I do miss growing my own Black Kale. It was only when I started growing my own that I learned Black Kale had so many interesting names. Dinosaur Kale, Palm Tree Kale, Palm Tree Cabbage, Black Cabbage, Cavolo Nero, Tuscan Kale translated Toscana di Nero.
I was hoping to sow some more seeds this weekend, but the weather forecast halted our gardening plans once again. I have the sniffles and did not particularly want to be out in the garden being hit left right and centre by the gusty winds that was furiously rattling the greenhouse threatening to damage it further and the drip dripping of rain falling in every direction.
So instead, I stayed indoors and pottered about in the kitchen,something I have to admit I have not done much of this week.
I made some Pot Pies with Black Kale that I picked up from the supermarket. Its actually quite nice to find Black Kale in supermarkets now, a few years back, kale crisps and kale smoothies made it a food trend. Its refreshing to now see the normalisation of Black Kale and Curly Kale in the vegetable section.
I adapted a recipe for Pot Pies I made a long while back, this time with a different filling: carrots, black kale, mushrooms and chickpeas
I am sharing these Black Kale and Chickpea Pot Pies with Eat Your Greens challenge that I co-host with The VegHog; This month it is my turn to host. If you want to join in - please see this link, there is still plenty of time and participation is really easy. I am also sharing this recipe with My Legume Love Affair hosted by Lisa's Kitchen; and with Healthy Vegan Fridays by Rock My Vegan Socks and V Nutrition.
A photograph taken in poor lighting on a dark evening.
This is a generous serving of homemade vegetarian Greek Cypriot Shepherds Pie with Feta Cheese.
I have mentioned my Greek flat mates at University and my holidays in Cyprus, this is me just harping back to those days and yearning for the warm climate, especially on a day like today when it has been raining all day. In fact it has been raining non stop for the past 5 days.
I am not the best potato masher and D was not around to help, so I my did my best with my weakling muscles. There were still lumps in the potato topping, but thankfully I don't mind lumps and nor does D. The mint in the mashed potato topping was just right, the black olives offered piquancy . This Greek Cypriot Shepherds Pie made for a change from the traditional Vegetarian Shepherds Pie that I so often make at home.
I am sharing this with CookBlogShare hosted by Hijacked by Twins. ; and Cook Once Eat Twice hosted by Searching For Spice.
I've also made a Prasopita, a Greek Leek Pie, adapted from the Greek Gourmand, but I am holding that back for St David's Day. Instead, here is a link to some other Greek and/or Cypriot inspired recipes on A2K - A Seasonal Veg Table
Spanakopita
Tomato and Feta Cheese Baklava
Vegan Spanakopita Pies
Vegetarian Pastitcio
I fell under the charm of Momma Cherri (real name Charita Jones) when we were introduced to her through Gordon Ramsays Kitchen Nightmares about 6 years ago, and she instantly became an overnight sensation in her own right with her down to earth stance, genuine warmth and her passion for good old American soul food shone on. She introduced many of us to hush puppies, Succotash and Corn Pudding. I swear by her Cajun seasoning recipe. I've tried lots of other recipes in the past, her recipe has depth of flavour. I know her cookbook is not vegetarian, but there are a number of recipes there such as Vegetable Jambalaya, Peppers stuffed with Cornbread and Roast Curried Butternut Squash and many others can easily be vegified (is that a word), I mean made suitable for vegetarians.
Sadly due to the economic climate, she had to close her restaurant ' you can have the best food in the world, but if you don't have enough customers coming through your doors...you will struggle'. Please read this article, where Charita expresses with honestly her experiences. Her experience echoes some of my own reality in the past year, so I can truly empathise. On the plus side, she is still cooking for those near enough to her to enjoy. She continues to make TV appearances as well as sell at farmers markets and caters at some of Brighton's trendiest venues. Check out Momma Cherri's website.
