So you’re halfway through Veganuary and I bet you’re feeling great. Your skin is clearer than it’s been in ages and you’re feeling fresh. But maybe you’re starting to run out of ideas for your meals? Don’t worry, I’ve got some great Afro-Caribbean vegan foodies for you to add some spice, flavour and colour to your vegan-friendly meals this month (and beyond!). I’m a meat eater and I’m not personally doing a month of vegan meals, but I regularly pull inspiration from these talented plant based black foodies. Let’s see if they add some fire to your menu this month!
Somi Igbene
Instagram: SomiIgbene
Website: https://somiigbene.com
Somi Igbene currently has a Nigerian inspired spinach and egusi tofu stew recipe on her blog that I need to hurry up and by the ingredients for. She has a huge variety of recipes on her website and her Insgtagram feed is full of Afro-Caribbean style food that makes my mouth water. Not every recipe on her blog is vegan, but there is a dedicated section for Somi’s vegan recipes!
Bettylicious Cooks
Instagram: BettyLiciousCooks
Podcast: Plantain and Politics
Betty has been blessing us with her vegan cooking at carnivals, workshops, supper clubs and markets throughout the UK. Now, she’s currently exploring the vegan food scene in Ghana. Betty’s Instagram feed is making our mouths water with traditional Ghanain cooking and behind the scenes master classes on how food is produced and dishes created. I can’t wait for her to return to the UK so I can attend a workshop and finally learn how to make the perfect pot of jollof rice!
London Afro Vegan
Instagram: London_Afro_Vegan
Restaurant website: Deserted Cactus
Esme, is the owner of cult level status, Peckham- based plant-based London restaurant, Deserted Cactus . Offering a Caribbean style vegan menu, her food reminds me of the kind of cooking my mum and grandma would make. Welcoming, colourful and full of flavour. Esme has an Instagram feed that gives me all the feels and reminds me that it’s totally within reach to lead a healthy vegan lifestyle without it needing to cost the earth. I love that Esme shows us what she’s eating on an average day and where she picks up her food.
The Vegan Nigerian
Instagram: VeganNigerian
Website: The Vegan Nigerian
Tomi Makanjuola is a caterer, Youtuber, influencer and cookbook creator. I’ve probably missed some more feathers to her hat, but check her out and you’ll find the others out for yourself. I could happily eat EVERY recipe on Tomi’s website. I’ve tried her moi moi and jollof rice stuffed peppers and they gave me life!
Do you have any favourite Afro-Caribbean plant-based recipes? Who are your favourite plant-based vegan foodies? Do leave a comment below and let us know. Sharing is caring after all!
