Tuesday, 2 July 2013

Vegan Orange Chocolate Cake

Some of you may remember me mentioning my new garden friend last month: who I have named Moggy.  Well she certainly has adopted us and we definitely now have a pet.  It's so nice to come home to a warm excitable cat, especially after a long day at work. 
Yes, yes work.  I have found paid employment and I have to say I am not enjoying it one bit.  Its been made unenjoyable (is that even a word?) because of the people I am working with, namely women who have been most unhelpful in helping me adapt and learn my new routine in my new environment.  I have barely had any training and its like I am meant to know where everything is and how everything operates.  I have been coming home really tired: physically and mentally and frustrated that this is what I have been reduced too.  I thought the role would be a little more rewarding, but I am expected to do so much in so little time with very little help from those around me.  I am going to keep my eyes peeled for other opportunities, but in our current economic environment, well you know paupers can't be choosers and its a job.  I am hoping it will get better with time as its only been a couple of weeks, but I have a gut feeling I may not last long there, but I will persevere for now as I have very little in the way of options right now and we need the money.

Anyway, onto some sweet things.  I made this Orange Chocolate cake just over a month ago and it was thoroughly enjoyed by everyone who had a slice.  I've put some 'vegan cream cheese frosting' on the cake, it's completely optional.   Oh I could happily do with a slice of this cake right now. 
Vegan Orange Chocolate Cake
You will need a 10 inch round spring form cake tin for this cake
Serves 12
425g plain flour
75g cocoa powder
11/2 teaspoon bicarbonate soda
1 teaspoon baking powder
Pinch of salt
180g golden caster sugar

400ml soy milk
2 tablespoons white wine vinegar
200ml vegetable oil
Zest of two oranges
Method
Sieve the dry ingredients first over a large bowl, then stir in the sugar. In another bowl, combine the wet ingredients and the grated zest, then carefully pour into the dry ingredients and combine well. Then pour into baking tin. 
Bake at gas mark 4/180oC for 45 - 50 minutes of until a toothpick comes out clean. Cool.  Best served the following day
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25 comments:

  1. Mark Willis2 July 2013 at 20:52

    Shaheen, I hope your work colleagues don't read your blog! But, on second thoughts, maybe it would be better if they did. Maybe they would realise how unreasonable they are being.

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    1. Shaheen8 July 2013 at 18:45

      One of the small regrets I had upon moving to Wales was having changed from my pseudonym to my real name. Its done now and cannot be undone. On the plus side at the moment none of my so called colleagues know I have a blog and I will keep it that way, up until I am published of course :) None of them would be genuinely interested anyway, unless of course it made me money or brought me fame!

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  2. The Ordinary Cook2 July 2013 at 21:36

    Oh no Shaheen, that is not good news. It is so frustrating for you. I do hope another opportunity comes your way soon. This does not sound like a job that would be healthy for much longer. I am glad about Moggy though, it is good news that you have found each other.

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    1. Shaheen8 July 2013 at 18:47

      My husband keeps telling me to look on the bright side. Other than learnign some new skills and bringing home an income, I don't really see one at the mo' but who knows it may change in a couple of weeks time. I am hoping for other opps to come my way and see this as a stepping stone. Missing Moggy at the moment, she's a bit elusive.

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  3. Mr. & Mrs. P2 July 2013 at 21:39

    Looks very delicious.. Would have not thought it was vegan!!!

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  4. e3 July 2013 at 01:22

    I knew that moggie had her eyes set on you...How nice for her and you. I am sorry the job's a misery. I hope you find something more to your liking soon.

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    1. Shaheen8 July 2013 at 18:47

      Thank you e. Moggy is elusive. I haven'[t seen her all w/e. I hope she'll be back.

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  5. Johanna GGG3 July 2013 at 04:12

    Well good luck with the job - sounds like a challenge but as you say, it is a job - just hope you get to enjoy spending some of the money if not the time in the workplace and am glad you have a friendly cat to greet you at home - it is good for the soul - as is chocolate cake - sounds lovely

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    1. Shaheen8 July 2013 at 18:50

      Thanks Johanna. You know the place we are renting, well the landlord has decided he wants to move in with his family, so our contract will not be renewed and we have to be out end of Feb. Hence the reason I have to have a job to get a joint mortgage with my husband for a place. So its the one reason I took this job, as well as the fact I thought I would enjoy it, but far from it. I do hope it gets better.

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  6. Unknown3 July 2013 at 06:32

    People can be unintentionally cruel if they consider you a threat... Or they can just be plain rude and ignorant. Either way don't let this effect your dignity. Like you say you need the work so go in and smile your way through it. Your positive mental attitude will win out in the end... and eat plenty of chocolate cake like your yummy one here. Always helps x

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    1. Shaheen8 July 2013 at 18:51

      I seem to be getting more than my share of people mean-ness at the moment and its hurts on days. I am a relatively strong person in soul and won't let it effect my dignity. Thanks Dom x

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  7. LINDA'S3 July 2013 at 07:33

    lovely post and the cake looks lovely too
    praying your work becomes more enjoyable soon

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  8. Lorraine3 July 2013 at 09:25

    Cake sounds amazing.

    Sorry to hear about the job - I had a similar experience myself about 18 months ago. I only made it to 9 or 10 weeks before I had to get out of there.

    I do hope things improve for you though!

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    1. Shaheen8 July 2013 at 18:52

      Thank you for sharing your expereince Lorraine. Forme its been 3 weeks or so, so far.

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  9. Unknown4 July 2013 at 14:39

    This looks delicious!!! Nice job :)

    http://www.veggieeatsandothertreats.com/

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  10. Caroline4 July 2013 at 22:42

    That looks like a delicious cake - I love chocolate and orange together. What a shame your colleagues are being so unsupportive, I really hope you manage to either make your job better or find something better soon. Hope Moggy helps relieve stress for you too.

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    1. Shaheen8 July 2013 at 19:02

      Thanks Caroline. I am trying to look on the postive side and making the best of the job, but it does't seem to be happening quick enough for my liking.

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  11. patty5 July 2013 at 21:54

    Hi Shaheen, I love your little friend, I must have missed her in an earlier post. Most of my cats as a kid were adopted, the cats tended to find me.
    Hey I was going to say good news about the job but I can really understand this predicament. In my last proper job before self employment, I was taken on as a Mac operator but on my first morning I didn't get put in the Mac room with the designers, oh no I got put in a different production area on a totally different computer system that was like a foreign language to me. I was promised training but it didn't come, I had to virtually make friends of those around me to help me use it and they were all too terrified of the so called boss to stop their workload and help me. It was a weird place, really screwed up my head with all the stress, they tried to operate a non structured staffing system saying everyone was equal but there were 'firsts' among equals (supervisors in a nutshell), some sort of bizarre American work ethic. Hated every minute so had to leave before I went insane. I hope yours doesn't get like that.
    Just looking at that cake cheers me up, have a good weekend, Sally xx

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    1. Shaheen8 July 2013 at 19:06

      Thank you so much Sally.
      Frist let me say, still lookign out for that mag as I really want to read ALL ABOUT YOU :) and well done again x
      Thanks re the job and sharing with me your own experience. I am pleased I got a job and it sounded okay when i took it on, but it has not met with my expectations, plus some of the est. staff are a bit two faced or not helpful at all. I am hoping it will get better and hope they see me as an asset not a threat.

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    2. patty16 July 2013 at 09:07

      Shaheen, i hope things are improving at work for you.
      That magazine article isn't that interesting, I think if they'd been able to use other pictures I sent them of my fabric designs then it might have looked a bit more interesting. Put it this way, I haven't been inundated with new business since it was published, I'll keep plugging away.
      toodle pip ! x

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    3. Shaheen16 July 2013 at 19:42

      Hi Sally,
      Not yet, but I am sticking with it - hoping it will improve. I will still look out for other opps. One of which you may already know from FB - hosting supper club and appearing now and again as guest cook at a arts venue. So fingers crossed.

      I saw the mag in WHSmith and had a quick read through. I am so proud of you still for getting a mention. Shame about it not leading to much promo and commissioned work. I know that feeling, but don't dwell on that and remain spirited. Like me, you have to keep plugging away, good things come to those who wait...let's hope for the two of us x

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  12. Anonymous8 July 2013 at 14:18

    Hang in there my friend! I hope it will be better at your work in the future!

    Indeed, we all could do with a big piece of that tasty looking vegan orange chocolate cake & I love that it is made with oil & no butter!

    MMMMMMMM!!! The vegan cream cheese frosting looks so appetizing too!
    How did you make the frosting? Yummmm!

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    1. Shaheen8 July 2013 at 19:07

      Thank you Sophie. I will hang in on there :)
      See my vegan Raspberry Cake recipe before this one for the frosting recipe.

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