Living on the Veg - Chocolate Mousse

I was sent a copy of Living on the Veg, co-written by my blogging friend Jac, and Clive a children's author. The book is aimed at kids aged around 9 - 11yo who are new to or thinking about becoming vegetarian. All my three older girls, aged 11, 15, and 18yo read the book and thoroughly enjoyed it.

The book introduces famous vegetarians throughout history, exploring the reasons why people would choose to be vegetarian such as religious, environmental, animal welfare, or healthy lifestyle choices. There are good definitions of what it means to be flexitarian, pescetarian, vegetarian, and vegan. 

The most common questions that vegetarians face are answered, such as sources of protein, whether vegetables feel pain as well, whether we as humans were born to eat meat, etc.  As well as tips for getting your family onboard and help with eating out as well as quick one pan meal ideas and store cupboard ingredients that make vegetarian meals quickly and easily. 

There's information on vegetarian ingredients like Quorn, tempeh and TVP, as well as natural foods that can replace meat and provide a healthy and varied diet. There are several delicious recipes to try and a lengthy list of helpful websites for further information and research.

What I liked most about this book was that it was primarily an informative guide to becoming vegetarian, with simple and scrumptious recipes included at the end, rather than a cookbook with scant information put in as an afterthought.  

We tried several of the recipes, all were very tasty indeed.  The Chocolate Mousse went down particularly well with everyone - despite my husband's scepticism, as he doesn't usually like tofu.

Easy Chocolate Mousse

250g silken tofu

3 ripe bananas

3 heaped Tblsp cocoa powder

a generous squirt of honey or maple syrup

Drain the tofu well and put into a blender with all the other ingredients.  Whizz until smooth then pour into small glasses or serving bowls and chill until needed. Top with whipped cream/coconut cream and sprinkles if you want.