It’s creamy, it’s cheesy, it’s a satisfying bowl of carbs – but it’s all based on veg that’s begging to be used from the bottom of the fridge. This recipe has been a life saver for me when we really need to go to the shops and all we have in the fridge is odds and ends of old veggies. Brought together that old veg can make something extraordinary with out really much effort or tie spent. I also like to tell myself it’s much healthier than your typical non-vegan mac & cheese as it actually contains some vegetables! A lot of this recipe is really quite forgiving so feel…
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Spicy Asian Style Cauliflower Bites
Cauliflower is one of those veggies that have been through a massive ‘glow-up’ over the past few years. Once thought of as a bland, uninspiring veg that tends to be boiled to death, it’s now become a stable for many once you realise how flexible it truly is. My sister makes pizza bases with it, others I know make cauliflower ‘wings’, often for a tasty side I’ll roast it. Seriously it seems we’ve all been missing a trick by boiling it all these years. These cauliflower bite are a little salty, a little sweet, with a flash of chilli and crunch. What’s more they’re baked rather than fried so they’re…
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Chilli, Peanut Green Beans
Today’s recipe is a bit of an ugly duckling – so much so that I debating sharing this one. However, it’s tasty enough that I just couldn’t keep it too myself. This side dish is the perfect accompaniment to a buddha bowl or takeout-style evening. Inspired by my mother’s recipe for satay, this side dish has been simplified, uses similar flavours and is much easier to make. I’ve built this around frozen veg and other shelf stable ingriedients so it’s perfect for when you can’t get to the shops (like now!). However If you want to sub in fresh beans then this should work just as well. Makes: Serves 4…
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Banh Xeo – Vietnamese Pancakes
A lot of my food isn’t really know for its cultural authenticity. I’ll take inspiration from the original sure, but very rarely does it stay true to that original recipe, and so it is here. A quick look around at your typical Banh Xeo filling will tell you that prawns and pork typically make the cut, make it vegetables only and the general consensus seems to be that this is fit for a very light lunch or a starter only but I think we can fix that. The filling for my pancakes is a salad of rice noodles, thinly sliced vegetables, some pickled vegetables, add in some aubergines that are…
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Butternut Squash and Kale Spaghetti
There are days when I just don’t want to cook dinner, when I’m tired, can’t be bothered, or just want something with very little effort. This is the recipe I make when those moods strike. It’s incredibly easy and once you’ve roasted the butternut squash there’s really only 15 minutes more work. So if you’re getting tired of social distancing, tired of cooking, and just overall frustrated – pull together this dish, pour yourself a glass of wine, and breathe. Believe me, it’ll all feel better over a massive bowl of carbs! Makes: Serves 2 (Generously) Ingredients 900g Butternut Squash 1Tbsp Paprika 300g Spaghetti 2 Red Onions 4 Garlic Cloves…
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Warm Spring Salad
We’re at a slightly odd time of year, the weather can’t seem to decide if winter is over but the sun is definitely starting to push it’s head through the clouds. After days like this weekend I start to crave something light and salad-like but warm. My solution is this salad. It’s incredibly easy to make, takes advantage of seasonal produce like asparagus and salad potatoes when they’re just coming into their own, but it’s warm so it fits in perfectly when the weather is still a little cool. The lentils and potatoes make it filling without being heavy while the dressing brightens the dish with a little tang. If…
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Slow Cooker Lasagne Soup
Lasagne soup was completely foreign to me until recently thanks to some browsing on social media. It seems to be an american invention but what a great idea it is! All the elements of a great lasagne but with almost none of the work since, in my version, most of the cooking is done in the slow cooker. I like to serve mine with an easy homemade vegan ricotta which serves as a great counterpoint to the rich tomato sauce. This recipe works great for a crowd, uses mostly pantry stables, and is really quite hands off so is ideal for these days were so many people are working from…
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Buckwheat Crepes
I’m just going to leave this picture here for you to drool over. Think about it, don’t you just love pancakes, maybe drizzled with maple syrup and some fruit? Sometimes there’s a good side to social distancing, you’ve got nowhere to be so why not have a gentle start this weekend, make some pancakes in your PJs, and watch the day begin with a full belly and a cup of tea. These pancakes are vegan, gluten free, and allergy safe. They’re also incredibly easy – the batter likes to sit for a little while before cooking so take the time to make yourself a cup of tea and wake up…
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Vegan Store Cupboard Paella
There are days when I want dinner to remind me of summer and at the moment it feels like we’re almost there with the glorious weather we’ve been having. Paella is perfect for this, it has a warm fragrant burst of flavours that sing of Spain, sun, and long lazy afternoons with friends. My version is ideal for the moment when you might not be able to get to the shops and need to use the odds and ends in the cupboard. I’ve also made sure everything in this can be either frozen or shelf stable so you;re less reliant on leaving the house. This dish is warm, bright and…
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Peanut Butter Rice Crispie Treats
We’ve started social distancing with both of us in the house working from home. Unfortunately I realised mid last week that we didn’t have anything sweet in the house that I could eat. I’ve raided our cupboard basics to make something that’s both easy to make and satisfying for your sweet cravings – if not totally moreish! If you’re looking for a kitchen activity that you can do with the kids to keep them entertained while at home then this is ideal. Its is really very simple, uses minimal equipment, and very forgiving if you don’t quite get the amounts right. There is some stove action and hot syrup involved…
