VEGAN NEWS

KFC is bringing back its popular vegan burger to UK stores!

The meat-free burger will be returning as a permanent fixture at 73 KFC restaurants across the country. From August 24th, the fast food chain will be selling the KFC Vegan Burger at 73 restaurants - and you can get your hands on it for

just £3.99.

As before, it is made up of a Quorn fillet coated in KFC’s signature blend of herbs and spices, with lettuce and vegan mayo in a soft glazed bun. Yum. The vegan burger pays homage to one of KFC’s most popular items: the Chicken

Fillet burger. It has the same flavour, crunch and deliciousness KFC is famous for, but with no meat whatsoever. The plant-based item was originally introduced as a permanent fixture in January, but is being brought back after a brief hiatus as KFC continues to expand its menu offering following the Covid-19 lockdown. A KFC Spokesperson said: "Our vegan and flexitarian fans were sadly denied their favourite meat-free treat during lockdown, but now it’s back and it’s time to celebrate. Our kitchen teams having been working hard to adapt to the new safety measures in restaurants, but we reckon now is the right time to unleash one of our fan favourites. We can’t wait to reunite with our vegan friends – we’ve missed you!"

You can find out your nearest KFC restaurant by using the store finder HERE

The supermarkets have made every effort to get carveable main courses and satisfying sides that are suitable for everyone at the Christmas table this year. As well as vegan takes on Christmas dinner must-haves, there are several new dairy-free, showstopping desserts making their way to supermarket shelves for the festive season. Here’s our pick of plant-based launches coming to stores this Christmas.

Asda Yule Log - A sliceable meat-free main, this vegan puff pastry yule log is filled with veggie mince, chestnuts and cranberries, topped with a sage & onion seasoning sprinkle. Asda Bao Buns - Asda has certainly, er, beefed up its vegan party food selection for this year. There’s a selection of bao buns and dim sum filled with various meat-free fillings like barbecue jackfruit, char sui mushroom and massaman veg. It’s joined by a Mexican-style vegan selection which includes mini chilli bean burritos and vegetable nacho triangles and an oriental selection (pictured at the top) including mini duckless spring rolls, katsu won tons and vegetable fritters.

Asda Vegan Turkey - The soya-based joint is seasoned with black pepper and bay leaves and is filled with a caramelised onion and herb stuffing. It’s pictured alongside the vegetable-based Chestnut, Cranberry and Apple Stuffing Balls and the soy-based

Spiced Apple and Orange Cocktail Sausages.

Asda Christmas Cottage Dessert - This sweet winter cottage is completely dairy and egg-free. The dark chocolate shell has a chocolate mousse centre laced with a morello cherry compote and sits atop a tiffin base made with chopped dates, raisins and dark chocolate. Credit: Asda

Aldi Vegan Pigs in Blankets - Meat-free cocktail sausages (which will also be available without the blankets) wrapped in dairy-free pastry, flavoured with herbs and pepper. They’ll be in chillers from the 19 th December. Aldi Fushion Skewers - Banishing beige from Christmas parties, these bright vegetable skewers come in three flavours: sweet chilli, satay and Thai green curry. They’ll be in freezers from 26 th October.

Aldi Vegan Turkey - This carveable soya roast is filled with a cranberry, red pepper, apricit and pumpkin seed stuffing, coated with a barbeque flavour glaze.

It will be in the frozen aisle from 16 th November.

Aldi Hampers - Aldi’s first-ever all-vegan hamper is packed with free-from Christmas pudding, a free-from iced fruit cake bar, medjoul dates, Bean Kind truffles, fruit creams, wine and more. The price isn’t confirmed but it’s likely to be around £29.99.

Wicked Kitchen Wellington - One of Tesco’s entries for the vegan main on Christmas day is a hand-rolled nobeef wellington. The centre is made from pea protein with a garlic porcini and chestnut mushroom duxelle and it’s covered in flaky puff pastry. It serves four and will be in stores in late November.

Tesco Wicked Kitchen No-Turkey Roast Crown -

According to Tesco, this “tender and juicy” turkey alternative carves just like the real thing. It’s made with a combination of soy and wheat protein for texture, is topped with a sage and onion stuffing crumb and is cooked and ready for the table in 45 minutes.

Tesco Wicked Kitchen Ginger Chai Cake - This launch is the first Wicked Kitchen celebration cake for Tesco. The plant-based ginger sponge is soaked with spiced chai tea and decorated with thick frosting, cinnamon sugar and caramelised ginger pieces. It will be in the cake aisle from the end of September for £9.

Tesco Wicked Kitchen No Prawn Firecracker Dippers - There are three new vegan party food lines on the way under the Wicked Kitchen brand. The no-prawn soybean dippers are seasoned with kicks of spice and smoky barbecue sauce, there are ‘no-chicken’ plant-based drumettes covered in spicy breadcrumbs and oozy, dairy-free no-mozzarella sticks. They’re coming to stores from mid-October.

Tesco Plant Chef BBQ Bon Bons - These bon bons are filled with pulled jackfruit marinated in smoky barbecue sauce, coated in breadcrumbs. They’re £2 for a pack of eight and they’ll be in the frozen aisle from mid

September.

Waitrose Breaded Baking Vegan Melts - Waitrose has stood up to the ultimate test in plant-based cuisine, melting vegan cheese. The retailer says this coconutbased cheese alternative not only melts but is “gooey and moreish”. It’s coated in golden breadcrumbs, serves two and will be on sale for £4.

Waitrose Vegan Festive Filo Swirls - These filo pastry swirls are filled with Moroccan-spiced vegetables, apricots and raisins, topped with flaked almonds. They come in a pack of two for £6.99.

Waitrose Roasted Roots Wrap - New to the food to go chiller, this spinach tortilla wrap is filled with festive veg falafel, braised red cabbage and a smear of cannellini bean and parsnip houmous.

Getting The Most Out Of Your 2020 Staycation

With our usual overseas holiday postponed due to country-wide lockdowns and canceled flights, a holiday at home might just be the best substitute for a welldeserved break. The only problem? Figuring out how to separate everyday home life with a full on staycation. Together with Wayfair, we’re showcasing our top 5 ways to get the most out of your staycation, from drinking your favourite quarantinis to 24/7 access to the all-inclusive fridge. Give Your Bedroom a 5-star Makeover Achieve that first night on holiday effect by swapping your usual bedsheets for something a little more hotel-style. Choose sheets that come with a high thread count in either Egypatian cotton or luxury silk for a guaranteed 5-star sleep. Pillow mint optional.

Host a Backyard BBQ Party

As our social bubbles extend, now is the perfect time to host a gourmet BBQ party. Forgo the typical meaty mains and stodgy side dishes for flavours from around the globe, from barbecued Moroccan aubergines, curried corn on the cobs and succulent grilled fish. Delicious.

Me, Me, Me Time There may not be a professional masseuse waiting in your bathroom but that shouldn’t stop you from taking the time to pamper and polish. Grab one of your fridge-cooled face masks, add extra bubbles to your bath and prepare to sit back, relax and release your inner goddess.

Extend Your Happy Hour Manhattan, Moscow, Milano…you might not be able to jet set to these cities just yet but that doesn’t mean your drinks cabinet can’t. Make sure to sip on all your favourite quarantinis with a good book by the pool, and by pool when mean the paddling kind.

All-Inclusive Fridge

While you might miss sneaking an overpriced cola or packet of crisps from the hotel mini bar, trust us when we say your fridge is three times the size and comes without the extortionate price tag. Go on, treat yourself on your staycation.