil when you cook. My mom watches and can't have oil.

[juliequick]

Happy New Year Happy Pears! I’ve just made your Vegan Tuna Pasta for the first time and ate it while watching this video. I love what you do and thank you so much for sharing 😋😘😋

[msmarisadenise]

Hello!! And Happy New Year! I’ve been teetering with the idea of going vegan... this helps a lot!

[artfrey]

it would be perfect if you had the recipes written out in the notes or a pdf to download! have to figure out quantities in US as well as trying to find some of the ingredients. Happy New Year!

[grannypug]

Really good presentation. For severe health reasons have been compelled to eat vegan and most of your recipes have been very hejpful. I just eliminate the oil and sub veg broth. 5hank you