Recipes: The Vegan Revelation Lunch Box

Shared by Leise Taylor from Vegan Revelation

Leise is passionate about tasty plant-based food and sustainable produce. Here she shares ideas for a healthy vegan lunchbox. Why not try it out this Veganuary?

Leise worked with Captive Audience Performing Arts group in Belper to provide previously non-vegan students, aged 5 to 9, with a totally vegan lunch box. After her first attempt and lots of honest feedback from the children, she found a lunchbox that all enthusiastically enjoyed, despite it being 100% vegan! Step aside Jamie Oliver!

Leise says, “When looking to add more plant-based foods to your family’s diet, don’t change everything at once. Even if it is Veganuary, learn a few tricks off the internet, find a cookery book that suits you, do some workshops or experiment with different alternatives. If you have fun with it, your family will too! 

The Vegan Revelation Lunch Box was high in proteins, fibre and complex carbohydrates; full of nutrient-dense fresh local produce; and low in processed foods.

1. ‘Chuna Mayo’ Sandwich/Wrap

• Mash up tinned chickpeas/kidney beans/butterbeans with the back of a fork. Stir in vegan mayonnaise and add sweetcorn or finely-diced celery. Season with posh salt and pepper and there’s ya ‘chuna mayo’!

• Sneak in a pinch of fine seaweed for extra nutrients and that fishy vibe.

2. Vegan Cheese or Cream Cheese Sandwich/Wrap

• Vegan cheese and cream cheese are just like the dairy ones these days.

• Add cucumber or tomatoes.

• Add finely grated carrot/sauerkraut/toasted seeds for crunch.

• Or use houmous instead.

3. Crudités

• Cucumber, carrot and celery sticks, also colourful rainbow chard stems and sugar snap peas when in season

• Check out local seasonal growers like Pingle Produce in Wirksworth

4. Vegan Sausage Rolls 

• Make your own filling by mashing up beans, lentils, oats, bouillon, fried onions, sage and seasoning. Roll up into pre-made pastry or make your own using 200g Naturli block butter, 400g self-raising flour, salt and pepper and splashes of plant milk until you can ball it without it being sticky to touch.

• Or buy from any supermarket – they’re a great meat free alternative for an occasional lunchbox or party treat!

5. Homemade Mini Vegan Cheese and Tomato Quiche

• Cashew/oat cream/soy cream based. Can be made using gluten free pastry.

• Follow @veganrevelationcafe fb:veganrevelation or get onto a workshop to learn how easy it is to make vegan quiche that’s quichier than quiche!

6. Organic Fresh fruit

• For a burst of freshness!

7. Organic Dried Fruit ’n’ Nuts

• Banana chips, dried apricot, dried mango, dried cranberries, raisins, etc. 

• With refill shops popping up everywhere like Skopa in Wirksworth and Eartharmony in Belper, access to different dried fruits and nuts has never been easier.

8. Vegan Yogurt Pot

• There are many amazing vegan yogurts out there. Try a different one every few weeks until your child finds their favourite!

9. Vegan Chocolate Cake

• Easier to bake than the dairy version! Experiment with different fats from vegan Flora to Naturli Block Butter to pure coconut oil!

• Beat together 150g fat and 300g brown sugar. Stir in 300g self-raising flour. Stir in 300ml soy/oat/almond milk. Add 2 tbsp of cider vinegar or lemon juice. Stir in 150g cocoa powder (most are dairy free if you don’t buy Cadbury’s). Pour into a tin lined with grease proof paper. Slam to get the bubbles out then put in oven on 180°C for 20 minutes or until risen and your knife pulls out clean.

Tag @boom_magazine_derbyshire and @veganrevelationcafe in your vegan lunchbox photos!