Please note that although I’ve linked to these recipes, most of the time they’re just the inspiration behind what I make. I’m notoriously bad at following instructions and tend to get distracted by ideas to make additions and/or substitutions to most recipes. My style is more experimental. π
08/01/2020 – Fish Chowder
Forget the breads, salmon, shrimp and bacon. I added cod, vegetarian bacon and made a cheese sauce instead. It was moorish and Bear definitely wants it again soon.
11/01/2020 – Vegan Mexican Tortilla Chip Casserole
I left out the green chillies, because Bear’s son isn’t keen on very spicy foods and I didn’t use Vegan margarine. I layered the tortilla chips with goat’s, feta and red cheddar cheeses and a mix of black and kidney beans. The black beans came in a chili sauce, so I went with it and added chili flakes to the tomato sauce. It was lush.
13/01/2020 – Quiche Lorraine
Store bought pastry next time. Mary Berry uses it, and so am I from now on. The egg mix worked a treat and the addition of goat’s cheese and vegetarian bacon on the bottom added a real kick of flavour.
14/01/2020 – Cod, Chorizo and White Beans
Other than the red wine, I followed this one quite well. Might add some chilli powder next time though, the Chorizo doesn’t really pack that much of a punch.
15/01/2020 – Briam
I didn’t use Aubergine (Eggplant) as Bear doesn’t like it and obviously I had to alter the amount of ingredients as I wasn’t serving 6. A hearty shake of black pepper added a little bite.
16/01/2020 – Baked Sausage and Fennel Gnocchi Gratin
Not only did I not use sausage, I didn’t use fennel either. I made a cheese sauce with grated Gouda cheese, cooked the Gnocchi first, before adding it to the sauce, used vegetarian mince and gave it all a good shake of anise, garlic and black pepper. I added tarragon and goat’s cheese to the breadcrumbs and then oven baked it for 20 minutes. Another hit.!
17/01/2020 – Gypsy-Moorish Style Vegetable Stew
I think I followed this quite well, just adding some cayenne pepper and a little dill. The pears were surprisingly flavourful amongst everything else.
18/01/2020 – Sweet Potato Hash with Pancetta, Sun Dried Tomatoes and Spinach
I used pumpkin and sweet potato with sun-dried tomatoes, capers, sweet chilli pepper and red onions, and then scrambled some eggs to mix in it and topped it with Feta and a sprinkling of basil.
20/01/2020 – Roasted Kale, Red Onion and Egg Mash
Followed this to the letter. Less lemon. Too lemony to be kale.
21/01/2020 – Mushroom Noodle Soup with Lime and Ginger
Seriously. Best Noodle soup ever.!!
22/01/2020 – Celeriac and Chicory Tart with Pear and Gorgonzola
Celeriac is vile.! But everything else was lovely. π
30/01/2020 – Moroccan Chickpea, Squash & Cavolo Nero Stew
Bear loved this. So I’m definitely doing it again.
31/01/2020 – Pea and Broad Bean Shakshuka
I used green beans instead of broad, because I don’t like them and frozen peas instead of shelled and shoots. This was very tasty, but needed a little more cayenne pepper.
04/02/2020 – Spinach, Tomato and Preserved Lemon Pilaf
Maybe not so much lemon… this was more lemon taste and less subtle fragrance.
10/02/2020 – Purple Beetroot Pasta
This was lovely.! I added Chestnut mushrooms. Just the right amount of lemon with the feta and the mushrooms added a nice subtle flavour.
12/02/2020 – Vegan Coconut Curry
This was the third or fourth time I’ve made this and it’s still the best vegetable curry I’ve had to date.
14/02/2020 – Vegetarian Fajita Pasta
This was so good. Just the right amount of spiciness. I made enchilada sauce from a store bought seasoning mix and a small pot of sour cream, added broccoli and red onions, as well as the spring onions and sweet chilli pepper, and made a side of guacamole rather than slicing the avocado on top.
20/02/2020 – Chimichurri Meatballs
I made these with chickpeas and black beans, instead of meat, and they were really good.
21/06/2020 – Chocolate Mud Cake
This was so heavy, I didn’t need to eat for the rest of the day, and really moist for the three days it lasted. Would definitely make again, but might try to find a way to not make it so heavy.
25/07/2020 – Nut Loaf
Quickest and easiest prep I’ve ever done for a nut roast. It kept it’s shape, was easily sliced and really flavourful.
09/08/2020 – Beans and Hotdog Bake
Got our teenage grunt of approval. I used Submarine rolls with burger cheese and fried onions under a vegetarian hotdog, covered in baked and chili beans, sprinkled with grated cheese and eaten with the fingers. Awesome.!
11/08/2020 – Taco-Corn Chili
Don’t forget the Tortilla Chips.! Nice and mild and perfect for little ones and big ones alike. Spice it up with some chili powder and cayenne pepper for the spice lovers.