Cooking together // Vegan Blogs

((Dixon is a screen printer and forever covered in ink.))

I have found my cooking inspiration. I go through stages, but recently I can't stop thinking of new things to make and getting straight on with it when I get home from work. I love it even more when we make something together. He does the jobs I am bad at; peeling the potatoes and chopping garlic extra fine. He adds the chilli too, I love the heat but am always scared I'll go too far. This is a black bean and sweet potato curry (based loosely on this recipe), guacamole, paprika houmous and whole wheat breads. Finding a perfectly ripe avocado makes me very happy, they're tough to find over here! I am so thankful that Dixon taught me to love cooking.

_________________

What I ate // Vegan Blogs

I definitely don't speak for all vegans, but I definitely do have an ever changing, interesting & varied diet that answers the "so what DO vegans eat?" question I am asked constantly. That, and I love to share the creations Dixon and me have teamed together to create. He is the best cook. If it wasn't for his amazing cooking skills its safe to say that I would still be on my pasta, houmous and cherry tomato diet. He constantly inspires me to make tastier, healthier and funner dishes.

We create most things completely from scratch so if any take your fancy, let me know and I'll share the recipe with you in a future post. Enjoy!

Home -Infused Blueberry Gin (similar)

Tikka Massala: Served with (home made) chicken seitan and naan.

Pizza: Sundried tomato base, olive oil, garlic, oregano & sliced green olives

Pizza Party: Regular vegetable // Sundried Tomato & Olives (above) // Basil, garlic & tomato // Caramalised onion & mushroom

Apple Cider: Tastes of summer.

This is how we plan our meals, scribbly. 

Fresh (faux) Sauerkraut.

Curry Wurst; Sauerkraut, Bratwurst (made by Dixon completely from scratch! He's a clever guy.), Curry sauce.

________________

#FFF - Tapenade

I've always really wanted to enjoy tapenade (I love olives) but never really got it. Last week we went invited to our friends, Ellie and James', to watch the closing ceremony of the Olympics, and James had made the tastiest tapenade ever. My faith was restored! Turns out, shop bought stuff sucks, and fresh made is loads better. 

So here is the simplest recipe ever, I swear one day I'll write out a recipe for you which isn't so completely straight forward.

You'll need: 

   - 200g Black Olives

   -Olive oil (sunflower oil is fine!)

   -1 Garlic clove, peeled.

   -1tsp Parsley

   -Black Pepper

   -Lime juice

   - A bowl, hand blender, toasted bread !

The rest is easy, grab a bowl for the olives, drizzle a little oil, sprinkle with parsley, scrunch over some black pepper and a squeeze of lime juice, mix, throw in the garlic, and blitz! Its pretty messy, you can use a food processor if you like but with a hand blender you can be more precise. Taste, add more oil if needed, if you're happy with it, sprinkle with a little more parsley, and refrigerate until you're ready to eat! We had ours with toasted bread and garlic. Tasty tasty tasty.

_______

This weekend is going to be pretty good. Today, I am going to an equestrian show (I have no idea what to expect), then tonight Dixon and me are off for well deserved cocktails at Pin + Whitecloth Gallery. Then, tomorrow its the wedding!! Pretty excited! What're your plans? Enjoy your weekend whatever you get up to.