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Sunday 31 December 2017

Mulling it over

Mulled wine is, literally, Christmas in a cup. The aroma and taste of warmed red wine, fruits and spices is a classic first brought to us by the Romans to arm themselves against the cold winters. By conquering much of Europe they spread the good cheer of mulled wine and warmed the cockles of many a heart.


So here were are on New Years Eve raising a toast to one and all. It's a time to reflect upon the year behind us and make plans and resolutions for the year ahead. For me, it has been a good year with highlights including time spent with family and friends and enjoying holidays. Vegetarian food hasn't been a particular highlight but maybe next year ...

Anyway, raising my glass of mulled wine to you all - have a happy, healthy and fun filled 2018.

Sunday 17 December 2017

Can't believe my mince pies

Little Jack Horner
Sat in a corner,
Eating his Christmas pie;
He put in his thumb
And pulled out a plum,
And said "what a good boy am I!"

I always thought that young Jack was eating a type of mince pie but apparently there are other hidden meanings behind the childhood rhyme. It is believed that Jack was actually Thomas Horner who took some title deeds (hidden and sealed in a pie) from the Abbot of Glastonbury to King Henry VIII. He decided to put his hand into the pie and drew out a plum piece of real estate for himself and obviously thought he was very clever for so doing.

Mince pies used to be filled with minced meat and fruit before the meat was replaced in the 20th Century by beef suet and fruit. Thankfully for vegetarians the beef suet has (mostly) been replaced by vegetable suet and there are vegan alternatives too.


Without mincing my words, I just love a mince pie with a cup of tea.

Sunday 10 December 2017

The Rocky Road to Christmas

The lights have been untangled, the trees wrestled indoors and the baubles co-ordinated - phew. Such a lot to organise in the run up to Christmas from decorations to gifts and enough food to see you through the festive days. There are parties to attend, friends and family to visit and cards and gifts to deliver. 

We were making a trip up north and heavy snowfall was threatened. It's always wise to take a few provisions for the journey ahead and Rocky Road seemed very apt.



- Melt together 125g butter with 200g 70% dark chocolate & 100g milk chocolate and 3 tbsp golden syrup
- Add 200g bashed up rich tea biscuits (fragmented not crumbed)
- Add 100g mini marshmallows until melted and marbled*
- Decorate with sieved icing sugar, edible glitter or festive 100s and 1000s**
- Line a shallow tray with cling film, enough to cover the top too & place in the fridge
- Once chilled and set, slice into squares as big or small as you like

* I've found vegetarian mini marshmallows in Holland and Barret and Sainsburys - check there's no gelatin.
**I used Waitrose Christmas 100s and 1000s which are vegetarian but not vegan as they are coated in shellac.

Thankfully we only had a sprinkle of snow and our journey was fine. The Rocky Road, however, was not wasted.

Sunday 3 December 2017

Sparkle and Shine

Today is the first Sunday of Advent and cardboard doors up and down the country have been opening since Friday. The old fashioned ones (my favourites) contain pictures from the Nativity, there is chocolate for children and cheese for vegetarians ... Say what?! Yes, this year Asda are selling a cheese advent calendar suitable for vegetarians. Fabulous.

Other foodie products I have my eye on are those which sparkle and shine or can be sprinkled to give our food a festive kiss.

Shimmer and bubbles for prosecco by Pop a Ball which pimp up your drink.

Winter Berries & Prosecco crisps by Marks and Spencer finished with a sprinkle of gold stars.


A dash of edible glitter on your baked goodies is fun and pretty but do make sure they are veggie/vegan as some contain E120, carmine and cochineal colouring. If that's a problem resort to a sieved snowfall of icing sugar (particularly good with the use of a stencil). It  makes a real difference.

Sunday 26 November 2017

London Calling

A weekend in the Big Smoke with girlfriends for art galleries, shopping, food and drink began with our bargain hunt being curtailed as we got caught up in the mass panic and stampede which reigned down on Oxford Street and Selfridges on Friday afternoon. Hiding inside offices and shops for an hour until we got the all clear was frightening and not the fun occasion we had planned. Thankfully nobody was seriously hurt and no terrorist attack had occurred.

The rest of the weekend went well and the itinerary progressed nicely. 

A couple of top tips for vegetarians visiting London:- 

Tibits in Heddon Square just off Regent Street. Set up by 3 brothers from Switzerland it offers fresh, fast vegetarian food. You simply get a plate, walk up to the counter, help yourself from over 40 titbits a day and then get it weighed and pay. You can eat hot or cold dishes, inside, outside or takeaway. Brilliant! My only reservation is that your hot food may get a tad cold if you have to queue to pay, as we did, at busy times. Otherwise a brilliant concept and execution.


Deliciously Ella on Weighhouse Street, Mayfair. Offering plant based, healthy food at a sharing table in a bright, trendy cafe. We ate porridge with peanut butter and banana for breakfast but could have been tempted back for lunch quite easily.



Two great spots for healthy, vegetarian food to counteract the gingerbread lattes and alcohol consumed during the rest of the weekend.

Sunday 19 November 2017

Crummy Brummie

A weekend break near Birmingham. A corporate event on Friday night and this was my place name card.



Great. They don't have my name but they do (more importantly) know that I'm vegetarian (although they couldn't spell it!) The meal was okay if not very adventurous; halloumi on lentils followed by a rather soggy filo mushroom tart.

The following morning at breakfast I watched a chef making omelettes to order. He had two on the go; one with ham and one vegetarian. The same spatula was used to stir both. I did challenge him about this and he apologised and produced a fish slice for the vegetarian one. I'm not going to name and shame the hotel as this probably goes on the length and breadth of the country in every B&B, hotel, pub and restaurant.

If you weren't vegetarian you wouldn't understand. My family know that utensils must be kept separate for meat, fish and vegetarian but only because I've brought them up that way. There is an element of "if you don't know it won't kill you" but I really think there should be some rules and regulations in place for working kitchens as part of the food hygiene training and certification. Raising awareness would certainly put our vegetarian minds at rest.

By the way, I didn't get to sample any of the Brummie culinary delights but can always eat some of the vegetarian foods which were invented in Birmingham. Typhoo Tea, HP Sauce, Bird's Custard and, of course, Cadbury's chocolate.

Sunday 12 November 2017

Parsley Sage Rosemary and Thyme

As the glorious clear skies and sunshine of late autumn days turn to cold nights and frosty mornings, I see my rather sad looking herb garden. Where once there was an abundance of chives, oregano, marjoram, mints, basil and parsley, I am left with the hardier sage, thyme and rosemary. 

(My herb garden in June).

Luckily I have preserved some herbs for the months ahead:-

a) Freezing - basil, mint, chives washed, dried and stored in freezer bags.
b) Drying - marjoram, oregano and parsley tied at the stem & hung in a cool dry area.

This means they can be enjoyed during the winter months. They are never quite as nice as fresh but very useful in soups and stews where they just be crumbled in.

Herbs add a fresh taste to food. If I only had a small garden or a pot on a balcony I would definitely give it over to herbs. Not only do they look and smell amazing but it's a wonderful feeling to just go outside, snip a few home grown leaves and perk up a meal. 

After all, we are herb(ivores)!

Sunday 5 November 2017

Bon(fire) Appetit

November 5th in the UK is Bonfire Night. Back in the early 17th century our very own Yorkshire born Guy Fawkes was part of a gang aiming to assassinate King James I. They hid gunpowder below the Houses of Parliament and, basically, Guy Fawkes was caught and executed.

Since 1605 we have commemorated the event every year on November 5th. Now you might wonder why we celebrate the Gunpowder Plot. In actual fact we are celebrating the fact that it was uncovered and Guy and his gang were brought to justice. His effigy (the Guy) is burned on a bonfire and the fireworks signify what might have happened if the gunpowder had been lit.

It's a good time to have a bonfire with all the Autumn garden waste and debris. It's also a good time to eat comforting food whilst watching the burning guy and the firework display. Hot soups, jacket potatoes and chilli are followed (in Yorkshire) by a satisfying oatmeal cake called Parkin, Bonfire Toffee (treacle toffee) and Toffee Apples. 

Apples are abundant at this time of year and the tradition is to coat them in hard toffee or a sugar coating. A stick is inserted and they are eaten like a lollipop. When not standing around the bonfire, I prefer to bake my apple in the oven, again coated in melted butter and caster sugar for about half an hour. For the last ten minutes place a few pieces of toffee or fudge into the core-less centre until melted. Delicious served with cream, custard or ice cream.



It might not be the prettiest dessert, but it is scrummy.


Sunday 29 October 2017

Not on my (pumpkin) patch

Halloween this week and all things spooky, scary and sinister will creep onto the streets for trick or treating. It's an occasion for dressing up and having fun. The garden and house can be decked with spiders and cobwebs, witches and cauldrons, monsters and bats.

Pumpkins can be found in greengrocers and supermarkets, gardens and pumpkins fields. They are reasonably cheap and can be carved and displayed with a tea light inside to ward off bad spirits.

The best thing about pumpkins is actually the flesh and the seeds. It can be used in various recipes but my favourite at this time of year is soup.

- Chop the pumpkin into chunks, drizzle with oil and roast in the oven with onion, garlic and chilli
- Place in the liquidiser with vegetable stock and blitz
- Serve the soup with a soupçon of:-
- cream
- coconut milk
- olive oil
- toasted pumpkin seeds 
- fried sage leaves 
- dried chilli flakes
- nutmeg
- croutons


Pimp up your pumpkin!




Sunday 22 October 2017

Baby steps

I've touched upon it before. The fact that livestock production uses a third of the world's fresh water and that their emissions produce greenhouse gases. That, along with providing animal food, the land used to raise them and the transportation issues. Every time I read an article with these statistics it just blows my mind. Why? Why are we doing this to our planet? 

As vegetarians we probably do our "bit" but a bit could be bettered. Sustainability is the buzz word at the moment and we must all take responsibility for our actions to ensure the health of our environment.

Eating a plant-based diet which includes vegetables, fruit, nuts and legumes is one answer. Sourcing these things locally, seasonally and sustainably is another. We also need to be mindful; eating smaller portions, shopping only for what we can use and avoiding food waste.

It isn't easy. I eat bananas but there is no way I can grow them or buy from local producers. I can buy Fairtrade and only buy what I can use. Small actions which can make a difference if we all do something

Recently I was encouraged to go back to having milk delivered. True, it is more expensive than the supermarket but at least I know it is produced locally so I am supporting local dairy farmers and not having it transported across the country. Also it is four days fresher than supermarket milk and it actually does taste nicer.


So let's jump on the sustainability trend and milk it for all it's worth!

Sunday 15 October 2017

Not mushroom for improvement

I've now become addicted to looking up the food significance of days in the calendar. Today, in the USA, it is National Mushroom Day. Mushrooms tend to have the Marmite effect, ie you love-em or hate-em. I am in the first group 'tho' don't like what I call funny mushrooms! Give me a button, chestnut or portobello but I'll pass on the rest. 

Many people find them a good replacement for meat because of the sheet meatiness of them. They are certainly filling and satisfying but I find some too slippery and slimy.

They are a good source of Protein, Vitamin D and Potassium.

I like them in omelettes, risottos, soup and cooked parmigiana style. 

However, you can't beat the simplicity of mushrooms on toast. My favourite method is to sauté them in butter, garlic and thyme, season with pepper and serve on toasted soda bread, topped with a poached egg. Divine.



Just got to hope you have a fun-guy joining you for brunch!

Sunday 8 October 2017

Celebration

Yes, today I have cause for celebration as my Blog has reached Ten Thousand reads! I am not on Facebook, Instagram or any other social media so somehow my little blog has grown all by itself. I love writing it each week and am very proud. Thanks to all of you, whoever and wherever you are.

Coincidentally it is also National Cake Week (2nd - 8th October) so, as if I needed an excuse, I have baked a cake. Embracing the fruits of Autumn I made Mary Berry's very best apple dessert cake. I forgot to add my 10,000 candles but they would have toasted the flaked almonds a tad too much anyway.


The cake was delicious but if that doesn't give you a sweet enough hit, it is National (USA) Fluffernutter Day (see Blog 27/8/17).

Sunday 1 October 2017

Super Sunday

You may have missed it but today has been World Vegetarian Day and October is Vegetarian Awareness Month. The idea is to get five people in your life to take the Veg Pledge and give up meat and fish during October (and hopefully they'll never look back).

I kickstarted my day with brunch; sharing avocado on toast and home made 5 beans on toast in a cafe (Cake Stories) in Jesmond, Newcastle. Nutritious and delicious.



In America it is National Pumpkin Spice Day as well so I just had to have a Pumpkin Spice Latte and slice of Pumpkin cake.



It's been a win-win day. Embracing Autumn in all its glory.

Sunday 24 September 2017

Currying Favour

Just over a week ago the film Victoria and Abdul was released. This is a true story set around 1887 when Queen Victoria, Empress of India, was given two Indian servants to cook for her. She became very fond of Abdul Karim and also of a good curry!

People have always wanted to emulate royalty so many food writers of the time included Indian dishes in their recipe books. Curry powder was used with cold meats and substitutes for authentic Indian cuisine so that the British made "curry" their own.

After World War II there was a lot of immigration from India to Britain and our love for our own version of curry grew. Chicken tikka masala has been adopted as one of the UKs favourite "national" dishes.

For we vegetarians, our local Indian restaurant or take-away probably has more dishes on its menu than any other establishment. It is the one place we can go with our meat-eating friends and know we will have the same amount of choice as they do.

One of my favourites to cook quickly at home is Chick Pea Cauliflower and Spinach Curry:-

- cook onion, garlic and fresh ginger until soft
- add chosen curry paste (ie Pataks tikka masala), tinned tomatoes, tinned chick peas, pre-cooked or frozen cauliflower and simmer for 10 mins
- add shredded spinach simmering for a further 2 mins.
- stir in natural/Greek yogurt
- serve and add chopped coriander/lemon wedges etc
- serve with rice or a naan bread


I, for one, am hoping for an Indian Summer this Autumn.

Sunday 17 September 2017

Crumble and fall

Lyrics from many a song but what I really mean is crumble in the Fall. Frankly I could eat that satisfying stodgy pud at any time of the year but autumn's fruits lend themselves particularly well to a marriage with flour, butter and sugar rubbed together into small pieces and baked in the oven.

My favourites are the late summer plums stewed with a drop of orange juice and zest. Bramley apple crumble is always a favourite, especially with my husband who is a bit of a plain Jane when it comes to fruit. I prefer to pair my apples (excuse the pun) with blackberries and a smidge of vanilla.


Accompaniments can be swathes of hot custard; ice cream sliding into a melting puddle; cool fresh cream or, one of my guilty pleasures, Carnation tinned cream!


I shall be preserving some of autumn's harvest to eat throughout the colder months. When they run out there's always Spring/Summer and rhubarb crumble to look forward to.

Sunday 10 September 2017

Lazy Sunday Afternoon

A spot of Sunday shopping, a classic Mojito and tapas and cicchetti at Riccis in Leeds. Feeling blissfully buntered!*

I've eaten the most delicious sweet potato wedges served with figs, chilli, goats cheese and honey. Yum scrum! Also spiced cauliflower fritters with a tomato and lemon chutney and honey miso roasted aubergines with coriander pesto and a walnut, sesame and Szechuan pepper crumb. All so tasty.


I can't even write any more tonight - my belly is obstructing the use of my lap top!

* buntered = as full and fat as the fictional cartoon character Billy Bunter.

Sunday 3 September 2017

Knocked-up Gnocchi

Just back from soaking up some late summer rays with a taste of Tuscany. In a restaurant in Lucca I was served homemade gnocchi with a Gorgonzola sauce and mint. Genius! The fresh mint cut through the richness of gnocchi and cheese.



When cooking gnocchi at home I find it clumps together in a rather unattractive mush. My trusted remedy is now to dry pan fry the gnocchi until it resembles miniature roast potatoes. These are delicious as an accompaniment or added to other ingredients to form a tasty meal.

My favourite recipe was taken from the Waitrose magazine but instead of boiling the gnocchi I use the above method. You can switch ingredients slightly, using whatever might be lurking in your cupboard or fridge and can vary the amount of garlic and chilli to taste. 

- Sauté garlic (2 cloves) and fresh chilli (1) before adding fresh cherry tomatoes (200g).
- Boil or microwave tender-stem brocolli (220g) for a minute or two before rinsing in cold water. Chop and add to tomato mixture.
- Cook the gnocchi  (500g) (boil or pan-fry or both) and add to tomato mixture
- Serve in preheated bowls with chopped, toasted hazelnuts, lemon zest and Gran Moravia cheese


The Waitrose recipe says it will serve 4 but I've found it serves 2 with hearty appetites.

Sunday 27 August 2017

What the Fluff?

Whilst walking in the footsteps of those who brought about American Independence in Boston, USA, we learnt that the Fluffernutter Sandwich was invented there. The American tourists (huzzah! hurrah!) acknowledged the name whilst we English (fie! boo!) were somewhat baffled.

It turns out that the Americans combined peanut butter with fluff (marshmallow cream) and spread both over white sliced bread. This recipe goes back to the early twentieth century when, during World War I, Americans would have one meat-free day and ate the then named Liberty Sandwich. Since then it has been a popular school pack-up in the States, particularly popular in New England.

I can't really imagine it to be nutritious but it can be pimped up by toasting the bread, using wheat-bread or by adding sliced banana and frying (Elvis-style).

The Liberty Sandwich name gave way to the Fluffernutter in the 1960s and was advertised with a catchy tune. There is even a National Fluffernutter Day on October 8th each year.


It may not be healthy, but it is vegetarian.

Sunday 20 August 2017

The Sandwich Generation

We all love a sarnie; it's the go-to for breakfast, brunch and lunch, not to mention afternoon tea, teatime and the evening munchies. They can be preened and pimped with a vast array of breads; toasted or soft, wraps or pittas, sliced or baguettes, with a choice of fillings to infinity and beyond.

They used to be wrapped in greaseproof paper and brown paper bags before cling film and foil came along. Schoolchildren pop them into plastic lunch boxes featuring the latest superhero; the successor to the Tupperware box.

Sandwiches were first invented by The 4th Earl of Sandwich, First Lord of the Admiralty. He lead a busy life with his duties, womanising and gambling. It was during a game of cards that he asked for his meat to be put between two slices of bread to enable him to eat and play at the same time. Other people asked for "the same as Sandwich" and thus the term was born.

My favourites are probably those containing sand. Well, perhaps just a sprinkle. If I'm eating a sandy sandwich it means I'm on a beach somewhere enjoying a picnic.

En route to Cape Cod this year we saw a sign to Sandwich. Close by was a place called Mashpee. Now that's one filling I've never considered.




Sunday 13 August 2017

Festival Food

I really hadn't expected much. My daughter, a regular festival goer, had assured me there would at least be cheesy chips - great!

We tried to smuggle food in but even our sweets were confiscated. The pure delight of sneaking in a bag of crisps was almost too much. We held our contraband aloft to cheers from our neighbours.

Well, in actual fact, the food was okay. Sure it was geared up mainly to meat and fish eaters with burgers, pulled pork, hotdogs, duck wraps and fish and chips but there were several vegetarian options.

Vegetable paella, halloumi kebabs, patatas bravas, six flavours of wood fired pizzas, veggie bean burritos, nachos and, yes, cheesy chips.

The first day was warm and sunny and I opted for the bean burrito and a Mister Whippy ice cream. Several cans of cider helped with my YMCA routine. The second day was cooler and rainy so a Pugliese pizza and cup of hot chocolate fitted the bill nicely. Air-guitar rocking to Status Quo under an umbrella was a first for me. 




If music be the food of love, play on.

Sunday 6 August 2017

Rewind to the Eighties

Enjoying a weekend at the Rewind Eighties Festival in Cheshire. Lots of us are in fancy dress and remembering what a fun decade it was in terms of clothes and music. It's got me thinking about life in the eighties. 

Food was suddenly space age with the advent of ready meals cooked in the microwave. Work lunches changed with pre-packed sandwiches by Marks and Spencer. Certainly convenient but it desocialised lunch times by chaining us to our desks! It wasn't the healthiest decade either as the sale of chocolate biscuits rose by 35%. I remember puddings changing from the traditional homecooked to bought Sara Lee gateaux and Vienettas.

On the drink front there was a wine revolution with wine bars popping up, particularly appealing to women who now earned their own money and had the confidence to enter these user-friendly establishments. Cocktails were also on the menu (perhaps due, in part, to the Tom Cruise film of the same name). In bars we spent our 20 pence pieces playing Space Invaders and Pac-man.

Work-life for many was all about power-dressing and writing in a Filofax. We had more free time and could live on credit, spending on technology and DIY and spent our Saturdays in the new shopping malls.  We tanned with sun beds, highlighted and permed our hair and kept fit with Jane Fonda workouts. Staying in was spent playing Trivial Pursuit or trying to conquer Rubiks Cube. We might entertain friends with a home karaoke machine or watch a rented video. Television was glamorous with Dallas, Dynasty and Daisy Duke. 

In 1981 28 million of us watched the Royal Wedding. Other headlines included the Miners Strike and the threat of Nuclear War. Amongst others, British Gas was privatised with the adverts urging us to "tell Sid". Awareness of the starving Ethiopians was highlighted with "Live Aid" and AIDS was a concern for all. 

I remember the eighties with fondness. It was the decade before I became vegetarian (1990) so I can't comment too much on the food choices of the era. I think it was probably a choice of nut roast or ratatouille; a far cry from today's offerings. 




Sunday 30 July 2017

I've got a lovely bunch ...

I remember when coconuts were found in fairgrounds, in Bounty bars and in my mum's baking; melting moments, coconut macaroons and sprinkled over the icing on buns and cakes. To be honest, I was never a lover but now find myself using it in its many forms.

- Coconut milk is a favourite in overnight oats, especially teamed with vanilla and raspberries

- Coconut water is a refreshing drink containing potassium, manganese, magnesium, folate, calcium and selenium and is low in calories

- Coconut rice is a combination which seems to go hand in hand

- Coconut oil used in baking and cooking has many benefits and can also be used as a moisturiser for hair and skin

- Coconut flour is gluten free, contains protein and less is used than conventional flour as it absorbs 3 X its weight in liquid.

- Dessicated coconut in veggie chillis and curries adds flavour and texture

- Tinned Coconut milk adds a creaminess to curries.  

My top tip is to use tinned coconut milk when making butternut squash lasagne. Again, a delicious pairing giving a silky smooth texture.



So don't be too shy shy - have a go at using coconuts. 

Sunday 23 July 2017

Winner Winner Veggie Dinner

July and my garden is looking colourful in some areas but a little sad in others. Many plants have been and gone; at their best at the end of May/early June. A trip to Tatton Park Flower Show was required for a little inspiration.

The picnic and Pimms were consumed on arrival and then it was time for a walk around the show gardens, stalls, pavilion and plant stands. The flowers were bountiful and beautiful and the gardens illuminating.

Inside the pavilion were wonderful displays of plants from growers around the country. I was particularly  impressed with the vegetable stand. Literally a work of art. My own vegetable garden gave way to a new patio a couple of years ago and I miss going out to pull up veggies and pick beans and berries. There is something very satisfying about producing your own meal from start to finish. 



I am currently looking for a new area of the garden to covert for veggies or fruit. I'll find that space so you can watch this space.

Sunday 16 July 2017

Banana-drama

As one of my 5-a-day I almost always eat a banana. They are my go-to in overnight oats, on porridge or mashed on toast. I eat them straight from the skin after a run or blend them in a smoothie. Almost always they are the healthy option with potassium, magnesium, fibre, protein and vitamins B6 and B12. They contain anti-oxidants and are believed to help prevent strokes and even some cancers.

As well as the above health reasons for eating bananas, they are sweet and satisfying without being acidy like some fruits. 

For a sweet treat they can be used in cakes, puddings and desserts. The other day I went for brunch and opted for banana bread. Little did I know it would be a work of art on a plate. Yes a piece of delicious banana bread sat in the middle on top of which were slices of caramelised banana. On the side was a small dish of mascarpone, a jar of honey, three kinds of berries and the whole thing scattered with edible flowers. So pretty and so delicious. 



Bananas are shaped like a sunny yellow smile and are thought to contain serotonin and help prevent depression. So versatile and so many benefits; you just have to smile.

Sunday 9 July 2017

Not always a Cake-walk

My baking career began with my first child's birthday. A fellow mum loaned me the recipe and cake tin to make a huge number 1 cake. It tasted pretty bad and didn't look that great either. By Jack's second birthday I had improved greatly and made my own version of a Jack-in-a-box cake. A pirate party for his third birthday and I made a lighthouse cake which proved to be more like the leaning tower of Pisa. A magic party complete with magician and my husband making wands for the party bags; I made a black and white cake decorated with stars and moons. Just after his fourth birthday I gave birth to our daughter. On her first birthday I was exhausted and ran to the supermarket to buy her a Snowman cake so that I could plonk a single candle into his orange nose. My indignant five year old son moaned "how come she gets a bought cake?"

In the years that have followed we have had a mixture of home made cakes and, quite often, shop bought offerings.

Jack has this week graduated with a first class honours degree. Colin the Caterpillar was never going to (excuse the pun) make the cut. I couldn't resist making and decorating my own. Love is cooked and baked into food and this time, a large dollop of pride.



Saturday 1 July 2017

Capers in Cape Cod

Leaving Bean Town behind, aka Boston, (and I thought Chicago was the Windy City!) and moving on to Cape Cod. Menus here are awash with seafood but I did manage a couple of lovely vegetarian meals.

In West Chatham they substituted the coriander blackened tuna for aubergine with chilled chilli lime lo mein noodles with snap peas, scallions, shimeji mushrooms, crispy wontons and gingered plum salsa. Heaven on a plate! This was after eating a delicious starter of pumpkin pasta. Definitely my best stateside meal.



In Provincetown I enjoyed a fabulous veggie toastie accompanied by cucumber spring water. The temperature was scorchio on the street but the delightful shady garden of Canteen leading on to the beach was a welcome retreat. Sitting around a communal table it was casual dining at its best. In the evening we stopped at Macs Shack in Wellfleet where I had (my first) Thai veggie sushi whilst the family tucked into oysters before watching the sun set by the harbour.



A more basic lunch of peanut butter and jelly sandwich with Cape Cod crisps and beer was just the energy booster needed for a cycle ride around Nantucket.





Sunday 25 June 2017

Boston Tea Party

 Welcome to Boston and a tea party of sorts. Here there were no dainty sandwiches, scones with jam and cream and copious cups of tea. No. Here we were to learn how the Americans relish their independence from we Brits and how it all came about.

Boston is also known as Beantown which refers to the regional dish of baked beans (cooked in molasses back in colonial days). I have to say we didn't find anywhere serving this dish. The Boston cream pie is a favourite sweet treat but the city seems most famous for its lobster rolls; obviously not a vegetarian option! Whilst the family tucked in to lobby rolls I enjoyed another American favourite - Mac 'n' cheese cooked right in front of me in Quincy Market. Rich and Delish. My worst meal in Boston was a veggie burger made from beans, rice and beetroot. It was the colour of pink flesh and looked like raw mincemeat. Ew! I asked the waiter if I could offer some feedback and said the colour was particularly off putting for vegetarians. He thanked me and took away my barely touched food and then proceeded to charge me for it! I guess there was nothing really wrong with it in their eyes.



Boston is home to the TV show Cheers and a popular drink here is a pint of Samuel Adams ( the namesake being one of the sons of Liberty). I enjoyed the light summer variety. 


Cheers indeed!

Friday 16 June 2017

The Big Apple

All aboard the Amtrak destined for Boston and leaving behind The City of Dreams. 

I had researched popular New York food and the list was mainly sugar-high, fat-loaded carbs. Yes I enjoyed some fabulous breakfasts; stack of pancakes - tick; cream cheese bagel - tick, but also steel-milled oats with banana and walnuts and Greek yogurt with honey and muesli, not to mention a Starbucks almond croissant!


The best discovery has been the small health food supermarkets with self-serve salad and fruit bars, cooked dishes and ingredients which can be stir-fried to order. Coming off the High Line we grabbed a salad box each and set off for a picnic on Governors Island with views of the Statue of Liberty and the New York Skyline. Another time we ate inside; a well deserved brunch after a run around Central Park.


For dinner I have to confess we ate Italian on two occasions and enjoyed veggie chilli at Hartland Brewery as we came down the Empire State Building. Whilst the family tucked in to burgers and hotdogs at the Mets game I was pleased to see veggie dogs were an option. For me though, a box of nachos knocked it out of the park!


Sunday 11 June 2017

Going Stateside

Seat belt fastened and bound for New York. This week's blog is postponed until mid week when hopefully I shall have Big Apple stories to share. Watch this space y'all! 

Sunday 4 June 2017

Carpe diem

Only last week we were remembering those killed in the Manchester bombing. Today our minds are with those affected by the London terror attack. The world has gone crazy.

We stand together, united in the belief that the terrorists will not stop us from going about our daily lives and, what's more, enjoying our lives. Both these attacks have been targeted at innocent people out having fun.

A week ago the forecast was good and I invited lots of friends around for drinks and nibbles alfresco. They were from different friendship groups and did not all know one another. What a great group of people! Everyone mixed and mingled and made friends. Perhaps we all need to do that on a larger scale. It's a naive thought and isn't going to bring about world peace but it is a start. We could start by learning to love thy neighbour (or at least getting to know them). Seize the day! 

Our impromptu party was washed down with drinks and helped by friends taking round the plates of nibbles I had provided. The following day these crudités and dips were staring at me from the fridge as I had forgotten to put them out. 


I ended up having a very healthy snacking weekend. I wonder if these particular veggies are good for memory? Maybe next time I'll remember to share them.


Sunday 28 May 2017

A Piece of Peace

Spring Bank Holiday in the UK is a Bank Holiday and this year falls on May 29th. It may be celebrated with family and friends, holidays, carnivals and fetes. There are local customs and traditions around the country. In Gloucestershire people chase after a rolling cheese down a steep hill with the aim of winning an 8lb Double Gloucester cheese - madness!

Ramadan began yesterday, 27th May, and many Muslims in the UK fast during the daylight hours for the next month.

This week also sees the Jewish festival of Shavuot. During this period dairy foods are eaten including cheese pancakes known as blintzes. 

So, whilst some people are chasing cheese, some eating cheese and some fasting, we also have International Day of United Nations Peacekeepers on May 29th, where people serving in UN peacekeeping operations and those who died in the name of peace are remembered and honoured. In this week of the Manchester bombing it's a time for people of all faiths to show support and solidarity. Love and peace will conquer evil and hatred. 

 
No matter what our Faith; may we all be Peacekeepers.



Sunday 21 May 2017

Healthy Options

The family are on a health kick; each of us wanting a strong, toned body for the summer months. I made chicken Caesar salad for the troops and a goat's cheese salad for me.

- Roast beetroot and carrots
- Cook goat's cheese in the oven
- Serve on a bed of watercress and rocket leaves
- Add dressing of your choice (I used balsamic with chilli) 
- Sprinkle with chopped, toasted almonds
- Can be served warm or cold


In the time it takes to dangle a carrot, go red as a beetroot, get dressed, say cheese and yes, act nuts, you've got yourself a tasty meal.



Sunday 14 May 2017

Pronto Pasta

So, post Italy I am still feeling the need (or possibly the desire) for some italian cuisine. No time to shop and stock up on goods from the deli counter so, what could I make?

Well luckily I always have some store-cupboard goodies to rustle up an impromptu meal. These include jars of sun dried tomatoes, olives and peppers but this time I resorted to the spice rack. Luckily all my herbs and spices were in date after the recent cull (Taste not waste 19/3/17) so I set to work.

5g dried parsley
5g garlic granules
10g dried chilli flakes
10g sea salt flakes


Add the above to a drop of hot olive oil in a pan and add the cooked pasta (linguine in my case). Toss the drained pasta in the oil and then pop back a little starchy cooking water from the pasta. You're aiming to coat the pasta rather than make a sauce.


Within ten minutes I had an Italian inspired meal in front of me. Probably not quite what mamma used to make but tasty nonetheless.

Sunday 7 May 2017

Italian Idyll

A few days in Northern Tuscany provided warmer temperatures, beautiful scenery, historic sights and a tummy full of delicious food. It would seem that the Italians get vegetarianism more than their French and Spanish neighbours.

I have enjoyed:- 
Tuscan Pappa al Pomodoro (tomato and bread soup), Minestrone soup, Tomato and Basil soup. 
Italian cheeses served with honey
Caprese Salad
Courgette Risotto
Potato Gnocchi with tomato sauce
Tiramisu and Gelato


Aperol Spritz was the aperitivo of choice followed by local rosato wine with dinner.

Aperol Spritz should be made in a highball or white wine glass.
Quarter fill with ice cubes adding a slice of orange
Add 3 parts Prosecco
+ 2 parts Aperol
+ 1 part Soda


Stir with a straw and sip blissfully