Ireland is often stereotyped as a land of meat and potatoes, but a growing number of people are choosing to go vegan. Bord Bia is now looking to find out more about these consumers and how the Irish food industry can respond to them.
The State-backed agency recently issued a tender for a firm to provide consumer insight on “foodisms” such as vegetarianism, veganism and flexitarianism.
Corned Beef
Traditional irish food is often meat and dairy heavy, but many dishes can be veganized. One such dish is corned beef, a salty cured brisket.
This recipe swaps the meat for sturdy seitan and cuts down the brining to a matter of hours. The results are juicy and satisfying, making this a great choice for St. Patrick’s Day or any time of year.
Infused with pickling spices and a savory flavor, this meatless version of a traditional Irish favorite is easy to make at home. It’s served with tender cabbage, carrots and potatoes.
The seitan dough is hydrated in an aromatic brine of water and oil, similar to what a typical pickle would use. This helps hydrate the vital wheat gluten and flour in the seitan to achieve that chewy texture. Then, the seitan is coated in a spice mix and baked until crisp.
Toad in the Hole
One of the most recognizable traditional British dishes, this dish uses a lot of Yorkshire pudding batter and is usually paired with onion gravy.
Though it may not be for everyone, this is a very satisfying and wholesome meal that can easily be prepared on a weeknight or a Sunday lunch. It can be served with steamed vegetables, mashed potatoes or even a few scoops of greens for a well-rounded meal that the whole family will love.
This is a great way to make the most of a limited amount of time and ingredients. It’s also a fun dish to make with kids as it involves no cooking and is a good source of fibre.
Traditionally, this recipe uses real sausages (not the meaty kind) but it’s now possible to make the same dish with vegan sausages. This is the best way to go if you are trying to cut down on your meat consumption or simply looking for a new dish to try.
Egg Rolls
Egg rolls are a traditional irish food vegan dish that are made using a wrapper filled with mashed potatoes, cabbage, seitan and a liquid egg. These are then fried until golden brown and served as an appetizer.
They are a quick and easy to make, vegan dish that can be made at home. They are also a great snack.
To prepare an egg roll, first place a wrapper on a clean work surface with pointed edges on the bottom and top so it looks like a diamond shape. Then, place 2 to 3 tbs of the filling in the bottom corner of the wrapper, spread out evenly and gently fold in the left and right sides snugly against the filling.
Repeat with the rest of the wrappers and ingredients until all the egg rolls are rolled up. Be sure to seal all of the edges tightly to prevent oil seeping through. You can use a flour-and-water glue to help with this.
Colcannon
Colcannon is a traditional Irish side dish made from mashed potatoes and cabbage. This vegan version uses dairy-free ingredients to create a creamy, delicious mash that you’ll want to eat all day long!
Traditionally served with a meat like corned beef, sausage or bacon, this dish is easily veganized by serving it with a vegan sausage, lentil loaf or portobello mushroom steak. Or serve it alongside a hearty vegan stew and some gluten-free Irish soda bread.
This recipe is easy to make in just 20 minutes! It’s also a great way to use leftover mashed potatoes.
For this recipe you’ll need: Potatoes, kale or cabbage, green onions and milk (I prefer whole milk). You can also leave out the scallions/spring onions if you like.