Perfect Vegan Wellington Recipe with Mushroom and Beets (2024)

FAQs

What's in a vegan Wellington? ›

Don't panic if you can't find chestnuts, you could try walnuts or hazelnuts instead – and these Wellingtons use ready-made puff pastry, so they really couldn't be easier.

Tying the tenderloin improves both the appearance of the final dish, and leads to more even cooking. Phyllo provides a moisture barrier, preventing the puff pastry from getting soggy. A double layer of plastic wrap makes it easier to wrap up the tenderloin.

What do I serve with beef Wellington? Simple steamed or sautéed greens work perfectly well as a side for beef Wellington, especially with a good glug of homemade gravy drizzled over the top. Otherwise, creamy mashed potatoes make an even more indulgent Wellington side dish that tastes divine.

Beer and Wine

Isinglass, a gelatin-based substance derived from fish, is used as a clarifying agent in some beer and wine. Other non-vegan ingredients sometimes used are casein (from milk) and egg whites.

Before long, sweet potatoes had conquered palates sufficiently to be widely sold boiled and roasted by vendors in Peking. Early records from travellers and explorers in the New World describe sweet potatoes as roasted or boiled roots that taste like cooked chestnuts.

Nigella mentions in the introduction to the recipe that walnuts are a good alternative to the chestnuts and it is a good way to use up any walnuts left over from Christmas. But you could also use pecans or hazelnuts as an alternative as their slight sweetness will contrast well with the other ingredients.

The disease was ultimately traced back to a variety of Asian chestnut that had been imported to Long Island, but by then it was too late. The blight spread, and within 40 years, nearly every American chestnut was dead. Other varieties of chestnut are still eaten all over the world, just as they have been for centuries.

Generally you want the beef fillet (tenderloin) to be fully cooled before wrapping it in the puff pastry as if the beef is warm when it is wrapped it can warm the puff pastry up and cause it to be a little greasy after baking.

What can I use instead of puff pastry for Beef Wellington? ›

Lower the fat content of your wellington by using filo pastry instead of puff, eliminating butter, a non-stick frying pan to reduce the amount of oil needed, replacing the pate and using herbs and garlic to boost flavour without needing salt.

Overcooking: Overcooking the beef or having portions of the pastry get soggy are common issues. To prevent overcooking, it is essential to sear the beef tenderloin quickly before wrapping it in puff pastry. This ensures that the beef remains tender and juicy [3].

If you prefer, you can make the various stages up to 24 hours ahead, but don't assemble it then as the pastry will start to discolour. Brown the beef, make the duxelles (fried mushrooms), then wrap separately in cling film and store in the fridge (wrapping the fillet tightly helps it keep its shape).

A panna cotta would be excellent. Or cherries jubilee over vanilla ice cream. For dessert after Beef Wellington I would choose a nice slice of Black Forest Cake or Butter Creme Torte. But a nice slice of cherry or apple pie with ice cream would be nice as well.

Beef wellington is not an easy dish to prepare with perfection. For starters, getting the tenderloin steak right is a challenge in itself. It has to be tender on the inside but decently firm on the outside, so it doesn't get mushed inside. The pâté and the duxelles are like preparing two individual dishes themselves.

A vegan diet is based on plants (such as vegetables, grains, nuts and fruits) and foods made from plants. Vegans do not eat foods that come from animals, including dairy products and eggs.

Seitan is a plant-based meat substitute made from wheat gluten that mimics the flavor and texture of chicken. You can buy it in many health food supermarkets, or you can make it yourself. It's typically made out of vital wheat gluten, an ingredient that has a similar texture to flour but is mostly, well, gluten.

Is puff pastry vegan? Not all store-bought puff pastry is vegan, but you're safe with brands like Pepperidge Farm and Wewalka. When you pick up a packet in store, make sure to scan the back for ingredients like eggs and butter, as, of course, these are not vegan.