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Monday, 13 October 2025
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Decadent Vegan Cheesecake Recipe – No Dairy, No Fuss, All Delicious
Perfect for dinner parties, afternoon tea, or when you just fancy something a little sweet, this cheesecake proves that compassion can taste absolutely divine.
Ingredients
For the base:
250g vegan digestive biscuits (or your favourite vegan-friendly alternative)
100g vegan margarine, melted
For the filling:
400g vegan soft cheese (such as Violife, Nush, or Tesco Plant Chef)
100ml plant-based cream (oat or soya cream works beautifully)
100g icing sugar
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 tbsp lemon juice (for that classic cheesecake tang)
Optional toppings:
Fresh berries
Fruit coulis
Grated vegan chocolate or a drizzle of caramel sauce
Method
Prepare the base:
Place the vegan biscuits in a food processor and blitz until finely crushed.
Stir in the melted vegan margarine until well combined.
Press the mixture firmly into the base of a springform tin (20cm / 8 inch is ideal).
Chill in the fridge for at least 30 minutes to set. Or bake at 200c for 30 minutes, then allow to cool.
Make the filling:
In a large bowl, beat together the vegan soft cheese, icing sugar, vanilla extract, and lemon juice until smooth and creamy.
Slowly mix in the plant-based cream until the texture is light and fluffy.
Assemble the cheesecake:
Spoon the filling over the chilled biscuit base, spreading it evenly.
Smooth the top with a spatula and refrigerate for at least 4 hours (or overnight if possible) to set properly.
Add the finishing touches:
Before serving, top with fresh berries, drizzle with coulis, or sprinkle with grated vegan chocolate for a stunning finish.
Tips for Success
Flavour twist: Add a swirl of vegan lemon curd or a handful of crushed raspberries to the filling before chilling.
For a firmer set: Mix 1–2 tsp of agar-agar powder (a vegan setting agent) into the cream before blending.
Serving suggestion: Pair a slice with a hot cup of tea or a strong espresso for the perfect indulgent moment.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
This cheesecake is proof that plant-based baking doesn’t have to mean compromise. It’s creamy, rich, and effortlessly elegant, perfect for anyone looking to impress guests or enjoy a guilt-free treat. Plus, it’s completely free from dairy, making it suitable for vegans and those with lactose intolerance.
This is the vegan version of our dairy cheesecake recipe. We firmly believe this will make a great addition to your Christmas spread, perhaps adding some Christmas spices to it?
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Saturday, 11 October 2025
Is There a Vegan Conspiracy in the Cat Food Industry?
Because honestly, how else can you explain the recent trend of peas, carrots, rice, and other suspiciously salad-like items appearing in pouches of cat food that are supposedly “meat in gravy”?
Have the cat food companies been infiltrated by extremist vegan activists determined to “convert” our cats to the green side? Because if they have, my cat is having none of it.
Picture this: I open a pouch of “Succulent Chicken Dinner.” It smells… vaguely like chicken. I spoon it into the bowl, and there they are, neon-orange cubes of diced carrot staring up at me like an unwanted intruder at a meat feast.
My cat, bless him, takes one sniff, eats around it, and spits out a perfectly formed little carroty chunk with the precision of a sniper.
I mean really, who decided cats need carrots or peas? These are animals that, in the wild, would proudly take down a vole, a bird, or maybe an unguarded burger from a neighbour’s BBQ. Not a legume or a grain of rice in sight. Yet here we are, serving them dinner that looks like it was rejected from a school canteen.
And don’t even get me started on the rice. Since when did cats need rice? Did someone see a Bengal cat and assume they’re all from Asia and therefore partial to a bit of wild rice or basmati?
Then there’s soya and wheat gluten — the stuff of vegan dreams but feline nightmares. I’m convinced there’s a secret meeting somewhere, where a group of anti-meat zealots in hemp jumpers are cackling over how they’ve snuck tofu into “Beef Flavour Feast.”
“Ha ha!” they cry, “Soon, all the cats will be plant-based!”
Meanwhile, the nation’s moggies are plotting revolution, one regurgitated pea at a time.
Look, I get it — humans are eating more plant-based meals these days. Good for us. But cats are obligate carnivores. That means they literally have to eat meat to survive. Trying to turn a cat vegan is like trying to get a shark to go swear off eating fish. It’s just not happening.
So why, in the name of whiskers, are we still finding vegetables in cat food? Is it a cost-cutting exercise? A misguided attempt at “balanced nutrition”? A way to tempt Gen X cat owners with gimmicky 'neqw' recipes? Or is there, as I suspect, a stealthy vegan uprising happening in pet food factories up and down the country?
Either way, it needs to stop. My cat doesn’t want your diced carrots, your peas of persuasion, or your tofu tyranny. He wants meat. Preferably something that once had feathers, fur, or at the very least, a heartbeat.
Until the cat food world comes to its senses, I’ll be standing guard — spoon in hand, ready to fish out every last unwanted vegetable like a true carnivore’s ally.
Now, if you’ll excuse me, I’ve got to go sweep a small pile of rejected peas off the kitchen floor. Again.
Friday, 10 October 2025
Discovering Miskets: A Sweet Adventure
Hailing from Turkey, Miskets has carved a niche for itself by combining traditional ingredients with playful, creative confectionery.
From dragees and cones to exotic bars and marshmallow treats, there’s a lot more here than your everyday chocolate.
Who Are Miskets?
Miskets is a snack and confectionery brand that began with humble roots, known originally for its chickpea serie, but has expanded into a wide range of sweet treats.
Some of their hallmarks:
They use natural coatings and dried fruit in many of their products.
Their products include more than chocolate: think marshmallows, jelly beans, salty pretzels coated in chocolate, chocolate-filled cones, etc.
Quality is important — Miskets emphasise using fresh and carefully selected ingredients.
What Makes Miskets Special
There are a few things that set Miskets apart from many other confectionery brands:
Fusion of textures and flavours
You’ll find contrasts, crunchy, creamy, smooth, chewy, often in a single item. For example, the Dubai Style Chocolate Bar with Crispy Kadaifi & Hazelnut combines the flaky, shredded pastry (kadaifi) with rich hazelnut and milk chocolate.
Inspirations from regional treats
Some products are inspired by Middle Eastern desserts (kadaifi, nuts, etc.), which gives them a distinct character compared with typical Western chocolates. The “Dubai Style” line is a good example.
Variety
Whether you prefer something light like white chocolate, or dark and nutty, or even juicier flavours in dragees (fruit flavours), there’s something to suit different tastes.
Presentation and novelty
Some of their bars are eye-catching. They’re not just tasty but designed to be enjoyed visually too. People like new sensory experiences in sweets: multi-texture, multi-flavour, even Instagram-friendly packaging. Miskets taps into that.
Some Stand-Out Products
Here are a few examples of what Miskets offers (so you know what to expect if you try them):
Dubai Style Chocolate Bar (Milk Chocolate with Hazelnut & Kadaifi) — a decadent combo of flaky pastry (kadaifi), crunchy hazelnuts, and smooth milk chocolate.
Dubai Style Pistachio & White Chocolate Bar — swapping milk for white chocolate, highlighting nutty pistachio in a lighter chocolate base.
Mini Cones (Pistachio & Kunafa with Chocolate) — crispy waffle cones filled with pistachio/kunafa and coated in chocolate. These little treats offer crunch plus a rich filling.
Dragees & Jelly-Flavour Coated Treats — fruit flavours, chocolate coatings, chewy centres, etc.
Where to Buy & What to Know
Miskets products are sold in various markets: Turkey, the UK, Europe, the Middle East, and increasingly in places further afield.
In the UK, some lines are available through retailers. For example, the “Dubai Style” chocolate bars appear in Home Bargains.
Price-wise, they tend to be a premium over basic chocolate bars, reflecting the more complex ingredients and novelty. But many people find the extra cost worth it for the experience.
Who Miskets Is For
If I were to recommend to whom Miskets is most likely to appeal:
Adventurous sweet-tooth – people who like more than just chocolate; they enjoy combinations (nuts, pastry, fruit, crunchy textures).
Gift givers – bars with aesthetic appeal make good gifts, or small cone treats as novelty snacks.
Fans of Middle Eastern desserts – especially those who love pistachio, kunafa, kadayif etc., but want a chocolate twist.
People curious about premium confectionery – willing to pay a little more for quality, novelty and flavour variety.
A Few Considerations
As good as they sound, there are some things to keep in mind:
Allergens — many products contain nuts, wheat (gluten), milk, etc., so not suitable for those with allergies. Always check the label.
Richness & sweetness — the combinations can be quite intense (very sweet, very rich); not everyone’s going to want that with every bite.
Availability — depending where you live, some lines may be hard to find, or only available in specific stores or import shops.
Final Thoughts
Miskets is a brand that stands out by offering more than just chocolate. It’s an exploration of textures, flavours and combinations rooted partially in regional sweets but reimagined in a way that feels modern and playful. If you’re after something beyond the ordinary — something that surprises you with every bite — Miskets is well worth trying.
I bought my Miskets' chocolates from Home Bargains. I think they'll make excellent stockingfillers.
Squeaky Bean Unveils NEW Plant-Based Pies, Packed with Bold Flavours and Delicious Vegetable Goodness
Pies are the perfect autumnal comfort food and Squeaky Bean’s new range of irresistibly delicious, naturally fermented vegetable pies are rich in flavours and packed with plant-based ingredients that don’t compromise on taste.
NEW Squeaky Bean Braised Veggie Pie (209g) and Spanish Chorizo Style Pie (209g) will be available in Tesco (RRP £3.75).
Squeaky Bean Braised Veggie Pie:
Squeaky Bean is putting vegetables in the spotlight with their Braised Veggie Pie. The recipe features shortcrust pastry filled with a flavourful medley of fermented vegetables, in a rich ale gravy, topped with golden puff pastry. It’s the comforting dish your taste buds have been waiting for, with added gut-friendly goodness.
Squeaky Bean Spanish Chorizo Style Pie:
Squeaky Bean’s Spanish Chorizo Style Pie features a shortcrust pastry base packed with butter beans, courgettes, and a fermented vegetable filling, topped with golden puff pastry. The result? A bold, hearty flavour profile that packs a punch and leaves you craving more.
Whether you’re planning a cozy dinner or need a centrepiece for your next plant-based roast, Squeaky Bean’s new pies are the perfect choice. They’re also very convenient – simply pop them in the oven to heat, then serve with mashed potatoes and steamed veggies for the perfect comfort food experience.
Katie Atkin, Brand Manager at Squeaky Bean, told That's Food and Drink: “As shoppers seek healthier plant-based foods that don’t compromise on taste, our new range of pies are the first of their kind, put vegetables in the spotlight, and are packed with familiar meaty textures.
“The pies feature a flavourful medley of naturally fermented vegetables nestled in a flaky, golden pastry crust. The fermentation adds a rich umami depth and a subtle zing that perfectly balances the fillings. Ideal as a unique main course, these pies celebrate bold flavours and gut-friendly ingredients in every bite.”
Squeaky Bean’s new range of Pies join an already impressive line-up of products including ready-to-eat Cooking Chorizo Style Sausage, Tuna Style Flakes, Crispy Bacon Style Strips, Salmon Style Flakes, Chargrilled Steak Style Strips, Chicken Style Pieces, Chargrilled Mini Fillets and Sandwich Slices; NYC Deli Pastrami, Red Pepper & Tomato and Spinach & Basil Tofu Slices, Applewood Smoked Ham Style Slices, and Spanish Chorizo Style Slices.
Squeaky Bean Braised Veggie Pie (209g) and Spanish Chorizo Style Pie (209g) should already be available in Tesco (RRP £3.75) but check with you nearest branch.


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