RRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR

No my keyboard isn’t stuck.

My garden is full of home grown veg and herbs beginning with the letter R (does this sound like Sesame Street to anyone) Rhubarb, Rosemary and Runner Beans.

So although I’m not taking part in Vegan MoFo Officially (as I’m leaving to go backpacking for 10 months during the MoFo) I’m taking this opportunity to blog lots before I go!

So what should I make?

Last time I used the runner beans in an Appetite for Reduction “Bowl” style meal with lettuce, steamed kale and Avocado-a very green bowl pg 266-267.

Runner Beans taste great steamed or boiled and served straight up with a little salt pepper, chilli or soy sauce-they are so tender, usually eaten within 20 minutes of picking!
Maybe to stick with the R theme I should make a Runner Bean Risotto.

Alternatively I have seen a recipe for Rosemary Focaccia in Veganomicon pg 220-221.

As for the Rhubarb, I’m a traditionalist and usually stick to a warm oatie Crumble with custard or ice cream! If anyone can think of a non Crumble use for Rhubarb I'm listening.

The light is fading here, so I best get picking!

This time last year I was making Vegan Dinosaur cake at work, because my friend Gemma was leaving. Ironically this year I had my last day at work yesterday, as im off Backpacking for 10 months soon, I got lots of lovely presents (including bourbon biscuits) and flowers from my friends at work, also got a wind up Tri-Sarah-tops toy!

In conclusion Dinosaurs are amazing!

Dinosaur Cakes-original post can be found here

My cake had more of a dragon look to it Gemma’s cake looked a lot more realistic-a bit scary in fact (fake blood included)!

This was my first ever try at making a cake that didn’t look like a cake, and I would gladly do it again, although I would buy pre coloured icing in the future, to save a lot of time!

My questions to you is; has anyone out there ever made an animal cake?

A Farewell with Victoria Sponge with Raspberry.

My partner and I were invited over a friend’s house for dinner, as we are due to leave for our 10 months of travelling in about 6 weeks and one of the couple is off to New Zealand for the Rugby soon.

They cooked a lovely spinach and lentil curry with rice (and of course mango chutney) so I decided to take pudding over.

As most people (myself included) don’t usually have a Vegan Dessert lying around, and was in need of a bit of baking creativity!

As my Mr is wheat intolerant, as is one of the friends who’s house it was I tried my hand at a wheat free Victoria Sponge – I found a vegan recipe on the website of the flour producer “dove farm organic” I made according to instructions, and it uses quite simple and everyday ingredients; Sugar, Oil, Vanilla Extract, Half a mashed Ripe Banana, wheat free flour and water (mostly store cupboard essentials).

The end result was a surprisingly moist cake with a hint of banana, which I clever counteracted with a fresh raspberry sauce sandwich between the layers.

I bought 2 punnets of raspberries, and simply washed the berries (leaving some moisture to them) and added to a saucepan and very gently heated, I added two tablespoons of icing sugar to sweeten and thicken, though this does depend on the sharpness of the raspberries, please taste...lots.

When it reached a loose jam consistency, I sieved it to remove a majority of the pips (the ones left where really unnoticed when eating it) and when it cooled I spread it over the base of the cake. Placed the other half on top and sprinkled icing sugar and adorned a few fresh raspberries clustered in the centre.

Everyone enjoyed the cake - even us wheat lovers!

I think I have inspired some wheat free bakers to be too!

Brownies

Bristol Vegan Fayre

I was hoping for the annual Vegan Fayre to have a few of my favourite stalls, and I wasn’t disappointed, first stop was vegan fish and chips, (mushy peas optionally) with a cuppa brew!

Something Fishy Vegan Fish and chips with a touch of seaweed;

This was followed by a few hours of sampling and browsing what’s new in the world of Veganism in the UK! Which included vegan peach gummies and moo free chocolate!

Bamboo Clothing:


Buddha Fields cafe, pancakes and Chai tea, yum!

I had a chat with some of the Sea Shepherds and the Royal Society for Protection of Birds, as well as a few other animal charities.


The atmosphere was chilled, as was the weather but it brightened up and the acoustic entertainment was a real treat, including music and poetry.

Family friendly and full of a diverse variety of food including veggie kofta’s, falafel, raw food, fresh juices, Indian bites and drinks, burgers, salads and stews.

For a sweeter tooth a choice of Booja Booja ice cream from a classic VW, or Rice Cream or Churros with chocolate sauce!

Healthy times

After a Trip to Ms Cupcake in London on Saturday before the Roller Derby Bout, I bought the long drooled over Appetite for Reduction by Isa, the amazing co-author of Vegan Cupcakes Take over the world, Veganomicon, Vegan with a Vengeance and Cookies Invade your Cookie Jar.
Since then I have been trying a new method to cooking, namely making a few days worth of something healthy for lunch and dinners.
I started on Sunday night with making a chickpea, spinach and tomato curry, finished off with some coconut milk. And preparing my lunch on Monday, I used the forgotten bag of Quinoa (Isa Raved about eating it lots) and it’s much better for you than couscous. So cook the Quinoa and when it’s cold add to a bowl of grated carrot, chopped tomato, cucumber, radish, coriander, pepper and spring onion.


I hope this doesn’t sound like a Craig David song but;
I made enough salad for lunch on Monday,
Taco’s with chilli soya mince, refried beans and salad for dinner on Monday,
Tuesday lunch leftover taco mix salad,
Tuesday Evening night Curry with Quinoa salad. Pudding of stewed rhubarb with vegan custard.
Wednesday lunch Quinoa salad with humous, lettuce and two tasty gherkins
Wednesday dinner, Thursday lunch, Thursday dinner, Friday lunch, Friday dinner to go!

Ms Cupcake and Roller Derby

Last weekend, I was heading to london to see a Roller Derby Bout hosted by the London Roller Girls. On our way we stopped at the newly opened (5weeks) for a few sweet treats. The lovely shop in Brixton, is very easy to find from the station and the staff were lovely.

Got there in time for a freshly made Vegan Doughnut, I urge any visitors to get one..or two!

The Strawberry Cheesecake cupcake was my first choice, and I tried a few samples too of the Crunchy Bar Cake and Ferrero Rocher Gluten Free.

The Gluten Free options are just as good!

Ms Cupcake herself attended the Roller Derby Bout.

I had a great time at Roller Derby and cant wait to go to the next one, the girls are amazing Skaters!