Sometimes you just don't know what you are supposed to do
or who you are meant to be
or where you are
and the day seems to end the way it began.
- The Red Tree by Shaun Tan
Ooo, last day of OZ & NZ VeganMoFo...and I survived! It was fun but to be honest it's a relief we've reached the end! I haven't exactly had the best month and I certainly haven't made anything particularly interesting. I had all these good intentions but it just never worked out!
A lot is going on round here that isn't food related. I've got a few events coming up that I'm training for which leaves me feeling pretty exhausted and my arms feel dead from an epic climbing session last night. Today is also rather stressful at work after the news of the tsunami in Samoa as we've got a film crew heading over there in a couple of weeks. We're trying to work out what locations are still usable and what isn't and what on earth we're going to do.
Anyway, here's my lunch for today...couscous salad with roasted vegetables from Revel.
It wasn't one of their most exciting salads but it filled the spot and was still pretty tasty.
A few days ago I was having a really bad night and I couldn't think of what to eat. I didn't want toast or cereal and I had hardly any veges in my fridge. I didn't feel up to cooking anything and it also had to be something comforting. What to do?
I ended up settling on cooking up some kumara chips (thank god for our convection oven), carrot chips and peanut butter. Not balanced in any way but if homemade kumara chips can't cheer me up then I don't know what will!
If, as many of the Deep Voices believe, the darkness is just as much a something as is the light, then which came first after Nothing – the darkness or the light?
- Shadowplay by Tad Williams
Daylight savings began on Sunday over here in New Zealand which means I'm back to getting up in total darkness again but at least it's light for longer in the evenings. It also means we're on track for summer but you'd never know it if you looked out the window about now...
Anyway, below is a fairly typical dinner for me of late. Actually cooking something has been feeling like rather too much of a chore lately so there have been lots of lazy meals. I need to start being more creative again.
A giant salad (salad leaves, grated carrot, capsicum, avocado, chopped dates, baked potato cubes and chopped Bean Supreme tofu sausages) with steamed broccoli on the side (covered in a mix of tahini and Tofutti cream cheese).
Another of my favourite meals that seems to crop up a lot on this blog is nachos. I like that I can make them from things normally found in my pantry (a tin of kidney beans and a tin of chopped tomatoes) and any veges rolling round in the bottom of the fridge. Plus I have a small addiction to corn chips! It also makes plenty for leftovers in the freezer which is always a bonus.
This was my lunch today (because I was so hungry by the time I finished cooking last night that I forgot to take a photo of it at dinner time...it was much more exciting because I put it under the grill and everything...okay, maybe not much more exciting but at least a little bit). This batch was made with the usual kidney beans and tinned tomato (normally I use a mexican-flavoured one but I only had italian), onion, grated carrot, mushrooms, broccoli, courgette, capsicum, various herbs, chilli and curry powders, smoked paprika and some chopped up Veaty Bites chicken style chunks which had been in my freezer for, like, forever.
She did not think she would sleep tonight. But if there was no sleep, at least there could be no dreams.
- Our Lady of the Snow by Louise Cooper
When I used to live at home I was in charge of making the muesli for our household. Basically I'd clear out everything I could find from the pantry and fridge that could go into muesli and make the biggest batch ever. Then when I first moved out I would come home every couple of weeks to make another giant batch with the deal being that Mum would let me take half away with me. But that was a while ago now...
This weekend, while I had the oven on baking another batch of Zucchini Spelt Muffins from Vegan Brunch (you should seriously make these...they are delicious), I decided it was high time I started making my own muesli again. It's always so much better than anything I can buy because I can make it exactly how I like it!
This batch has a mixture of rolled oats, wholegrain oats, rye flakes, walnuts, almonds, black and white sesame seeds, sunflower seeds and pumpkin seeds mixed with a little bit of oil and and a fairly large drizzle of molasses then baked in the oven on 180℃ for about 30 or 40 minutes (stirring every so often). Once it cooled I added some ground flaxseed and a mixture of dried fruits. Easy.
I pray that at last, as my long days draw to a close, I will have the chance to put right what once I did ill, that I will at last learn the truth. The truth will set me free.
- Labyrinth by Kate Mose
I am SO tired! Yesterday we had a fun 3 hour night rogaine event round some of the local streets and I didn't get back from that until pretty late and then I got up for spin this morning. I'm very much in need of a nap right about now.
Here's my epic breakfast...a super thick banana smoothie (frozen banana, frozen berries, ground flaxseed, tahini, cocoa and oat milk) topped with muesli and chopped almonds and walnuts. SO good.
Anyway, after my superpowered breakfast I had to race into town to meet Mum to go check out the Rita Angus (a well-known New Zealand artist) exhibition at the Auckland City Art Gallery. After wandering round the display for about 2 hours (and debating which were our favourites and where we would hang them if we owned them!) we were famished and in need of lunch.
Revel delivered with both of us ordering the Vegan Reveller.
How can you possibly go wrong with a huge plate of giant falafels with grilled tomatoes, mushrooms, spinach, hummus, sundried tomato and basil pestos all served with lightly toasted bread?
Despite being so full after all this food that we could hardly move, dessert had to be ordered so we grabbed a couple of slices of the Peanut Butter Cake/Pie/whatever to take away and managed to wander down to Albert Park to indulge.
This is what all Fridays should be made of (in case you were wondering, that's two slices of cake/pie and no, unfortunately I didn't get to eat them both as I had to share with Mum!).
Slowly the moon went by. Shadows fell down from the hills, and all grew dark before them. The stars grew thick and bright in the sky above. No one stirred.
- The Lord of the Rings by J. R. R. Tolkien
Breakfast is my favourite meal of the day hands down. I can have it at any time of the day, doesn't really matter as long as it's breakfast food!
When I'm at home for breakfast (which seems to be only about 2 or 3 times a week at the moment) I normally have cereal and fruit. It's regular comfort food (I've been known to have the odd day where I've had this for lunch and/or dinner as well!).
My regular at the moment is a couple of weetbix, a handful of muesli (what ever I've got in the pantry at the time), a golden kiwifruit and a spoonful of peanut butter doused in heaps of rice milk. This will keep me going until lunchtime no problem.
Sometimes on a Saturday morning I might have a smoothie before yoga if I haven't been out running beforehand (I'm normally way behind schedule if I've gone running so it's cereal or a muesli bar as I'm racing out the door).
Sometimes it's a green smoothie, sometimes it's just your regular as above (frozen banana, frozen mixed berries, peanut butter, ground flaxseed, rice milk). I like it thick enough to eat with a spoon!
This morning I didn't feel like my usual weetbix so I made a super thick smoothie so it was a bit more like ice cream and I ate it out of a bowl topped with muesli and chopped almonds and walnuts. SO delicious!
If I'm having breakfast at work (the mornings I'm training before work) I'll have a homemade texas muffin and fruit (my favourites are the Blueberry Ginger Spelt Muffins and the Zucchini Spelt Muffins both from Vegan Brunch) or toast (homemade bread...I love my breadmaker!) with almond butter and jam.
There are times though when I'll put on my apron (metaphorically speaking since my apron normally hangs forlornly in my bedroom and my clothes bear the brunt of my messiness) and make something more exciting. Unfortunately I've had a fair amount on lately so haven't had time in the morning to make something exciting like waffles or pancakes...hopefully this weekend? Can't wait to make those Peanut Butter Waffles or some girdle scones again though...
Sometimes though I might even go out for breakfast/brunch/a meal before midday. Kokako is just up the road from my gym so sometimes I might head there on a Saturday or Sunday morning for some fueling up.
This is their tofu scramble and it is really good...tofu chunks, tomato, mushrooms, potato and super grainy bread. Guaranteed to make your morning.
But even the longest and darkest of nights passes sooner or later.
- The Neverending Story by Michael Ende
It was Mum's birthday on Saturday so, naturally, cake was required. But first up, dinner. Because everyone had been out all day the meal was real quick. Mum had got me Fry's vegetarian sausage rolls which were real delicious and I had that with a basic salad...because one must save room for cake!
Mum always wants chocolate when asked so this time I thought, well, why don't I not ask her and make something else that I know she will love just as much but wouldn't think of to ask for because chocolate always gets in the way!!! You see, whilst browsing the recipes on Have Cake, Will Travel I stumbled across a recipe for Lemony French Cake which immediately made me think of Mum 'cause she loves lemon-flavoured cakes and puddings. I knew instantly this would be perfect for her.
I iced the cake with the cream cheese lemon icing and topped it with vegan lemon-flavoured turkish delight (another real favourite of Mum's). After an awesome day out at the forest for the Auckland Orienteering Champs (yep, my parents are orienteers too), cake was the perfect way to finish the day.
It didn't rise as much as I would have liked which might be because I cooked it in a larger pan than the recipe called for but it was deliciously light and not too sweet. I'll definitely be making this cake again. Most importantly though, the birthday girl liked it too!
His teeth tried to tell him something, but he never listened to them. A man could go mad, listening to his teeth.
- Making Money by Terry Pratchett
Most thursday nights are 'dinner at the parents' nights. Some previous dinners can be found here and here. Mum is always looking for different dishes to use tofu in and one night she made us all Italian Tofu Meatballs.
They totally rocked so I guess I'll have to give the recipe a go myself now!
Another tofu dish she made was this...a baked tortilla stack. I think it's from one of the Simon and Alison Holst Meals Without Meat cookbooks. The tofu is crumbled up into little pieces and if you didn't know that it had tofu in it you could be fooled.
Light, spicy and delicious. Wonder what she will whip up for us next...
A night bird trilled. The world was so big, and the night sky was so full of glimmering light!
- Tailchaser's Song by Tad Williams
If I haven't thought in advance (which is pretty much all the time...and if I have planned in advance I'll have forgotten what I planned), I never know what I'm going to have for dinner until I actually get into the kitchen and have a rummage around for what I've got and what I feel up to doing. This particular dinner was a case of opening the pantry and going, umm, what shall I eat tonight? I saw a can of creamed corn and thought, 'hmmm, corn fritters sound good.' But I thought I'd add some chickpeas to the mix for some protein (and 'cause chickpeas are delicious).
I served the fritters with mango chutney, sliced capsicum and avocado, steamed broccoli with tahini ('cause I can never be bothered making a proper sauce), hummus and the last raw flaxseed cracker from a pack I bought at Huckleberry Farms out of curiosity. Quick and delicious.
In case you were interested, here's a really rough recipe for the fritters. Bear in mind I didn't actually measure anything but it's pretty forgiving so you can pretty much do what ever you like.
Corn and Chickpea Fritters
half a can of chickpeas (drained)
half a can of creamed corn
½ tsp baking powder
approx ¹⁄₈ cup polenta
approx ³⁄₈ cup wholemeal flour
1 Tbsp yeast flakes
1 Tbsp sweet chilli sauce
½ Tbsp ground flaxseed mixed with 1 Tbsp rice milk
a sprinkling of chilli and lime seasoning
Mash the chickpeas up with a fork then mix in the rest of the ingredients (super easy!). Heat up your fry pan and spoon heaped tablespoons of the mixture into the pan once it's heated. Flatten slightly. Cook on both sides until golden brown (or just brown...I put the golden part in there 'cause it sounded fancy!). Makes enough for 2 people (and it keeps in the fridge for a couple of days as well...it might keep longer but my mixture never lasts that long!).
It was the most commonplace question in the world. It was the question which, sooner or later, every child in the kingdom asks his governess or his schoolmaster or his parent. Yet the learned members of the York society did not at all like hearing it asked and the reason was this: they were no more able to answer it than any one else.
- Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell by Susanna Clarke
I've posted about The Blue Bird several times before but it always deserves more mention as it is probably our flat's favourite place to eat out.When you walk in there is a cabinet filled with food (all helpfully labelled). It's always a surprise to see what they have (my flatmates and I have our favourite items that we're always on the lookout for and will bring back for each other if we see them).
This is a Potato and Pea Rissole with chutney and salad. Pretty simple but real good.
I think this is a Pumpkin and Red Lentil Pie topped with strips of raw carrot and beetroot.
Whatever it was, it tasted damn good. I really like their pastry. We actually have a couple of Sri Chinmoy recipe books sitting around at the flat and I keep meaning to pull them out and cook up a storm but I've been a bit lazy. I ought to change this!
You can also order off their bowl menu...pick a size (small, medium, large...anything over a small is actually pretty large) a topping and then pick a base from brown rice, baked or mashed potato or baked kumara. It's served with a slice of grain bread and olivani (you have to ask for it instead of butter) on the side.
This is their African Beans on kumara. It would be better with a few veges but it's pretty good (and an awesome protein powerhouse).
They've recently started serving what they call superfood smoothies.
This is the Maca Cacao smoothie in all its chocolaty goodness. Can't remember what was in it but it was delicious and super filling.
Sometimes I get takeaways. This may just look like a container of mixed vegetables but let me tell you, this is their Roast Vegetable Tart and it is divine. I tried to take it out of the container and plate it to make it look prettier but the base was falling apart.
The base (which you can't see) tastes oaty and crumbly (and is apparently gluten-free for those of you needing that sort of thing) and then is topped with, actually, I don't know but it was brown and yummy. Then it's loaded up with roast veges like carrots, pumpkin, capsicum and zucchini...very delicious. Plus their chutney they serve with it is fabulous. Don't know what kind it is but I want some...now!
And one can't go to The Blue Bird without partaking in some crumble with soy ice cream.
Seriously, this crumble can completely brighten my day...like I said yesterday, it's the simple things ☺
You see, it's so frightfully difficult when you've nobody. You're so at the mercy of things. You can't just be rude. And you've always this horror of seeming inexperienced and stuffy like the other ninnies at the Bay. And - and it's fascinating to know you've power over people. yes, that is fascinating...
- The Garden Party by Katherine Mansfield
I normally bring lunch to work (usually leftovers...my favourite) but sometimes I've forgotten or there isn't anything to take so then I have to head further afield to find food. There aren't a great deal of good lunch options near my work unless I feel like trekking down to the foodcourt (which normally, embarrassingly enough, I normally feel too lazy).
Probably my favourite place to go is Renkon. I pretty much always order the same thing...
Teriyaki Tofu on rice (you can't see the rice 'cause it's hidden under so much goodness). So good.
If you get it takeaway you get it in one of those really cool cardboard cartons.
It's the little things that make your day!
"You run the risk of a few tears when you allow yourself to be tamed..."
- The Little Prince by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry
You know those nights...you get home from work feeling super tired and super lazy and all you really want to do is curl up in bed or in front of the television and have dinner materialise in front of you. I'm sorry, but that ain't gonna happen so you'll have to go into the kitchen and whip something up pronto.
This is one of those meals:
Fry's Vegetarian Chicken-Style Nuggets (I love our convection oven - cooks things like this in no time at all) with cheap and nasty sweet and sour sauce (okay, so it's not nasty but it's, well, bright, toxic orange so it's kind of freaky), steamed veges drizzled with tahini and salad.
