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Hi there!

Due to some technical issues, Red is offline at the moment. She'll be back with lots more lovely recipes just as soon as her laptop starts behaving itself properly. Please stick with us and spend some time looking at all the lovely vegan food that is on here already, Red will be back soon x

Blackberry & Mint Smoothie

Rocket & Roses HQ Play List:

Kenny Wayne Shepherd ~ Losing Kind
The Devil ~ Lil' Devil
Korn ~ Love Song
Tom Jones ~ Lust For Life
Martina McBride ~ I Still Miss Someone
Maroon 5 ~ Sunday Morning
The Eagles ~ Wasted Time
INXS ~ Never Tear Us Apart
Mike Patton ~ Ti Offro Da Bere
P!nk ~ Last To Know
VAST ~ I Don't Have Anything
Bon Jovi ~ In Theses Arms
Train ~ To Be Loved
VAST ~ Winter In My Heart

Todays smoothie was inspired by one favourite herbal teas..Blackberry & Mint. Now blackberries are my favourite berry..when they are plump and sweet..lol. A perverse part of me still enjoys them even when they are slightly sour and make me shudder. lol It almost feels like a crime against berries to put them in a blender for a smoothie. But given our garden is covered in blackberry bushes I know there is always a good supply. Phew!!

Cue....*drool*...

Blackberry & Mint Smoothie  Serves 4

2 cups of spinach
1 1/2 cups of blackberries
1 pear
2 mint leaves
2 cups water

Place everything into a blender and blitz until smooth. Enjoy!

Thanks for stopping by and I hope your day is a fantastic one...

~Red~

Ecuadorean Quinoa & Vegetable Soup/Stew

Rocket & Roses HQ Play List:

Janiva Magness ~ Homewrecker
Maroon 5 ~ Never Gonna Leave This Bed
Ugly Kid Joe ~ Madman
Holly Williams ~ Without You
The Eagles ~ Learn To Be Still
VAST ~ Sunday I'll Be Gone
The Fratellis ~ C**try Boys & City Girls
The Cult ~ She Sells Sanctuary
Tina Dico ~ Back Where We Started
The Pretenders ~ Popstar
PCD ~ Jai Ho!
Soundgarden ~ I Awake
Stevie Ray Vaughan ~ Life Without You
Shania Twain ~ I Won't Leave You Lonely

Now when making, testing and reviewing recipes I grade them out of 10 as well writing up my thoughts. And it is a very rare day that anything ever gets past the 8 mark. So for something to get 9 or 10 means it really rocked my foodie world. lol. You can imagine my surprise when I found myself grading this soup.....a whopping....12! I could eat this soup everyday and never tire of it. And not to mention the goodness in every mouthful..it's a win/win as far I am concerned.

It's perfectly spiced...a good mix of veggies to stock...and satisfying without being too filling...and did I mention just a pleasure to eat??? lol. This recipe was found online and had been adapted from a Moosewood recipe and I have slightly adapted it further...it's a meal in a bowl and also makes you smile the entire time you are eating it.

Ecuadorean Quinoa & Vegetable Soup/Stew  Serves 6
(Recipe origins Moosewood and then adapted)

1/2 cup of uncooked quinoa, rinsed well and drained
2 cups of chopped onions
1 cup of diced potato
1 cup of chopped red bell pepper
1 tsp ground coriander
1 tsp ground cumin
1 tsp dried oregano
1/2 tsp pepper
3 cups of veggie stock
1 tin of chopped tomatoes
1 cup of diced courgette/zucchini
2 tins of pinto beans, rinsed and drained

Heat the oil and add the onions, cover and cook for 5 minutes. Stirring occasionally.

Add in the drained quinoa, potatoes, bell pepper, herbs and spices, stock and tomatoes and stir to combine. Cover and bring to the boil, lower the heat and simmer for 10 minutes. Add in the courgettes and beans, cover and let simmer for 15-20 minutes or until the veggies are tender. Serve...

Enjoy!!!

Thanks for stopping by and I hope your week starts well..its a National Holiday here so we shall be packing more boxes and then kicking back with friends...

~Red~

A Good Sunday with a Spinach, Strawberry & Apple Smoothie on the side...

Rocket & Roses HQ Play List:

VAST ~ Here
The Cure ~ The Lovecats
QOTSA ~ This Lullaby
UB40 ~ Stick With Me
The Tremeloes ~ Silence Is Golden
Lacuna Coil ~ You Create
Beth Hart ~ Drive
VAST ~ Dedicate
Bruce Springsteen ~ Dancing In the Dark
Katy Perry ~ I Kissed A Girl
John Lennon ~ Mind Games
JET ~ She Holds A Grudge
McAlmont & Butler ~ Blue
Korn ~ K@#0% !

I slept in...which hardly ever happens being an insomniac and so far the rest of my Sunday has been relaxed too.

We decided to have a quick trip over to the city and pick up some bits and pieces and cruise the area we are hoping to move to, for new To Let signs. Keeping our hopes and motivation going....

To be honest it was just good spending time together and pootling around. After our shopping was done we took a break in a coffee shop...which I'll admit was torture for me. lol. But I ordered my green tea happily and we grabbed a beautifully squishy sofa and sat down to wait. Our drinks arrived, we sat and discussed future plans....

Ah green tea...yep alongside green smoothies they are my life right now...lol I totally did didn't miss my regular espressos at all. Ahem..lol

My green smoothie today is a Spinach, Strawberry & Apple concoction and rather delicious..and is made as follows...

Take....

2 cups of spinach

and....

1 Granny Smith or green apple
(core removed)

and also....

1 Golden Delicious or yellow apple
(core removed)

and don't forget these.....

1 cup of hulled strawberries

....place them all in a blender with....

3 cups of this stuff

Blitz until smooth and then drink and enjoy!!....

We also enjoyed a great soundtrack to our day....in the car...in the coffee and then back at the house...(note house not home anymore)...



Then the only sad part of the day was having to leave our future plans and come back to our house...but when you have a classic John Cusack movie to watch...it helps...

....and as for the rest of our Sunday...plenty more relaxing....this evening the movie The Host and more fresh foods to be enjoyed.

So.....

Thanks for stopping by and I hope your Sunday was a good one for you too....

~Red~

A Simple Life Lesson...

Rocket & Roses HQ Play List:

Sting ~ The Soul Cages
Tanita Tikaram ~ I'm Going Home
The Eagles ~ The Disco Strangler
Queen ~ The Bicycle Race
Tina Dico ~ He Doesn't Know
Heart ~ You're The Voice
Sinatra ~ It Was A Very Good Year
The Cure ~ Close To Me
Chris Cornell ~ Call Me A Dog
Pearl Jam ~ Jeremy
Bowie ~ Wild Is The Wind
VAST ~ Flames
Europe ~ Flames
The Pretenders ~ I'll Stand By You

I am very much looking forward to a day spent with ML, my sister and her little ones. Just being amongst the madness and catching up with them all. So my Saturday is going to be a busy one. Marvellous...wouldn't have it any other way.

My post today is about life lessons...and one in particular. I have been on the end of long and painful attempts at 'teaching' me a life lesson by well meaning adults when I was a child and teen. It never goes in...does it? So when I find simple ways of expressing these lessons...I almost feel obliged to share them...you know...if it saves one child from having to sit through those painful talks...lol ;-) then I will have saved one child..lol

When I saw this one I was taken aback by how clever it was...see what you think?

Did you?

It had quite an impact on me...and there is so much truth in that lesson and a very valuable one to understand.

Thanks for stopping by and I hope you have a great Saturday folks...

~Red~

Chunky Veggie Lentil Soup

Rocket & Roses HQ Play List:

Tracey Chapman ~ Baby Can I Hold You
Creed ~Higher
The Cranberries ~ Ridiculous Thought
The Fratellis ~ Chelsea Dagger
Janiva Magness ~ Find A Fool
Janiva Magness ~ You Were Never Mine!
Lacuna Coil ~ Half Life
Joan Jett ~ If Ya Want My Luv
Audioslave ~ #1 Zero
Seasick Steve ~ One True
The Eagles ~ I Don't Wanna Hear Anymore
The Commitments ~ Treat Her Right
Lady Antebellum ~ Love This Pain
NIN ~ Hurt

Mushrooms...mushrooms..mushrooms! They have always been the bane of my foodie life. And being a life long veggie now vegan..I have never craved a substitute for that 'meaty' texture. And for me...mushrooms have a shudder making texture. And I have been served them so many times by well meaning people thinking that's what every veggie needed..was just a good meaty mushroom. Well not this veggie. lol. Thank you but NO! The only way I can eat a cooked mushroom is in a meal...and that is only if the mushroom is chopped finely. And I don't really like the cooked taste of them either. Now..ask me to eat raw mushrooms in salads...I'm very happy as I love them raw.

So you can imagine how shocked ML was when presented with the recipe for the next soup on the menu. It only has one pound of the gruesome grey things in it. After many...Are you sures? It was agreed. So ML went to work and last night I was given my first bowlful to enjoy (?) lol. It smelt divine when it was bubbling away on the stove and my tum flipped when I saw the French Lentils and veggies in the wholesome brown stock. But then my tum flipped over the other way when I saw the halved button mushrooms sat in amongst the soup. Could I do this? Was I over zealous with my soup choice this time? I do believe I screamed a little in my head. lol

I spooned some stock onto my spoon as my first taster...and it was good. Then a spoonful of the veggies and lentils..very good. And then I took a deep breath and scooped up some with mushrooms amongst it. And you know what? I lived! lol. I would even go as far as saying I enjoyed them for the first few mouthfuls....but then the 'texture thing' kicked back in and every mushroom after that was a chore. But thankfully this soup is so packed with flavour it more than made up for the mushrooms. If you like mushrooms (strange folks) you will love this soup...OK that's one bowl down..only three more to go! lol. Do you they every remind anyone else of slugs? No? Just me then...

Chunky Veggie Lentil Soup
 

Chunky Veggie Lentil Soup   Serves 4

1 tbsp olive oil
1 medium onion, cut into thin rings
1 clove garlic, minced
1 cup dry French Lentils, rinsed and drained
1 lb small mushrooms, halved
4 med carrots, thinly sliced
2 stalks celery, chopped
4 cups water
14 fl oz veggie stock
1/4 tsp salt
1/4 tsp ground black pepper
1/4 head of napa/Chinese cabbage or red cabbage, sliced

In a large soup pot heat the oil and sauté the onion and garlic for 4-5 minutes or until the onion is tender. Stir in the lentils, stir to coat for 1 minute.

Add the mushrooms, celery, carrots, water, stock, salt and pepper. Bring to a boil, reduce the heat and simmer, covered, about 25 minutes or until the lentils are tender.

Enjoy!

Thanks for stopping by and I hope your Friday is a great one....

~Red~

NB: I take no credit for the creation of this recipe as its the creation of the ANON creature. But thank you. ~Red~

Veggie Soup with Edamame & Kale

Rocket & Roses HQ Play List:

Emmylou Harris & Don Williams ~ If I Needed You
Rufus Wainwright ~ Hallelujah
Missy Higgins ~ Scar
Rizzle Kicks ~ Mama Do The Hump
Depeche Mode ~ It's No Good
Brandi Carlile ~ That Year
Soul Asylum ~ Black Gold
Zac Brown Band ~ Let It Go
Metallica ~ Of Wolf and Man
Chris Cornell ~ Roads We Choose
Shakira ~ Gypsy
Harry Connick Jr ~ Smile
Foo Fighters ~ Erase/Replace
Clawfinger ~ I Need You

Edamame beans seem to be like marmite...you love them or you hate them. It took some time but I can finally say I have made the transition from hate to love. lol. I have always struggled with the skin issue on them much like broad beans. But blitzed into a Edamame Hummus/Dip I have always enjoyed them and in this soup they were succulent.

Now this soup is packed with goodness and vibrant colours...and when selecting it for the menu I was intrigued by how it would taste. And it's an interesting mix...I personally wouldn't use corn next time...I felt it was a texture too far. The taste isn't as overpowering as you would imagine...and I would even go as far as saying it was a blend of delicate flavours which make for one enjoyable soup.

There is broth in this here soup...promise..lol

Veggie Soup with Edamame & Kale   Serves 4

1 tbsp olive oil
1 sm onion, chopped
1 cup celery, chopped
1 clove garlic, minced
4 cups of veggie stock
200g tomato passata
1 cup carrots, diced
1 large potato, diced
1 cup frozen sweetcorn
1 cup frozen edamame
2 leave kale, finely chopped
salt and freshly ground pepper to taste

Heat the oil in a large saucepan, add onion and celery and cook for five minutes or until the onion is translucent. Stir in garlic and cook for 2 minutes or until fragrant. Pour in stock and passata and simmer for 10 minutes. Add carrots and potatoes and simmer for 10-15 minutes or until carrots are tender. Add corn, edamame and kale and continue to simmer for another 3 minutes. Season, serve and enjoy....

Thanks for stopping by and I hope your Wednesday is a great one...

~Red~

NB: Once again this recipe is created by ANON and therefore I can't give credit where it is rightly due. But would be very happy to do so if someone can tell me...who is ANON???? ;-)

Boo's Blueberry Blast Smoothie

Rocket & Roses HQ Play List:

Jem ~ Keep On Walking
Thunder ~ Play That Funky Music
Michael Kiwanuka ~ I Won't Lie
Jack Johnson ~ Adrift
Deana Carter ~ We Share A Wall
Foo Fighters ~ M.I.A
Def Leppard ~ Two Steps Behind
Nerina Pallot ~ Blood Is Blood
Sade ~ Pearls...
Pearl Jam ~ Yellow Ledbetter
Pat Benetar ~ Shadows of the Night
Evanescence ~ Taking Over Me
Portishead ~ Pedestal
Crowded House ~ World Where You Live

Sometimes the most simple of ingredients can produce the most pleasant tastes. I was craving some blueberries and wanted to include them in a Green Smoothie. We were sat around brainstorming ideas for future smoothies and once I mentioned the purple pearls of delish, ML came up the green element and we decided that a banana would make it a holy smoothie trinity. lol. We weren't wrong. It is so delicious and simple, I could get addicted..try it...

Blueberries everywhere...never a bad thing...lol
(Image not mine...found online so take no credit for its creation)

Boo's Blueberry Blast Smoothie  Serves 4
(Original recipe from Rocket & Roses Vegan Kitchen)

1 head of Romaine lettuce
1 banana
1 pkt frozen blueberries
3 cups of water

Simply place everything into the blender and blitz until smooth...or as smooth as your blender will make it. *eye rolls* lol.

This keeps really well in the fridge for at least two days.

Thanks for stopping by and I hope your day is being good to you...

~Red~

Anjas's Bean, Lentil and Spinach Soup

Rocket & Roses HQ Play List:

Billie Holiday ~ They Can't Take That Away From Me
Brandi Carlile ~ Josephine
Kenny Wayne Shepherd ~ Never Lookin' Back
Portishead ~ Glory Box
Dido ~ Us 2 Little Gods
ABBA ~ Voulez Vous
Joan Jett ~ Everyone Knows
Beth Hart ~ Love Suffers All
VAST ~ Winter In My Heart
Metallica ~ My Friend of Misery
Blondie ~ Call Me
Lady Antebellum ~ Things People Say
Def Leppard ~ When Love & Hate Collide
Kid Rock ~ So Hott (not a typo lol)

I love soup...which is good because that is my main meal of the day for a while. And I do believe once you've made your own soup at home...canned or packet soups are just...well...awful. Too salty, to laden with cream (hated those kinds even before I became vegan..yuck), too processed or the worst...look like vomit. *shudder* I really am not a fan at all and my conversion to eating soup only came after trying a home made soup after ML and I met. Now I have a whole file of soup recipes and that doesn't include the cookbooks I have. When asked if you can ever have too many soup recipes...after I have slapped them with a stick of celery...I look shocked at the very thought and say...Hell no!

So when planning out the first few weeks of this plan I wanted to make sure that I was eating varied ingredients to ensure maximum nutrients, vitamins and to stop it getting boring. I decided to try out new recipes....and this is the second of them. However, having a large, stuffed file of these recipes often means I have no idea when and where I found them...and this is the case with this recipe. I only know the creator is called Anja. I send thanks out there...to whoever Anja is. lol.  

Now this maybe isn't the best looking soup ever created but what it lacks in visual appeal, it makes up for in the aroma whilst it's bubbling away and the taste when you take that... "Oh! Too hot, toooo hot!" first mouthful. lol.  I am a huge fan of kidney beans so was really stoked to eat them in this soup. It was filling but not too heavy and spicy but not spice overload. 

The only change I would make to this recipe was one of pure personal preference and that would be to chop down the spinach even further than the recipe instructed...but that is just me and my loathing of cooked stringy spinach. But it didn't stop me loving this soup....

Anja's Bean, Lentil & Spinach Soup
 

Anja's Bean, Lentil and Spinach Soup  Serves 4
(Recipe by Anja)

1 tbsp olive oil
1 red onion, finely chopped
2 garlic cloves, crushed

1 tsp ground cumin
1 tsp ground turmeric
1 tsp ground paprika
1/2 tsp ground cinnamon

1 1/2 cups of cooked red kidney beans
1/2 cup of red lentils
4 cups of veggie stock or water

Juice of 1 lemon
1 tsp dried mint

2 cups of fresh spinach, chopped (or finely chopped)

Heat the oil in a soup pan and then add the onion and cook until softened. Add the garlic and cook for one more minute. Add the spices and cook until warmed through and fragrant. Stir in the beans, lentils and mints then add the stock or water. Stir well and then cover and simmer for 20 minutes, until the lentils are tender. Stir occasionally. Stir in the spinach and simmer uncovered for 5 minutes. Serve...

Enjoy!

Thanks for stopping by and I hope your week gets off to a great start...

~Red~

Spicy Italian Chick-Pea Soup

Rocket & Roses HQ Play List:

Thunder ~ My Brother Jake
Martina McBride ~ Don't Cost A Dime
Zac Brown Band ~ It's Not OK
Courtyard Hounds ~ Then Again
Doris Day ~ Love Somebody
Janet Jackson ~ Come Back To Me
INXS ~ Burn For You
Chris Cornell ~ Your Soul Today
Tina Dico ~ Nobody's Man
Michael Kiwanuka ~ I'll Get Along
INXS ~ What You Need
Madeleine Peyroux ~ California Rain
Foo Fighters ~ For All The Cows
Bob Marley & The Wailers ~ Cheer Up

Well I survived the first day of the smoothies and although I had some problems with the textures, I am very happy with this achievement. The first soup on the list was a great recipe that I had never tried before from Joanne Stepaniak's The Vegan Deli. I chose this recipe because it had my essential comfort food ingredient...chick peas. Yes, I am still hopelessly addicted. lol. I knew this new eating plan was going to be tough so I wanted something to look forward to and this soup did the trick. Even if it did have a surprise ingredient...lol But that I will explain in a minute.

This soup is rich and comforting. The liquid holds the flavours which are intense and many layered...you get the spicy hit, herb layer and the richness from the tomato and then you get the comfort from the plump chick peas, garlic and succulent onions. Although it's rich in flavours it's very light on the stomach so for me it was a huge Win/Win. I am looking forward to my bowl of this delicious soup tonight.

Now for the surprise ingredient...lol. ML might just kill me for this! I couldn't place the flavour I wasn't expecting from this soup. ML then started to smile and go a little red "...ah yes...there is a reason for that!..." I believe I raised an eyebrow and stopped the next spoonful from going to my lips...did I want to know? lol. Apparently in ML's sleepy haste when making the soup in the morning....Tarragon was pulled from the Herb Chest instead of Thyme. And ML only realised the mistake after it had been added and decided to carry on with the recipe as it was..adding the Thyme anyway. Now I really enjoyed it with the Tarragon so I'm adding it to the recipe as an optional extra. lol. The choice is yours...

Spicy Italian Chick-Pea Soup

Spicy Italian Chick-Pea Soup  Serves 6
(Recipe from A Vegan Deli/Stepaniak)

1 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
1 large onion, chopped
1 tsp crushed garlic
3 tins of chick peas, rinsed and drained
6 cups of water
1 tin of chopped tomatoes
2 tbsp tomato paste
1/2 tsp dried thyme
1/2 tsp dried oregano
1/2 tsp dried tarragon (optional...lmao ML!)
salt and pepper to taste
generous pinch of cayenne pepper

Heat the olive oil in a large soup pot. Add the onion and sauté until tender. Add the garlic and sauté for one minute.

Stir in the remaining ingredients, bring to a boil and reduce the heat, cover and simmer for 40 minutes. Stirring occasionally. Serve hot garnished with fresh parsley if desired.

Enjoy!

Thanks for stopping by and I hope your weekend is a great one...

~Red~

Happy Stomach Smoothie

Rocket & Roses HQ Play List:

Esthero ~ I Drive Alone
QOTSA ~ Skin on Skin
Thunder ~ Don't Wait For Me (Live @ Donnington)
Thunder ~ The Man Inside
Tina Dico ~ Glow
Beth Hart ~ Easy
Gina Sicilia ~ Wish The Clock Would Stop
The Zutons ~ It's The Little Things We Do
Sharon D Clarke ~ Black Coffee
INXS ~ Need You Tonight
The Zutons ~ Give Me A Reason
Sheryl Crowe & Kid Rock ~ Picture
Robert Plant & Alison Kraus ~ Stick With Me Baby
Deap Valy ~ Bad For My Body

Well things are never boring here..ok that's a fib..but it can certainly be interesting at times. lol. For medicinal purposes I have been asked to go on a almost completely liquid eating thing. Gentler on the tum and the only exception to the rule is my evening meal which is a soup based meal. I won't go into the reasons but safe to say it's gonna be a while before it changes. So I shall be reporting in with the smoothie recipes and soup recipes as they will all be fresh and homemade. I hope you will keep coming back regardless and I shall endeavour to entertain you with my other passions.

So the first smoothie up was a recipe called Happy Stomach Smoothie. The recipe I found inside the cover of the Green Smoothie Revelation recipe book and sadly it has no indication of where I printed it from...damn! But if you recognise it..then please by all means message me and I'll give credit where it's due.

I found the smoothie a little thick in texture so would definitely add more water next time I make this. But the flavour was refreshing and I enjoyed it..once I got over the shudder factor. lol And apologies for the lack of creativity of the photo but ML was running late and it was a snap shot.

Happy Stomach Smoothie

Happy Stomach Smoothie  Serves 3-4

1 banana, sliced
1 pear, sliced
2 stalks of celery
1 cup spinach leaves
1/2 avocado
1 tsp fresh ginger
1 cup of water (next time I will double this and then portion into 4 servings)

Simply put everything into a blender and blitz until as smooth as possible. (The need for a new blender became evident this morning..lol) The ginger will provide stomach relief for almost any ailment, while the other ingredients give you much needed antioxidants to help process out toxins.

Thanks for stopping by and I hope you are looking forward to your weekend?

~Red~

Gratuitous Food Photo: Sunflower & Pumpkin Seed Sandwich with Parsnip/Nut Loaf & Rocket filling

Rocket & Roses HQ Play List:

Depeche Mode ~ One Caress
R.E.M ~ Everybody Hurts
Thunder ~ Another Shot of Love (Live)
Stevie Ray Vaughan ~ Wall of Denial
The Zutons ~ Valerie
Bowie ~ Let's Dance
Airbourne ~ Bottom of the Well
Janiva Magness ~ Use What You've Got
Depeche Mode ~ Blue Dress
Halestorm ~ Takes My Life
Truth Hurts ~ Addictive
VAST ~ Pretty When You Cry
KT Tunstall ~ Saving My Face
Martina McBride ~ Lies!

This posting is one purely of a foodie heaven moment. These days when a nut/veggie loaf is made in this house it seems to take forever to go because ML cannot partake anymore. One of the ways I enjoy using up the 'not straight into the freezer' section of leftovers is cold in a sandwich.

However, not as much recently as I'm trying to reduce my wheat intake but now ML has taken delivery of the Bread machine that claims to also make GF bread! (Slight grrr when we read through the instructions as it makes them with a 'good GF bread machine mix'...did you hear us banging our heads against the wall? lol) I am hopeful that one day soon I will be able to enjoy leftovers this way again. The last time I enjoyed it I took this quick shot...



Yum! And then some...lol

The sumptuous bread devoured used was a store bought Sunflower & Pumpkin Seed mini loaf which is perfect in its texture and slightly sweet taste. I always slice the leftover loaf as thinly as possible and then smother it with rocket leaves and keep it that simple because the natural flavours of the loaf and the green are powerful enough without additional extras.

I confess it took me some time to eat it but I enjoyed every single mouthful. lol. I know you would too.

Thanks for stopping by and I hope your week is being very good to you....

~Red~

Thoughtful Tuesday...

Rocket & Roses HQ Play List:

Live ~ I Alone
Chris Cornell ~ Imagine
Rob Thomas ~ Ever The Same
Alisha's Attic ~ I Won't Miss You
The Cranberries ~ Dreams
Foo Fighters ~ Friend of a Friend
Soul Asylum ~ Tied to the Tracks
Bree Sharp ~ Fallen
The Animals ~ How You've Changed
Doris Day ~ You Made Me Love You
Brandi Carlile ~ Dreams
The Fratellis ~ Henrietta
Colbie Caillat ~ You Got Me
The Zutons ~ Give Me A Reason

Found this a long time ago and have always had it pinned up in my office since....

Beautiful, eh?

Thanks for stopping by and I hope your week is going well...

 

~Red~ 

 



 



Chickpea & Herb Bruschetta

Rocket & Roses HQ Play List:

Soundgarden ~ Fell On Black Days
Tina Dico ~ Fuel
Foo Fighters ~ Back and Forth
Alanis Morrisette ~ Head Over Feet
The Cranberries ~ Linger
Gretchen Wilson ~ Crazy
VAST ~ Was Else Do I Need
Javina Magness ~ I'm Not Ashamed
Lacuna Coil ~ Not Enough
Evanescence ~ What You Want
David Jordan ~ Sun Goes Down
Luke Morley ~ A Face In The Crowd
The Union ~ Make Up Your Mind
Thunder ~ Don't Wait Up!

This bruschetta was enjoyed for both lunch and brunch the following day. The chickpeas make for a comforting topping to the GF toasts. The combination of flavours are very enjoyable..and although I used flat leaf parsley this time I am looking forward to trying other herbs. I do enjoy the classic tomato and basil bruschetta but yesterday I wanted something a little different but still have that great bruschetta experience.

Chickpea & Herb Bruschetta with rocket & red pepper salad

Chickpea & Herb Bruschetta  Serves 4

2 tins of chickpeas, rinsed well and drained
2 tbsp balsamic vinegar
3-4 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
1 bunch of parsley, chopped
salt and black pepper to season to your pref

slices of bread of your pref, lightly toasted and then
rubbed with garlic or finely drizzled with garlic infused oil.

Place all the ingredients into a large bowl and mix well to combine. Then using a fork slightly smush the mixture but be sure to leave a good number of whole chickpeas.

Place the toasts onto a serving plate and top with generous amounts of the chickpea mix.

Enjoy!

Thanks for stopping by and I hope your weekend has been great and your week starts well..

~Red~

Fun Questionnaire Time...Yep go make a cuppa..its a long one...seriously...100!! lol

Rocket & Roses HQ Play List:

Bowie play list on iPod

Hello folks...yes it's time for one of those questionnaire things again. I am still sorting, wrapping and packing here and feeling a little grim health wise so no more cooking has been achieved so far this week. So as the title suggests...make a cuppa...make a sandwich...we could be here a while..lol And lets get started eh?

1. If you could buy any type of food what would it be?

Ah starting me off easy I see...it would be the same as usual..fresh, vegan and wholefood. And vegan marshmallows.

2. What colour is your toothbrush?

Purple and white

3. If you could be any animal what would it be and why?

Oooh crikey...a wolf because I love them and would love to experience life through their eyes. But then I also love black panthers...for the same reason.

4. What is one of the things on your Bucket List?

To travel the world until I drop

5. Who is your favourite Super Hero and why?

Bionic woman...is she considered a Super Hero? Well to me she is and always will be..lol Loved her when I was five...and love her still.

6. Who do you admire the most?

Honest people

7. What is your favourite summer activity?

I have to have just one?..Urgh..ok...I can do this...Live Music events...and when well...sporty things. And sitting by the water in the warmth of the sun. OK that was more than one..Ooops.

8. If a movie was made of your life, what genre would it be? And who would play you?

lmao...erm...Comedy thriller. And oh I don't know...Betty White...she has the right 'tude.

9. If you could be an ice cream flavour, what would it be and why?

I have to be the flavour? Right..cherry and almond. Because I am slightly sweet, slightly fruity and completely nuts. :-p

10. Who is your favourite cartoon character? Any why?

Tom & Jerry...for the memories of me and Grandad sat watching it together. But I love almost all cartoons...

11. If you could go anywhere in the world where would you go? And why?

Right now in this moment....it would have to be my Tuscan Villa I dream about. I would go there because I feel peace there...the weather is great...and I have space to work and breathe. Never been...but it calls to me.

12. What is your dream job?

There are a few...and all I could do side by side...once my health is back.

13. Are you a morning or night person?

Both. Ha! No seriously...a life time of insomnia means that I can adapt easily. I used to prefer the nightlife...but also enjoyed peaceful early mornings watching the sunrise.

14. What is your favourite hobby?

OK well everything music is my first thought and the honest one. And if my health was right Archery would be the other passion.

15. What is one of the things that annoys you most?

Serious...misogyny.  Not so serious...people who talk through movies. Quirky...people who wear black bras under white shirts/blouses. It's like wearing soaks with sandals...*nervous twitch*

16. What's the strangest thing you have ever eaten?

Well I have always been careful what I eat being a life long veggie now vegan. So the strange aspect would be a caterpillar when I was about 4...I bit into my salad and one was nestled in the lettuce leaf. I was distraught and traumatised for life and have never been able to eat floppy lettuce since. It's crisp and washed a 1000 times lettuce for me ever since...

17. What is a favourite thing about someone in your family?

My Dad's smile.

18. What is one of your weird quirks?

Just one? lol Not sure if this is quirky or just plain mad...but I form superstitions about jewellery. But I own it.

19. Describe yourself in three words?

Honest. Impatient. Strong.

20. If you could trade lives with anyone for a day, who would it be and why?

You know..I wouldn't want to. I am on my journey and owning it.

21. If you could talk in your sleep, what would you say?

What an odd question! I do talk in my sleep so I guess I say everything I want to say...and probably some that I don't. lol

22. What is the first thing you do when you get up in the morning?

Well after my health checks....I take some meds and supplements. Boring eh? lol

23. What is your favourite movie quote?

"Just because I talk slow doesn't mean I'm stupid!" Jake ~ Sweet Home Alabama

"It's amazing..you look like a normal person but actually you are an angel of death!" Sally ~ When Harry Met Sally

and many many more. lol

24. What's your favourite joke?

Oh hell...I hate this question...I am not great at telling jokes. Nope can't think of a single one.

25. What would you do for fun on Mars?

Toast vegan marshmallows (see question one)

26. If you could get yourself anything, what would it be?

Anything? Unlimited world travel ticket...that would be accepted on any transport..anywhere.

27. Where is the worst place you could get stuck?

In an enclosed space.

28. What would you do with your 15 minutes of fame?

Well hide. lol. Wouldn't want to be famous...I enjoy my privacy too much.

29. Where would you go if you were invisible?

Ah now this one I would enjoy..lol. I would go everywhere I shouldn't. And frighten the snot out of people who have annoyed me.

30. What is your favourite flavour of jelly bean?

When I ate them...it used to be popcorn. Now it would be pear.

31. What is the one thing you own, you wished you didn't?

My house...I want to move so badly.

32. Describe the perfect kiss in three words?

Desperate Deep Long

33. What is your biggest addiction?

Now and forever...music

34. Do you have a song that reminds you of a relationship, if so which one?

Dean Martin ~ Return To Me

35. How many books have you read this year?

Not nearly enough..I'm massively behind. But about 20 which is appalling as I usually read that in one month.

36. When I dance, I look like....?

I'm possessed

37. Who have you met that you wished you hadn't?

Every prejudiced bigot ever...

38. If you were famous what would you be famous for?

Writing

39. What is the worst job you could have?

Anything to do with animal slaughter. Or working in a chip shop...Yuck.

40. What is your favourite TV channel?

Music, Movies or Arts

41. What is the thing you are most afraid of?

Not afraid of the big stuff in life...face it..deal with it. But moths...and bats...now they scare the snot out of me. lol

42. If you could paint one thing, what would it be?

My future home...

43. What celebrity annoys you the most?

Joan Collins. The woman drives me up the wall.

44. What is the most interesting thing you have in your bag or wallet?

Currently my latest copy of Classic Rock Magazine.

45. What is the meanest thing you have ever said to someone?

A lie.

46. If you could get a yacht what would you call it?

Reds Escape

47. What is your life long dream?

To be happy, healthy and to have made mistakes and lived well

48. If you could talk to the Prime Minister what would you talk about?

lol Oh my...well show him the error of his Tory ways...and then ask him if he seriously thought he could understand what a real working class family go through. I am so disillusioned with this government...they really haven't got a clue.

49. Have you ever tried something that you know you would've been really bad at? What was it?

Crocheting...so unbelievably bad at it. lol

50. On a scale of 1 - 10 how cool are you?

Seriously? I'm not cool...just average.

HALF WAY POINT FOLKS.....GO MAKE ANOTHER CUPPA....LOL

51. What is the best advantage to being tall?

lol How do you know how tall I am? But I would have to say...better view.

52. How long does it take you to get ready in the morning?

In a rush I can be good to go in 10 minutes..shower fresh and au natural. For an event...45 minutes max.

53. What is one thing you have always wanted to do?

Travel on a sleeper train

54. What TV sitcom family would you be a part of?

lol Blimey...can't think of one...erm...I'll get back to you on that one...

55. What shop do you shop at most?

Online Amazon....RL would be Grain Wholefood Shop

56. What new technology will transform the future?

Oh heck...non invasive medical doohickeys. You know, Sci Fi stuff. And eco tech once its found will also be a marvel. (Can you tell I am not a tech head in any way??? lol)

57. What supply in your house is running low?

Broccoli...DISASTER!

58. If you could be any nationality what would it be?

Well...in all honesty I don't really care. As long as I have freedom...and if I was a nationality that didn't have that...I know I would be fighting for it.

59. What is the most delightful word you can think of?

****...lol But serendipity is one of my favourites.

60. What is your least favourite beverage?

Any herbal tea with liquorice in...which are many! And I'm not a black tea fan either.

61. What is the first thing you notice about the opposite sex?

Same as I do about the same sex...I read their faces...

62. If you were stranded on a desert island, what two things would you want with you?

Wind up radio and my meds.

63. What is the first thing you notice about someone when you first meet them?

Isn't that the same as question 61? lol. OK its whether they can look me in the eye.

64. If you were running for office, what would your slogan be?

lmao..Oh sorry...me running for office? Dear me...lol. OK it would probably be something like...Honesty even if it hurts.

65. What was your favourite book growing up?

As a small child..my giant book of Fairytales my Grandad bought me. And then from 9..everything and anything I could beg, borrow and buy.

66. What city in America should not be included on a map and why?

Crikey that's a bit harsh, isn't it? The ones I have been to I've liked thanks.

67. What compliment do people give you most?

Ack! Pass!

68. What word would you add to the dictionary and what would it mean?

One of my favourite authors J.R.Ward uses the terms Fidiot and Schwasted...and they crack me up every time. I don't think they need explaining eh?

69. What product would you refuse to promote?

Hey I'm vegan...so now animal or animal by product things. And all that comes with that.

70. What is your favourite pet's name?

As we only have the one four legged family member I would have to say Archie. But from pets gone by....Morley, Sapphire and Sid!

71. Use one word to describe your computer ability?

Shegetsby

72. If your plane was about to crash, who would you want sitting next to you?

A qualified sky diver with two parachutes.

73. Which of the Prime Ministers has been your favourite?

Is it wrong to think them all useless? Not the biggest fan of politicians...I guess if pushed for something of an answer it would have to be Mo Mowlan who was an MP and sadly not a Prime Minister.

74. How long of a consecutive time have you spent in one car journey?

lol 10 freaking hours. One angry partner + travel to the weekend cabin = no refreshments or loo breaks. Nightmare.

75. What is your favourite Halloween costume?

Couldn't possibly say...ahem. lol But yeah..you know the sheet ghost thing is cool.

76. How would you tell if someone is a nerd?

As most of my friends are geeks...I would say...pretty easily lol

77. If you could teach any grade and subject, what would it be?

Womens Studies

78. What fashion trends do you just not get?

Chav...*shaking head*

79. If you were a wicked tyrant which country would you rule?

Portugal (See question 74) lol

80. What's the lowest grade you have been given and for what subject?

Wayyyyyyy back in the 80's when I was forced to take Computer Studies..I hated the lessons and it was all graphs and made no sense to me at all. So got a respectable FAIL. No one was surprised. lol

81. If you could chose your nickname what would it be?

Happy with the ones I have thanks. And no I am not sharing...shoo!

82. What is your best feature?

My ability to roll my eyes at this question. lol

83. If you could swim in any liquid, what would it be and why?

Champagne...why not? Then you could exercise and get drunk at the same time! All those bubbles..lol

84. What is the song you hear most often?

Nickelback ~ Gotta Get Me Some (shower song lol)

85. What have you done that you are most proud of?

Survived.

86. How many keys do you have on your key ring?

8

87. What is your favourite song?

My name is Red and I am a music addict. You cannot ask an addict this question. lol. It can change from one minute to the next. But if you were asking me what my favourite is in this very moment.....Beth Hart ~ If I Said I Loved You, I Lied

88. How old were you when you had your first bad haircut and what was it?

Tried green hair once...I was 14...not the greatest look on me. It clashed with the green in my school uniform. Ooops.

89. What advice has you been given that was the most rewarding?

Live in the moment.

90. If you could change one thing about your looks, what would it be?

Ack! I would have my nose piercing changed to the other side.

91. What is your least favourite type of music?

I think all music is relevant and should have its place. But try as I might...I just don't get Trance etc.

92. If you were a superhero what would your powers be?

Aside from the ones I already have...lol. It would have to be the power to move things with my mind...

93. What fortune would you want to get from a fortune cookie?

Good health is on its way. 

94. What is one food you wouldn't want to give up?

Vegetables.

95. If you won a millions £'s..what would you buy?

My health, set up my financial security and then disappear to travel the world. And that would pretty much use up the million eh? lol Doesn't stretch that far theses days...lol

96. If you have access to a time machine, where and when would you go?

Oh goodness me...non geek here so I really haven't thought about this before. I guess being very shallow I would go back to the 20's/30's and meet all the stars from the Golden Era...Greta, Lana and Bette. Cary, Bing and Hope.

97. Who would you add to Mount Rushmore if you could?

Why would I? lol So I don't know...Ellen?

98. If you could win any award what would it be and why?

Pancake flipper of the Year...why not?

99. If you could teleport, where would you go and why?

To my favourites places....to hide!

100. What was your favourite cartoon growing up?

Lady and the Tramp.

I MADE IT!!!!! 100 questions answered and two hours of my life I will never get back. HA! Hope it kept you entertained or settled you into a great sleep.

Thanks for stopping by and I hope your weekend gets off to a good start...

~Red~