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A Virtual Vegan by Melanie McDonald

Making vegan delicious since 2015 💜

Satisfy your comfort food cravings with my trusted and delicious vegan recipes. There's a spot waiting in the AVV community just for you and I'll even send you a free e-cookbook!

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Featured Post

Apple, Pear & Cranberry Crumble (freshly updated!)

Hi there, Reader It’s hard to beat a good crumble, and this one is a festive favourite in our house. Tart Granny Smiths keep a little bite, ripe pears melt into a soft, jammy purée, and cranberries add bursts of tartness and that gorgeous festive, ruby-red colour. It’s all finished with a crumbly, buttery topping, then baked until golden and bubbly. Why you’ll love it: No pastry, no rolling. Peeling and chopping the fruit is the hardest part! My little secret: freezing the crumble topping,...

1 day ago • 1 min read

Hi there, Reader What happens when taco night and pasta night have a baby? You get my brand new One-Pot Vegan Taco Pasta! We're talking tender macaroni, black beans and corn in a spicy, 'meaty' taco-seasoned sauce. Everything (even the macaroni) is cooked in one pot, and it can be ready and on the table in 28 minutes. My top tip: don't skip the toppings! Set them out on the table and let everyone build their own bowls. Avocado, dairy-free sour cream, green onions, cilantro, shredded vegan...

4 days ago • 1 min read

Hi there, Reader Did you love pâté before going plant-based? Or maybe you just never fancied the meat version. Either way, I’ve got just the recipe for you! My Vegetable Pâté is made from roasted potatoes, carrots, onion and garlic, blended with flax, sunflower seeds, nooch and dried herbs and spices. Then I fold in chopped nuts for a lovely bit of crunch and extra flavour. Roasting the veggies first is the secret. It gives the pâté a deep, rich flavour you don’t get any other way. My top...

8 days ago • 1 min read

Hi there, Reader Raise your hand if you’re in full-on cozy carb mode right now. 🙋♀️ Same. So let’s lean right into it with my Creamy Vegan Pumpkin Pasta! It’s garlicky, it’s pumpkin-y, it’s lusciously rich, and it’s made all in one pot in about 20 minutes. I’m obsessed, and judging by the comments, I’m not the only one! I've included some below so you don't have to just take my word for it. Here’s the magic part: you don’t cook the pasta first. Just throw the DRIED pasta straight into the...

11 days ago • 1 min read
Vegan recipes to make in November

Hi there, Reader November is when the cozy vibes really kick in, isn't it? Short days, chilly, often rainy evenings, lots of soup (my favourite food group) and the beginnings of holiday menu planning! I've rounded up 31 vegan recipes to make this month, one for every day, plus a bonus one! (because I can't count 🤭) From hearty soups and a showstopping Thanksgiving roast with all the trimmings, to fresh cranberry treats and make-ahead Christmas classics, your whole month of cozy cooking is...

13 days ago • 1 min read

Hi there, Reader One of my favourite things about this time of year is watching everyone’s cooking habits start to change. The light, fresh dinners of summer are giving way to cozy comfort food, the kind that simmers away and makes the whole house smell incredible. Judging by the reviews coming in lately, a lot of you are on the same page! This month’s top recipes are a perfect snapshot of fall cooking. If you’re looking for some new inspiration, you’ll find plenty below. And if you want even...

15 days ago • 3 min read

Hi there, Reader Now that the evenings are getting dark and chilly, I want to share an old favourite with you. My Lentil Shepherd’s Pie recipe has been on my website for over a decade, and it’s still one of the most-made recipes. It has a 4.9-star rating, hundreds of comments, and every year at about this time, it climbs back to the top of the most-visited list. Why it’s earned its place on so many dinner tables: Budget-friendly: it’s made from simple, cheap ingredients. Healthy and filling:...

18 days ago • 1 min read
Vegan Pumpkin Scones

Hi there, Reader Meet my brand new Vegan Pumpkin Scones. They have a tender, gloriously orange crumb, plenty of pumpkin spice flavour, and an over-the-top splatter of pumpkin glaze. Not much of a sweet tooth? The scones themselves aren't too sweet, so skip the glaze and slather them with vegan butter instead. Either way, they pair very well with a PSL! 😜 While I was photographing and videoing this recipe, one of the scones mysteriously disappeared. You might notice there's one missing in my...

22 days ago • 1 min read

Hi there, Reader There are pumpkin recipes… and then there are pumpkin recipes you make on repeat. These Vegan Pumpkin Muffins are very much the second kind. They’re soft, fluffy, perfectly spiced, and basically everything you want a pumpkin muffin to be. And they’re not just my favourite. This is my most popular pumpkin recipe! 👀 These muffins are ridiculously good warm from the oven, make the kitchen smell amazing, and are perfect for breakfast or afternoon coffee. If you’ve got a can of...

25 days ago • 1 min read

Hi there, Reader There are lots of ways to cook Brussels sprouts. Boiling them until they're soggy and slightly tragic is one of them. Let's not do that! Instead, how about Brussels Sprout Fried Rice? It takes just 15 minutes to make! If you always end up with leftover rice, this recipe is your friend. I can't be the only one who always cooks too much! Well, if you do, save it in the fridge until the next day, grab your sprouts and a few pantry staples, and you're good to go. This recipe is...

29 days ago • 1 min read