Juicy vegan meatballs and gravy

Growing up, my mum would make rissoles with gravy, and sometimes I was even allowed to have them on buttered crumpets. I miss those days. Lately, I’ve been thinking about recreating them with tempeh to give them a juiciness that tofu or grains cannot.

After much experimentation, I’m pleased to report that these vegan meatballs are juicier than real meatballs. In fact, they’re so juicy you might not even need the gravy but if you’re missing the meat, the gravy will help you through it. This dish is also really quick and easy – there’s barely any prep involved, which makes it great for a weeknight meal.

Vegan shakshuka (gluten-free, soy-free)

I never got to try shakshuka before I became vegan. It only really popped up on my radar in the last five or so years. Really feeling like I was missing something, I got to work on veganising it. The only problem? What to do about the egg component.

Well, I figured it out and it’s the closest I’ve come to a vegan fried egg, and the closest I am ever going to get without having to add tofu. It’s easy, soy-free and chickpea flour has a good amount of protein, which always helps a vegan out. I still can’t believe I did it, and I’m sharing it with you with a huge smile on my face.