Baby steps

I've touched upon it before. The fact that livestock production uses a third of the world's fresh water and that their emissions produce greenhouse gases. That, along with providing animal food, the land used to raise them and the transportation issues. Every time I read an article with these statistics it just blows my mind. Why? Why are we doing this to our planet? 

As vegetarians we probably do our "bit" but a bit could be bettered. Sustainability is the buzz word at the moment and we must all take responsibility for our actions to ensure the health of our environment.

Eating a plant-based diet which includes vegetables, fruit, nuts and legumes is one answer. Sourcing these things locally, seasonally and sustainably is another. We also need to be mindful; eating smaller portions, shopping only for what we can use and avoiding food waste.

It isn't easy. I eat bananas but there is no way I can grow them or buy from local producers. I can buy Fairtrade and only buy what I can use. Small actions which can make a difference if we all do something. 

Recently I was encouraged to go back to having milk delivered. True, it is more expensive than the supermarket but at least I know it is produced locally so I am supporting local dairy farmers and not having it transported across the country. Also it is four days fresher than supermarket milk and it actually does taste nicer.

So let's jump on the sustainability trend and milk it for all it's worth!

Not mushroom for improvement

I've now become addicted to looking up the food significance of days in the calendar. Today, in the USA, it is National Mushroom Day. Mushrooms tend to have the Marmite effect, ie you love-em or hate-em. I am in the first group 'tho' don't like what I call funny mushrooms! Give me a button, chestnut or portobello but I'll pass on the rest. 

Many people find them a good replacement for meat because of the sheet meatiness of them. They are certainly filling and satisfying but I find some too slippery and slimy.

They are a good source of Protein, Vitamin D and Potassium.

I like them in omelettes, risottos, soup and cooked parmigiana style. 

However, you can't beat the simplicity of mushrooms on toast. My favourite method is to sauté them in butter, garlic and thyme, season with pepper and serve on toasted soda bread, topped with a poached egg. Divine.

Just got to hope you have a fun-guy joining you for brunch!

Celebration

Yes, today I have cause for celebration as my Blog has reached Ten Thousand reads! I am not on Facebook, Instagram or any other social media so somehow my little blog has grown all by itself. I love writing it each week and am very proud. Thanks to all of you, whoever and wherever you are.

Coincidentally it is also National Cake Week (2nd - 8th October) so, as if I needed an excuse, I have baked a cake. Embracing the fruits of Autumn I made Mary Berry's very best apple dessert cake. I forgot to add my 10,000 candles but they would have toasted the flaked almonds a tad too much anyway.

The cake was delicious but if that doesn't give you a sweet enough hit, it is National (USA) Fluffernutter Day (see Blog 27/8/17).

Super Sunday

You may have missed it but today has been World Vegetarian Day and October is Vegetarian Awareness Month. The idea is to get five people in your life to take the Veg Pledge and give up meat and fish during October (and hopefully they'll never look back).

I kickstarted my day with brunch; sharing avocado on toast and home made 5 beans on toast in a cafe (Cake Stories) in Jesmond, Newcastle. Nutritious and delicious.

In America it is National Pumpkin Spice Day as well so I just had to have a Pumpkin Spice Latte and slice of Pumpkin cake.

It's been a win-win day. Embracing Autumn in all its glory.

Currying Favour

Just over a week ago the film Victoria and Abdul was released. This is a true story set around 1887 when Queen Victoria, Empress of India, was given two Indian servants to cook for her. She became very fond of Abdul Karim and also of a good curry!

People have always wanted to emulate royalty so many food writers of the time included Indian dishes in their recipe books. Curry powder was used with cold meats and substitutes for authentic Indian cuisine so that the British made "curry" their own.

After World War II there was a lot of immigration from India to Britain and our love for our own version of curry grew. Chicken tikka masala has been adopted as one of the UKs favourite "national" dishes.

For we vegetarians, our local Indian restaurant or take-away probably has more dishes on its menu than any other establishment. It is the one place we can go with our meat-eating friends and know we will have the same amount of choice as they do.

One of my favourites to cook quickly at home is Chick Pea Cauliflower and Spinach Curry:-

- cook onion, garlic and fresh ginger until soft

- add chosen curry paste (ie Pataks tikka masala), tinned tomatoes, tinned chick peas, pre-cooked or frozen cauliflower and simmer for 10 mins

- add shredded spinach simmering for a further 2 mins.

- stir in natural/Greek yogurt

- serve and add chopped coriander/lemon wedges etc

- serve with rice or a naan bread

I, for one, am hoping for an Indian Summer this Autumn.

Crumble and fall

Lyrics from many a song but what I really mean is crumble in the Fall. Frankly I could eat that satisfying stodgy pud at any time of the year but autumn's fruits lend themselves particularly well to a marriage with flour, butter and sugar rubbed together into small pieces and baked in the oven.

My favourites are the late summer plums stewed with a drop of orange juice and zest. Bramley apple crumble is always a favourite, especially with my husband who is a bit of a plain Jane when it comes to fruit. I prefer to pair my apples (excuse the pun) with blackberries and a smidge of vanilla.

Accompaniments can be swathes of hot custard; ice cream sliding into a melting puddle; cool fresh cream or, one of my guilty pleasures, Carnation tinned cream!

I shall be preserving some of autumn's harvest to eat throughout the colder months. When they run out there's always Spring/Summer and rhubarb crumble to look forward to.

Lazy Sunday Afternoon

A spot of Sunday shopping, a classic Mojito and tapas and cicchetti at Riccis in Leeds. Feeling blissfully buntered!*

I've eaten the most delicious sweet potato wedges served with figs, chilli, goats cheese and honey. Yum scrum! Also spiced cauliflower fritters with a tomato and lemon chutney and honey miso roasted aubergines with coriander pesto and a walnut, sesame and Szechuan pepper crumb. All so tasty.

I can't even write any more tonight - my belly is obstructing the use of my lap top!

* buntered = as full and fat as the fictional cartoon character Billy Bunter.