Wednesday 3 June 2015

Spicy Aubergine Burgers and Rustic Chips | Going Vegan?

No oil, no dairy and no meat. I have been loving vegan meals lately. Filling, colourful and packed with flavour, this plate is a great alternative to your typical beef burger and fried chips. Vegetarian and vegan meals really should not be scary! They give me more energy and don't leave me feeling sluggish. I was going through a period of crash dieting and then trying to eat "healthy" but really I wasn't providing myself with enough nutrients and was severely lacking plant-based energy sources. Since reading blog after blog, watching hours of YouTube videos and Instagram stalking vegan foodies, I feel a lot more educated about the plant based way of life.

When I told my parents I wanted to make my own meal instead of having a curry they were a little taken aback. I don't blame them, I love food and curry is a favourite of mine, but it was the additional comments that got to me. "She's just going through a phase" or "Where will you get your protein" are a few examples.Something has changed about my outlook on food and I believe it started when I watched some vegan documentaries and talks on the internet just over a month ago. Since then, the thought of meat makes me feel sick and I feel no need what-so-ever to consume dairy. Especially when there are so many alternatives out there!

My new outlook is this:
100% vegetarian
95% vegan

For now I will cook vegan at home and limit dairy as much as possible when eating out. More on this to come in later posts! Now lets talk about how to put together this scrummy meal...

The Very Simple Ingredients
(which can be changed up depending on what you like) 
Potatoes
Aubergine
Spinach
Tomatoes
Bread Roll
Houmous 
Spicy Pepper Sauce
Guacamole, Mango Chutney and Spicy Lime Pickle (for dipping)
Cumin
Smoked Paprika
Garlic Powder

Easy Peasy Steps
  1. Cut the potatoes into wedge shaped slices (similar sized) and put on a tray with tin foil or baking paper. Dust these with some cumin and paprika (optionally salt as well), then place in the oven at 200 degrees. 
  2. Cut the aubergine into the thickness you want and place on a separate tray (I usually do more than one to fill out the bun). Add some salt and garlic powder.
  3. Once the chips are starting to brown take them out, mix them around and put them back in the oven. Time to put the aubergine in the oven! (turning it down to 180 degrees at this point)
  4. The aubergine is cooked best when you can put a fork through it pretty easily. Make sure whilst the last bits are cooking to prep your bread roll with houmous and sauce, slice you tomatoes and collect any dips for your chips!
  5. The chips usually take about 40 minutes depending on the size but test them to double check. Simply put the baked aubergine in the roll, add the spinach and tomato and there you have it!
Get creative with this and put your own spin on it. I always change it up a little when I do this meal for myself. Great if you have veggies that need to be eaten up!

What is your easy go to meal? 

4 comments:

  1. That burger looks delicious!

    Natalie Ann xo // Petal Poppet Blogs ♥

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  2. Oh these look amazing! I wish I found it a little easier to switch to vegan meals - I've been absolutely loving them when I eat out, but at home I seem to just end up grabbing 'easy' foods. This does look incredible!

    Shannon Rebecca | Blogger & YouTuber <3

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    Replies
    1. I have suddenly found a passion for cooking and even when I don't feel like it, it's a lot easier than you think! Thanks!

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