Why We Love Alpro Cream

For the first of our Veganuary ingredient features, we’re talking about... Alpro Soya Cream! Not the most exciting sounding headline, I’ll grant you that. Here’s why I love it so much.

Alpro has been at the top of the plant-based dairy alternative game for years now. For a long time, the brand was synonymous with thin, tasteless soya milk for the lactose intolerant. In recent years, as more and more people see the benefits of a vegan lifestyle, brands like Alpro have really stepped it up to the next level. Their milks are better, their yoghurts are fantastic, and their cream alternative is a gamechanger.

Butter and cream play a huge part in British and European cuisine. One of the hardest things to replicate in plant-based cooking is the luxurious richness that dairy products bring to the table. There are some brilliant food hacks out there that do a great job - softened and blended cashew nuts are a vegan’s go-to - but these are often heavy, labour intensive or expensive to make. 

As someone who eats almost completely plant-based, Alrpo cream has become one of the most valued ingredients in my kitchen. That being said, I don’t use it every week, but who eats cream every week anyway? It’s one of those rare products that really tastes like the real thing straight out of the carton. 

It’s brilliant to add richness to your risotto and to literally put the cream in your creamy leeks. Here are my favourite ways to use it:

1) Mushroom Stroganoff

Mushrooms and cream go together like onions and garlic which is why all four of these guys come together to make something special. Finish off your next Strog with Alpro and your housemates simply won’t believe it’s plant-based.

2) Bechamel/White Sauce

Now I usually don’t put cream in a white sauce as it’s thick enough already. However, many vegan milk alternatives can be very thin and watery. While they are fine to use for a bechamel, you do lose that luxurious mouth-feel. Finish your sauce off with a bit of Alpro and your next Cauliflower Cheese will be extra special.

3) Saag Paneer/Creamed Spinach (Pictured)

Creamed spinach without the cream? Not possible. Discovering Alpro has enabled me to bring one of my favourite dishes back into the repertoire. Whether you’re going for a classic side or spicing it up with a Saag Paneer (try using firm tofu or vegan halloumi instead of paneer), spinach is back on the menu guys. 

4) Just Pour It On Stuff

Go for your life. Fruit? Sure. Crumble? Obviously. Cereal? Why not.