London Vegan Meetup

London Vegan Potluck

December 5, 2012 · 6:00 PM
Faraday House

London Vegan Potluck is back for another monthly night. The potluck takes place on the first Wednesday of every month and has been running for over a year. The potluck is in Central London just off High Holborn. How does it work? What is a potluck? A potluck is an event where like-minded people get together to share homemade food, swap recipes, make friends and talk about topics that interest them. What is a vegan potluck? It is the same as a potluck but with vegan food! There is no dairy, meat, honey or eggs. The food can be sweet or savoury (WE STRONGLY PREFER HOMEMADE) and our event requires potluckers to provide an ingredients list with their dish as well as utensils to serve it with if required. YOU MUST BRING UTENSILS TO SERVE OR CUT WITH AS WELL AS THE APPROPRIATE SERVING DISH/PLATE/BOWL. We have plates for eating from. Come along for a fabulous night of meeting without meat. If you have friends you would like to invite who are not on Meetup, RSVPs are also accepted via the Facebook event page http://www.facebook.com/events/247550878706447/ and the Fat Gay Vegan website http://fatgayvegan.com/ldnveganpotluck/

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J. Applebee

If I could ask a favour for next time: if people put alcohol in their food, please could you make it really clear! When the great-looking chocolate cake contains whisky & the only clue is a scrawled note in tiny letters, it's less helpful. If someone doesn't consume alcohol for religious reasons, or if they're a recovering alcoholic, it makes things difficult.

1 · December 6
- View all 5 replies
- A former member
  
  I agree, I don't drink for religious reasons... don't have that much of a problem with alcohol in cakes - but would rather know what I am eating so I have the option to decline a slice. BTW on a happier note J. I saw when you left yesterday, sadly was too lazy to catch you up, but wanted to say that I took your dessert home the last time, froze it, ate it about 2 weeks later - delicious, just wish it wasn't soo small. :)
  
  1 · December 6
- dori
  
  Hi J, I took all this (and possible kids guests) into consideration when making the cake. The recipe is from a straight edge vegan friend who never drank alcohol in his life, but likes the aroma of whiskey. It wasn't just poured on the cake. I made sure to cook the souce way above boiling point for the recommended time for the alcohol to evaporate. Next to the ingredient list there was a separate card with the name "drunken chocolate orange cake" suggesting the flavour. I do hope this cleared up all the negative feelings, I had no intention to cause any trouble.
  
  4 · December 6
- Robb
  
  If attendees to the vegan potluck have food intolerances, allergies or dislikes that mean they can't eat everything that's vegan (for example, coeliacs avoiding gluten, strict Jains avoiding root vegetables, or teetotallers avoiding alcohol) then I think that they need to take responsibility for checking that dishes are suitable for them. Much as they doubtlessly would at a supermarket, in a restaurant, or at a friend's house (especially if that friend couldn't know their requirements in advance).
  
  1 · December 11
- Robb
  
  Thinking about it, my meringues included alcohol too! I used peppermint essence, for which one of the ingredients was ethanol. To help anyone with dietary intolerances, I actually listed the ingredients of my ingredients! A number of people commented that even this was more than necessary, but I was happy to do so. However, I certainly don't think we should be going further and asking everyone to highlight any ingredient that someone else might have an issue with. That's why ingredients list are provided! If you have particular requirements, it's unreasonable (and unsafe) to assume that other attendees will highlight these for you...
  
  0 · December 11
- Richard Ⓥ Molyneux
  
  Yes, with so many issues and 'hidden' ingredients it pays to be wary. It's helpful to be as concise as possible, and shouldn't be too time consuming, e.g. I listed as a potential allergen that the vanilla extract in the banana cake couldn't guarantee being nut free.
  
  0 · December 11
David Anthony

Thanks for all the comments about my chocolate dessert with the liquorice stick so here's the recipe...

Cream cheese (3 tubs)
Chocolate (2 blocks)
Powdered cane sugar (1 cup - sieved)
Pure vanilla essence
Jelly crystals, Dried cranberries and Liquorice root stick (to decorate) and a silver ribbon if you fancy...it's all about the presentation!

Melt the chocolate and blend with the cream cheese adding the sugar slowly, add a good dash of the vanilla and mix together until a smooth paste. Place in the fridge for 1 and a half hours and then spoon into a ball shape, put in the stick and push in a few cranberries on top. Freeze until the consistency of icecream and finally decorate with the jelly crystals!

Now what to do next time :-)

2 · December 6
- View all 5 replies
- Julie
  
  That was an amazing dessert! Well done! x
  
  1 · December 6
- J. Applebee
  
  Jelly crystals? I wondered what the sprinkles were. Your presentation was wonderful as always!
  
  1 · December 6
- Richard Ⓥ Molyneux
  
  Dare I ask if that was vegan cream cheese, dark chocolate and jelly crystals?!
  
  0 · December 7
- David Anthony
  
  I think the answer is in the title London Vegan Meetup! Of course it's all Vegan - Tofutti cream cheese, Plamil chocolate and (vegan) jelly crystals from a chinese food store :-)
  
  1 · December 7
- Richard Ⓥ Molyneux
  
  Cheers David. It's always good to know what vegan products are being used, in case others want to make it (I've found that flavours can vary widely amongst different alternatives/brands).
  
  0 · December 9
Ben Claridge

Almost had to bail today but have rushed back to the south east and now on the train in. But it does mean bought stuff from me again (sorry). I've got a few Free From things from Sainsbury's including Pink Panther wafers. Can any of you long-standing hardliners confirm they are vegan? Ingredients look fine but I sometimes miss some of the lesser known non-vegan sneaky ingredients...

0 · December 5
- View all 3 replies
- Ben Claridge
  
  Ingredients: vanilla flavoured filling (vegetable oil, sugar, beetroot red colouring, natural flavouring), wafer (potato starch, vegetable oil, maize starch, hydroxypropyl methyl cellulose stabiliser, beetroot red colouring, ammonium hydrogen carbonate raising agent, soya lecithin stabiliser...
  
  0 · December 5
- Jessica Stella Fox
  
  Cheers for the wafers Ben! :) My good friend Sarah mentioned them in one of her funny texts a while ago but I don't know if she knows their vegan; & she quoted the Peter Sellers film the other day..& I realized I ended up with a pack of them wafers!! That'll make her laugh!! All the best, Jess :) x
  
  0 · December 7
- Richard Ⓥ Molyneux
  
  Wafers might contain traces of milk, otherwise probably vegan, going by http://veggies.co.uk/...
  
  0 · December 9
Ben Claridge

To all you foodie types, I was surprised to see a vegan Groupon today. £49 for a four course meal Inc champagne or soft drink for two at Saf in Kensington. I've never been to Saf but thought it might be worth a go! Looks quite nice..

0 · December 7
Rainbow Murray

Please please please banoffee pie chef, share your secrets with the rest of us! A recipe that good needs to be made again and again!

2 · December 6
- View all 5 replies
- Evie
  
  Hi, that is the recipe I used to make banoffee pie for potluck
  
  0 · December 6
- Evie
  
  Ingredients
  For pie base:
  250g Vegan Digestive Biscuits
  1 tablespoon of Golden Syrup
  80g melted vegan butter
  
  Filling
  4oz (115g) brown sugar
  4oz (115g) margarine
  1 tbsp golden syrup
  4floz (100 ml) soya milk
  1 dessert spoon cornflour
  1 tsp vanilla essence
  3 large bananas
  
  Method
  1.Crush digestives by placing in a bag and crushing with a rolling pin, or pulse in a food processor. Transfer the crushed biscuits to a medium mixing bowl.
  2.Melt the vegan marg or butter in a small pan and add the syrup, mix until well combined then allow to cool.
  3.Add melted butter mix to the crushed biscuits and combine well until , then transfer into 9″ – 10″ cake tin or dish and cover the bottom & sides. Chill in the freezer for 20-25 minutes.
  4.Meanwhile, in a saucepan gently heat the sugar, margarine and golden syrup.
  
  0 · December 6
- Evie
  
  5.Constantly stirring the mixture with a non plastic spoon, boil up to soft ball stage. Simmer for 5 minutes, to ensuring not to let the temperature go higher.
  6.Meanwhile, combine soya milk and heaped dessert spoonful of cornflour in small pan until a thick white sauce is made. Stir in half of the vanilla essence.
  7.Remove toffee from the heat and allow to cool for a couple of minutes. Beat toffee whilst adding the white sauce to it. Mix thoroughly and remove any un-dissolved lumps of cornflour.
  8.Slice the bananas thinly, then remove cake tin & base from the freezer and line banana slices evenly on the base.
  9.Once cooled to room temperature, poor the toffee mixture over the top, ensuring you cover the bananas completely, then place back in the fridge until cooled.
  
  0 · December 6
- Rainbow Murray
  
  Oh, thank you so much! I will make this for sure. That was one of the nicest desserts I ever had. I really appreciate the trouble you've gone to, first in making this delicious dish and then in sharing the recipe! Thanks!
  
  1 · December 6
- Evie
  
  So glad you enjoyed it :)
  
  0 · December 7
Jessica Stella Fox

Delightful, yummy & surreal! :-D

0 · December 7
Jessica Stella Fox

What a lovely Potluck as ever! And I was delighted at the surrealism of how people ate my Nativity Cake; from gingerly hacking at it, to decapitating the baby Jesus (hahaha!) and so on!! Brilliant! Now....I have 2 months to create some sort of savoury alchemy....ideas are already starting to form...& a theme too! Right...you'll have to wait till February to see what I conjour up!! All the best, Jess x

0 · December 7
J. Applebee

So much incredible food! The Banoffee pie was amazing. Julie's blueberry cheesecake made my eyes go to the back of my head. FatGayVegan's caramel squares were incredible. The mint meringues were a game-changer. The Nativity scene and the chocolate delight on a licorice stick were so inspired. And the hot pizzas from Wholefoods were much appreciated! Sorry I can't remember everyone's names. Thanks also to FatGayVegan who cheered me up when an idiot got me down.

1 · December 6
- View all 4 replies
- Rainbow Murray
  
  I always love your comments. I really must say hello to you at the next one!
  
  0 · December 6
- Julie
  
  Thanks for the lovely comment! Great to see you! See you again soon.
  
  0 · December 6
- Jessica Stella Fox
  
  Cheers; I'm the proud creator of the Nativity! So pleased it worked...it was funny how people gingerly 'hacked' at it to begin, but later on, the crowd tucked in, decapitating various characters...I thought it was brilliantly surreal! Great fun! Now, how do I top that in the new year?? I have two months to think up a super savoury dish!! :) All the best, Jess :)
  
  0 · December 7
- Jessica Stella Fox
  
  P.S. I've just recalled, after rambling above,indeed we sat next to each other for a while...nice to meet you! All the best! Jess :)
  
  0 · December 7
Julie

Fantastic night. Jess's Nativity Cake was amazing.Well done and thanks to Sean and
everyone! : )

2 · December 6
- Jessica Stella Fox
  
  Thanks Julie...I'll have to make another one so you try some sometime!! It wasn't just ''a pretty face,''....that was spinach on Joseph's top! Yes, plenty of sugar in the mix, but good stuff under the marzipan robes/crowns, etc! :-D
  
  0 · December 7
Sebastian

I have an odd request: would anyone be willing to share their kitchen with me on the day of or the day before the potlock? I don't have the neccessary kitchen appliances, i.e. an (immersion) blender. Also, company while making things is more fun. :) Will bring my own ingredients and clean up after myself.

0 · November 19
- View all 3 replies
- Ana Boyero
  
  You can come to mine, I'm living pretty far away though (Roehampton) :/
  
  0 · November 27
- Sebastian
  
  As ana boyero can't make it tomorrow, I'd be happy if someone else could host me for my potluck preparations. :) Thank you. I'm really looking forward to seeing you all. :)
  
  0 · December 4
- Jessica Stella Fox
  
  Hi Sebastian; Did you find a kitchen in the end? I forget; what did you make?? I think I tried most things but know I missed the sweet things on sticks *but I know who made those!* , plus cupcakes & some of the cakes & a cheesecake..but you can only fit so much food on your plate!! Hahaha!
  
  1 · December 7
MJ

The blueberry cheesecake was surely a gift from the Gods! I think I actually swooned upon tasting it. Huge kudos to whoever made it :-)

2 · December 6
- View all 4 replies
- Julie
  
  Thank you! So glad you liked it!
  
  0 · December 6
- Rainbow Murray
  
  Don't suppose you'd be willing to share the recipe Julie?
  
  2 · December 6
- Julie
  
  "BLUEBERRY THRILL” – RAW BLUEBERRY AND COCONUT CRÈME PIE
  
  INGREDIENTS
  
  FOR THE CRUST:
  
  2 ¾ cups macadamia nuts
  ⅛ teaspoon salt
  
  FOR THE FILLING
  
  1 tin (400 ml) coconut milk
  ¾ cup finely chopped dates
  ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
  2 pinches salt
  3 tablespoons lecithin granules
  ½ cup + 2 tablespoons coconut oil
  
  DECORATION
  
  ¾ cup dessicated coconut flakes
  180g blueberries
  
  To make the crust
  
  In a food processor fitted with the “S” blade, process the macadamia nuts and salt to a dough-like consistency. Press into a 9-inch pie pan.
  
  To make the filling
  Blend coconut milk, dates, vanilla and salt until smooth. Add lecithin and coconut oil and blend until well incorporated. Pour into prepared crust. Place in fridge/freezer until set (about 1 hour).
  
  To decorate
  
  Top with thin layer of coconut flakes and fresh blueberries. Enjoy!
  
  0 · December 6
- J. Applebee
  
  Thanks for this, Julie. I know what I'm having for dessert on Christmas Day!
  
  1 · December 6
Lewis

Who made those mini patties? Can you please hook me up with the recipe : ) those insanely good Chrisas chocolate desserts on the sticks still have me smiling.

0 · December 6
Lewis

Who made those mini patties? Can you please hook me up with the recipe : ) those insanely good Chrisas chocolate desserts on the sticks still have me smiling.

0 · December 6
Hilary

Hi everyone! I'm leaving the UK 2 days after this potluck, and so I'm going to bring a bunch of grocery items that I haven't finished off free for the taking! There will be quinoa, brown rice, possibly some nutritional yeast, tea, tupperware containers and other stuff.

I also have a blow dryer, hair straightener and hair curler that I thought I'd bring. Is there any reason these products wouldn't be vegan and wouldn't be appropriate to bring? I bought them last year before I ever started considering things like that. I guess I'm wondering if it would be cool to bring them if anyone wants some free stuff. Thanks!

1 · November 27
- View all 5 replies
- FatGayVegan
  
  Bring it all! Maybe people could give you a couple of pounds for the electrical items?
  
  0 · November 27
- Hilary
  
  Haha I wouldn't object if they wanted to, but I was just going to sort of unload all my stuff on you guys :D
  
  0 · November 28
- L.Galvin
  
  Hi Hilary i didn't get to talk to you at the potluck but as the London Freecycle Coordinator thank-you for bringing the spirit of Freecycle and the freeconomy to our wonderful potluck I hope you managed to find homes for your grocery items and hair dryer etc amongst the potluckers.It's a shame that you are leaving us for pastures new but i hope we may get to see you at another one sometime and all the very best
  
  0 · December 6
- L.Galvin
  
  very best Hilary.Please don't be a stranger to London
  
  0 · December 6
- Rainbow Murray
  
  Thank you so much for the free stuff Hilary, and all the very best for your new ventures in Toronto!
  
  0 · December 6
Richard Ⓥ Molyneux

Great to finally attend Sean's potluck, and lovely to try out so many wonderful dishes and make more veg friendships.

4 · December 6
- View all 3 replies
- L.Galvin
  
  Really really great to see both you and Napak at the potluck Richard that was a bit of a treat in itself.
  
  1 · December 6
- Richard Ⓥ Molyneux
  
  Great to see you again too :-)
  
  0 · December 6
- L.Galvin
  
  Please don't be a stranger Richard hope to see you and Napak at another one soon
  
  1 · December 6
FatGayVegan

AMAZING! Biggest potluck ever with 73 attendees! The food was so good and there was so much of it. Can't wait for February. Thanks to people who bought Bowl For Oceans tickets from me, too.

6 · December 6
- Amelia Pereira
  
  hi, that is great,i'm so gutted that i didn't come but i was sick, bad cold. but i even made my wonderful dish to come and share, won't miss another one for the world and share some wonderful home cooking. love to all.
  
  0 · December 6
- L.Galvin
  
  Many Thanks as always to Sean,Josh and everyone that attended and bought such wonderful dishes.It felt very special not only because of the amazing dishes but because it was the largest one and people like Richard ,Napak and Nishma that haven't attended before or are busy so not always able to get to that many potlucks were there also.The only minus point was that because Josh had to work he wasn't around as much as he usually is and i missed him.
  
  1 · December 6
A former member

Enjoyed great company, overwhelmed by the food as always so didn't get to finish my main course which I've had to bring home. I'm not a chocoalate fan but loved the witchey chocolate mousse thing on a stick, and am not a banana person, but the banoffee base was lovely!

0 · December 6
Lewis

Great pot luck. Lots of booze this time too.

1 · December 6
Jessica

Delicious food and entertaining company!

5 · December 6
Mark Lester

Damn! I forgot to come!

0 · December 6
Rainbow Murray

Today's potluck was awesome! So many great people, so much great food! I loved the pizza, the tiffin and the chocolate-banana cupcakes. Special kudos to whoever made the banoffee dish - it was out of this world and I would really really love the recipe if you'd be willing to share?
I made the stollen and forgot to provide an ingredients list (sorry! I'll remember next time, promise!). The recipe was a veganised version of this: http://www.myhouseandgarden.com...
I just replaced the butter with Pure margarine and used soya milk. If anyone has a go at making their own, ignore the cooking time in the recipe: 45 minutes is plenty.

1 · December 5
FatGayVegan

Almost 60 people have RSVPd for tonight. If you haven't been before (or you have but have a fuzzy memory) here are some bits of info you need:

- please bring your own serving utensils. We only have enough forks for people to eat with. If you bring soup, you will need to supply cups. If you bring cake, you will need a plate to present it on & a knife to cut it.
- please do not arrive with nothing. Don't laugh! This happens every time.
- one contribution from each person attending. This is fair & the decent thing to do.
- we have enough plates for every attendee to have one each. Do not take more than one plate. If you go up for seconds, you will need to use the same plate.
- Take a little bit of each dish so there is enough for everyone. There is always plenty of food so take some, eat it & then return for a bit more when you think most people have had a chance to serve themselves
- scrape your plate when finished and stack on trolley
- sign in & out at the security desk.

1 · December 5
- View all 3 replies
- Lewis
  
  How can people attend empty handed!? Shocking.
  
  1 · December 5
- FatGayVegan
  
  Most of the people who have done that have said they didn't understand what a potluck is.
  
  0 · December 5
- Lesley Dove
  
  Too lazy and liars I reckon! I admit I've not been able to make it yet, I am sorry I still can't make it this time
  :(
  One problem is being disorganised (some months anyway), but I'd never just go and freeload other ppl's food without contributing, it is so rude. If someone didn't understand what a potluck is they'd ask beforehand, wouldn't they because a normal person doesn't just go to an event without knowing something about it do they? They would know they could risk finding themselves in a naked orgy sacrificing live vegetables to the god of Baal, if they don't know what a potluck is! No, for sure they know what is expected, they are just trying it on FGV!
  
  1 · December 5
FatGayVegan

I will be selling tickets to the Sea Shepherd fundraiser party Bowl For Oceans at the potluck. Cash tickets are £12 or you can still buy them online using a credit card (while tickets last). Cheers.

0 · December 3
- Richard Ⓥ Molyneux
  
  Do you mean join the Meetup on January 6th at http://londonveganmee... and buy tickets from http://bowlforoceans.... :-)
  
  1 · December 3
FatGayVegan

Let's make this one count as there is no potluck in January due to the building be closed.

1 · November 16
- Rainbow Murray
  
  Ah, bummer. January's a miserable month so was looking forward to the potluck! Any chance of doing another pop-up pizza party instead? I missed the last ones but would love another chance to attend!
  
  1 · November 27
- FatGayVegan
  
  January is too cold for the pizza party as it is partially outdoors! Come along to the Sea Shepherd party I am hosting in a bowling alley. We can be warm in there LOL.
  
  0 · November 27
Jessica

Just posted my complaint letter under Discussions if any one would like to read it! Not complaining about Vegan potluck of course, just the pub we visit monthly for after drinks :p

0 · November 11
Jessica

Hi all,

Faxing my complaint letter to the Greene King head office. No indication on their site if it's independently owned or not... Anyway, it's in reference to the pub we go to after potluck for drinks; won't be returning again, that's for certain! Feel free to join me for drinks at the pub next door, though :)

The potluck was great as always, though -- lovely mince pies from
Cafe Nero!

0 · November 11