Now that we are uniquely finding ourselves in a global pandemic, we can all use a little extra help in the kitchen. Shopping for vegan food doesn’t have to be complicated and thanks to Co-op’s new vegan range, it’s both easy and delicious! Boasting dozens of options, there's something for everyone, even the non-vegans.
To get you started on your vegan journey, here is a list of vegan-friendly pandemic staples brought to you by Co-op.
Appetizers and Snacks
Co-op Asian Style Sharing Selection 200g - Gluten Free
Not only are these delightfully crispy hors d’oeuvres vegan, they’re also gluten free.
Pop these in the oven for a quick snack or to start off a delicious meal. I won’t tell if you decide not to share 😉
Co-op Free From Garlic Baguette 170g - Gluten Free and Milk Free
I don’t know about you, but I’m not going to put it past 2020 to have vampires on the Bingo Card. Keep them away with delicious garlic baguette that is both vegan and gluten free! Twitter user @nakedmallrat is ahead of the curve. Make sure she’s on your zombie apocalypse team
Co-op Free From Sea Salt and Black Pepper Cracker
No pandemic binge-session is complete without charcuterie. Thanks to Co-op, vegans can enjoy this foodie trend with Sea Salt & Black Pepper crackers. Just add vegan toppings like red pepper houmous, Sizzlin’ sausages, vegan cheese and enjoy the next 36 hours of tele!
Before going the main courses, you may need to open your faux-leather belts.
Main Courses
GRO Hoisin Du'k Wrap
High in protein and flavour, this du’k wrap is a crowd pleaser. Packed with soya bits, spring onions, and cucumber, you’ll feel full and satisfied. Enjoy a private moment with your wrap and you might even forget the news for a while.
GRO Tomato & Black Olive Bucatini
If you’re looking for a hot meal to transport you elsewhere, look no further than the vegan Tomato and Black Olive Bucatini that will bring you to a small Italian countryscape where you’re sipping on wine and enjoying a live performance of Don Giovani with Gillian Anderson. Fantasies may vary, but the taste of this meal won’t.
And don’t worry, @falcoretweets, you’re no sadder than me.
GRO The Kashmiri Spice Pizza
If a vegan pizza doesn’t get eaten in 2020 did a pandemic even happen? The ultimate comfort food gets a spiced up makeover thanks to spiced cauliflower and spice Kashmiri-style sauce and is topped with ooey gooey mozzaRisella. Twitter user @ellacsimmons has the right idea
Desserts
GRO 2 Chocolate Cupcakes
Reader, I feel like we’ve gotten really close over this list so I’m going to let you in on a little secret: Emergency Cake. What is emergency cake? It’s cake, or in this case, cupcakes, you keep for emergency purposes. “In case of emergency, break open the container and consume with the ferocity of a T-Rex let loose in Jurassic Park”. I have participated in this ritual far longer than the pandemic, but I must say, emergency cake tastes just a tad bit sweeter during these extra crazy times. Sure, you can enjoy these vegan chocolate cupcakes for a birthday or special occasion, but you can also enjoy them in a candlelit bath while Harry Styles serenades you and you forget about how many customers yelled at you through their masks. @Aaronvegan can confirm the hype
At 1.5GPB, it's nice with your wallet.
GRO Sticky Toffee Pudding
Maybe emergency cake isn’t your thing, and for that I seriously question your judgment, but perhaps you can be tempted to try vegan sticky toffee pudding instead? Thick, sticky, and full of goodness, it’s a definite saviour to the bad day or the fireworks finale to a celebration. Take @glutenfreemoose’s word for it:
Bonus
Put on your running shoes first as you may have to burn all the calories after enjoying the coming recommendation.
Some things are just beyond categories in a pandemic. In this case, wine and doughnuts. It’s vegan-treat-yourself-o’clock somewhere, right? Co-op has you covered!
Co-op’s famous house-baked custard and jam doughnuts are vegan!
That’s right, friends, especially you, @lydialton
Anyone who eats vegan doughnuts everyday is a friend in my book. I don’t know who she works for but she deserves a raise for having great taste.
Did you know that not all wine is vegan? Wine is often filtered using animal by-products like gelatin, egg whites, and isinglass, a type of collagen made from fish bladders.
Thankfully, Co-op has vegan wine for us all. Personally, I recommend the Vale dos Pombos Vinho Verde from Portugal. (btw, if you want to have green hair to resemble the wine bottle, check our our best vegan hair dyes) It’s light, refreshing, excellent for making sangria as well. You’ll almost forget you’re stuck at home with hair reminiscent of Tiger King.
Have you got a favourite vegan treat or dish helping you through the pandemic? Drop us a comment below!
Also, if you are looking for specific vegan products, let us know. We'll search for the best of them and come back to you. Make sure you check out our guides first: best vegan walking shoes, toothpastes, concealers and more.