Shrewsbury and Itadaki Zen Japanese Vegan Restaurant

After visiting the cathedral city of Herefordshire last month, we drove on to Shrewsbury where we had planned an overnight stay so that we could go to the Shrewsbury flea market the following morning that hosted between 100 - 150 traders selling, a mixture of antiques, collectables, vintage, architectural salvage, reclamation and quirky things. 

Unfortunately when we got into Shrewsbury it was raining heavy with rain and a number of places were closing or already closed.  We wandered in and out of those places, that were still open and of course wandered the streets looking for somewhere to eat that evening, as well as playing tourist in the little time we had. 

A statue of Charles Darwin, Shrewsbury most famous son born in 1809. This statue is situated outside of the library. 

Shropshire writer Mary Webb.

On the banks of the river Severn you will find the Quantum Leap.  An abstract sculpture known by locals as 'The Skinky'.  It celebrates the bicentenary of the birth of Charles Darwin. The slinky measure 40 foot high and 57 feet long. 

We eventually found a place to eat.   Itadaki Zen Japanese Vegan Restaurant, but it was not open until 6pm.  We waited around until it was open, we were fortunate to get a seat without having booked a table. 

Eating Out at Samphire Brasserie 100% Vegan in Plymouth

I have tucking into vegan junk food fairly a bit recently, but mostly when we go to Bristol.  And I don't mean burgers as I make a good vegan and vegan burger myself,  its the other stuff - greasy, deep-fried. 

I am a little excited to learn that Cardiff will soon be getting its first vegan junk called Greazy Vegan.  In 2015, Cardiff  got its first vegan eatery Anna Loka and its good.  I know if I lived in Cardiff, I would be a frequent diner. 

However, this blog post is when I went to Plymouth, England with some close young girl friends, well truth is their parents wanted them chaperoned - yes, people still do that and they felt they could trust me, don't know why?!.  I agreed as long as I was able to choose where we went to have breakfast - lunch = Brunch; and it was my treat.

When I told them we were going to a vegan eatery called Samphire Brasserie to eat, two of them turned their noses and proceeded to tell me that had ordered a pizza not knowing it was smothered with vegan 'cheese' at Zizzi and disliked it immensely.  

I said you don't have to have pizza here.  You like my veggie burgers and you like burgers in general, don't you?!  this of course was a rhetorical question.  Then order a burger! without the vegan 'cheese'. 

Day in Bath

Weekends are so short, yesterday we went to Bath, Somerset in England and today has been a day of house chores, from dusting to laundry to ironing.  The garden plot once again is neglected, though I am pleased to say that I have stuck some seeds in germination pots.  

Now I want to rest - but have to prepare lunch for tomorrow and then make a Vegetarian roast dinner, then maybe, maybe I can finally rest my little feet.  I do sometimes wish we had a three day weekend. 

Anyway, even though we have been there before, here are some photographs of our day trip to Bath in England.  

Brighton The Vegetarian and Vegan Capital of UK

I don't need to tell British vegetarian and vegans that Brighton was the vegetarian capital of the UK for many, many years.  An accolade it still deserves, even though other cities may come and try to steal the limelight - Brighton will always be the first to offer imaginative, original and  creative vegetarian and vegan cuisine to the masses. 

So you can imagine on my first trip to Brighton I was spoiled for choice of places to eat: The Loving Hut, V Bites, Beelzebab, The Cowley Club, The Green Kitchen and Hail Seitan to name a few .  There were so many that I wanted to eat at, but with the limited time we were there we chose to be selective in the evening and go to random eats during the day.  

The two places I really, really wanted to eat at were Terre a Terre and Food For Friends, Brighton's first vegetarian restaurant which opened its doors to diners in 1981.

So Why?! did I want to eat at these two places.  Simply because | was bestowed the cookbooks many years ago by my husband for my birthday. I have oggled and cooked some of the recipes  from them, but it was the two places I really wanted to eat at.  Its nice to have someone cook for me for a change.   I also chose these two places as they were not cafeteria and  canteen style food, nothing wrong with that, but its nice to be treated to proper restaurant style food made of lots of little fancy components, something that I do very rarely at home  - the food here would be more fine dining and this was after all a holiday. 

I don't do food reviews, so I will not be doing that, instead I will share with you share what we ate. The first night we went to Terre a Terre.

Apologies in advance for some of the food photographs, evening lighting in restaurants is not always conducive for food photography.

Graffiti and VX Bristol Vegan Junk Food

I still have loads of photographs to share from my holiday in England, but over the weekend on impulse we went to the city of Bristol.

Although the were not many new additions to the Bristol Graffiti art scene, we did spot some. Here are some photographs of Bristol Graffiti Art: Love it or Hate it - its one of the things that makes Bristol the vibrant and colourful city it is. 

If your interested in Bristol Graffiti Art, you will may be interested in the links below too. 
Graffiti Art Down Bristol Alleys
Stokes Croft: Relentless Optimism
Stokes Croft: Part of Bristol Graffiti Art
Welcome to Bristol Graffiti Art Part 1
Welcome to Bristol Graffiti Art Part 2

Derek Jarman's Garden

More photographs from our holiday in Dungeness in the Borough of Lydd

We saw the famous British Queer Pagan Radical Punk Director and Cinematographer Derek Jaman's (1942-1994) Garden, though I think it is now owned by a energy company like most of the shingle shore headland or 'desert' as it often described.  

Derek Jaman's Garden is described as a garden that sits on the edge of the world.  

Vegetarian & Vegan Bohemian Pub: The Railway Hotel, Southend-On-Sea

So its been a long weekend and I am thankful for it.

We went to Essex to see my mother in law.  

Over the Easter weekend, we went to  Southend-On-Sea.  We have been there many times. See here for pictures from the archives.  This time though, I had an ulterior motive for going into the town. First we walked along the seafront and spent some £ in the amusement arcades.  I kept putting in 2p into the slot to win a Mamushka/Babushka Russian Doll key ring, but failed. As I was walking away a little disappointed like a sulking child, a woman ran up behind me calling me.  I turned around I thought I had dropped something.  Her son was on the machine next to us, he wanted a eraser aka rubber, but got a Russian Doll keyring (she obviously had overheard me talking to D about me trying to get this keyring).  I was totally blown away by her and her son's sweet kindness.  We were actually able to swap as my sister in law had got an Minion eraser that she did not want. We were both happy. We then went into the town centre for a wander before arriving at our destination.

I have been wanting to try out a vegetarian pub known as The Railway Hotel in Southend-On-Sea a few years ago, but every time we went to see my MIL time ran out and we had to head back home.  

This time though we made time. 

Kind Cakes, Mean Bakes in Bristol

Did I tell you we had 1 inch of snow in the Welsh valleys at the weekend.  It was a bit of a surprise, to look out of the bedroom window to find the greenhouse and dirt ground covered with the cold white stuff.  It took us a little while to scrape the ice of the car too.

Anyway, to escape the cold and being stuck indoors, we took a drive and made a day trip of going into Bristol.  I love Bristol for many reasons, when I graduated from University all those years ago  - I applied for jobs in Bristol, Brighton and Birmingham, but ended up finding a job in the city when I went to Uni - Glasgow.  I do love exploring Bristol as well as trying out the many vegetarian and vegan eateries.  I also enjoy taking a lazy wander around Stokes Croft for the graffiti art - but there was not much new there this time round, just a handful around the #RefugeesWelcome.  

This is the only one that I managed to capture on camera.  Its Paddington Bear - Migration is Not a Crime.  Instead of Cafe Kino, we decided to try a different place -  Wise Beans Cafe -  the coffee was real good.  

We were not ready to eat, but I was restraining myself as we had walked passed the Market at The Moon and I spyed some beautiful handmade crafted gifts, as well as Kind Cakes, Mean Bakes and I was suddenly tempted by all of their sweet and savoury bites.  

Sometimes, I miss my own vegetarian culinary adventures and admire and live precariously through others.  If I do return to grassroots cooking, I often imagine it will be something like Mazi Mas or The International Peace Cafe, both recently featured in The Guardian; or even just a 'Pop Up Supper Club'. 

I am very cautious when I tell vegetarian and vegan stall holders that I used to do some catering (and sometimes that I even have a food blog). The response closer to home has not always been welcoming.  I am often snubbed and perceived as a competitor.  Sadly even the non-vegetarian stalls that knock out one sad 'cheese and onion' vegetarian option, give me that sly look, but I have to be honest, its the first time that I got a bit of warmth and it came from two funky vegan women behind Kind Cakes Mean Bakes.  I applaud that kind and genuine warmth that they exuded, they were even generous in sharing a recipe with me.   Thank you so much Caroline and Jane. 

I really really wanted to try everything made by  Kind Cakes Mean Bakes, but at the same time I didn't want to be carrying fragile fresh bakes in my bag and wandering the eclectic streets of Bristol for another few hours, so I went for one - the most eye-catching bake on the table, saying that most were incredible - but it was the beetroot topping that made me opt for the vegan Savoury Cake with 'cream cheese'. 

Above - Caroline lifting up a generous slice for me to take home.  And boy, oh boy it was Awesome - even D gave it the thumbs up. 

My one regret on the day was not getting some Jaffa Fakes - some with orange and some with raspberries!  I consolidate myself in the knowledge that I will visit  Kind Cakes Mean Bakes again, but it may now be next Year, unless we go back in December for some Christmas shopping...   You never know....

Oat Chocolate Chia Pudding

Some of you will know that this week is National Chocolate Week, well here is my only chocolate offering for the week - Oat Chocolate Chia Pudding, but before I talk about the pudding I want to give my view of it as a chocolate drink.  

Oatly Oat Drink Chocolate is a Swedish dairy -free, soy free milk alternative.  Oatly has been around for years, but has recently been given a make over.  I have to say, as a vegetarian I really enjoyed the Oat Chocolate drink.   Originally when I opened the container and poured it into a glass, I did initially think, oh that looks really watered down.  It was then that I noted the words 'shake me'.  I immediately screwed the top back on and gave it a good shake.  It was much 'chocolate milk' looking.  I really liked it, I would never have been able to say that it was a dairy free alternative, but perhaps that is because when I do drink milk, and it is not that often - it is the semi skimmed type, anyway, the chocolate flavour was enough for me.  Not too sweet and not to weak

Other than just drinking the Oatly Chocolate, I decided to  make a couple of recipes from it. The first is Oat Chia Pudding loosely based on my Raspberry Chia Pudding.   Once the ingredients had swelled, I decided to blend half of it to a smoother texture.  So if you look close at the glass, you will see the two different layers.  

Instead of spooning the Oat Chocolate Chia Seed Pudding to chill overnight in a bowl, I decided to divide it between some wine glasses.  Now how often do you eat breakfast out of a wine glass?!

August In My Kitchen

The garden is finally beginning to produce , not in large amounts though, mostly raspberries.  I've made quite a few sweet dishes with the raspberries - Raspberry Coconut Balls; and Raspberry Pavlova and even a Raw Raspberry Mousse Tart.   

and then there are the runner beans, dripping from the bean poles, the only vegetable not attacked by the birds and the slugs.   

I've made a couple of Runner Bean dishes (that I have yet to share on my blog), but one is made with Zaytoun Palestinian Za'atar.  Za'atar is a zesty Middle Eastern seasoning made with wild thyme, toasted sesame seeds and sumac.  I discovered Zaytoun when I lived in Glasgow and went along to a Fairtrade event.  The Zaytoun  extra virgin olive oil is like no other extra virgin olive oil that I have ever tasted, it was simply pure, flavourful and coated my crusty bread like melted butter. This particular jar of Zaytoun Palestinian Za'atar. got lost in the back of my kitchen cupboards and has only been rediscovered, it is now in the front and will be used actively in my kitchen. 

I also have some Zaytoun Smoky Freekah.  I did cook with some last month, but the brand that I used was not overly smoky, so I thought I would try a different brand.  Verdict to come.

I have some Raw Beetroot and Rosemary Crackers, ready for me to tear open when I have the munchies.  And some Pearls of Sarmarkand Mulberries.  I tend to nibble on dried fruit when I want something a little sweet, but is anyone have any ideas what to do with them, other than stirring into breakfast - muesli or granola base, a recipe would be most appreciated.    

Talking of breakfasts, I have been making the most of Cacao Nibs.  I've recently made Raw Chocolate and Avocado Mousse; and wait for it....

Raw Chocolate Muesli with Cacao Nibs and Cocoa Powder.   Its utterly gorgeous to eat.

I've also recently discovered a new brand of herbal teas CharBrew.  I have been making my own chocolate tea at home with cacao nibs (recipe to come), but to find Chocolate and Orange Tea excited me.  I've had Chocolate Tea from a well known brand in the past and was really disappointed in it, as the next packet I purchased lacked chocolate flavour, and so did the one after that, so I have not bothered with that brand again, so you can imagine how pleased I was to find this.  I ripped open the packet and my face was immediately hit by the chocolate and orange smell. The taste did not disappoint either .  The other is Pineapple and Vanilla.  Next to the teas is one of my new mugs with map of the world on it.  I have instructed my husband that this mug is specifically to be used for hot chocolate or herbal fruit teas - not coffee or black tea (or he will be in the naughty book, where I tell him off for an hour or so and then forget).  

And some of you I am a snacker.  I love my savoury snacks with proper crunch.   I was sent some Manomasa Mexican Tortilla chips to review.  Not all there crisps are suitable for vegetarians, but some are such as the Green Lemon and Pink Peppercorns and Tomatillo Salsa here.  I loved the sharp twang from the Green Lemon that danced on my tongue for a while, and the pink peppercorns was a lovely touch, nice change from black peppercorns.  The Tomatillo Salsa had a wonderful balance of spices, but also heat and sweetness.   I am looking forward to trying out there Chipotle Lime when I find a place that sells them locally, otherwise you can pick them up at Ocado and Independent Farm Shops.  

I've a few more things to share including unused kitchen  gadgets rediscovered since I've moved home, but this new Optimuum 9400 Froothie blender has perhaps been the most used kitchen gadget in the last two months making smoothies, raw tarts, sweet desserts and sauces, so its only right that I write about it.  I do have a designer brand Food Processor and Blender (both gifts), but the difference with this heavy duty Froothie machine is that is pulps, purees and chops and cuts through ice (creating slushies) and dried nuts very easily, whereas other brands you have to stop and start, scrape down, and start and stop again; or its a no go area, in fear of burning the motor out and I have done that in the past.   I have found the  Optimuum 9400 blender a pleasure to use. There are no detachable parts to screw or lock together, it pops on and off.  It has been very easy to clean too, you just fill the jug with hot water from the tap and add a squirt of washing liquid, blend for a few seconds then tip and rinse out the contents. 

As I said, I have made lots of things in it, but the two that I am most chuffed about are Carrot Ketchup and Raw Carrot Halwa (recipe yet to be shared) which was a surprisingly big hit by every one who had a piece.

I am sharing this post with Celia at Fig and Jam for August edition of In My Kitchen Series. Please go by and check out the other IMK posts for a nosy. 

Rosehips on a Kitchen Table

I’m waiting to get my mitts on World Food Cafe Vegetarian Bible albeit through the library, but a little while ago ‘Rosehips on a Kitchen Table: Seasonal Recipes for Foragers and Foodies’ written by Carolyn Caldicott landed on my door mat.   

Rosehips on a Kitchen Table is published by Frances Lincoln Ltd and is retailed at £9.99.  Its a pretty little book and very homely.  It is well written with lots of real photographs of food, as opposed to staged photographs.The book is divided into five sections: the introduction is called Rich Pickings, followed by Gleaning - foraging for wild food; Grow Your Own; Gluts; and What on earth do I do with this? with emphasis on slightly more unusual vegetables such as quince and celeriac.

It contains 56 recipes such as wild garlic pesto, nettle soup, rosehip syrup, and quince cheese to name a few.  I have bookmarked to make the more unusual recipes such as chilli and lime ice-cream, pleased to say that I don't even need an ice-cream machine to make it, yay!   I am also glad to say that many, in fact majority of the recipes are suitable for vegetarians.

I do however think this book would be mostly welcomed by both new foragers and new foodies, as a number of the recipes will be familiar to those (like myself) who have been foraging for wild food such as nettles, wild garlic, elderflowers and rosehips for years; and cooking creatively with vegetables and foraged free food for a while.  All in all, its a good introductory seasonal cook book to give to the new urban or rural forager in your life.

Puro Fairtrade Coffee Review and Vegan Gingerbread

I've been meaning to write this coffee review for a good few good months now, but my hours at work have been non-stop that I have barely found time to myself, let alone to blog and write a review.  Anyway, today I find myself with a little time to write a little about Puro Fairtrade coffee to review.  I say a little as I have noted since I received my coffee package from Puro a number of fellow foodie bloggers have also been asked to review the very same product, so I don't want to repeat in parrot fashion a lot here in relation to Puro Fairtrade Coffees background.  Instead I encourage you to go on over to Chocolate Log Blog review and The Ordinary Cooks review and Fuss Free Flavours review . 

I will however share my own personal taste of the three blends of coffee that were sent to me to review.  But before I do I want to say that when the package arrived, I was quite chuffed.  It was one of the most prettiest packages I had ever received and it wasn't even a Christmas or Birthday present.  The heavy hessian sack contained three 250g packets of coffee with hand-written labels, but also a cream coloured cafetiere, a Pura cup and saucer, a Pura expresso cup and saucer and some sachets of l hot chocolate sachets and brown sugar too.  I like brown sugar with my coffee.  Thank you so much for this Puro.

Okay onto the coffee review.  I do like my caffeine kick in the morning, but I have to admit to those of you who are real coffee connoisseurs that my preference is for mellower blends. I found that the Puro Fuerte described as fragrant dark roast with a touch of spice just too strong for my palette, I could barely drink it.  It was just too bitter for me (but I am not one to waste, I did use the coffee for making cakes - vegan Gingerbread being one of them).  My favourite Puro blend was the Puro Organic with its soft notes of sweet chocolate with tangy citrus, followed by the Puro Noble with its lively medium roast with hints of hazelnuts.

Puro Fairtrade Coffee as the name suggests is a fairtrade brand, certified by the Fairtrade Foundation. If you wish to learn more about Puro and some of its initiatives worldwide, please watch this video, or check out either their website or their facebook page.

Puro coffees are available in the UK at National Trust cafes, Allegra McEvedys marvellous restaurant Leon, among many others. I've learned that the range will also be available to buy online direct from the Puro At Home website soon.

Vegan Gignerbread Cake - Click on link for recipe

I also have a picture of me drinking the coffee from a Puro branded cup to share with you, but as the photograph was taken a while ago - February 2013 in fact, I just cannot see it in my picture files.  I will post it here as son as I can locate it.

Disclosure: I was sent these coffee blends in return for this blog post. The opinions expressed here are my own and I received no financial incentive.

Moving Home: Safe and Sound

A heartfelt Thank you to everyone for their warm wishes and comments on the previous two blog posts. Each comment has been read, digested and truly appreciated.  

Well the move from Scotland to Wales has been with relative ease.  The only drawback is that we are still tied to the flat as it has not been sold, in fact that is where D is right now.  He travelled down with me for the move a couple of weeks ago and was up again with his sleeping bag within a couple of days.  I hope to see him next week.  Unfortunately until the flat is officially sold, he will have to travel back and fro.  We also have some local friends who will regularly drive by and check it out. 

As this was our first ever major move with large wooden furniture, lots of books: cookbooks and academia, fragile glass and ceramic goods, as well as pots and a bench from the garden.  I have to say the removal company we contracted in Scotland: DMG Direct made our move most comfortable.  Not only is the DMG Direct accredited by the National Guild of Removers, very important in these days as many other companies can be just a man with a van.  We were offered a very fair and competitive quote, (and more importantly within our budget).   They do say, moving home is one of the most stressful times in peoples lives.  I have to say, I praise David and his team for making the move easy and working with a genuine smile, even when the number of boxes and weight of my cookbooks was starting to lose its humour.  I have to admit, I was expecting something to be either scratched, cracked or at least smashed during the move, but not one single thing was damaged.  So if you are ever moving home - in and around Scotland; or from Scotland - I really cannot recommend DMG Direct highly enough.  The service on the day of removal and the day of delivery was first class.

Well most of the recycled cardboard boxes have been emptied and things put into their new place for now.  Framed pictures have yet to be hammered into the walls.  There are still a number of unaccounted expenses.  For a start, our curtains are too heavy for the curtain rails in the house and are very likely to break.  Either we will have to purchase lighter curtains or replace the curtain rail with a pole to support them.  What is missing from this house and something that I am missing already is in built storage space. We will have to buy a second-hand wardrobe for our seasonal clothing and heavy coats.  I've not yet leaped into the kitchen with much enthusiasm yet, as I am still getting used to the place and the space.  Saying that though, at the weekend when I had my younger brother and his nippers over, I did get to test the new cooker out.  The rings operate by gas and the oven by electric.  I made some macaroni cheese and some banana muffins, which were snubbed a little by my brother who said they were not sweet enough.  Ah he just doesn't appreciate natural sweetness.  His kids approved though of both dishes.  My parents and other brother, also younger than me and his family have yet to visit me. 

I am really looking forward to seeing this place, albeit it rented for now, become our home.  I am looking forward to getting back into cooking for pleasure.  I am looking forward to growing organic vegetables again.  Yes I am excited to share that this house comes with a reasonable bit of growing land, but that won't stop me from signing up for an allotment too.  I also have to sign up with some employment agencies too - savings are really dwindling now.

Oh before I sign off, I'd like to share that just before Christmas 2011, I won a giveaway from Sue at Our New Life in the Country.  The generous lavender patterned gift bag contained lots of lavender scented goodies from her farmers craft market stall such as: a tube of hand lotion, bottle of bath essence and a selection of gorgeous handmade soaps that are being sniffed by admiring nephews and nieces.  I left them all untouched until I moved home.  I viewed Sues giveaway as a wonderful home-warming gift.  Its already making the bathroom a very appealing place indeed.  Thank you so much Sue. 

Sue has always been warm towards me, she occasionally highlights a 'Blogging Buddies' post, and guess what one of them was me - see here. - Ah I felt so big-hearted and fuzzy all over when I read it.    Like me Sue has just moved home, please please do go by and visit her here.  I know she will give you a very warm welcome.  

American Cups and Measuring Spoons

Alongside my kitchen scales, I also have some American cups that come in handy for making  recipes from my American cook books and for making muffins.  For those of you who have been reading my blog a while, will know that I prefer muffins to cupcakes.  So these plastic measuring cups have been used a lot!

I also have steel cups, but I am not so keen on them. 

Unfortunately after years of good use, the plastic¼ cup and the1 full cup eventually snapped.  If you look closer (above), you will also note that the remaining cups are held together with jute string.  So you can imagine my delight when I was contacted by find me a gift, an on-line retailer to review Russian Doll American-style Measuring Cups, a perfectly timed and a quirky replacement.

These Russian dolls measuring cups come in 6 sizes from ¼, 1/3, ½, 2/3, ¾ and 1 cup.  They are made from food safe, long-life and heavy duty plastics.  I was at first a little bemused at the measurements.  When pulled apart - both parts: the head part and the body part served as measuring  cups.    I like how they stack up inside of each other, saving space in a small kitchen.  My only qualm with these are that they don't have handles, so your hands will get covered in a little flour, but hey that's part of baking isn't it?! So I won't grumble too much.

If you don want to use these Russian Dolls for cooking or baking, I think they can look pretty simply displayed and can easily hold some spices like nutmeg, cloves; or even some jewellery, like ear-rings and rings.

Psst I think these Russian Dolls would make a lovely Valentine gift for the baker in your home.