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Clearspring

Recipes, Vegan, Vegetarian

Vegan Pear Crumble

January 30, 2015
Vegan Pear Crumble

Whoever believes that Vegan’s eat nothing but “rabbit food” and lead strict healthy diets are wrong, as are those who believe we miss out on all the good stuff. One of my most favourite Winter-esque deserts is a crumble – primarily made with lot’s of sugar and margarine, but with one teeny tiny switch, you won’t even notice the difference and will have probably helped to save a cow somewhere along the line.

My vegan crumble recipe also features not one but two ingredients which I discovered through The Vegan Kind Lifestyle box and it’s a great way to get started if you want to open up your mind to other cruelty free products, stay on the Veganuary band wagon and continue into February, or just love snacking on amazing treats! This is definitely one of the easiest recipes to make and it serves two. You can easily double up the ingredients as required to make more though and if you remember that you use double the quantity of flour to your fat and sugar, then you’ll probably need never look for a crumble recipe ever again.

Vegan Pear Crumble

What you’ll need:

  • 2 small oven proof dishes, I used 9 inch ramekins
  • 1 pouch of Clearspring Pear Puree or the equivalent in fruit – tinned or fresh.
  • 2 teaspoons Cinnamon
  • 80g Plain Flour (you can also use Gluten/Wheat Free)
  • 40g Vegan Margarine – I used Pure Soya Spread (which FYI is cheaper than most leading brands of margarine in Supermarkets and always on offer)
  • 40g Coconom Coconut Sugar – You can use any other sugar if you don’t have Coconut Sugar

 

Method

Vegan Pear Crumble

Start by pre-heating your oven to roughly Gas Mark 5/6 or 190/200 degrees. If you are using a fruit puree, you can simply squeeze this between your two ramekins or oven proof dishe(s), add a teaspoon of Cinnamon to each and mix well. If you are using fresh fruit, I tend to boil this with a little water and a teaspoon of sugar until it’s soft and sticky. Once it’s softened, share it between your ramekins.

Vegan Pear Crumble

Add your flour, vegan margarine and sugar to a blender and turn it on. If you don’t have a food processor then all you need is a bowl and a little bit of elbow grease. (I made all my cakes and puddings by hand mixing prior to the arrival of my new food processor last Christmas).

Vegan Pear Crumble

Divide your crumble mix between your two ramekins and pop into the oven on the middle shelf for 15-20 minutes or until golden brown on top.

Vegan Pear Crumble

Serve with some yummy vegan custard, vegan cream or on their own. Delicious!

Are there any puddings you love to make and eat during Winter? I’d love to hear them in the comments below.

Totally hellbent for not missing out on anything ever

– Pants

Vegan, Vegetarian

The Vegan Kind #TVK15 January 2015 Review

January 20, 2015
TheVeganKindTVK15

TheVeganKindTVK15

Both Gem and I have had a pretty terrible lead up to Christmas and New Year in terms of subscription boxes. From hoards of products we can’t use because they aren’t cruelty free and contain animal products to terrible customer service. One box I haven’t lost my lust over yet though is The Vegan Kind. I’ve been looking forward to the first box of the year landing on my doorstep for a good few weeks now and it finally arrive a few days ago – albeit a little late than usual.

This month’s box donated to Veganuary – a worthy cause. You may have friends and family who have taken the pledge to try Veganism for this month which I have to admit has been pretty inspiring to see on various social networks as some of my friends have attempted this. Although we are coming to the end of January now, it’s not too late to give it a try. You can head over the the Veganuary website where they have loads of tips and recipes to help you on your way.

Here’s whats in the box this month;

TheVeganKindTVK15

TheVeganKindTVK15

Hectares Sweet Potato Crisps – Sea Salt and Black Pepper Flavour – 35g (RRP £1)

Whoever said all Vegan’s are skinny was a very stupid person. These are so yummy, yet so full of things that make me fat! (Albeit natural things). I’ve had Hectares crisps in a past Vegan Kind box, and as yummy as they are I have to admit the guilt of my post Christmas gut set in as I munched my way through this packet – which incidentally I had to spread across two days because they are verge on 200 calories per pack! Great for snacking on though, providing you’ve been to the gym beforehand!

Hectares Sweet Potato Crisps

TheVeganKindTVK15

Power of … Superfoods Cereal Pots – Sreawberry, Goji & Beetroot Flavour – 65g (RRP £2.29)

This is actually the only new product for me in this month’s box. It’s a breakfast pot that just so happens to be gluten free. You simply add hot or cold water, pop the lid back on and wait for your delicious cereal to, well, erm, become even tastier? Pots like these are a brilliant little convenience food, especially when on the go (and something I must remember to put on the “on tour” supply list) and I always find something wholly satisfying about having hot cereal on a cold winter’s morning. With 265 calories, 7g of fat and 38g of carbs, this is pretty similar to most leading porridge oat brands however there is zero cruelty and all the ingredients are mostly super foods as opposed to the usual preservatives and sweetener so despite it’s slightly pricier tag, is definitely worth it.

Of The Earth Superfoods

TheVeganKindTVK15

Greenfrog Soap Nuts – 250g (RRP £3.99)

Greenfrog is yet another brand I’ve experienced through The Vegan Kind. I’ve previously tried the washing up liquid and have literally just finished a packet of soapnut detergent tablets from another box so I’m more than happy to receive more. This time though, instead of tablets, there is a bag of actualy soap nuts and instructions on how to use them. It contains enough shells for around 25 family washes – and for £3.99 that’s pretty  barganous when you compare it to the likes of Bold and Persil. Soapnuts are an environmentally friendly way to power through your washing an they are 100% biodegradable. I can’t wait to try these out.

Greenfrog

TheVeganKindTVK15

Pulsin Raspberry & Goji Raw Choc Brownie – 50g (RRP £1.79)

Another treat I’ve had in a past box – these are absolutely delicious though and great for breakfast on the go. The bar I’ve tried previously was an oat based bar, so I’m intrigued as to how the choc brownie will taste. Definitely another snack to be had on gym days though at 200 calories per bar. But as I said above, although high in sugars and pretty calorific for such a small snack, it’s packed full of zero nasties.

Pulsin

TheVeganKindTVK15

Clearspring 100% Organic Fruit on the Go – Pear – 100g (RRP £0.89)

I really like pears, and I’ve also had the pleasure of trying a few Clearspring products out too and have yet to be disapointed. I’m already planning on turning this little packet into some adorable singular Vegan crumbles, so I’ll be sure to post that up when I get round to it! My favorite thing about this product though, is it’s ingredient list – “Pears” – that’s all. 100% pears, with no added anything. Perfect.

Clearspring

TheVeganKindTVK15

Creative Nature Tropical Treat Bar – 38g (RRP £0.99)

Wow! It’s happened! After a year and a month or two, I’ve finally received a product I’m not bothered about. That’s only because this is yet another product I’ve received in a past box and wasn’t really that keen on it. I’m sure my other half will be delighted though as unwanted Vegan snacks are always given a welcome home in his tummy.These bars are kind of like, pressed flapjack and fruit bars, something I’ve never really enjoyed. Especially as they tend to have more of a raisin texture and flavour to it (eurgh), still I don’t mind having one snack I’m not that interested in as it’s probably far better for my waist line.

Creative Nature

TheVeganKindTVK15

This month’s recipe card is from Fresh Heather over at Big City Dreamer. It features the most scrumptious looking homemade almond milk and brownies. Definitely one I’ll be trying out once I’ve lost some Christmas belly! You should definitely check out more stuff on their blog though, including their amazing Mcapple Fries!

This month’s box has been full of some great products. Despite this I can’t help but feel a little underwhelmed for once, but only because almost all the products are ones I’ve already had in previous boxes. I guess though, having been subscribed for so long now, I’m bound to revisit some old products, which I really don’t mind. Another thing I’ve reminded myself of, is the sheer work that the guys at The Vegan Kind are faced with when it comes to finding suitable products to go in their monthly boxes.

Have you been trying out Veganism for Veganuary? Are you thinking of making changes to your diet to incorporate a more crulety free lifestyle? Let us know how you’re getting on below, and of course to discover a great range of Vegan products, you can sign up to The Vegan Kind box here for just £10 a month plus p&p.

Totally hellbent for eco friendly housework and delicious Vegan blogs

– Pants