Koko dairy free, a review and an easy vegan microwave cake recipe.

I've been searching for an acceptable vegan friendly 'milk' for as long as I've been vegan (which is 9 years this month!), so I was really glad to be sent some Koko Dairy Free to try - especially as it turns out I really like it!

 

Koko dairy free comes in original (like semi-skimmed), light (aka skimmed), chocolate and strawberry.  They're all UHT, low fat and have added calcium, and vitamins D2 and B12.    

I'm notoriously fussy, and if a dairy free milk has a funny aftertaste I'll always notice and be put off by it.  Koko dairy free milk alternative doesn't have an aftertaste and all the varieties are yummy!    Joe (who isn't vegan and usually has cows milk in his hot drinks) says Koko tastes right in his tea and coffee, and it doesn't curdle either.

I've been using Koko in my cooking too, I made some yummy vegan buckwheat and coconut milk pancakes, sweetcorn fritters and a delicious chocolate microwave cake too.   

Here's my recipe for quick and easy vegan chocolate microwave cake,  

You'll need

3 dessert spoons self raising flour

2 dessert spoons drinking chocolate (the type with sugar and coco powder in one)

1 dessert spoon sugar

1 dessert spoon melted Koko dairy free coconut oil (or vegan margarine)

125ml Koko dairy free chocolate milk

pinch of salt

Recipe

1. Mix the dry ingredients together in a bowl.

2. Add the melted coconut oil (or margarine) and chocolate Koko dairy free and whisk together until it's a smooth cake batter.

3. Cover the top bowl with a piece of kitchen towel and put into the microwave for approx. 4 minutes.  Check it after 2 minutes, then every 30 seconds to make sure it doesn't burn.  It's ready when the top is firm and you can't see raw batter around the outside edge of the cake or bowl.

Makes enough for 2 or 3 servings.

Koko dairy free also make yummy virgin coconut oil for frying or baking, I think the jar is so cute and it tastes great too, sweet and coconutty. 

You can find Koko dairy free on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram for loads of vegan ideas and recipes. 

Have you tried Koko dairy free?  What's your favourite vegan 'milk'?

Disclosure - I was sent some Koko dairy free to try out.  I only write about companies I like and my opinions are, as always, my own.  

* Facebook * Instagram * Twitter * Bloglovin' *   

Vegan pancake recipe, buckwheat flour and coconut milk pancakes.

Pancake day is nearly here again, which I am very happy about.  I decided to try a new vegan, soya-free pancake recipe out this year, to add a few extra nutrients to my usual flour and water vegan pancakes.  

You'll need

6 dessertspoons self raising flour

3 dessertspoons buckwheat flour

200ml Koko dairy free milk alternative

water

1 teaspoon rapeseed oil plus more for frying

pinch of sea salt

lemon and sugar to top 

Recipe

1. Add the flours and a pinch of salt to a bowl and stir to combine.

2. Add the oil, Koko 'milk' to the dry ingredients and whisk together, add a splash more vegan milk or water if necessary, to make a smooth batter.  

3. Set the vegan pancake batter aside to rest for half an hour or so before you use it.

4. After the batter's rested, give it a final whisk and heat up some oil in your pancake pan.

5. Ladle some batter into the hot pan, cook on one side, turn the pancake over (either flip it or use a spatula to turn) and cook the other side.

6. Your yummy vegan buckwheat and coconut milk pancake is ready to eat, top it with whatever you like, my favourite is lemon and sugar.  This recipe makes about 8 large pancakes.

I love these pancakes because they're yummy, and because they're ever so slightly healthy!  The Koko dairy free is enriched with calcium, vitamin D2 and B12, and buckwheat is high in protein and fibre as well as lots of vitamins and minerals, lemon juice has loads of vitamin C.  That makes pancakes a health food, right!?

Vegan pancake tips

I find vegan pancakes work better if you make your batter slightly thicker than you would for non-vegan pancakes, it helps them hold together.  Use a really hot pan to get crispy pancakes that cook quickly and don't stick to the pan.  And don't prod the pancake too much while it's cooking, give it some time to form a crust in the pan before trying to move it around or flip it.

Happy pancake day!  I wish you many yummy pancakes, what's your favourite kind?

Disclosure - I was sent the Koko dairy free milk alternative to try, I only feature products I actually like and would use.  All opinions are my own, and always will be.

* Facebook * Instagram * Twitter * Bloglovin' *