Posts tagged food
Wegan Wednesdays
It's OK to be vegan just one day a week.
#vegan #spring #food
Last Wednesday, I made a Moroccan chickpea and squash stew. I’d had this recipe earmarked in Hugh F-W’s River Cottage Veg Everyday cookbook for a few months already, and as spring is finally arriving, I thought it was time to leap into action before the stewy days were over.
So, here we go, with a few personal adjustments (for 4 people):
- Fry a chopped onion in sunflower oil until soft, then add a clove of garlic and a stick of celery (both chopped), half a tea spoon of ground pepper, half a tea spoon of tumeric, a quarter tea spoon of cinammon and another a small thumb of ginger, chopped (the recipe calls for ground ginger powder but I’m not a fan)
- After a few minutes add 50g red lentils, a tin of chickpeas (drained), 6 saffron strands, 250 ml of passata, a bunch of chopped parsley and chopped coriander (save some fresh coriander for the end!)
- After 15 minutes, add in the squash cut into big cubes, cover with vegetable stock and cook for 40 minutes. I added some fresh peas too, just 5 minutes before the end.
Hugh suggests adding orzo 10 minutes before the end, but I went more Moroccan and instead served the stew with couscous and harissa. Top with lots of fresh coriander.
That’ll be one to dig out next autumn!
In Mexico City for the week and I’m loving the warmth, and fresh fruit and vegetable. I’ve been having Gazpacho every day - but it’s not very photogenic, so here’s an Ensalada Todo Verde (Completely Green Salad) instead, from La Buena Tierra in Condesa.
South Indian takeaway last night, from Rasa N16 (probably my favourite place in the world): vendakka masala (okra), palak dahl (spinach and lentils) and mixed vegetable curry, served with couscous (not from Rasa!). Delicious.
Spending a few days in St Petersburg for work… It’s not very vegan-friendly but I found this delicious Uzbek Red bean stew from Caucasian restaurant Baklazhan, in the centre of town. If anyone knows how it’s made, I’m interested!
Red pesto, rucola and avocado sandwich on sourdough from Bodega 50.
I’m working from home today which means I’m still working late but at least had the opportunity to make myself something nice rather than greasy Soho take-away! Here’s a vegan Potato and Pea curry (Aloo Matar) with ginger spinach on the side and pitta bread.
I found the recipe online from Monsoon Spice - I’d never before come across the idea of making a herb paste with lots of coriander + spices, garlic and onion. Makes the process a lot simpler and it’s very satisfying - a bit like making pesto!
Oh - and also - I found this new app (Piction) that allows you to put captions over pics. Expect more!
I’ve just realised that I’ve never posted anything about my local and awesome farmers’ market, one of the first to be created in London by Stoke Newington’s pioneering food movement, Growing Communities. It’s a lovely mix of fresh, seasonal produce from neighbouring farms, and cute artisan food stalls - including a creole baker offering rum-flavoured vegan soda bread!
Another Saturday, another vegan brunch. Chickpea and tahini burger with mango chutney and seasonal salad from Blue Legume in Stoke Newington. Definitely my favourite local breakfast!
Disastrous Cha Cha Moon lunch today. No stir-fried mushrooms left (at 12.30?) so I had to have the Hong Kong vegetable noodles which just tastes like… MSG really. Sad face.
