Katy Beskow, blogger behind Little Miss Meat-Free, is on hand to help 

<p>If you're considering going vegan, thinking of new and exciting recipe ideas can be pretty tricky; especially if you're used to building a dish around meat or dairy products like cheese. But following a plant-based diet is easier and simpler than you think.</p><p>Especially when award-winning cook and writer Katy Beskow, of <a href="http://littlemissmeatfree.com/" target="_blank">Little Miss Meat-Free</a>, who has been vegan for more than 10 years, is on hand to help. She has given us her top 7 products she couldn't live without. </p><h2>1. Dairy-Free Milks</h2><p>"If you&rsquo;re considering a vegan diet, choosing a dairy-free milk, like <a href="https://groceries.asda.com/product/milk-spreads-cream/alpro-coconut-original-milk-alternative-chilled/910001364058" target="_blank">this Alpro Coconut Original</a> is a great place to start. You can simply switch cow&rsquo;s milk for a plant-based alternative in hot drinks, smoothies, everyday cooking and over cereal. You&rsquo;ll find a large selection of dairy-free alternatives to milk available in the chiller section, including <a href="https://groceries.asda.com/product/milk-spreads-cream/alpro-soya-milk-alternative-original-uht/24544847" target="_blank">soya</a>, <a href="https://groceries.asda.com/product/milk-spreads-cream/alpro-almond-milk-alternative-original/910000548881" target="_blank">almond</a>, <a href="https://groceries.asda.com/product/oat-rice-milk-alternatives/provitamil-oat-milk-alternative-drink/910000980746" target="_blank">oat</a>, hazelnut, <a href="https://groceries.asda.com/product/oat-rice-milk-alternatives/rice-dream-rice-milk-alternative-drink-original-uht/1696953" target="_blank">rice</a>, coconut and cashew. For a decadent mug of hot chocolate, simmer coconut milk with some <a href="https://groceries.asda.com/product/chocolate-blocks/lindt-excellence-90-cocoa-dark-chocolate-bar/910001806212" target="_blank">melted dark chocolate</a> and whisk until combined and frothy." </p><p style="text-align: center;"><img alt="coconut-milk-" class="ci-image ci-original" src="https://ui3.assets-asda.com/dm/coconut-milk-_GL?scl=1" style="height: 457px; width: 250px;"></p><h2>2. Marmite</h2><p>Love it or hate it, yeast extract is a magical ingredient when added to vegan recipes. <a href="https://groceries.asda.com/product/marmite-yeast-extract/marmite-yeast-extract/19301" target="_blank">Marmite</a> gives a dark, deep flavour to savoury dishes including a three-bean chilli, simply add a teaspoon to the sauce for intense richness. Marmite lasts in the store cupboard for ages, so even if you don&rsquo;t fancy it on toast, it will keep for the next time you stir it through a hearty casserole. </p><p style="text-align: center;"><img alt="marmite" class="ci-image ci-original" src="https://ui3.assets-asda.com/dm/marmite_GL?scl=1" style="width: 300px; height: 300px;"></p><h2>3. Canned chickpeas (including the water!)</h2><p><a href="https://groceries.asda.com/product/peas/asda-chickpeas-in-water/910001787059" target="_blank">Chickpeas</a> from a can are a fast and cheap way to add protein and bite to curries, or to create a rustic houmous in seconds. Before you even think about draining the water from the can down the sink, pour it into a bowl and you have aquafaba- a vegan alternative to egg whites, which can be whipped up to make fail-safe meringues. Simply whisk the aquafaba with cream of tartar, <a href="https://groceries.asda.com/product/flavourings-colourings/nielsenmassey-vanilla-extract/910000326590" target="_blank">vanilla extract</a> and <a href="https://groceries.asda.com/product/icing-sugar/silver-spoon-icing-sugar/910002231858" target="_blank">icing sugar</a> until doubled in size, then pipe onto a clean baking tray and bake on low in the oven for 45 minutes. </p><p style="text-align: center;"><img alt="chickpeas-in-water" class="ci-image ci-original" src="https://ui3.assets-asda.com/dm/chickpeas-in-water_GL?scl=1" style="width: 400px; height: 400px;"></p><h2>4. Antipasti vegetables</h2><p>Keep a few jars of <a href="https://groceries.asda.com/product/pickles-antipasti/cypressa-antipasti-grilled-mixed-peppers/910002049537" target="_blank">antipasti vegetables</a> in your store cupboard for when you don&rsquo;t have time to prepare vegetables. These vegetables are often chargrilled for extra flavour, then preserved in oil. Try topping a pizza with sundried tomatoes, grilled mixed peppers and black olives, for a fuss-free dinner that avoids you reaching for any meat products. Or for a quick lunch, create a vegan mezze board with antipasti vegetables, crusty bread and a dipping bowl of balsamic vinegar. </p><p style="text-align: center;"><img alt="mixed-peppers" class="ci-image ci-original" src="https://ui3.assets-asda.com/dm/mixed-peppers_GL?scl=1" style="height: 400px; width: 400px;"></p><h2>5. Vegan cheese</h2><p>Dairy-free cheese is a thing and it&rsquo;s fabulous! Switch your usual type of cheese for a <a href="https://groceries.asda.com/product/vegan-cheese-alternative/violife-creamy-original/910001579697" target="_blank">vegan variety</a>, whether it&rsquo;s pre-sliced, in a block or cream cheese. Many brands use coconut oil and soya as a base for the cheese, but manage to keep a familiar cheesy flavour. Finely <a href="https://groceries.asda.com/product/herbs/asda-growers-selection-chives/910002001837" target="_blank">chop some chives</a>, <a href="https://groceries.asda.com/product/herbs/asda-growers-selection-flat-leaf-parsley/910001988420" target="_blank">flat-leaf parsley</a> and garlic and stir through a pot of vegan cream cheese, then load onto hot <a href="https://groceries.asda.com/product/bagels/new-york-bakery-co-plain-bagels/910000407641" target="_blank">bagels</a> for a breakfast worth waking up for. </p><p style="text-align: center;"><img alt="creamy-voilife" class="ci-image ci-original" src="https://ui3.assets-asda.com/dm/creamy-voilife_GL?scl=1" style="height: 500px; width: 500px;"></p><h2>6. Frozen edamame beans</h2><p>Perfect in stir-fries or as a snack, <a href="https://groceries.asda.com/product/vegetables/asda-scratch-cook-edamame-soya-beans/910002598790" target="_blank">edamame beans</a> freeze perfectly meaning you&rsquo;ll get the freshest flavour whenever you want it, without any waste. These beans are powerhouses of protein as well as being low fat and high fibre, and what&rsquo;s more, they taste great. Simply stir-fry in a hot pan for 2-3 minutes with some crisp vegetables, sprinkle over some <a href="https://groceries.asda.com/product/coconut-milk-ingredients/kikkoman-soy-sauce/910000342826" target="_blank">soy sauce</a>,<a href="https://groceries.asda.com/product/herbs/asda-growers-selection-coriander/910001988455" target="_blank"> coriander</a> and sliced <a href="https://groceries.asda.com/product/chillies-spices/asda-growers-selection-red-chillies/910001618078" target="_blank">red chilli</a>, then serve with <a href="https://groceries.asda.com/product/noodles-sauces/asda-growers-selection-rice-noodles/910001681841" target="_blank">rice noodles</a>. </p><p style="text-align: center;"><img alt="edamame-beans-2" class="ci-image ci-original" src="https://ui3.assets-asda.com/dm/edamame-beans-2_GL?scl=1" style="height: 400px; width: 400px;"></p><h2>7. Dried Pasta</h2><p>If you&rsquo;re a <a href="https://groceries.asda.com/product/pasta-tubes-shells-spirals/asda-penne/78360469" target="_blank">pasta lover</a>, opt to choose your pasta in the ambient aisle rather than the chillers. Most of Asda&rsquo;s own brand dried pastas are skillfully created with durum wheat semolina and no eggs, making it vegan-friendly, but do check the ingredients on the pack before purchasing. Cook dried pasta in boiling water for 8-10 minutes until al dente, then pour into a feisty <a href="https://groceries.asda.com/product/fresh-pasta-sauce/asda-italian-arrabbiata-sauce/76908982" target="_blank">arrabiata</a><a href="https://groceries.asda.com/product/fresh-pasta-sauce/asda-italian-arrabbiata-sauce/76908982" target="_blank"> sauce</a>, before topping with <a href="https://groceries.asda.com/product/nuts-seeds/asda-good-balanced-pine-nuts/910001603977" target="_blank">toasted pine nuts</a>. </p><p style="text-align: center;"><img alt="penne" class="ci-image ci-original" src="https://ui3.assets-asda.com/dm/penne_GL?scl=1" style="height: 469px; width: 300px;"></p><p><em>Ready to start your vegan diet? Make sure you stock up on everything you need at <a href="http://www.asda.com/" target="_blank">Asda</a> or <a href="http://storelocator.asda.com/#!/" target="_blank">pop into your local store</a>. </em></p>

7 products you need to know about if you're going vegan

By ASDA Admin,5th September 2017

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