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A Virtual Vegan by Melanie McDonald

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!

Featured Post

Reader Fave 💯 - Pancake, In a mug?!

Hi there, Reader When you're craving a pancake but don't have the time or energy to make a whole batch - Emergency Pancake in a Mug time! It's ready in minutes, and all you have to wash up is a mug and a spoon! 🙌 GET THE RECIPE! 📌 PIN FOR LATER Here's what some of you have had to say about it: "This is one of the best pancake recipes I have ever eaten!!" - Rachel ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ "This was really yummy and scratched the pancake itch without having to make a whole batch." - Tracie ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ "It was...

Hi there, Reader Ooooo, these chickpea nuggets are delish! With a firm, "meaty" texture, they are made using simple ingredients and can be cooked in your oven or air fryer. Kid and adult-approved! These freeze and reheat wonderfully, so are great for meal prep and batch cooking. I've been loving them with my salads or for snacks with a dip made from vegan mayo, mustard, and maple syrup mixed together to taste. It's yummy! GET THE RECIPE More Chickpea Recipes: Easy Chickpea Salad A great...

Hi there, Reader I make this Tortilla Soup all the time! It's quick and easy, uses mostly pantry staples, and if you're feeling lazy (or don't have any corn tortillas), you can skip the crispy tortilla strips and open a bag of tortilla chips to pile on top instead! GET THE RECIPE 📌 PIN FOR LATER More Soups: Creamy Tomato Soup GET THE RECIPE Carrot Noodle Tofu with Tofu GET THE RECIPE Tried a recipe and loved it? I’d be so grateful if you could leave a 5-star rating and a quick comment on the...

Friends, hello. It's been a while since I wrote an end of the month catch up email. I hope you're all hanging in there. January can be tough at the best of times, but this year it feels even more so. If, like me, you're feeling overwhelmed with life, I hope this email can at least give you a short break from reality, some meal inspiration, and a little sprinkle of cute from Chester and Charlie! 💜 Oh, and I've included my fave books this month too. I used to, but then stopped, and many have...

Hi there, Reader It’s a good week to make cookies. The universe wants this for us. I can feel it. These naturally gluten-free and oil-free chocolate chip cookies are made with almond flour, which gives them a uniquely soft, chewy texture and a sweet, buttery flavour. You could literally be stuffing one (or three 🤭) of them in your mouth in less than 25 minutes. They are that quick and easy! GET THE RECIPE 📌 PIN FOR LATER More Healthier Vegan Cookies: Super Seedy Power Cookies Packed full of...

Hi there, Reader Pudding made with quinoa? You bet! This simple, creamy and milky Quinoa Pudding is made with just a handful of ingredients and is so cozy and soothing. Enjoy hot or cold for a delicious high-protein breakfast, dessert or snack. It's great for meal prep! GET THE RECIPE 📌 PIN FOR LATER More Puddings: Slow Cooker Coconut Milk Rice Pudding "Absolutely perfect! loved it and will definitely make it again. I highly recommend it to others." - Angie GET THE RECIPE Sweet Potato...

Hi there, Reader Today I'm bringing a little taste of sunshine to your life with my Top 10 lemon recipes. The fact that citrus is in season during the cold winter months is definitely one of nature’s more genius moves! ☀️ #1 - Lemon Cheesecake Overnight Oats 🏆 📌 PIN FOR LATER My number one most popular lemon recipe! This really surprised me when I checked my analytics! "Goodness me, this was amazing, almost felt too decadent to eat for breakfast, really woke my tastebuds up and kept me full...

Hi there, Reader The sweet/savoury combo you didn't know you needed! With golden, crispity-crisp crusty bread (I like to use sourdough), extra-virgin olive oil, swathes of dairy-free cream cheese, chili flakes, flaky sea salt, a scattering of fresh or dried thyme and drizzles of vegan hunnie (I use Bee-mindful Hunnie Hot) or maple syrup. It's honestly so incredibly delicious, I can't stop eating it! GET THE RECIPE P.S. No persimmon? This also works really well with ripe pears, peaches, or...

Hi there, Reader Thick and creamy Blueberry Banana Smoothie! It's the most beautiful, very on-brand purple colour, naturally sweetened, and packed with nourishing ingredients! GET THE RECIPE 📌 PIN FOR LATER More Smoothie: Carrot Cake Smoothie Made with 2 whole carrots and many other wholesome ingredients, it contains 17 grams of plant protein & tastes like dessert! GET THE RECIPE Vegan Green Smoothie The best tasting green smoothie! Stuffed full of healthy ingredients, including spinach, but...

Hi there, Reader Creamy, silky carrot soup with slippy rice noodles and golden shredded tofu! 😍 The kind of bright, cheerful, hearty soup we need to make us feel better in the depths of winter! This recipe is deceptively quick, coming together in less than 30 minutes, and the soup and the tofu can be prepped ahead and stored in the fridge. It's great for meal prep! I feel like some chili oil or chili crisp is a must as a garnish here. Those deep red pops of colour and pops of spicy, smoky...