Sunday, August 29, 2010

I'm well and truely over winter

Hi All, I'm trying to get back on track with my my blog, and hopefully this time without to many interuptions.

Wow winter for my children has been hell colds, Asthma, ear infections, gastro and my kids are normally pretty healthy but since starting my son at daycare twice a week we seem to catch everything going around aaaaarrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh Just wish people would leave there kids at home when they are sick and not send them to daycare, the latest notice up at daycare is Hand ,foot and mouth what is that ? never ever heard of it, it actually sounds like something a farmer would be worried about their cattle catching yuk touch wood this doesn't hit us too.

So anyway i'm planning on getting back in the kitchen this week so, keep an eye out.

Roll on summer :)

Tuesday, August 10, 2010

Roasted Red Pepper Hummus

YUM  I love hummus any type any time, yum yum yum, I know this sounds weird but I even had this hummus with pasta and veg the other night, I have it on toast with avocado,as a dip, in a sandwich, mixed in mash potato to me hummus is as versatile as pesto, which I love just as much.

1 Can Chick Peas
2 Tbs Tahini Paste (without the oil)
2 Tbs Fresh Lemon Juice
2 Cloves Garlic
1 Roasted Red Pepper (I bought a jar of roasted red peppers in vinegar not oil, or you could roast yourself if you have time)
1/4 to 1/2 Tsp Dried Coriander

The easiest way is to chuck everything in a bowl and use a bar mix/ handheld blender or put everything in a food processor and give it a whizz until well blended.


Normally people add oils to hummus, I don't think it's needed, but if I do use oils in it I put about a Tbs of EVOO or my supplement of  Flax seed oil as it's so high in EFA.

Microwave Chips

So i've been trying things out over the last weekend and another thing I miss is nibbles like dips and chips and things like that, it seems to be a big part of Australian culture when you have a dinner party to always have nibbles and drinks before hand, not only does this stress me out about weather the ingredients are accectable on my diet, but I also worry about putting weight on eating them, so last weekend I decided to see what I could come up with that contain no added fats.

This brilliant recipe isn't mine, it comes from Susan V's fantastic Fatfree Vegan Blog.

1 Medium Potato
Baking Paper
Salt (I don't bother if i'm having it with dip)
Optional seasonings whatever you fancy really

I don't have any kind of fancy slicers, I just very finely sliced the potato evenly (which is quite hard) so maybe using a mandolin or v-slicer would really speed things up, although it can be done I only use a knife.

Line the microwave tray with baking paper and then place the potato slices without overlapping. Salt lightly and season if using.

Microwave at full power-watching closely-until spots of brown begin to appear, about 4-6 minutes. Turn off the microwave for 1 minute. Microwave again at full power until the slices are golden brown. (be careful not to over brown because they will taste burnt) Remove and allow to cool. Repeat until all potato slices are cooked.

Salt and Vinegar Chips

Dip each potato slice into cider vinegar before putting it on the baking paper. Sprinkle with salt before microwaving.

Wednesday, August 4, 2010

Fabulous Fudgy Brownies

I was so happy with the results of this recipe, one thing I miss most about my new way of living is Chocolate but this is a pretty good substitute. I adapted this recipe from one I found on fat free vegan, it was invented by the creator Susan V you can have a look at her original recipe at
http://blog.fatfreevegan.com/2006/02/valentines-dessert-2-fatfree-and.html

* 1 Tbs Egg Re Placer
* 300g Silken Firm Tofu
* 1/2 Cup Water
* 1/2 Cup Pure Maple Syrup
* 1/2 Cup Unsweetened Cocoa
* 1 Tbs Vanilla Essence
* 1 Cup Raw Sugar
* 1 1/2 Cup Unbleached S R Flour
* 1/4 Tsp Baking Powder
* 1/4 Tsp Cinnamon
* 1/4 Tsp Salt
* 1/2 cup chopped walnuts (optional)

Preheat oven to 180 or 160 fan forced. Mist an 8-inch x 8-inch x 2-inch glass baking pan with a EVOO spray and set aside.

Blend tofu,water,maple syrup,cocoa powder, egg replacer and vanilla essence until smooth. (I used ahand blender, but you can use a regular blender.)

Place the remaining ingredients, except walnuts into a bowl and stir together until they are well combined. Pour the blended mixture into the dry ingredients in the mixing bowl, stir them until they are well combined. Fold in walnuts, if using.

Pour the batter in the prepared baking dish. Bake on the center rack of the oven for 30 minutes, or until a skewer inserted in the center comes out clean. Completely cool the brownies in the pan. Cut and serve.



Tuesday, August 3, 2010

Spicy Red Lentil and Sweet Potato Soup

This recipe started of being a Curry, I was going to add all sorts of veg but I'm a bit of a picker when I cook, and yes pickers do wear bigger nickers but at the moment mine are only a size ten so I'm alright, When I tasted the mixture of lentils, spices and sweet potato I was quite impressed, so decided to make it a soup and happy I did as my very carnivorous husband came home from work and had a taste and loved it, this will be going down as one to make that we can eat together.

 I'll fill you in my hubby has a farming background and not in a million years will he ever give up red meat but that's fine cause he likes what I cook I just add a bit of meat to his plate, like I do with the kids I'm not one to force my very young children to any opinion about going vegan or vegan with fish, I just try and teach them a healthy way of eating and when there old enough they can make their own decision.

Serves 4 Starters
          or
Serves 2 Mains

* 1 Small Onion
* 2 Cloves Crushed Garlic
* 2 Tbs Water
* 1 Tbs Cumin
* 1/2 Tsp Chili Powder
* 1/2 Tsp Mixed Herbs
* 1 Medium Sweet Potato
* 200g Dried Red Lentils (rinsed)
* 3 Cups Veg Stock
* 1 Cup Hot Water
* 1/4 Cup Soy Milk

In a Medium non stick fry pan put 2 Tbs water, chopped onion, garlic and spices and fry until onion is clear.

Add chopped sweet potato, rinsed lentils, veg stock and hot water cook for 25 minutes or until lentils are tender, if to thick add more water.

Just before you serve mix in soy milk and heat through for a further five minutes.

Serve and enjoy with bread.

Monday, August 2, 2010

Mushroom Stroganoff

Well I must say, being a mum I thought i'd be smart and buy dried mushrooms just because you never really know whats going to happen and it's in the cupboard for an easy meal, never again they were awful but the mixture was yum if that makes sense fresh is best I think, I love fresh mushrooms they are so chunky and meaty for a vegan and add so much taste and density, But Fresh is Best in my opinion.

Serves 4

*1 Red Onion Peeled and Finely Diced
* 2 Tbs Water
*2 Cloves Crushed Garlic
* 125g Shiitake Mushrooms, Trimmed
* 4 Large Flat or Portobello Mushrooms,trimmed and thickly sliced
* 125g Chestnut Mushrooms some sliced some whole
* 150ml Soy Milk 
* Three Tbsp Fresh Parsley

Place the onion and water in a medium sized non stick fry pan and cook gently for 2-3 minutes. Add the garlic and mushrooms and cook for a further 3-4 minutes.

Add Soy milk and cook for a further 5 minutes on medium heat.

Sprinkle with parsley and serve with brown rice YUMMMMMY  

Sunday, August 1, 2010

Monday Madness

Well the week starts again, after a very relaxing child free weekend our house looks like a tornado has payed us a visit or should I say a 3 and a 1 year old. My god you really do forget how easy and chilled out life is before having children, saying that I was so excited to see them when my Dad and his Partner dropped them off but for all of about five minutes haha, no not really I was lost with out the kids wasn't sure what to do with myself.
Any way back to reality, I've just bought a spray tan unit second hand off my sisters friend so am going to start spay tanning from home when I can fit it in around the kids, will hopefully help out with the bills and will give me a chance to meet a few people and have adult conversations, i'm really looking forward to my little business, Tanning and a little Hairdressing on the side, Fingers crossed it all goes to plan.