Five favourite dairy free meals
The UK has a rich culinary heritage, with classic ingredients and ancient recipes still enjoyed by many of us today. And along with our traditional English dishes, we’re continuously introduced to international delicacies, creating a truly vibrant and versatile gastronomic experience that makes day-to-day meals so enjoyable.
Unfortunately, along with flavour and diversity of the Great British Menu comes a huge amount of milk. Many of our favourite meals are packed with dairy, from the cheese that tops pies and pizzas to the cream that thickens stews and curries.
So how can you still enjoy delicious food without dairy? We explain with five of the nation’s favourite meals, tweaked to make them dairy free but still just as tasty.
Dairy Free Lasagne
Lasagne is one of our most beloved Italian dishes. With sheets of pasta, a rich meat sauce and creamy béchamel, it’s a truly indulgent dinner time classic. Of course, all that taste doesn’t come without its problems; for those following a dairy free lifestyle, lasagne is a big no-no. The classic white sauce throughout the layers is made from milk, while the dish itself is often topped with handfuls of cheese.
But you can still enjoy lasagne by making a few minor adjustments. Swap the milk and butter in the béchamel for dairy free alternatives, such as soya milk and a Pure Dairy Free spread. When it comes to adding the cheesey finishing touch, try a nut-based cheese, or if you’re lactose intolerant, goat’s cheese can do the trick.
Roast Dinner Without The Dairy
You’d be hard pushed to find someone that’s not a fan of a roast. For many of us, it’s the highlight of the week! With large chunks of meat, crispy roasties, plenty of veg and lashings of gravy, it’s one of Britain’s most delicious dinners… and of course, we can’t be forgetting the Yorkshire puds.
Yorkshire puddings are widely considered the best component in a roast dinner. However, the milky recipe is certainly not dairy free friendly. Fortunately, there are many solutions for those avoiding cow’s milk. Simply swap the dairy for a soy, oat or rice based milk, which will still achieve a savoury flavour and fluffy yet crispy texture. If you find your batter becomes too heavy to rise, try with less milk and more egg, and add a little water.
No-Milk Cake
Traditional sponge cake is renowned for its dairy content. Not only does the bake involve plenty of butter, but additions like buttercream, chocolate and whipped cream make for a treat that’s positively brimming with dairy. It would be an awful shame to miss out on this classic due to a milk allergy or intolerance, but luckily there are simple adjustments that can make cake totally dairy free.
A butter alternative, such as a Pure Dairy Free spread, will create a batter that’s free from milk containing products. You can also use these spreads as a substitute in buttercream, so your cake can have a yummy filling. When it comes to topping, try dairy free chocolate, or a variety with a higher percentage of cocoa solids if you’re lactose intolerant. And if you’ve a penchant for thick cream, whip up coconut cream for a topping that’s just as sweet.
Apple Crumble & Dairy Free Custard
Another of our favourite desserts is apple crumble. Stewed, sweet fruit and a crumbly topping are a match made in heaven, but of course this pudding isn’t complete without cream, ice cream or custard.
Choose a dairy free accompaniment for your apple crumble, such as coconut cream or soya ice cream. You can also make your own dairy free custard by simply adding your preferred milk to the custard powder. Remember, many crumbles are topped with a mixture of butter, flour and sugar, so choose a Pure Dairy Free spread to ensure all aspects of your delicious dessert are suitable.
Creamy Curry, But No Cream
While many curries are made with a vegetable based sauce, some of our most beloved, such as tikka masala and korma, are thickened with cream and yoghurt. Often, a safe bet for dairy free individuals is to select a hotter dish, but of course not everyone is a fan of spice.
For a thick, mild curry without dairy, try using coconut based products as an alternative. Coconut butter and cream complement curries perfectly, making for a cool and creamy sauce that tastes authentic. If you’re a fan of nutty flavours, you could also try cashew or almond derivatives. Many of us enjoy poppadoms and dips before our curry, so remember to avoid the raita unless you’ve made your own with dairy free yoghurt.
It’s much more simple to enjoy a delicious, dairy free meal than you might think. With a few minor adjustments, a little creativity, and some knowledge of the wide range of alternatives now available, you can easily create your favourite dish without the worry of dairy.
Do you have a dairy free solution for a popular British dish? We’d love to know more!