Black Butter and Charcoal Biscuits In My Kitchen

Mostly black things in my kitchen this month.  

This was not intentional, but more of a shopping happy accident - for some reason there seemed to be an overwhelming selection of dark edible things in my kitchen and I have no idea why, especially as Halloween is way off and I don't even have a black supper menu planned either, well not until now. 

Let me begin with this jar of Black Butter that I picked up the last time I was in Bristol from the a pop up market.  It is made from apples, cider, clack treacle, licorice and spices. This Black Butter is suitable for both vegetarians and vegans.   Its a jammy product that could compliment both sweet and savoury dishes.  If you like the sound of this, then you may also like to my homemade Sweet Black Sesame Seed Butter too. 

Beetroot Chocolate Brownies for Family and Friends

Chocolate Beetroot Brownies were all the rage and quite popular four - five years ago.  In fact hidden vegetables in cakes, vegetables in desserts, vegetables in pudding  and vegetables in sweets because quite trendy.  Chefs, experimental home cooks and food bloggers started throwing in different vegetables and then it was made out to be 'oh my goodness this is so original and a new concept and discovery', when in fact the idea of putting vegetables in cakes, desserts and puddings had been around many, many years. 

People have been eating carrot cake, parsnip cake and sweet potato pies for years , but hey we food bloggers  and I do not exclude myself from this like to some times think we created something unique when we throw in a cauliflower, a bit of spinach or even beetroot, when its actually quite an old idea.  One thing you can guarantee someone, somewhere has already done it, not everything appears on websites.  Many of these delicious hidden sweet vegetable recipes can be found in old cookbooks, published in other parts of the world and in different languages too, not everything is in English. 

I made these Chocolate Beetroot Brownies a couple of months back when  a good work colleague reminded me that I had promised her Beetroot cake'.  Shortly after, I made some Chocolate Beetroot Brownies for her.  she was delighted.    She was given a very generous slice.  

In fact this recipe makes a lot, that I also ended up sharing some with family and other friends.  I am sharing some of these Chocolate Beetroot Brownies with We Should Cocoa Challenge; and and Treat Petite hosted by The Baking Explorer and CakeyBoi.

March #EatYoursGreens Round Up

April has crept up on me so quickly.  March was really busy for me for some reason its come and gone.  Gosh time does fly when your busy. 

We have  6 gorgeous green recipes  to share for #EatYourGreens. 

The first Eat Your Greens recipe comes from Gluten Free Alchemist.  Kate brought to the table an Iron Rich Spinach and Parsley Green Houmous.  This gorgeous  green houmous is super simple if you have all the ingredients to hand and is very very versatile - try it spread on crispy bread or simply dip in.

The second recipe comes from VNutrition, Mary Ellen shares with us her vegan version of a classic Irish dish - Colcannon.  This velvety soup is made with potatoes and kale, perfect for St Patrick's Day or any other time of the year.  And guess what the natural creaminess comes from cashew nuts!

Laura from Touch Wood joins us with her hearty and nutritious bowl of Leek Potato and Spinach Soup.  Wow, don't you want to tuck in.  I also love how Laura has garnished her soup with avocado slices, yogurt, oil and flax seeds.

From Lisa's Kitchen we have a Spicy Brown Lentil Soup with Broccoli. This is a nourishing and warming bowl.  I do love how the broccoli is strewn over the pebbly lentils in little pieces giving this Lentil soup additional vegetable goodness.

The Veg Hog my lovely co-host was inspired by a recipe in Mat Follas cookbook Vegetable Perfection.  She shared with us a vegetarian Green Gnocchi made with Kale.  Kale is my favourite green and these gnocchi bite delight with colour and flavour covered in a crispy sage butter sauce, as well as an additional tomato garlic sauce and a baked cheese twirl.

And finally, my own contribution which was a  Black Kale and Chickpea Pot Pies.  I had a busy March like I said earlier and was really worried whether I would participate in my own challenge, but did manage it Thank goodness.  

Thank you so much to everyone who contributed to #EatYourGreens, please do take time to visit and comment on every contributors recipe if you can, I know it will be appreciated.   The #EatYourGreens challenge in April will be hosted by my blogging co-host The Veg Hog,  Follow this link on how to participate.