9 Store-Brought Products To Spice Up Any Veganuary Dish

We have all set ourselves a little bit of a challenge here at Consommé this month - not only to incorporate more vegan and plant-based meals into our diet throughout 2021, starting with Veganuary (like so many others who have pledged to take part) but also to showcase just how simple it is to hero vegetables and celebrate them as the delightfully incredible and delicious products that they are. Now none of us here at Consommé are actually vegan, but that doesn’t stop us enjoying meat-free meals and enjoying plant-based dishes throughout the week. In-fact more of us, and more of the UK have seen an increase in incorporating these dishes into our diets and having a more flexible approach. And with the ease of vegan products currently on the market it’s now easier than ever, and with a bountiful of overflowing benefits: emotional, physical and even environmental coming in by the plate-load and the once-seen consumer preconceptions that “vegan food is boring, or bland” not only being challenged but blowing it out-of-the-box with its modern creativity and innovation pathing a new way for plant-based dishes is beyond incredible to see. Vegan food is not just for vegans anymore - it belongs to everyone. And with the help of these incredibly simple to utilise products you can pack any veggie dish with fragrant and warming spices and herbs that could turn even your biggest meat eater into a fan in just a few simple steps - without any of the hassle. Now that’s a win all-round.

Miso Tasty

Miso Tasty - Miso Cooking Pastes

These Japanese-inspired pastes are a complete game-changer. Founded by Bonnie Chung, a passionate foodie and chef, Miso Tasty is the brainchild from Bonnie’s love-affair with ancient Japanese superfoods and a three year journey into creating and perfecting her very own miso. Each paste is packed full of authentic flavour and natural goodness and is shelved in stores across the country - and for good reason. Coming in three different flavours: Sweet and Sticky Teriyaki, Rich and Tangy Yuzu and Sweet and Savoury Miso you just need to add a squeeze to your favourite veggies for a flavour packed punch thats layered with a deep umami flavour.

A Consommé Fave: Add a dollop of Miso Tasty’s Rich and Tangy Yuzu Paste (£2.30, Miso Tasty) with a little olive oil and a splash of rice wine vinegar to coat over shaved raw Brussel Sprouts and rocket with toasted chestnuts and slices of fresh apple for a zingy salad that has sweet notes of lemon and mandarin and an earthy finish.

Kharal Masala

Kharal Masala: Masala Burst Curry Paste

This condensed paste incorporates all the best-loved and traditional ingredients found within Punjabi dishes and packs a punch with ease. Kharal Masala was born after founder Rubina Khan, who grew up cooking within a multi-generational household, saw a gap in the market for quick products that still carried authenticity; after years of trialing packets, pastes, jars and mixes all left her feeling a little underwhelmed. Only natural whole ingredients go into the infamous Masala Burst paste that has received raved reviews and helps produce deliciously rich and layered curries within just 30 short minutes.

A Consommé Fave: Fancy a curry in just under 10 minutes? Just grab the Masala Burst Curry Paste (£7, Kharal Masala) and mix your desired amount of the curry paste with water, chopped tomatoes, or yogurt. Heat for a few minutes until bubbling and then add to your cooked leftover vegetables and warm through. Quick and delicious.

YO! Sushi

YO! Sushi - YO! at Home

Craving a high-street treat but lockdown got you feeling stuck? Well fear no more, the infamous YO! Sushi Store now have a wide range of products you can make at home - including multiple vegan friendly sauces and marinades available online and in selected superstores. Taking inspiration from their best-loved products they have created each product to contain the same flavour-packed experience just in the comfort of your own home. Ranging from Hot & Spicy Katsu Curry and a Soy Ginger & Garlic Stir Fry sauces to Sweet Teriyaki Marinade spice rubs there is something for everyone. Just add to your favourite vegetables or vegan-protein source and enjoy. We guarantee you won’t be missing out ever again.

A Consommé Fave: Substitute chicken for tofu, oyster mushrooms or cauliflower steaks and coat in YO! Sushi’s Aromatic Katsu Curry which comes in three different spice ranges: Original, Creamy Coconut or Hot & Spicy (£1, Waitrose) - feeling extra fancy? Add their Katsu Curry Crumb (£1, Tesco) for the perfect crunch (suitable for vegetarians only - the factory handles products that contain milk)

The Tastesmiths

The Tastesmiths - Curry Kits

True to their ethos, The Tastesmiths are all about authenticity in their kits packed with fresh flavours and deliciously warming combinations in a range of tastes. Using a combination of tricky to source fresh ingredients - including spices they grind themselves - they have put together packs of kits that pack a punch. The Tastesmiths believe that “the taste of home cooked food is unbeatable” so encourage their consumers to get hands on but done in the simple Tastesmiths way - making each dish just as fun to cook as it is delicious to eat. All of their kits are vegan friendly and range from Persian Mains to Indian Sides and even Jamaican Marinades. There really is something for everyone.

A Consommé Fave: Use sweet potato and courgettes as a replacement for chicken delicately coated in their light and creamy Korma Masala (£3.50, Tastesmiths) sauce - the sweet flavours balance perfectly and make for a unique dish with incredible flavour and texture combinations.

Kookaloney

Kookaloney

Got a craving for something a little different - than look no further. Kookaloney has finally made creating Levantine food at home easy with their range of delicious kits that range from complete dinner kits, sides, breads and marinade mixes, meaning you can get as involved as you like. Multiple of Kookaloney’s products are vegan friendly including their complete Falafel Kit that combines fava beans and chickpeas with their secret combination of spices that will have you craving seconds. And of course double-dipping in their instant dry hummus mix that can add a new level of flavour and texture to any dish.

A Consommé Fave: Use the new #TikTok trend and create the ultimate Falafel Wrap (£7.50, Amazon). Cut a slice in your wrap and fill one quarter with hummus, the second quarter with flattened falafel, the third spread with tartare sauce topped with their pickled turnips and the forth with freshly sliced tomatoes and parsley, fold each corner over itself and grill to perfection.

Grab Thai Go

Grab Thai Go - Go Easy

Created and made by Thais in Thailand, each product lovingly crafted by Grab Thai Go encompasses the love, sweat and spice that goes in to creating authentically rich products that have such deep levels of flavour that can only come from generations of trial and experience, including a range of meal kits and sauces, suitable for vegans which are Grab Thai Go’s founder’s Preeya Choojan’s gift to the world. Whether you are dining on one of their Noodle Kits packed to the brim with fresh veggies or adding their Stir-Fry Sauces over your leftovers to give them a new lease of life - each dish will be bursting with vibrant colours and spices that is effortless to cook and delicious to dine upon.

A Consommé Fave: Create an effortless Thai meal in less time than pressing order on your favourite takeaway. Combine chargrilled sprouting broccoli with sliced shiitake mushrooms and a sprinkling of black beans and coat it in Grab Thai Go’s Cashew Nut Stir Fry (£1.20, Grab Thai Go) and serve with boiled rice and toasted nuts for a quick mid-week meal that transports your taste-buds to the bustling streets of Thailand.

Tanya’s Just Real

Tanya’s Just Real Sauces

A UK first, Tanya’s Just Real Sauces are chilled cold-pressed sauces that contain a wide variety of fresh vegetables, herbs and spices and can transform any meal from drab to fab. Completely encompassing cooking from scratch in a bottle, Tanya’s range of sauces are delicious both hot and cold. Each bottle is packed full of fresh ingredients with no added nasties and open up a whole new world of dishes to help you fall back in love with vegetables all over again. As vibrant in colour as they are in taste, Tanya’s sauces are a must-have for any budding chef who wants to spice things up in the kitchen.

A Consommé Fave: Packing a true punch, Tanya’s Just Real Fiery Fiasco (£3, Waitrose) is the perfect addition in any tomato based dish - from the traditional spaghetti bolognese, a simple roasted tomato soup or even added to kick it up a notch in a home-made Bloody Mary!

The Woolfs Kitchen

The Woolfs Kitchen - Sauces

Dominique Woolf is known for being a little saucy - but that’s why we love her. Growing up half-Thai, Dominique is no stranger to a spicy condiment and has fond memories of deliciously whipped up sauces and spices created by family members that would be dipped, slathered and poured on well, pretty much everything. Wanting to invite a few more mouths to the table, Dominique knew she couldn’t keep the products a secret and had to share with the world. Digging deep into her Thai roots, the Woolfs’ Sauces are also influenced by some other major cultures that are a big part of her life - including Mexico - which is where her Jalapeño and Lime sauce was born from and has become a staple in our household too. We can see why it’s a favourite and all of our veggies are just begging to be paired with one of the pack.

A Consommé Fave: Each Woolf sauce comes with its own heat monitor ranging from Nice to Fierce and each coming with its own flavour profile, we suggest purchasing the whole pack for the most benefits (£13.49, The Woolfs Kitchen) - add subtle spice to beetroot and chickpea burgers with a coating of Tamarind Ketchup, kick things up a little with a Hot and Sour marinated tofu and add a fiesty fiesta by dolloping the Jalapeño and Lime into a homemade Gauc.

Luliu

Luliu - Wok Spice

Give any dish a blend of aromatic spices with this delicious combined mixture from Luliu. The Wok Spice mix has been created to give a mild sweetness with a savoury finish in every mouthful and transform a wide variety of vegetables throughout all seasons. Not only does the mix, which combines mixed chilli powder, garlic, ginger and some extra seasoning secrets pack a great punch of spice that can be used in taking generic stir-fries to the next level, but you can also easily transform it into a marinade or add as a dry rub to veggies before grilling.

A Consommé Fave: Add Luliu Wok Spice Mix (£5.99, Luliu Shop) into a mixture of olive oil and agave nectar. Grab a courgette and hedgehog cut the flesh before brushing the marinade over and letting rest for about an hour, before baking or grilling. Alternatively toss a can of drained chickpeas in the dry spice mix and roast for a crunchy spicy snack.