Mini Puff Pastry Christmas Tree Nibbles

A  little blog post to wish my loyal readers a Happy Christmas and to those of you in Wales Nadolig Llawen.

A few years back, I made vegetarian Nut Roast Wellington and sweet mincemeat encased in puff pastry shaped like Christmas tree.  This year I have been extremely lazy as I worked right up to Christmas Eve, that all I had the energy to do was muster these little morsels. 

What is good about these little nibbles, is that they are so easy to put together and with whatever filling takes your fancy, from savoury to sweet. I've made these cute little mini puff pastry Christmas trees with red and green pesto.   

There are so many recipes on the world wide net, that I am not posting a recipe here.

Wishing you all a restful holiday. 

Some Vegetarian and Vegan Christmas Cookbooks In My Kitchen

I am  joining  in with In My Kitchen series hosted by Sherry's Pickings just in the nick of time as the link is closing in a couple of hours.

In fact, I was not going to join in as I don't have anything new in my kitchen, but then I thought I would share some Vegetarian and Vegan cookbooks on my shelf that I have ben flicking through for inspiration and ideas.  

First and foremost, i have to start of with my go to Christmas Vegetarian Cookbook has always been Vegetarian Christmas published in 1992 from the British Queen of Vegetarian Cuisine - Rose Elliot.  I've made many of Rose Elliot's recipes from various cookbooks,  but from this cookbook the Parsley Potato Stars are always popular, but I shape as Christmas Trees.

Then we have Vegan Christmas Feasts by Jackie Kearney. 

And Happy Vegan Christmas by KarolineJonsson.  I was given these two books last year for Christmas by  D, so have not yet cooked from them as of yet.

So funny, a decades or ago you could hardly find a vegetarian or vegan Christmas book and in the last two years there has been an explosion.

The next vegetarian cookbook I have is 'Tis The Season by Nanette Blanchard.  I've had this for years.  I think I picked it up from Oxfam Bookshop when i lived in Glasgow. I've made White Chocolate and Cranberry Muffins and Egg Nog Pineapple Loaf. 

I also this from Marie Laforet called The Vegan Holiday Cookbook: From Elegant Appetizers to Festive Mains and Delicious Sweets.

I am sharing another two cookbooks, although not focusing on the festive holidays as such in it's book titles, the innovative recipes and elegant presentation in Neither Fish Nor Fowl: Meat Free Eating for Pleasure  by Sarah Beattie is a superb cook book I'd like to recommend.  This stylish, sophisticated  and sumptuous vegetarian cookbook was published in 1993and  featured recipes ahead of its time like Beetroot and Cranberry Consomme, Raspberry Soup, Avocado Soup, Stuffed Nasturtium Salad and that's just for starters.  It was and still is a pioneering cookbook in my eyes, as it was the first vegetarian dinner party cookbook I came across that moved away from  the wholemeal way of cooking.  It also has Asparagus Eclairs and Chestnut Souffles and Raspberry Brulee and so so much more .   

And if you like the sound of Neither Fish Nor Fowl, then i'd also say look out for Sarah Beatties second cookbook The Table of Content: A Vegetarian Dinner Party Book for All Seasons (1995) is just as amazing... 'from the simplest vegetables to the more esoteric delights of borscht poached uszki with smetana...'. 

I am planning on doing some baking later in the week.  One of which will be gingerbread people  (and may up-date this blog post), the other thing I may make are these vegan Oreo Christmas Wreaths vegan Cakes, but if not - i thought I would share here as to provide you with some festive inspiration. 

I'm very much looking forward to seeing what is in your kitchen and thank Sherry for hosting the In My Kitchen Series through the pandemic and these strange, unusual and scary times.  

Autumnal Honey, Soy and Ginger Braised Tofu

I honestly don't know where my head is at these days, every day just merges into the other with the same routine.

We did go out for a long-ish forest walk a couple of weeks back, when lockdown was lifted in Wales.  The fresh air was good to breath and feel in my lungs, even my heart was racing - in a good way.

But the more we walked through these crisp leafy camouflaged tunnel of trees, that serves the birds as both home, and protection, from you, me and other birds of prey. We found ourselves stepping out onto dearth land that had been swallowed, chewed and spat out - slashed, sliced, cut and left exposed...to the elements to rot, grot.

We both left with a sunken feeling as we came across so many handsome and eminent trees that have been on this earth, longer than you and me - sawn, chopped down, for what?!  Human destruction.  Indeed it is human beings that are damaging the earth. 

But I find solace and glimmer of hope.  I have seen parts of this forest burn over the years. And every year it astonishes and amazes me.  The earth is resilient, it will repair, recover and regenerate. Long after we have gone.

I have hardly been out shopping.  It's been mostly D that ventures out and he is focussed and gets what we need.  This time though, i asked if he could pick up a some Tofu - it's been a while since we have had tofu.  I already had a recipe in mind for the tofu. It was for Honey, Soy and Ginger Braised Tofu from Meera Sodha cookbook East .  I've cooked a number of recipes from the cookbook.  Her recipes are really are accessible, which is good for any home cook.  

Some of you will remember that I made her Tomato Pilau this year, we like it so much that we made it again this year with yellow and chocolate cherry tomatoes; and and last year I also made her Lebanese Green Beans and Vermicelli Rice also from the same cookbook.

Sodha describes this Honey, soy and Ginger Braised Tofu. as a rogue version of the Korean braised tofu called dubu jorim, he rogue ingredient is pear which grated here looks like the onions. 

Cooking from Veggiestan

I am  joining  in with In My Kitchen series hosted by Sherry's Pickings with what little i have in my kitchen; and what I have made in recent days. But a little update to those of you who have been following and reading of my blogger problems in some of my posts. The problem seems to have resolved itself, but I am monitoring it. 

Anyway, I picked up the cookbook Veggiestan from the book shelf to cook a recipe from it way back in September with homegrown tomatoes.  It has also provided inspiration for carrots from the garden this and last month.  

I made this Carrot and Chickpea Pilaf, Pilau, Plou, Osh, Pilavi .Savoury Rice dish. 

Unlike the Savoury rice dish I often make with Indian spices, this one is made with Baharat which I made from scratch - not being able to go to my favourite Spice vendor in Cardiff Market. 

This Carrot Chickpea Pilaf appealed as it also use tinned chickpeas from the cupboards.  It also has some whole bulb of garlic cloves in it too that sweetened and softened on cooking. It was wonderfully fragrant and not too much fuss to put together. 

I also made this Afghan Carrot Hot Pot Quorma-e-Zardak from the same cookbook.  It is also made with yellow spit peas and i tossed in some of our golden cherry tomatoes. 

With the autumnal season being swapped for frost. It also made for a wonderful winter warmer and got better a day or two later, when we were still eating it out of a bowl.  

This may go onto explain why the colour of my food changed from golden to dark hues. The next recipw to be made from the cookbook was Mushroom Stifatho. I adapted it a little with the smallest onions I could find  as I did not have shallots; and also the red wine for vegetable stock. And  served it with homemade read (made in the bread maker by the way).

I quite liked the piquancy of the Mushroom Stifatho, but D was not that keen on it. I cannot remember the reason why though. 

Black Garlic Tomato Spaghetti Sauce

I am still having problems with Blogger on my post page (see previous blog post). I have left feedback and help, but they have not come back to me as of yet.  In the meantime, please can someone remind me how to change password, as I cannot even find the function on blogger to do this (as everything seems to be locked). 

So this is a short blog post to share my Black Garlic Tomato Pasta - I would describe it as  Arrabiata style pasta. I'd like to say, that  I made this last night for Halloween. But that would be fibbing as I made this a while back and found it in my unpublished food blog files, so thought I'd share it albeit late.  

It was rather quiet here for Halloween, we tend to have some sweets to give to trick or treaters, but understandably not this year because of the Pandemic and lockdowns.  

So instead, I am sharing some cookies that were made by a colleague last year for Halloween.  It was his first time make cookies and decorating.  I think he did a splendid job and I remember the cookies being delightful to eat too.  

I am also sharing some carved pumpkins, also from a Halloween work event last year.    

I am missing some of my colleagues and the coming of us together in the kitchen to share food. I am wondering what Christmas will bring. 

Sweet Potato Tortilla Pie

I am a bit frustrated today. I haven't been blogging much, but today I thought i'd sit down and blog and have noted  problem with my blog. And i wonder if anyone else with blogger is having trouble?!

In the Post section where blog posts and draft posts are recorded. My thumb nail image is incorrect, it is inserted with someone else and some of my blog posts - draft and those posted have been inserted with images that are not mine.  However, outward - it all appears un-affected. Is anyone else with blogger encountered this problem? Please let me know. I have left feedback with blogger, but don't know if they will respond; and if so how long. 

I will leave you with this Sweet Potato Tortilla Pie.

Didi Emmons writes if 'Mexicans had invented quiche, this is the way they might have made it'.  The crust of the pie is made from tortilla filled with eggy mixture enhanced with cumin, coriander, and cheese and roasted sweet potatoes.  

It was extremely light to eat, that I will be making it again

The recipe is adapted from the Vegetarian Planet: 350 Big Flavour Recipes for Out of this World Food Every Day by Didi Emmons.  

Last of the Tomatoes in My Kitchen

I 've just managed to join in with In My Kitchen series hosted by Sherry's Pickings as much of what is in my kitchen has been coming from the garden (or kitchen cupboards) since the Pandemic.  So its not overly exciting. 

The last of the colourful and flavourful tomatoes from the greenhouse in the kitchen. 

The cooking apples from the tree, have been hit and miss with many damaged or bruised when they hit the ground. But those that we have managed to rescue and bake with have been lovely to eat. 

I made this Apple Almond Cake, it was very reminisce of Bakewell Tart. 

Apple Almond Flakes Cake

Serves 8

Ingredients

4 cooking apples, peeled and sliced

1 tablespoon caster sugar

1/2 teaspoon cinnamon

Method

In a bowl mix together the sugar and cinnamon, then toss in the apples to coat. Set aside

Preheat oven to gas mark 3/170oc.

For the batter

150g unsalted butter, softened

125g caster sugar

2 eggs

150g self raising flour

60g flaked almonds

Method

Put butter and sugar in a bowl and beat with a hand held electric mixer, until light and fluffy. Break in egg and beat well, then the other other egg. Then slowly sift in flour whisking every now and then, until well folded.

Scrape the batter into a 8 inch tin and smooth the surface, then arrange the apples on top.

Then evenly scatter over the flaked almonds.

Place in oven and bake for 45 - 50 minutes, or until skewer comes out clean.

Serve with cream or custard.   

I say, much of what we have in the kitchen is mostly from the garden and kitchen cupboards, and that is the truth. But i must give a shout out to my neighbour with the Jack Russell (not the sausage dog) who has got into growing vegetables this year, has been really generous.  Sharing some fruit, vegetables and even some home made bites.  He knocked on the door and shared this wonderfully presented Runner Bean Hummus.  It wasn't as nice as the one he gave us some Chickpea Hummus back in August which was delicious. I found the  Runner Bean one a bit bitter.  I was still very appreciative of his kindness (and trying to maintain social distancing throughout).

The summer raspberries have been replaced with Autumn raspberries in the garden. I often manage to pick enough to share between the two of us with Greek yogurt and honey. 

I also made this chocolate and raspberry muffin, as a change from our weekly flapbjacks.  Please don't ask me for the recipe, i found it on the web and cannot remember where, but it was not one i would make again as it was not that good, maybe that is why i cannot remember.  

I blended together some spices to make Baharat spice for a recipe that required it. 

Whilst fumbling in one of the kitchen cupboards, i found a stash of Pip's Real Hot Chocolate Coins to add to milk. The Black Forest and Turkish Ruby is exceptional by the way.  I had picked these up the last time i went to Pontypool Market (dare I say last year). I recall speaking with the owner, who was relocating at the time. These are a treat by the way

Finally, something else from my neighbour.  Its a bit like Quince cheese, but its made with Apples. We've only used a quarter of it, it's so flavourful and sweet!

Also I was a bit late joining in with Harvest Monday a couple of weeks back, so I am also sharing this blog post with Dave from Happy Acres as it features a lot of my homegrown fruit and vegetables. 

Little Late for Harvest Monday

It's October and the colours in the garden are changing and the sunflower petals waning. 

I feel the same with my energy. 

The greenhouse is still producing tomatoes

Even though we have harvest many tomatoes, they have not been as abundant as in previous years.  D has said he will not grow many of these red beefy ones - whose name i have forgotten.

He also won't grow many of the red Zebra and green Zebra Tomatoes, maybe a couple of the pale yellow ones called Lotos.  But he will definitely be growing the yellow Galina Cherry tomatoes and Chocolate Cherry tomatoes.

Some cooking apples had fallen to the ground, I made this Upside Down Apple Cake.  The apples stuck to the bottom of the pan. 

The Upside Down Apple Cake tasted good though and would have benefitted from a squirt of  or dollop of cream.

Below is generous bunch of Parsley and a black Mexican chilli pepper given to us by our neighbour.  Again, I am sorry I cannot remember the name, but my neighbour told me its not one we would ever find at the supermarket. He's right, i have never seen anything like it for real before.   I have roasted it and hope to either add it to a Chilli Bean recipe or a Tomato Pasta recipe. 

I am sharing this blog post with Harvest Monday hosted by Dave from Happy Acres.  

Baby Tomato Kofta with Smoky Tomato Sauce

So how is your weekend going?!

The part of Wales i live in is in another lockdown.  Not as severe as the first as peopleare still able to go out and about, and moreso to the supermarket, but within regional boundaries.  It is NOW mandatory to wear a face mask which i think should have been the case in the first place, but hey the local government thinks it knows best.  I think in not too long, the whole of Wales will be in lockdown.  Not much for me has changed since the first lockdown, but that does not mean i have got used to it, far from it - we are all managing and coping in our own way. I am finding distractions at home - I have been doing a lot of reading, and attending on-line learning sessions - but there is only so much a person can take staring at the computer and zoom calls.  So I am always thankful for the garden space that is still feeding us well.

I've not ventured very far - that is the honest truth.  I have been out of my area three times to see family and friends and that is all and it was all socially distanced unable to kiss and hug.  And on those days went to the supermarket with D.  D has been doing the weekly shopping.

Anyway i made this Cypriot recipe called Domatokeftethes - Baby Tomato Kofta some time last week. The cookbook author writes ' this is kind of based on a Lenten Cypriot recipe. But it's got a splosh of Armenian ad a sprinkle of Turkey in there too'. 

On recommendation of the cookbook author I served it over pasta.

Then smothered with smoky paprika tomato sauce. The recipe i bookmarked from Sally Butcher's Veggiestan: A Vegetable Lover's tour of the Middle East.

It was my first time shallow frying tomatoes.  I must admit i was a bit nervous because of the liquid content in tomatoes, as i had expected some spluttering. But the not so pretty  batter above, benefited from sitting the fridge to firm up. I guess this also absorbs some of the liquid content. 

The Domatokeftethes - Baby Tomato Kofta  are shallow fried in oil and were a little reminisce of South Asian onion bhaji's minus the spices.  

We had plenty left over to eat the following day - cold.  I am sharing this Cypriot Baby Tomato Kofta with Smoky Tomato sauce with Soup, Salad and Sammies hosted by Kahakai Kitchen.