ELLY CURSHEN’S 10 VEGAN & VEGETARIAN COMFORT FOOD RECIPES
Sometimes you just want to eat something that’s been bubbling away gently in a big pot or cooking slowly in the oven, developing rich, intense flavours. If you follow a plant-based or vegetarian diet, or are trying to eat less meat, satisfy those comfort-food cravings with Waitrose Weekend columnist Elly Curshen’s recipes
"These recipes can be adapted in all sorts of ways. Pasta with a creamy nut-based sauce can go in lots of directions, as can a braised tofu stir-fry – swap pak choi for your favourite green veg. A tray of roasted veg mixed with chickpeas is a great weeknight dinner that can be eaten cold for lunch the next day, and the coconut rice pudding could be swapped with any stewed fruit if you don’t fancy plums."
1
Red lentil pasta with cheesy cashew cream
Nutritional yeast adds a delicious umami flavour to the cashew cream. Lentil pasta is high in protein, but regular pasta will work well, too
2
Garlic and hoisin-braised tofu, udon and pak choi
Quick can be comforting too: this flavour-packed noodle dish is prepared and on the table in 20 minutes
2
Garlic and hoisin-braised tofu, udon and pak choi
Quick can be comforting too: this flavour-packed noodle dish is prepared and on the table in 20 minutes
3
Rose harissa-roasted veg and chickpeas
Use whatever mixture of veg you like here – it’s a great recipe for using up bits and pieces
4
Slow cooked sweet potato and jackfruit chilli
Jackfruit adds substance to this hearty chilli. Let it simmer for as long as you can for maximum flavour
4
Slow cooked sweet potato and jackfruit chilli
Jackfruit adds substance to this hearty chilli. Let it simmer for as long as you can for maximum flavour
5
Onion marmalade cauliflower cheese
A classic cauliflower cheese, baked until golden and bubbling and sweetened with onion marmalade
6
Smoky sweet potato, cherry tomato and leek soup
Chipotle paste and sweet smoked paprika gives this hearty soup an intense flavour. Serve with crusty bread for maximum comfort
6
Smoky sweet potato, cherry tomato and leek soup
Chipotle paste and sweet smoked paprika gives this hearty soup an intense flavour. Serve with crusty bread for maximum comfort
7
Baby jacket potatoes with smoked garlic butter
This recipe is a fun (and delicious) take on jacket potatoes – and the herby garlic butter makes them extra-special
8
Hasselback herbed squash with smoked paprika butter
Stuffed with sage and thyme and scattered with blue cheese, this impressive-looking butternut squash recipe makes a great vegetarian main for a special occasion
8
Hasselback herbed squash with smoked paprika butter
Stuffed with sage and thyme and scattered with blue cheese, this impressive-looking butternut squash recipe makes a great vegetarian main for a special occasion
9
Cinnamon and coconut rice pudding with roasted spiced plums
A really comforting pud. The plum mixture is delicious with ice cream, too
10
Spiced oat hot chocolate
This uses ready-made chocolate oat drink, so it’s super-easy to make. Add a splash of rum for grown-ups
10
Spiced oat hot chocolate
This uses ready-made chocolate oat drink, so it’s super-easy to make. Add a splash of rum for grown-ups
