One Ingredient Black Bean Flatbread | Easy Vegan Recipe

I bought some black beans the other week and just as I was about to make a simple stew with the beans I'd soaked overnight, the idea popped into my head to try out this flatbread recipe. I knew it would work because it's essentially flat, minimally seasoned akara. You can blend any type of legume into a thick paste and fry it, and it will hold its shape for the most part. As well as reminding me of akara, this recipe is also similar to the Indian red lentil flatbread I've spotted online.

This one-ingredient flatbread is a great gluten-free option for those who need it. Personally, I'll take a flour-based flatbread any day. Still, this was fun to make.

You definitely want to eat this fresh out the pan when it is still warm and pliable. Leave it out for any period of time and it becomes brittle and chalky - not so great for holding any bits of food you want to wrap inside it. Though I suppose you can still tear it up and dip inside your soup or stew. 

These wraps are aesthetically striking, with the slight purple tinge and flecks of black. Certainly a conversation starter at your next dinner party. 

I hope you enjoy trying out this recipe. Drop me a message on Instagram if you do. I'd love to know what you think!

Ingredients

(makes 8-10)

- 1.5 cups dry black beans (soaked overnight - it will double in size and yield approximately 3 cups)

- 1.5 cups warm water

- 1/2 tsp salt (optional)

- Sunflower oil, for frying

Method

Drain the soaked beans and place in a blender with 1.5 cups of fresh warm water and salt. Blend on high until you have a thick batter. It's okay if there are flecks of the black skin in the batter but there shouldn't be any large lumps.

Heat about 1 tablespoon of oil in a non-stick frying pan. Add two tablespoons of the bean batter in the centre and use the back of a spoon to spread it out into a round, flat shape.

Cook over medium-low heat for 2-3 minutes on one side. You may cover the pan to trap some steam and to help it cook faster, but this isn't necessary. Gently flip the flatbread over and cook the other side for another minute. Repeat this process with the rest of the batter.

Serve warm alongside a soup or stew. Or add your favourite fillings e.g. spiced rice, beans, avocado, stir-fried veggies, etc. 

5 West African Ingredients You Need To Try

 There’s nothing more exciting than expanding your culinary repertoire and cooking with ingredients you may not have encountered before. Unless you are from West Africa, the ingredients below may be completely new to you. Perhaps you’ve encountered some of them at a restaurant or perhaps you know of them through a friend or family member. Whatever the case, I hope this article inspires you to diversify your vegan menu and make these ingredients a staple in your household. The ingredients below are just a small handful of typical West African ingredients that I think everyone should get acquainted with. They can all be found at any well stocked African grocery store or even from online retailers.

1. African Yam

Tubers and root vegetables feature in many West African recipes. Beyond sweet potatoes and white potatoes, yam is worth adding to your shopping list. Indigenous to West Africa, they tend to be very large in size, with a rough brown exterior and a white or cream starchy flesh that is firm but fluffy when cooked. In terms of flavour, yams can range from mild and slightly sweet to slightly bitter depending on the variety. In Nigeria, yam is referred to as the “king of crops”, with an annual yam festival dedicated to this versatile ingredient. They are a great source of fibre, potassium and vitamins A, B6 and C. It is important to peel and cook yam before eating it. Treat it the way you would treat a potato by boiling it, frying it, roasting it or mashing/pounding it. In addition to eating them fresh, yams are dried and ground into flour that is used to make ‘bolus’ meals such as Amala.

If you’re just getting started, some delicious yam recipes you can try include Asaro (savoury yam porridge), Boiled Yam with Scrambled Tofu and Yam Pepper Soup.

2. Honey Beans

This variety of beans is also known locally as ewa oloyin or sweet beans in Nigeria. It gets its name from its distinctly sweet flavour. They are brown in colour, shaped like kidney beans but much smaller in size than typical kidney or black-eyed beans. They boast a ton of health benefits and are a great source of protein, carbohydrates, fibre, vitamin C, calcium, iron, magnesium and potassium. Like other varieties, it is recommended that you soak the beans for a few hours or overnight to reduce the gas that causes bloating and other digestive issues. You can cook and use them much in the same way as you would any other bean variety - in soups, stews, salads, and more. If you would like to explore some tasty West African bean recipes, I would recommend Ewa (stewed beans) with fried plantain, Akara (bean fritters) and Moin Moin (steamed bean pudding).

3. Egusi Seeds

Also known as melon seeds, these cream-coloured, oval-shaped seeds are indigenous to West Africa and come from a bitter gourd that resembles a watermelon. The seeds have a nutty, earthy taste and are predominantly used as a thickener and flavour enhancer in many traditional dishes. As well as being protein-rich and packed with essential fatty acids, they are a great source of vitamins A, B1, B2 and C. To use in cooking, the seeds need to be dried, hulled and ground to. A coarse powder. These days it is very easy to buy the whole seeds or ground seeds from African or international grocery stores. Try this mouthwatering recipe for classic Egusi Soup which you can serve with yam, fufu, rice and other starches.

4. Garri

Garri can best be described as a coarse cassava flour. It is made by peeling, grating or roughly blending fresh cassava to mash. The cassava is then fermented and dried to eliminate any toxic compounds before it is sieved and dry roasted or fried. You are guaranteed to find a bag of garri in most Nigerian homes as it is a much-loved staple. It is mainly used to make a ‘bolus’ meal known as Eba which is eaten alongside soups and stews such as Egusi Soup, Okra Soup and Efo Riro. It is also used to make a refreshing snack known as soaked garri or garri water, which is usually served with a handful of roasted peanuts. I have even used garri to make gluten-free cookies.

5. Bitter Leaves 

As the name suggests, this dark, leafy green vegetable has a distinct bitter taste. It boasts an array of health benefits and is a great source of protein, vitamin C, iron, zinc and folic acid. Used for its medicinal properties in traditional West African medicine, it is a common ingredient in many traditional soups and stews. Before cooking, it is recommended that you rinse the leaves several times to reduce or eliminate the strong bitter taste. Add small amounts to soups and salads, and try out this traditional recipe for Bitter Leaf Soup. 

If this list whets your appetite then you will love my cookbook Vegan Nigerian Kitchen. 

Top 5 Vegan Wedding Cake and Dessert Suppliers in London

If you're choosing to have a cake or a spread of desserts at your wedding, then the list below is for you. London-based vegan couples can rejoice at the range of fully vegan offerings available in the city. Whether you're looking for a traditional tiered cake, a healthy raw vegan cake, a more modern cupcake tower or something chic and minimalist, there is something for everyone here.

One of the best parts of wedding planning is arguably deciding on a cake and enjoying cake tastings. Be prepared to be wowed by the plant-based options in this post. Enjoy!

1. Dear Friend Bakery

The cakes by Dear Friend Bakery are simply magical. With delicate floral designs and flavour-packed cake options, you won't be disappointed on your big day. They are able to customise the cake according to your wishes, offering different tier levels and sizes. You can even arrange a cake tasting before you decide - you'll get three flavours of your choice delivered to your door. The customer service is impeccable, and with direct delivery to your venue on the day of your wedding, you can sit back and relax. Visit their website for more. 

 

2. Arapina

Arapina is an award-winning healthy lifestyle bakery offering vegan, organic and free from options to their clients. They can create a bespoke wedding cake for your occasion and will deliver to your venue on the the day. Aside from a cake, you can also order vegan truffles, raw desserts, macarons, tarts and cookies. Visit their website for more.

3. Vida Bakery

Located in East London, this vegan bakery is able to customise your wedding cake according to your specifications. Their designs are bold and beautiful. Simply fill in their online form with details of the type of cake you have in mind and a member of their team will be in touch. Visit their website for more.

4. Organic Livity

Organic Livity specialise is custom-made vegan patisserie, offering (as the name suggests) 100% organic creations that also happen to be gluten-free. They shine when it comes to their raw celebration cakes so this is perfect for a couple looking for a wonderfully healthy take on their wedding cake. Their fresh tarts, macarons and eclairs will add a touch of class to your dessert table too. It's the attention to detail and dedication to high quality ingredients that make them impressive indeed. Visit their website for more.

5. Ruby's of London

This London bakery is perfect for couples that want something a little unique on their wedding day. you can indeed order one of their round cakes, but Ruby's also specialises in cupcake towers, doughnut towers and bespoke dessert table. The eye-catching and elegant designs are sure to wow your guests. Fill in their online form to get started. 

12 Edible Vegan Wedding Favour Ideas Your Guests Will Love

You're planning a vegan wedding and looking to gift your guests with an unforgettable treat. 

Let's face it - non-edible gifts are cool and all but the chances of your guests leaving them behind (either through forgetfulness or not wanting yet another item to clutter their space) are relatively high. Most wedding planners will even go so far as to say that you just shouldn't bother!

Wedding favours are a big part of Nigerian weddings. I can't tell you how many plastic bowls, customised napkins, mugs and hand fans my family has accumulated over the years. Even in a Nigerian kitchen, there are only so many bowls and containers you can collect before it all gets a bit much. 

Edible favours, however, are a great way to ensure your guests either take them home (because who can resist delicious food?) or eat them on the spot. You can get super fancy with the presentation (if you want) or keep things simple and pretty. Convinced yet?

Let's get into 12 sweet and savoury vegan wedding favour ideas that are sure to wow your guests. 

1. Chocolate 

Chocolate is the quintessential food of love. Go ahead and introduce your guests to your favourite vegan chocolate bar. If you can wow them with unique flavours, even better. For a low-cost but personal touch, you can print custom labels to wrap around the bars.

You might like: Moo Free Caramel Bars, LoveRaw Cream Wafer Bars, Ombar Fair Trade Chocolate. 

2. Hot Sauce

Why not make a batch of home-made hot sauce using your favourite combination of ingredients? Buy a bunch of low-cost glass jars, fill them up and pop some customised labels on the front. Not a fan of hot sauce? Go with another condiment that you fancy - BBQ sauce, green pesto, vegan mayonnaise, etc.

You might like: homemade ketchup recipe.

3. Mini Desserts

Treat your guests to something fancy. Desserts like mini macarons, tarts and cupcakes always look impressive. Vegan versions are easy to find nowadays, and most bakers are open to customising them. But if you're a keen baker, why not get some friends together a couple of days before the wedding and have a baking session? Pop them in little dessert boxes or cupcake cases for that stylish touch. 

You might like: coconut cupcakes, chocolate oreo cupcakes, mango macarons. 

4. Spice Jars

One of my favourite items on this list and a truly unique way to spoil your guests. Choose your favourite spices or create a signature spice blend, pop them in cute jars or pouches and add your own labels. 

You might like: 5 Nigerian Spices to Enhance Your Cooking.

5. Wedding Cake To-Go

This one is a no-brainer. If your wedding cake is large enough to feed all your guests, why not put the slices in small cake boxes and gift your guests with cake to go! Works particularly well if you are already providing dessert with the main meal. The wedding cake then makes for a great treat for later. Tie the boxes with ribbons in your wedding colour for an extra special touch. 

You might like: pack of 50 cake boxes.

6. Cookies

A simple yet effective wedding favour idea. If you like to bake, organise a cookie baking party and have your friends and family round to help you customise them. Package them in cellophane pouches and finish with ribbons in your wedding colour. No time to bake? These can easily be outsourced to your local vegan bakery. 

You might like: mango thumbprint cookies, garri cookies. 

7. Signature Drink (Alcoholic or Non-Alcoholic)

The drinks will no doubt be flowing on your special day, so this signature drink will need to stand out in the crowd. The beauty of making and bottling your own unique cocktail is that you can combine both your and your partner's favourite flavours to make something truly one-of-a-kind. This is your chance to go wild - ginger with pomegranate, cucumber and rum? Why not! Bottle them in beautiful 30-50ml glass jars and add your own labels.

You might like: mini glass jars with cork lids.

8. Tea

I attended a wedding a few years ago where guests were gifted customised tea sachets and I thought it was the cutest thing! Whether loose leaf tea in small jars, pouches or individual sachets, tea is a wonderful favour idea. Bonus: instead of tea, ground coffee beans work just as well.

You might like: 'Love' Organic Herbal Tea.

9. Popcorn

Sweet, salty or mixed - take your pick! Popcorn makes for a delicious wedding favour. You could opt for a popcorn machine to pump out fresh popcorn for your guests to take home at the end of the night, or you can present little packs of popcorn in your favourite flavours. 

You might like: vegan butterscotch gourmet popcorn.

10. Infused Oils

Not only are these beautiful to look at but this is a truly luxurious wedding favour that requires very little effort. If you want to make these yourself, simply choose a neutral oil such as sunflower or vegetable oil and infuse it with your favourite herbs and spices. From bay leaf to sage to whole chilli to rosemary, the options are endless. Also works great with olive oil for an even fancier version. 

You might like: Gourmet Spice Company Infused Oil Collection.

11. Plantain Chips 

One of my all time favourite snacks right here. It's rare to meet a soul who doesn't love plantain, so these are sure to go down a treat. You can easily find individually packaged plantain chips nowadays. You may choose to gift them as they are or repackage them in your own customised pouches. If you have a family member or friend who loves cooking and is up for the challenge, then homemade plantain chips are an option too - added bonus is that you can customise the flavour(s) as much as you want.

You might like: Chika's plantain chips, homemade plantain chips.

12. Puff Puff

Puff puff is a popular Nigerian snack that resembles little fried doughnuts. Give them an elevated, gourmet twist by infusing unique flavours into the batter (such as cardamon, rose water, lavender or almond) then present them in little boxes or pouches. Your guests will absolutely fall in love with this sweet treat.

You might like: pumpkin spice puff puff. 

3 Creative Hibiscus Recipes | Vegan, Gluten-Free

Hibiscus is a tropical plant with colourful red flowers that are often used for culinary and medicinal purposes. In Nigeria, the flowers are a key ingredient in zobo - a highly popular fruity and tangy punch. It is also used to make teas. It is said that hibiscus is beneficial in lowering blood pressure, reducing high high cholesterol and acting as an effective antioxidant.

I love using hibiscus in my cooking and am excited to explore tons of new and innovative recipes going forward. Beyond hibiscus tea and hibiscus punch, let's take a look at three creative ways to cook with hibiscus. 

1. Hibiscus Ogi

Ogi is a fermented corn porridge that is enjoyed across Nigeria. Why not add some colour and vibrancy to your next bowl of ogi by infusing it with hibiscus? Add some bite-size pieces of pineapple for a burst of freshness. The full recipe can be found here.

2. Hibiscus Poached Fruit

Poaching fresh fruit in a hibiscus syrup is a genius idea. Aesthetically very pleasing when the fruit takes on the deep red tone, but also lends a beautiful floral, tart note. The fruits I would recommend are apples, pears, pineapples, plums and peaches. In the recipe below, I made a vegan no-bake cheesecake topped with hibiscus poached apples. Click here for the full recipe and for the full poaching method that can be used for any type of fruit. 

3. Hibiscus Meat

Yes, you read that right. A couple of years ago, videos for hibiscus meat tacos were trending all over social media. Did you know that you can use rehydrated hibiscus flowers as a meat alternative? It makes sense. The rehydrated flowers have structural integrity and resemble shredded meat in terms of look and texture. The chewy morsels take on any flavour you pair it with so you'll need to cook the hibiscus in your sauce of choice for maximum flavour. Think bbq sauce and spicy tomato sauce. Look out for a recipe in a future post.

5 Vegan Ice Cream Recipes to Keep You Cool During the Heatwave

Over here in the UK, we are experiencing sweltering hot weather, with temperatures set to climb as high as 37 degrees Celsius next week. Pass the ice!

One of the best ways to stay cool is to indulge in cold drinks, snacks and dairy-free treats. Nothing beats cold, fresh fruit (of course) and I can already imagine tucking into many bowls of crisp watermelon and juicy mango over the coming weeks. Don't even get me started on my obsession with ice cold oranges... But naturally, I will also be reaching for some heat-quenching plant-based ice cream. 

Over the years, I have accumulated a number of vegan ice cream recipes on the blog. Below are five of my favourites. I hope you they provide you with some inspiration. Enjoy the sun and stay safe!

1. Cashew Vanilla Ice Cream

Cashew is such a versatile ingredient in vegan cooking. Great for making creamy sauces, cheesecake fillings, plant-based cheese and in this case... delicious ice cream. This turned out so unbelievably good that I will definitely be remaking this over the coming days.

2. Matcha and Chocolate Chip Ice Cream

Building on the cashew-based ice cream, there is so much scope to mix and match flavours. If you don't mind the earthy flavour of matcha, go ahead and mix in some of the powder. Top with a generous helping of dark chocolate chips for texture and indulgence.

3. Natural Caramel Ice Cream

This is one of my favourite nice cream recipes from my dairy-free ice cream ebook. You'll need frozen bananas and sweet, sticky dates to make this healthy ice cream treat. Perfect for those who are avoiding refined sugar.

4. Malt Ice Cream

Combining the deep flavours of malt with creamy coconut will get you to this mind-blowing ice cream dessert. This recipe goes all the way back to 2013 and is one that I have revisited many times over. And for good reason! Drop me a message once you've given this a try and let me know what you think!

5. Ice Cream Cake

Do you find the idea of making an ice cream cake a bit daunting? This fool-proof recipe is ideal for you. Whether you are using store-bought ice cream or using one of the ice cream recipes on this list, this recipe show you the step-by-step process to making a delicious, crowd-pleasing birthday cake. If you or someone you know is celebrating a birthday in the midst of this summer heatwave, this cake makes for a wonderful gift or party showstopper!

Malt Battered Mushrooms | Easy Vegan Recipe

A recipe from the archives. 

Back in March, I shared a recipe for Malt Jollof Rice but forgot to post the recipe for the malt battered mushrooms that accompanied it. 

This is a creative and flavourful way to enjoy mushrooms. Think beer battered mushrooms but instead you've got the rich, syrupy taste of malt encasing morsels of bite-sized mushrooms.

You can use any type of fresh mushroom for this recipe. Here I've used white button mushrooms.

In terms of seasoning, I kept it pretty simple so that the malt could still shine, but you can experiment with different combinations or use whatever you have in your kitchen cupboard.

Let's get into the recipe!

Ingredients

- 1 punnet (approx. 250g) button mushrooms

- 1/2 cup plain flour

- 1/2 cup malt drink

- 1 tsp paprika

- 1 tsp chilli powder

- 1 tsp salt

- Sunflower oil for frying

Method

Clean/wash your mushrooms and set aside.

In a large bowl, gently mix the flour, malt, paprika, chilli powder and salt until you have a smooth batter.

Heat some sunflower oil in a pan, enough to deep fry.

Add the mushrooms to the batter and mix gently until all the mushroom pieces are fully coated.

Use a fork to drop the battered mushrooms into the hot oil and fry over medium-high heat until the mushrooms are golden brown,

Drain on some kitchen paper. Serve hot as a side dish or an appetiser with a dipping sauce of your choice.

5 Nigerian Spices to Enhance Your Cooking

We can all agree that spices are at the heart of great tasting food. One of the ways I encourage people to embrace more plant-based food is by sharing the importance of spice to elevate what might otherwise be a very bland dish. If you can get this right, you are in for a world of tasty, hearty and satisfying meals.

If you're looking to explore new and exciting spices to enhance your cooking, the following list is a great start. Many of these spices are indigenous to West Africa and grow in abundance in Nigeria. Next time you are shopping online or the next time you visit an African grocery store, keep a look out for these. 

For more Nigerian food and ingredient knowledge, download a copy of Vegan Nigerian Kitchen.

Suya spice

1. Alligator Pepper 

This aromatic, pungent and peppery spice gets its name from the alligator-like skin that surrounds the seeds’ pod. It is a close relative of grains of paradise and black cardamom, and can be used to season stews, soups, or used as a spice rub for vegetables. It is a good source of zinc, calcium, magnesium and antioxidants, which help eliminate free radicals. 

2. Cameroon Pepper

A dark red or sometimes black spice that is said to originate from neighbouring West African Country Cameroon, but which is used often in Nigerian cooking. Be warned: it has an extremely fiery and pungent flavour, so a little goes a long way. It is often sold whole and dried, in flakes or ground in powder form. Add it to traditional soups and stews, or use it as a spice rub for roasted vegetables and meat alternatives.

3. Ehuru (Calabash Nutmeg)

This highly fragrant spice comes in the form of hard seeds which are then ground or grated before adding to a dish. It is particularly great in dishes such as pepper soup, banga or ogbono soup. A little goes a long way with this spice; you only need a small amount to truly enjoy the robust flavour. 

4. Suya Spice 

This popular dry spice rub is traditionally used to marinate meat before grilling, but its use is far-reaching. Use it as a spice rub for mushrooms, vegetables and meat substitutes, or use it to add a fiery kick to salads, rice and bean dishes. Along with ground roasted groundnuts, the mix often includes garlic powder, ginger powder, onion powder, African black pepper and more. 

5. Uda (Grains of Selim)

This spice has a slightly bitter taste and is usually added to soups to add an aromatic and musky flavour. It is used mainly in southern Nigeria and can be bought as whole pods or ground powder. Use the whole pods in soups and stews, or add it ground to spice rubs. It is known for its anti-inflammatory properties and can help relieve gastrointestinal issues.

Uda

6-Ingredient Fonio Bread | No Egg, No Dairy

For a recap on fonio and its nutritional benefits, check out my previous post.

Fonio is an ancient African grain that looks like a cross between quinoa and couscous. I have a few fonio recipes in my cookbook Vegan Nigerian Kitchen and have been having fun experimenting with this incredible ingredient.

This vegan, yeast-free fonio bread is similar to corn bread in terms of texture. It's light, has a nutty flavour and gritty texture. If you don't mind this description, you'll certainly love this recipe.

To make this bread, you'll need fonio flour, which can be made by blending/grinding fonio. I used my small smoothie blender and was happy with the results. You may also wish to skip this step and simply buy fonio flour. 

Ingredients

- 1 cup fonio flour
- 1 cup self-raising flour
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 cup caster sugar
- 1 cup vegan milk (soya, coconut, oat milk...etc.)
- 1/3 cup sunflower oil

Method

Preheat the oven to 180 degrees Celsius.

Combine all the ingredients in a large bowl and mix until you have a thick batter. 

Pour the batter into a lightly greased loaf tin or divide into lined/greased square cupcake cases. 

Place in the middle shelf of the oven and bake for 25 minutes. A toothpick stuck in the centre of the bread should come out clean.

Transfer the bread to a wire rack and leave to cool before serving. It's tasty on its own or with a dab of salted vegan butter, or served alongside a savoury soup. 

3 Ingredient Oreo Cake | Easy Vegan Recipe

If you follow food videos on TikTok then chances are that you have come across this viral recipe by fitwaffle. As someone who loves oreos and chocolate cake in all forms, I could not resist testing out this ridiculously simple three-ingredient oreo cake. No oven needed. Ready in under 3 minutes. It seemed too good to be true. 

After trying it out for myself, I am absolutely sold. For those moments when a chocolate cake craving hit and you don't have the energy to make a whole vegan chocolate from scratch, this hits the spot.

I happened to have some dark chocolate chips at home so I melted some in the microwave and poured over the top of my cakes. Then I added some crushed oreos over the top to garnish because why not?!

The individual ramekin cakes are perfect for a quick snack but I reckon they can also make for an elegant dinner party dessert. Simply dress them up with fancy garnishes and you're good to go. Chocolate ganache, fresh berries, toasted coconut, salted caramel...the options are endless. 

To make a layer of cake, I recommend doubling the recipe and using a microwave-safe 10cm cake tin. 

A few days after trying this recipe, I tried to make a more substantial round of cake and decided to bake it in the oven instead of microwave. I was left with a super fudgy and bouncy cake cake rather than light and fluffy. It was still tasty but not quite as successful as the microwave cakes. 

Let me know if you give this recipe a try and tag me on Instagram. I'm also starting to post a bit more on TikTok, so do drop in and check out my videos. 

Ingredients

- 1 pack oreos (approx. 14 biscuits)

- 125ml vegan milk (such as soya milk, oat milk or coconut milk)

- 1/2 tsp baking powder

Method

Place the biscuits in a clear bag and use a rolling pin (or bottle) to crush the biscuits to fine crumbs. 

Transfer the crumbs to a bowl and add the vegan milk and baking powder. Stir well to form a loose cake batter. 

Pour the batter into small ramekins that have been lightly oiled and the bottoms lined with baking paper.

Microwave each ramekin for 2 minutes. Remove the cake from the ramekin and serve warm with a drizzle of melted chocolate (optional) or leave to cool.