The quick go-to for most vegans on the high street is probably Pret a Manger,which offers an affordable, delicious vegan lunch. My favourite option is its sweet potato falafel and smashed beets veggie box. I have it at least once a week.
I have only recently discovered the magic of the Marks & Spencer salad bar, which features in selected stores, but my God! I can’t believe that I have managed veganism so far without having tasted its version of tabbouleh – Israeli wheat with plenty of soft, roasted peppers, mint, raisins and tomatoes. It is £1.20 for 100g and, trust me, 100g of tabbouleh is filling. I also love its grilled aubergines, which are the same price. This makes a full meal with a bread roll under £4.
M&S also does ready-made tubs. These are a bit more expensive than ordering from the salad bar, but, as a chef and a lifelong lover of vegetables, I can tell M&S has done its homework. It has come up with some truly creative salads: the cauliflower, broccoli, black bean and pea shoot one is good enough that I would be proud to serve it as a starter in my restaurant. It also has a wide range of pasta dishes, but these can be a bit rich.
As a fairly recent adopter of veganism, I was worried that my yoghurt craving would pose a problem, but this has not been the case. One option is Alprostrawberry and banana pots – these are delicious and don’t have the overwhelming soya flavour of some brands. Their red fruits pots are also worth trying – they taste better than regular yoghurt.
When it comes to basic stuff, Sainsbury’s has the best guacamole and hummus. That said, they have not yet developed their vegan offering; you have to look deep and scrutinise the ingredient list.
Leon does a fantastic Brazilian black bean salad. Its Mediterranean mezzo is also great and not lazy with its use of flavour. Another place to try is Benugo, which has embraced the vegan market really well. I’m a big fan of its vitality bowl – a super blend of vegetables with a great dressing that brings it all to life.
[“source=theguardian”]