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This comforting soup is made with dried mushrooms, onion, and a bit of dairy-free cream. Enjoy it for lunch with a slice of crusty bread.

  Soybeans  Soybeans are the best source of plant-based protein. Cooked soybeans contain 18-20g of protein per 100 grams (source nutritionvalue.org) They are also high in iron, magnesium, potassium and calcium. The healthiest way to eat soybeans is by cooking edamame (fresh or frozen). Other soy products include soy milk, tofu and tempeh.    Tempeh Tempeh is a traditional food staple originally from Indonesia. It's made from cooked, fermented soybeans. It can be cooked, marinated, covered in crumbs, fried, or roasted, which means it t can be used to replace meat in everyday meals. It is a compact product and contains a lot of protein -  19 g per 100 grams. The protein in tempeh includes nine essential amino acids. It is also a source of fibre, iron, calcium, magnesium and phosphorus. Tempeh helps promote gut health and bone health. Check labels, as the nutritional profile of tempeh from different brands may vary.      Tofu  Tofu is another amazing product made with fermented soybeans milk, specifically soybean curds pressed together. It contains 8 grams of protein per 100 grams. Tofu is also a great source of calcium, iron and magnesium.  Tofu doesn't have much flavour, but it can be quickly marinated and cooked with different herbs and spices. It can be incorporated into many traditional recipes to replace meat, from curries to b...

Eggs are the main ingredients of many savoury and sweet dishes. Eggs are versatile and have properties that are needed in baking and cooking. They help to bind components, work as a thickener, help the cakes to rise and give them a spongy texture. They help achieve the creaminess of many desserts and sauces. Actually, so many sweet and savoury recipes feature eggs that it gets complicated when you want to follow a plant-based diet or suffer from allergies and simply cannot eat them.  Is it possible to replace eggs?  You can prepare a vegan replacer at home. This way, you will still be able to enjoy traditional recipes without eggs. There are many ways to do it; you just need to have a few specific ingredients in your kitchen pantry.    Egg Replacer Recipes Chickpea Water or  Aquafaba egg replacer Aquafaba is the brine, which is usually drained away from a can of chickpeas, and can be used as an egg white substitute. You can use it straight from the can. It is high in protein, so you can whip it just like egg whites, but be aware that you will need sugar to stabilise it. It will make a beautiful and fluffy foam. It will be a great egg replacer for mousses, creamy desserts, cakes, pancakes and meringue.  Method: To make 1 egg replacer, you will need 60 ml of aquafaba. Just mix it into your dough or batter or whip it using a mixer.     Baking soda & vinegar egg replacer This mixture can replace eggs in specific cake recipes, especially chocolate cakes, chocola...

  Plant-based diets are becoming more popular, and scientific evidence proves they are also very healthy. Doctors and researchers claim that eating nutrient-dense plant-based food will keep you away from chronic diseases, including diabetes, heart disease and cancer.    Is it easy to go plant-based? Following a plant-based or vegan diet has never been easier! You can find many vegan products, including meat and cheese alternatives, plant-based milk, dairy-free mayonnaise, protein substitutes, snacks, chocolate and sweets. The quality of vegan cheese and plant-based meats has improved a lot in recent years. It is also easy to find egg replacements.  Keep your kitchen pantry stocked with some tasty plant-based staples, and it will be easy for you to avoid meat and dairy.    What foods do you eat on a healthy plant-based diet ?    Vegetables, fruit and legumes Fresh and frozen vegetables and fruits are the best sources of vitamins and minerals. They are also packed with healthy dietary fibre. Legumes are so high in protein and can be an excellent replacement for animal-based protein.    Tofu and Tempeh Tofu and tempeh are a must-have for vegans. Both are made from fermented soybeans and packed with plant-based protein, making them...

Food lovers aka foodies are those people who simply love to eat. They often love to cook and bake as well. But be   aware, they won't eat anything.    Foodies   often focus on the best quality foods and the best cooking ingredients. So when you want to offer them a gift, let it be the best foods you can find. Foodies will appreciate a Christmas hamper filled with organic produce, vegetables and fruits, whole foods, organic nuts, fermented foods, quality   condiments and pickles, organic olive oil and premium herbs and spices. What to add to a foodie Christmas hamper? Here's the list of products you can be assure, a food lover will love!  Rare whole foods & grains Wild rice, freekeh, kasha Wholegrain pasta & noodles wholegrain pasta in different shapes, Italian pasta, Japanese noodles Organic oils & quality vinegars Organic olive oil is always great gift option for a foodie. The best organic olive oil available on the market are Greek olive oil and Portuguese olive oil. There are also some speciality rare oils such as pumpkin seed oil, hemp oil, avocado oil, sesame seed oil and peanut oil as well as a good quality Balsamic vinegar will make a perfect   addition to a foodie hamper. Organic nuts Organic almonds, macadamia, pistachios, chestnuts, whole walnuts Organic dried fruits Medjoul dates, dried Mediterranean figs, dried apricots, organic prunes, sultanas Premium herbs and spices  Organic herbs: organic oregano, organic Basil, organic rosemary, organic bay leaves, organic thyme, organic sage Organic spices: Ceylon cinnamon, cinnamon sticks, organic black pepper, star anise, cardamon, organic chilli, chilli flakes,  Harissa paste, varieties of miso, green, red and yellow...

This Christmas, instead of gifting sugar-packed and unhealthy fat loaded sweets and super salty snacks, try giving healthier and more nutritious foods. Your family and friends will appreciate having these delicious and nutritious healthy alternatives to Christmas treats. Sometimes little things make a huge difference. Here's the list of healthy Christmas gift ideas. You can make small healthy gifts, or combine some of them in one Christmas wellness hamper. Nut boxes and bundles Nuts are one of the healthiest things you can eat. They are packed with vitamins and minerals, dietary fibre and healthy fats. Buy large bags of nuts online and make mixed nuts bundles as Christmas gifts for your loved ones.  You can roast your own nuts at home and then give them to someone special in a nice box! Such a small gift but when it's made by you it means a lot more. Read more how make roasted nuts at home - recipe here.  Dried fruit boxes and bundles Dried fruits are a very healthy snack option. They are a great source of vitamins and fibre. Buy large bags of fried fruits online and make mixed fruits Christmas boxes and bundles for your family and friends. Choose unsweetened dried fruits to avoid extra sugar! Organic spice bundles & h omemade spice mixes  If you want to spice up the life (and meals) of your loved ones, give them some organic spices. You can buy spices online and make your own spice mixes and spice coatings. The best gifts for Christmas would be mulled wine spice mix and mixed Christmas spice for baking. Check the recipe here. Then you pack it a small glass jar which is perfect for storing spices and wrap it up with a lovely festive ribbon and a gift is ready!  Organic herbs Regular supermarkets usually offer limited selection of herbs in small packaging. If you want to surprise someon...

Super moist and fruity Christmas cake.

Delicious, fluffy, spicy muffins to enjoy after Christmas dinner.

Mince pies are one of the most popular traditional winters and Christmas treats in the UK. These delicious shortcrust pies are filled with mincemeat made from dried fruits such as raisins, cranberries and spices such as cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, cloves, allspice, lemon and orange peel, mixed with fat and sometimes with alcohol such as brandy. As the name suggests, in the past, it used to be made with meat and animal fat, but these days its most popular versions are, in fact, vegan and vegetarian.  As you can often find ready mincemeat in supermarkets, many people think it's tough to make. But don't get tricked, as homemade mincemeat filling is easy to prepare and simply delicious. It's so much tastier than ready-bought products, so it's worth taking some time and preparing it in your own kitchen. A jar of homemade mincemeat will also make an excellent gift for your family and friends. You can make mincemeat ahead of time in November so it can mature till Christmas (if you use alcohol, it will last up to a month), but it's also good if you make it last minute, just before your festive baking (without alcohol). In our vegan recipe, we are using a mix of our favourite dried fruits (you can choose your favourite dried fruits), some almonds flakes for a more unique texture, plant-based butter instead of animal fat and brandy.  Here's how to make plant-based mincemeat filling Ingredients (for approx. 12 -16 mice pies) 350g mixed dried fruits: raisins, cranberries, sultanas, currants, glace cherries (you can combine your favourite dried fruits) 50g candied lemon and orange peel 1 sour apple (chopped) 1 orange (juiced and zested) 50g almond flakes (for a unique texture and flavour) 100g brown sugar 60g soft plant-based butter (it will be a binder and give thick consistency) 1/2 tsp cinnamon 1/2 tsp ground ginger 1/2 tsp ground nutmeg 1/2 tsp allspice or cloves <b...

This gravy is dairy-free and meat-free. Perfect to pair with nut roast, baked potatoes and roasted veggies.

The ‘Anything is Pulse-able’ campaign from Eating Better aims to give food for thought by raising awareness of the health, cost-saving, and environmental benefits of eating pulses such as beans , lentils, and peas by providing information and inspiration on why and how we should be incorporating more pulses into our diets. There has been an increase in the people that have adopted a more sustainable lifestyle in the last 12 months, including people reducing their meat consumption. However research has shown that the barriers to more people being sustainable are related to cost and lack of information. We want to show inflation need not stop people from leading a healthy and sustainable lifestyle. ‘Anything is Pulse - able’ promotes that the easiest and best choice you can make to benefit your health and the environment, is with the food you buy and eat. Why pulses? Pulses (also known as legumes) are a healthy and sustainable food choice affordable and accessible to everyone. Food that costs you less Eating pulses can save you money. Adding pulses to your meals can bring the cost down and keep the flavour up. Pulses are affordable and consumed across the globe. In a time of rising food prices, pulses remain affordable and accessible for everyone, and we want to ensure that the current cost of living pressures do not prevent people eating healthy and sustainable diets. Food that doesn’t cost your health Eating p...

What do you need for Christmas baking?  A few essential ingredients are needed to make delicious cakes: flour, leaveners, fat, liquid, sweeteners and natural flavourings. The flour provides the structure for all baked goods through proteins that interact with liquids to create gluten. The flours need leaveners that create chemical reactions in your dough, causing it to expand and rise to make them lighter.   You also need some liquid and fats to combine all the ingredients in a dough.  The flavour is all up to you - spices, chocolate, dried fruits, and nuts are there for you.  Here's everything you need to buy on one shopping list.  Christmas baking pantry checklist:   Flours:  All Purpose flour, almond flour, gluten-free flour   Sugar and sweeteners: White sugar, brown sugar, icing sugar, agave, maple syrup, dates syrup   Baking spices:  Ground cinnamon, ground ginger, cloves, cardamon, anise    Nuts and dried fruits:  Walnuts, almonds, hazelnuts, dried apricots, prunes, dried cranberries, dates, raisins   Leaveners: Yeast, baking powder, sodium bicarbonate - baking soda   Fats and oils:  Coconut oil, plant-based butter, sunflower oil, rapeseed oil</sp...

These delicious stuffed dates are perfect for a healthy Christmas starter or treat.

Super easy Christmas cake with raisins. Fluffy and delicious, ready in less than an hour!

Crispy and delicious side dish for your Christmas dinner. Topped with nutritional yeast for extra cheesy flavour. It takes only 30 min to make!

These energy bites are  a healthy treat option for Christmas!  Made with prunes, walnuts, cocoa and rum, packed with antioxidants and fibre. These truffles are also dairy-free, vegan, have no refined sugars.  This recipe is all you need if you're looking for healthy snacks! 

Healthy, delicious and cosy dessert for winter! With extra fibre from oats and flaxseed, it can be as well a great breakfast option.

Winter is around the corner and Christmas holiday is approaching. There wouldn't be Christmas without roasted chestnuts.  Do you ever wonder how to make roasted chestnuts at home? It may appear to be difficult. But it is actually very easy and quick. All you need is an oven, a couple of kitchen accessories and 20-30 minutes of your time.  Good quality chestnuts When buying chestnuts, make sure they are fresh and firm to touch. Good chests are quite heavy and look glossy. Make sure they don't have any bugs. Be careful, don't buy them when they are too hard or too soft which means they got dried.   Kitchen accessories You need to prepare a wooden cutting board, a small sharp knife and a baking tray.  Hot oven The key is a very hot oven! Your chestnuts must separate from their shell.  Preheat oven to 220°C and make sure your baking tray can be placed right in the middle of it.  Preparing the chestnuts While your oven it heating up, it's time to prepare your chestnuts. Hold the chestnut on the cutting board and with a a small knife, carefully make a slit down the entire middle surface, on the long side. Make sure that the inner skin of nut is cut. This way, when the chestnut is hot the steam will be released from the inside of it. If the chestnuts are not properly cut, they may explode in the oven.  Be careful, the surface of while cutting. The chestnuts shell is quite slippery....

Lighter than apple crumble, but same way tasty. Baked apples stuffed with nuts, oats and spice are simply delicious. This cozy winter dessert is very easy to make at home.

Super easy, delicious cookies, with a touch of ginger and cinnamon. These Christmas Biscuits are the perfect festive treat for the whole family.

  Christmas spices are a part of the holidays, just as are the Christmas trees, lights, treats, mulled wine and gifts.  One of the most popular Christmas spices is gingerbread mix. Featuring ground ginger , ground cinnamon , ground nutmeg , ground cloves and ground cardamon , it is commonly used for cookies and cakes during the festive season. You can easily make gingerbread spice mix at home by combining spices from our list. These winter spices will offer a festive treat for your taste buds and a beautiful aroma in your entire house. It can't be Christmas without them.  Cinnamon Cinnamon is a very popular winter spice. It is made from the bark of the Ceylon cinnamon tree. The bark is dried and rolled up to create the cinnamon stick. Ground cinnamon is usually made from cassia or Padang cinnamon. Cinnamon sticks are a great Christmas decoration!           Cloves Dried cloves have a very intense, slightly bitter flavour. Use it carefully as it has quite a high content of essential oils and can overcome other flavours. You need cloves if you want to make mince pies and gingerbread - they can't go without them. One of the lovely natural Christmas...

This gingerbread spice mix is perfect for gingerbread Christmas cookies and cakes. It will also make a great homemade Christmas gift for those who love cooking.

This spiced hot drink is usually served at Christmas markets in Europe. You can easily make it at home and enjoy during long and cold winter evenings. 

A warm drink ritual best accompanies cold winter evenings. Whether it's a cup of tea, coffee or hot chocolate, it always makes you feel good.  As we are approaching the Christmas holiday season, perhaps it's time to consider adding some spices to your drinks.  A nice cup of chai latte or a glass of mulled wine is the perfect pairing with sofa time or fireplace in the evening.  What is mulled wine? Mulled wine is sweet, warmed red wine mixed with winter spices such as cloves, cinnamon, and citrus fruit peel.  There is a mulled wine tradition in nearly every European country where it's particularly popular during Christmas time when the nights are the longest. This is when people like to gather on Christmas markets and enjoy a cup of this warming drink while outside watching festive decorations and enjoying Christmas songs and special treats.  Mulled wine goes by many names, like glögg in Scandinavia, gluhwein in Germany and Austria, vin chaud in France, and grzane wino in Poland. These days you can buy it in many supermarkets, but it is also easy to make at home.  What do you need to make mulled wine at home? When making mulled wine at home, you need to prepare a large pot and a bottle of some good wine. The wine should be fruity, slightly sweet and not too dry. You can also add some extra vermouth - which will add some bitter-sweetness. The essential ingredients are the Christmas spices, so your mulled wine is intense in flavour.  What spices do you add to mulle...