Kebabs are England’s fourth favourite takeaway (after pizza, Chinese and Indian food). From the Turkish word for cut-up pieces of meat, those of us who don’t eat meat often feel sick seeing spits roasting pieces of meat. But whether you are vegan, vegetarian or a meat-eater, try some of these plant-based offerings for some if not all of the time. The lambs will thank you!
These tofu turmeric kebabs (So Vegan) combine the protein-rich bean curd with an Indian spice. Choose Tofoo! in stores (made in Yorkshire from organic soybeans).
Never eat rice after 24 hours. Keep recipes away from young children and pets due to onion, garlic, nuts and spices. Read more on food safety for people & pets (many foods are unsafe near animal friends).
Oumph is a Swedish food brand that uses sustainable European-grown soy to create vegan kebabs and other goodies. These spicy offerings are nice with veggies and sauce, served in a flatbread or pita.
What the Pitta! is England’s first chain of vegan döner kebab restaurants, inspired by a popular shop in Germany where the founders were so wowed by the taste, they opened a small outlet 2 weeks later in London (there are now branches in Brighton & Manchester, with fans including Irish chefs & superstar footballers). Everything’s sold in biodegradable packaging, and oil repurposed into biofuel. The menu includes Döner kebabs with salad, hummus, vegan tzatsiki & peppers.
Meet a Middle Eastern (vegan) Prince!
Religious slaughter is very controversial in England, where animals are killed without stunning, in line with religious slaughter rules of both the Islamic and Jewish religions. But as well as Compassion in World Farming asking people of faith to read the science on how animals suffer, it’s perfectly possible within both faiths to be vegan, so no ritual slaughter is needed anyway.
Some of the best-selling vegan cookbook authors in the world are vegan. One Arab Vegan is one of the most popular recipe blogs (its founder a practicing Muslim). And Prince Khaled bin alwaleed (above) is so passionate about the lifestyle, he now has invested heavily in the world’s biggest plant-based news website.
The law is also a mess. Compassion in World Farming says that many meats sold as Halal are stunned (so not compliant anyway). And many supermarkets now sell Halal meat without labelling it properly. So people often buy it, not realising that it comes from animals that were not stunned.
Many Jewish and Muslim food brands are now vegan, proving that it’s perfectly possible to eat in line with your religious beliefs, but also enjoy great-tasting plant foods. Doing this abroad also helps (in Australia, there is huge controversy over sheep and goats sent in blistering heat to boats abroad, where they then are religiously slaughtered).
In fact, Israel is one of the most vegan-friendly countries on earth. And the Middle East Vegan Society now certifies foods using its own V label.
