National Vegetarian Week: Favourite Recipes

Lounge Play List:

Europe ~ Start From The Dark
Tom Jones ~ You Can Leave Your Hat On
Kenny Wayne Shepherd Band ~ Backwater Blues
Bryan Adams ~ Lets Make A Night To Remember
Dani Wilde ~ Red Blooded Woman
Rod Stewart ~ You Belong To Me
Jack Johnson ~ Losing Keys
Gina Sicilia ~ There Lies a Better Day
Caro Emerald ~ That Man
Sam Brown ~ Valentine Moon
Dean Martin ~ Hold Me
Nickelback ~ Shakin' Hands

Favourites...oh boy was this a hard posting to put together..two reasons..how could I possibly choose???..and I'm not feeling my best today so the very idea of eating or pulling back the memories was very uncomfortable. But I promised you a favourites posting and I deliver..lol

So...I shall start with..

Soup

Rocket and Roses White Miso, Garlic and Chickpea Soup

The simplicity of this soup makes this probably my most favourite of soups. It's very quick to make..it tastes delicious and it's light..

Salad

Sesame Broccoli Salad

I am a paid up, card carrying member of the Broccoli addicts society..lol I love it raw, steamed, sautéed with garlic, made into a lasagne, as a filling for an tofu omelette...but especially in this salad. Can't get enough of this salad..it looks great..tastes better and is comfort food for me..lol

Pate

Rocket and Roses Chestnut & Sprout Pate

Forgive the seasonal photo..lol But I did create this at Christmas..for Christmas. This pate was a wonder to me..rich, intense and just plain yummy. This pate is good for a lunch or in smaller quantities for a starter..and fabulous in a sandwich. A little goes a long way...

Hummus/Dips



Edamame Dip

I do love hummus..my favourite being a little fat version that uses no oils except for the natural oil in walnuts..it's delicious but I will try almost all variations of hummus...as long as it's vegan..obviously. lol. But for today I chose the Edamame Dip because it's..well..edamame crammed..always good..lol. But it's refreshing and clean tasting..and extremely good for you and can be used in many ways..topping, dip, spread, tossed with hot pasta..I could go on but won't. lol.

Noodle Dish



Malaysian Stir fried Noodles with Veggies

I just love a good noodle dish and this one for me is just splendid. Packed with flavour and colour..although my inadequate photo skills haven't been able to show it to you..lol. A great noodle dish...

Pasta Dish

Creamy Broccoli and Spinach Lasagne

Now my go to pasta dish..for comfort is Wholemeal Spaghetti with Tomato & Garlic Sauce with broccoli florets. Always guaranteed to put a smile back on my face..lol. But this dish..is for when something that little bit more special is called for. The broccoli and spinach bring some colour to this lasagne..wholemeal (or whatever pasta you prefer/need) pasta gives it a texture but it's the creamy sauce that brings all these things together. And surprisingly it's not heavy..it's just simply delicious. Thanks as always to the vegan guru that is Linda Majzilk for this creation.

Grain Dish



Rocket and Roses Harissa Infused Veggies, Tofu, Lentils & Bulgar Wheat



I love grains..especially brown rice, brown basmati, bulgar wheat and quinoa. This dish is just something I threw together at the last minute and everyone loved it. I have made it since many times and using quinoa in place of the bulgar and it works great.

Bean/Pulse Dish

Chana Masala

As well as my card carrying Broccoli Society status..I also have in my wallet my card carrying Chickpea Addicts Society membership. I love the little globes of yumminess. I do love all beans and pulses..haven't met one that I don't like..yet! lol. So trying to choose a favourite beany/pulse is impossible. However..Chana Masala is pretty close to being it. I smile when I eat this dish...so that's why it's my choice today..lol.

Pastry Dish

French Courgette/Zucchini Lattice Flan

I rarely eat pastry but when I do I like wholemeal..although I have got a few GF pastry recipes that I sometimes use now. The pastry in this flan has some cayenne pepper in it so it has a great kick. The filling is simply sliced courgettes in a tomato based sauce. It is simply..beautiful..and delicious. And it's from one of my favourite vegan cookbooks..A Vegan Taste of France by Linda Majzilk..



Tofu Dish



Isa & Terry's Spanish Omelette with Red Pepper and Almond Sauce



I don't really do oils or frying...but for this dish I make the exception..lol. The onions and potatoes are roasted in oil in the oven until succulent before the tofu mixture is added to make this my very favourite tofu dish. I do love all forms of tofu now..although it was a work in progress. The Red Pepper and Almond sauce is creamy and has a great kick. I serve a slice of this with a simple leafy salad..and I'm one happy woman. Lol.

Honourable Mention Dish

Provencal Eggplant/Aubergine Gratin with Orange Tomato Sauce

Sorry for the fuzzy photo..lol. I wish I could describe to you the smell of this dish when it was cooking..oh my..lol. This was one of those dishes that I kept reading the recipe and thinking.."Hmm not sure about oranges.." lol. Then one day I just decided to give it a shot..and how pleased were we that I did. It's so tasty..nothing like it. So therefore it deserved the honourable mention.

Brunch Dishes

Tofu Omelette with Broccoli, Garlic & Chorizo filling

I love brunch..and I am definitely a savoury brunch person rather than a stack of sweet pancakes one..which can be nice very occasionally. For me..brunch is all about the tofu scramble...tofu omelettes or potato pancakes..on this photo I have white bread but that is a rare occurrence..lol. Not the biggest white bread fan. I'm looking forward to the day when I can cook a lovely Sunday brunch again...soon..always hopeful..lol This is my favourite filling..hey..it's broccoli! lol

Soda Bread with Vegan 'Goats Cheese' and Blistered Vine Tomatoes

This brunch was quite a surprise...but the combination of the balsamic blistered tomatoes with the creamy spread on the fresh baked soda bread..wow. Very filling though..lol But delicious and deserved a mention..for that something slightly different.

Dreena's Blueberry and Carob Pancakes

Yep..I did just say that I am not a fan of the sweet brunch options..but these pancakes are the exception to that rule. For one they are simple to make..and they are not anywhere as sweet or heavy as they look. They are just tasty..and the blueberries are great for the that extra pop in your mouth. I made these when ML's folks were visiting and my sister and her little ones were visiting..devoured isn't the word..lol.

Dessert

Rocket and Roses Trio of Strawberry Desserts

This little dessert came together after my dipping things in dark chocolate experiment was over. I had been to the local fruit farm and picked a mountain of strawberries and had to get inventive with them..lol. I found a strawberry sorbet recipe that was superb and easy to make and the rest really of the trio came together easily..after all it is just dipped strawberries...fresh strawberries with softened vanilla soy ice cream..not rocket science. lol. But this or the dipped fruits..would be my choice of dessert.

Sweet Treats

Rocket and Roses Date & Almond Bites and Coconut & Date Bites 

Before being put on 'rest' (making use of the Expletive Therapy lol) I was playing around with making Bites...sweet little somethings for when that sweet tooth kicked in. And these were my first attempts..and we enjoyed every single one..it's a project I am going to return to when I'm back in the kitchen...much to my blender's horror..no doubt. lol

So there we have it..what an epic posting this turned out to be..lol. I hope you enjoy and maybe make some of my choices...I would be happy to hear how you get on. Feel free to email me your thoughts...

OK off to rest my fingers now.. ;o) Thanks for stopping by and I hope your Sunday is being great to you...

~R~



National Vegetarian Week: Desserts

Lounge Play List:

Chris Cornell ~ Sweet Euphoria
Bowie ~ Oh You Pretty Things
Thunder ~ Everybody Wants Her
Bryan Adams ~ Have You Ever Really Loved A Woman
Thunder ~ Hand in Glove
Kelly Clarkson ~ Stronger
Natalie Imbruglia ~ Counting Down the Days
Skid Row ~ Piece of Me

NB: Please accept my apologies for the lateness of this posting. I spent an hour writing it and doing all the techno thingys I needed to , to bring you this desserts special. Only to have a gremlin at work in my computer yesterday and as I went to publish..it lost everything. Then my day got busy so am now up very early to re-write and get it done for you now..lol. Very sleepy eyes..lol. So later than planned..here is my dessert special..Gremlins..stay the heck away this time ;-) ~R~

In support of the National Vegetarian Week events that are going on all over the UK each day this week I have brought you some of my favourite recipes from Rocket and Roses archives. Today is the turn of the desserts...now I am not the biggest dessert fan..I can enjoy one but I have always been a savoury kind of gal. But as I am surrounded by dessert loving junkies I find myself making weird and wonderful creations to try out on them. Yeah..they never complain..lol. To me the perfect dessert is one that doesn't take a lot of time to make. And a dessert that doesn't leave you feeling full...lighter is better..in my opinion. So here are a few of my favourite desserts...

Rocket and Roses Blissful Dark Chocolate Covered Physalis, Strawberry & Banana

When I decided to experiment with melting chocolate and dipping things...I didn't realise just how much I would enjoy the results..lol. The dark bitterness of the chocolate coupled with the sweetness of the fruit is a combination made by the Goddesses..lol. And for me this is a simple to make...elegant looking...joy to eat..it's light...the perfect dessert!

Dimply Plum Cake

Cake as dessert? I know..what was I saying about heavy puddings?? lol But no this cake is very light and completely delicious and a small slice served with a scoop of vanilla soy/rice ice cream and you have one lovely dessert. I even serve it as an afternoon tea offering..this recipe came about after The Great Plum Glut of 2011..lol No matter what I made with them..chutneys, sorbets, cakes, sauces...every time I returned home my lovely neighbours and/or friends had left me another large container in the porch..sheesh. It's a wonder I can still look at them...lol

Happy Lemon Haupia

I wasn't sure at all, the whole way through the making of this tart. I served this as a dessert when ML & I were joined by D & B for dinner which is always a good time. I can't adequately describe how much we all enjoyed this tart. The pastry remained crisp but succulent..the combination of the lemon and coconut in the filling was refreshing and light. When you want something just a little different I can't recommend this dessert enough..

Flourless Chocolate and Raspberry Torte

Oh.My.This.Torte! Sadly my bad photo of this torte doesn't do it the slightest bit of justice. I made this for a pals 40th birthday celebration and as her and her partner are both GF I wanted to find something she could enjoy and feel spoilt..lol Well she was turning 40..lol When making this I got a bad case of the hinkeys (technical term..it is! lol) it was my first time using coconut oil as a setting agent. The making of it was ridiculously easy...almost too easy..I wasn't convinced it would turn out that well.

How wrong could one person be??? Very, very unbelievably wrong..that's how much. When we all sat down to eat this dessert..at first there was silence..then came the comments of...food heaven..food nirvana..the perfect dessert...food ecstasy..and a few other sexual references that I cannot publish here...lol. To say it was delicious doesn't even begin to cover it..at all. If you are a chocolate lover..well..even if you're not (as I loved this as much as my pals did!) spoil yourself with this dessert..you won't regret it..and I can promise you will never be the same again!!

Mango, Pomegranate & Coconut Ice Cream

During the summer months the ice cream maker goes into full production..and the little ones can be found lined up along the kitchen surface squishing, squelching, mashing and generally making as much mess as humanly possible...lol. Then the machine gets busy..lol This ice cream is more of a adult ice cream..and everyone who tried it..loved it.

Super Chocolatey Brownies (GF)

Brownies for dessert? Yes..after a light lunch..lol. These were greatly enjoyed with a cup of coffee afterwards. They were also my first attempt at GF baking and I really wasn't sure I was getting it right. I made them for S & S who are GF lovelies. They were gooey and chocolatey and just plain lovely..and what was left was taken home for breakfast for the rest of the week..lol. A success..lol

Rocket and Roses Pear and Ginger Dessert Pie - GF

I made this pie when I was experimenting with GF pastry. For some reason the flavours of pear and ginger came to mind and before I knew it I had this little lovely creation baked and sat in front of me. Served warm with melting vanilla soy ice cream..it was an event more than a dessert..lol.

And finally...lol

Chocolate Lover's Pudding with Physalis

I couldn't do a posting about desserts without using this photo..lol. I love it. But please don't get confused when you click on the link..it is the right recipe but simply omit the raspberries to make the version above. I served these as a dessert option at our Pals' Christmas Dinner and they were a huge success..lol. I have realised I make a lot of chocolate based desserts for my loved ones..completely surrounded by chocoholics..lol Shame..it's completely lost on me..Oh well..lol I hope I gave you a good selection of veggie/vegan and some GF options? But there are many more recipes in my archive..should you need an alternative.

So that is my dessert round up..all be it..a little later than I'd planned but I got here in the end. As you lovely reading folks couldn't make up your minds..between desserts and my favourites..lol..Thanks for that!! lol..I shall be posting my list of favourite recipes tomorrow.

Thanks for bearing with me and for stopping by...I hope your Saturday is a good one??

~R~

National Vegetarian Week: Main Course Recipes

Lounge Play List:

Tim McGraw ~ I Like It, I Love It
Pat Benatar ~ All Fired Up
Levellers ~ Fifteen Years
Thunder ~ Watching Over You
The Police ~ So Lonely
Bowie ~ Wild Is The Wind
Tim McGraw ~ Back When
Dido ~ Life For Rent
The Animals ~ Left For Rent
Nickelback ~ Saving Me

So...following up from yesterdays posting of veggie/vegan starters...today is all about the main event. And trying to choose between all of the recipes I have made and loved..well..it was hard..lol. But I have selected some and tried to keep them diverse...so there is something to suit all palates once again..so lets get started, eh? lol

Griddled Baby Eggplant & Tofu Slice with Korean Barbeque Sauce & Onion Relish

This glorious main course is one a slightly adapted from Susan V over at Fatfreevegan.com and I was very happy when I got her seal of approval. This dish is a powerhouse of flavour and texture. And it is also light so could be served for lunch or an evening meal. It's a favourite in our house.

Isa & Terry's Bean Balls in Marinara Sauce with Wholemeal Spaghetti

On a cold and miserable day..when I feel like the world is going mad around me...this simple dish can make me feel happy and satisfied. For me..it's pure comfort food...so I always have a stash of these beautiful bean balls in the freezer. The balls are tasty and cooked in the rich tomato and garlic sauce which transforms the dish into food nirvana. The wholemeal spaghetti is purely my personal preference but has worked before with all types of pasta.

Delicious Gluten Free & Yeast Free Pizza with Homemade Potato Wedges

These pizzas were amazing and they disappeared so quickly after I served them up and were so very easy to make. I have tried many GF pizza bases and came away thinking I'd just munched on cardboard but these pizzas were a huge hit and if I make pizza now..it's always this recipe. There are two types off toppings suggested in this recipe but really..just throw anything you want on them..after all you all know how to top a pizza, eh? lol

Rocket and Roses Crown Prince Pumpkin, Mixed Pepper & Black Eyed Bean Vegan Fritatta

Now this fritatta was an experiment..which fortunately paid off. And it is filling and a little goes a long way but it's tasty and comforting and goes really well with a leaf and tomato salad. Even my egg fritatta loving Mum tried some and loved it..Nice on a warm day served room temperature.

Sweet Potato Chilli with Corn Tortillas

This fantastic recipe by Dreena Burton is one of my sisters favourites and I am often asked to make it for Saturday lunches. Personally I think they all just like to sit with their flower bowl and dip their tortilla chips in like big kids..but hey I could be wrong..lol It's very tasty, filling and cheap to make.

Mushroom Do-Piaza

Those of you that follow this blog will know that I am not the biggest lover of the mushroom..a whole texture issue for me...but this simple spicy dish is just great...Go on..give it a go..lol.

So that is the Main event round up..did you find something you may like to try or already have? How did it go?

Can't make my mind up for tomorrow's post...desserts/sweet things or just some of my favourite recipes...what's your thoughts?? Email me rocketandroses@aol.com if you're having issues with my comments section..as we are aware that we are having a techno problem with it. Sorry. One of the many reason we are going to our own website very soon.

Thanks for stopping by and I hope your Thursday is a good one...

~R~

National Vegetarian Week: Starter Recipes

Lounge Play List:

Eric Clapton ~ Wonderful Tonight
Aerosmith ~ Love in Elevator
Kaiser Chiefs ~ You Can Have It All
Bowes & Morley ~ Hypnotized
Natalie Imbruglia ~ Come on Home
Cello Sonata ~ Cello Adagios
Luke Morley ~ Loving You (Is All I Can Do)
Aerosmith ~ Amazing
Tim McGraw ~ Don't Take The Girl
Imelda May ~ Kentish Town Waltz
Slash ft Chris Cornell ~ Promise
Shakira ~ Sombra De Ti

As I blogged yesterday this week in the UK it's National Vegetarian Week so with that in mind I thought a posting that included some of my favourite recipes from the Rocket and Roses files would be in order. (Well actually that's a little untrue..it was actually ML's idea..Ahem..anyway..)

So when I sat down with my pad and started listing the recipes I wanted to share..I couldn't decide on how to present them to you. So each day I shall bring you a different theme..and today's is starters...

Carrot Soup with Sesame Star Croutons

I adapted this soup very slightly from the original Roses Elliot recipe. It's light and full of flavour and the croutons make for an attractive and impressive starter to any dinner party. And it's really cheap to make too..as I made it for a Thrifty Thursday recipe.

Rocket and Roses Butternut & Savoy Tower with Almond & Chilli Drizzle

This starter is one of my very favourites and I am always so happy when one of my own recipes work! lol It's a popular dish here at Rocket and Roses dinner parties and once broken down and prepped the day before it comes together very easily on the day. A little effort but a very tasty and appealing result.

Fennel, Mandarin, Walnut & Pomegranate Salad

This salad is bursting with flavour and the different textures make it a very exciting salad to start a lunch..served before a light pasta dish..it is perfect. It's great for those times you want something a little different..so thanks for Colleen Patrick~Goudreau for a wonderful creation.

Apulian Style Bruschetta with Baby Plum Tomatoes & Basil

These little slices of heaven are always a huge hit when served before a weekend lunch celebration. My pal A can't get enough of them lol. Any bread could be used so the GF folks out there could enjoy these too with the many breads on offer theses days. I would lightly toast the bread first. The topping is delicious and surprisingly they aren't heavy so can be very easily enjoyed as a starter.

So there you have it a selection of starter recipes that are naturally vegetarian and vegan and something to suit all palates..I hope? lol. Let me know what you think if you do try one...

Thanks for stopping by and I hope your Wednesday is a good one?

~R~

National Vegetarian Week 2012

Lounge Play List:

Chris Cornell ~ Carry On album

This week is National Vegetarian Week and there are events happening all over the UK. I know my blog is a vegan blog but I am perfectly happy to promote this great celebration of all things veggie. I believe that these campaigns are more needed than ever as the economy is beings to bite and those strange meat consuming folks are suddenly now realising that they can't afford to consume meat as much as they used to and are trying to find ways to create meatless meals for themselves and their families.

Hey..anyway we can bring them over to the veggie side..works right?? Of course we know how beneficial to our health, eating the abundance of veggie/vegan delights can be and how varied the dishes can be and how easy it is to live on a budget eating this way...but I am a firm believer that education is key to bringing this knowledge to the masses and sharing our lovely veggie/vegan lifestyles.

National Vegetarian Week 2012

If you are UK based and see advertising for the many events that are being held then please take a few moments out of your day ( if possible) to support our vegetarian family...So good luck to all those out there working hard this week..and thank you!

Thank you for stopping by and I hope that your Tuesday is being very good to you...

~R~