Welsh Laverbread, Leek and Potato Samosa

Happy St David's Day.

For St David's Day, I decided to give the Welsh cakes, Bara Brith and Cawl - all vegetarian and vegan versions of course -  a miss.

This year, I wanted to make something that both acknowledged and celebrates my South Asian heritage and my Welsh root and shoots - Yes, a little bit of fusion - It was going to be Laverbread Dal,  but I make that quite often, so I decided on making some home-made Welsh Laverbread, Leek and Potato Samosa, a bit more effort but so worthwhile.  Yes that favourite South Asian moreish snack filled with spicy goodness and then encased in a crispy and flaky pastry.

There is not much growing in my garden at the moment, but as a Welsh woman I am proud to say there are some leeks (and some red Chard). 

Welsh Laverbread Seitan Faggots (vegan) with Onion Gravy

I've featured vegan Welsh Faggots on my blog in the past, but have always wanted to enhance them textually and visually.  I was able to do this a few days ago for our homely St Davids Day Welsh Vegan Menu with the addition of another Welsh delicacy Laverbread.  

For those of you not  from Wales and not familiar with Welsh faggots, well in a nutshell Faggots were traditionally made with the innards of pigs. The pate like mixture was then wrapped in the lacy casing of the animals caul and oven roasted slowly.  

I remember reading a while back, that the Welsh faggots is what haggis is to the Scots and is often referred to as Welsh Haggis in some parts of Wales.  There may be some truth in this as The Scotsman also make reference to haggis being popular in the Welsh Valleys of Wales, but they still credit the Scots for the haggis jokingly writing that a Scottish haggis escaping to Wales in 1690, hence its popularity in Wales. 

Faggots are still made in Wales and are still quite popular.  Faggots are traditionally served with mushy peas and onion gravy or brown meaty gravy.  My Welsh Laverbread Seitan Faggots are of course is suitable for vegetarians and for vegans and so is the onion gravy. 

D absolutely loved the onion gravy.  He didn't mind the Welsh Laverbread Seitan Faggots either.

Welsh Lavebread Bara Lawr and Leeks Risotto

I made a Welsh Laverbread Bara Lawr and Leeks Risotto over the weekend with the fresh laverbread that I picked up from the market in the city of Cardiff. 

By the time it came to eating, making and plating it up, it had got a little too dark for a photograph, so you will have to forgive me and imagine how the Welsh Laverbread Leeks Risotto looked.  

Creamy white risotto with flecks of dark green from both sweet leeks and laverbread. It tasted lovely actually.  I liked how the laverbread clung onto the rice like a green edible rice paper.  I will definitely be making it again and hopefully the next time I will get a photograph for you.

Please also check out my Welsh Rarebit Risotto

Welsh Laverbread and Leeks Risotto
Serves 2
Ingredients
2 tablespoons olive oil
2 medium leeks (green and white parts), sliced an cleaned
200g risotto rice
2 pints vegetable stock
2 - 4 tablespoons fresh laverbread
Optional: 60g - 100g cheddar cheese or Vegan Alternative, grated
1 tablespoon Tamari sauce
Salt and pepper to taste
Method
Heat the oil in a wide shallow pan and cook the leeks until softened. 
Stir in the rice until coated and sauté with the leeks until the rice is translucent. 
Then gradually add the stock. 
Stir until the rice is tender – this will take about 30 minutes. 
Halfway through the process stir in the laverbread.
You may not need all the liquid.
A couple of minutes before the end of the cooking time, stir in the Tamari and optional  cheese or vegan alternative.
Season with salt and pepper to taste and serve immediately. 

Welsh Laverbread Cakes and a Piece of Toast

If your a regular reader of my Welsh Vegetarian food blog, you will have seen laverbread featured many times, but for those of you who are not familiar with this Welsh delicacy, in a nutshell Laverbread or bara lawr  as it is known in some parts of Wales is simply cooked seaweed that has been pureed.  It has a pate like consistency, so perfect for spreading on toast.  Welsh Laverbread not to everyone's taste, but I recommend you trying it at least once if your ever in Wales, but saying that its not easy to get hold of, even for those of us who live in the Welsh valleys of Wales.

Many independent high street shops like traditional green grocers and fishmongers no longer exist.  These were places where you can you could pick up fresh sea vegetables like samphire and laverbread are closing down in towns or have closed down due to economic downturn as people snub the High Street and flock to shopping malls stuck in some industrial estate, The places to get fresh laverbread these days in South Wales and South West are cities that have thriving indoor markets.  Cities like Cardiff and  Swansea (and perhaps large market towns like Abergavenny) where I have always been able to purchase fresh laverbread. 

I consider myself a progressive cook with fusion having in the past created vegetarian Welsh Laverbread Burgers aka Glorified Laverbread Cakes, and last year Vegan Welsh Woman's Laverbread Caviar, but today I decided to keep it pure, simple and traditional.

I made these little Welsh Laverbread Cakes, also known as patties this morning.  The recipe is so simple. Stir the fresh laverbread with rolled porridge oats, if you find the mixture too soft, just add some more oats to it and shape into round little patties. Put in the fridge to firm up, when ready to eat.  Shallow fray in a little oil or butter until crisp and a golden crust has appeared.  Serve immediately.

Cardiff Viva Vegan Festival

Over the weekend, we went into the city of Cardiff for the Vival Vegan Festival.  

This was Cardiff's largest vegan festival organised by the charity Viva!  Viva! is an animal and environmental campaigning charity that exposes animal abuse.  

Cardiff Viva Vegan Festival was held at Cardiff City Hall. 

St Dwynwen's Day Romantic Vegetarian and Vegan Menu

Many of my readers will know from reading my blog that Wales has its own Welsh Valentines Day known as Dydd Santes Dwynwens .  This is celebrated today - the 25th January.  

St Dwynwen is The Welsh Saint of Love and Lovers. For those of you who want to know more please follow this link that I wrote a few years back about Our very own Patron Saint of Love.

Also you may want to Visit Wales have written a bit more about St Dwynwen's Day and they also have a lovely St Dwynwen's Day card for you to print and give to your loved one/s.

We are so proud in Wales that we have a woman who is the Patron Saint of Love.  Her name Dwynwen translates to 'she who leads a blessed life' and her most well known saying is 'nothing wins hearts like cheerfulness'.  So if you want to show your loved one a little affection and celebrate St Dwynwen's Day with us today, I have collected some of the best vegan and vegetarian Welsh inspired recipes from my blog and have listed them here if you wish to create a Romantic St Dwynwen Vegan or Vegetarian meal in your own home.

Dydd Santes Dwynwen Haput!

Starters
Welsh Woman's Vegan Laverbread Caviar serve these with Cashew Cream Cheese and crackers or if you don't fancy crackers then perhaps a little on some Crempog Las .  

vegan Welsh Savoury Pancakes - Christmas Crempog Las

D said 'Is that supposed to look like a Christmas tree?
' Just take the picture' I told him.

Of course he is right, but lets not give him the satisfaction of knowing that.

This is a savoury and vegan take on Welsh Pancakes known as Crempog Las.  Crempog are more akin to American style pancakes in that they are thicker and a bigger than a blini and even pikelets. Crempog are often cooked on a Welsh griddle bakestone, which I am fortunate to own. There has been speculation in recent times that the word Crempog is a derivation of the word crumpet. I'm also quite  intrigued by the Las bit, as Lassi means savoury in Urdu, Punjabi and Hindi. Crempog is not the only word in Welsh to describe pancakes, there is also Ffroes, Cramwythen and Pancogen.

Anyway, top off these green Christmas Crempog Las in style with some homemade Welsh caviar; or failing that some cream cheese or cheese. 

I am sharing these vegan Welsh Savoury Crempog Las  with Gluten Free Fridays and also Treat Petite.  If you have any other green recipes please do share with #Eat Your Greens hosted by The VegHog, the rules are here;  My Legume Love Affair that was started by The Well Seasoned Cook and now administed by Lisa's Kitchen.  this month is is hosted by The VegHog;  Healthy Vegan Fridays hosted by Rock My Vegan Socks and V Nutrition. and finally The Food Calendar with Charlottes Lively Kitchen - Celebrating Christmas!

National Welsh Rarebit Day

So apparently today, the 3rd of September is Welsh Rarebit Day.  I am a little embarrassed to admit this but as a Welsh born and bred person I only discovered this recently, and by recently I mean literally this week when a fellow blogger gave me a gentle nudge.  But I am not going to be hard on myself,  it looks like a relatively new initiative with it only being celebrated in the last few years.

I don't think I have ever posted a Welsh Rarebit recipe on my blog.  For two reasons, one I've just taken it for granted as a national dish for Wales and secondly, I've always seen it as simple home comfort fare. Ultimately its just cheese on toast, albeit posh cheese on toast with the addition of beer,  vegetarian Worcestershire Sauce) and mustard.

Anyway, I have made other variations of Welsh Rarebit at home.  So with it being National Welsh Rarebit Day I have taken the opportunity to showcase some of these vegetarian Welsh Rarebit inspired vegetarian recipes.

Welsh Rarebit Laverbread Scones 

Welsh Rarebit Risotto

Welsh Rarebit Cauliflwoer 'Steak'

When was it the last time you ate a Welsh Rarebit? 

Welsh Rarebit Laverbread Scones

The Welsh Laverbread Diaries continue...

These Welsh Rarebit Laverbread Scones were with a capital A - Amazing.  D scoffed down two and would have easily gone for a third had I not given him the beady eye.  

The mustard seeds give it pop and warmth, the Welsh laverbread a little colour and saltiness. and of course the cheddar cheese metled on top gives it that golden Blonde hue, gorgeous just on the cusp of almost burnt, but not quite.  To give the scones additional oomf, I've used both self raising flour and baking powder, but you can just leave out the baking powder if you wish.  Most of my recipes are easy to veganize, and this one is no different, just make a vegan savoury scone, then add vegan alternative non dairy milk and cheese.

As I said earlier, D loved these.  We had finished of the remaining  scones in the following coming day, but gave them about 30 second in the nuker (microwave)  for a bit of warmth, but they are at their best on the day.

The lovely Louise from Months of Edible Celebrations wrote a fantastic insightful piece on Welsh Rarebit - Chasing the Rabbit  that may interest those of you  interested in the origins of the Rarebit.  Follow this link.   

And if your looking for more Welsh Laverbread inspiration, see the links below.
Welsh Laverbread Pies
Welsh Woman's Laverbread Caviar
Welsh Laverbread Suet Pudding with Mushrooms and Puy Lentils
Glorified Laverbread Cakes aka Welsh Welsh Vegetarian Burger with Caerphilly Cheese
Welsh cottage Pie with Laverbread Mash
Welsh
Laverbread, Samphire and Seaweed Quiche with Perl Las Cheese

Little Welsh Nibbles In My Kitchen

With today being St David's Day, I thought I would share some Welsh things and Welsh nibbles in my kitchen. 

 I treated myself to a cute new Welsh mug, this has found its way to the office. 

I've showcased this chopping board before on my blog, but I couldn't resist sharing it again.  It reads in Welsh 'Homemade Bread made with Love'.  It was given to me as a gift from my nephew many years ago and I still treasure it, no bread or bread knife has ever been near it. 

This is a novelty dish wash scrubby in the shape of a Welsh daffodil.  

Welsh Woman's Vegan Laverbread Caviar

Dydd Dewi Sant hapus! (Happy St Davids's Day!) Lovely readers.  

Laverbread is known in Wales as 'Welshman's Caviar'.  I first heard about an actual 'Welsh Laverbread Caviar' product from my nephew who came up to see me when I lived in Scotland (see here), and it had since got me thinking of making my own.  

The eureka moment came to me a when I made my balsamic beetroot pearls  and then it dawned on me  to try this with tapioca, basil seeds and even chia seeds.  These worked well as a substitute, the beady seeds swelled and became voluminous and gelatinous, however they lacked in flavour.  I had to find ways to inject flavours into these bobbly beads.  Natural colours were easy to impart, but flavours were a little harder to accomplish, but I eventually got there with: brine, tomato juice, carrot juice, smoked liquid and so forth.  

Even though I've been making vegan Caviar for a few years now, I have failed to blog about them.  Not all my experiments in the kitchen make it onto the blog due to poor evening lighting.  And although this vegan caviar is still not quite perfect (I need to drain the liquid a little more for a start), I think its good enough to share the concept/idea with my readers.  

Originally I had thought to call my vegetarian version 'Mermaids Pearls', but 'Welsh Gentlewoman's Vegan Caviar' sounds more cachet.  

Vegan Welsh Cottage Pie with Laverbread Mash

You will find many variations of vegetarian and vegan Shepherds Pie here, but I've never featured a Cottage Pie on my blog, not sure why as I have made them many times - perhaps its because it doesn't really look that pretty to photograph.

So what is the difference between a Shepherds Pie and a Cottage Pie.  Traditionally a Shepherd Pie made with minced lamb and Cottage Pie with chunks of beef, but for vegetarians and vegans this is often substituted with minced mushrooms or a mock meat substitute. 

Here is my version of a vegetarian Cottage Pie made with the addition of Welsh leeks which give it a little sweetness and topped with seaweed - Welsh Laverbread mash.  I was prompted to make a Welsh version of Cottage pie when I saw a Scottish twist on a Cottage Pie. 

I am sure you will find a Irish version and with respect, we all know there is no shortage of English variations of the humble Cottage Pie.

Indo Cymru Leek Stew with Dumplings that give you a Cwtch

Some of you will have noticed that in the past week or so, I have been gravitating towards Welsh recipes and Welsh things.  This is for the simple reason that next week many of us in Wales will be celebrating St David's Day, even the daffodils are coming out to celebrate, though to be honest they have been out posing by the side of the roads a month earlier.

As we enjoyed the Curried Root Vegetable Stew a couple of weeks back, I thought I would make it again, but enhance it further with the addition of spices and leeks and make it somewhat Fusion Welsh - yes we do like our leeks here in Wales, well I do.  Even though the daffodils are confused and finding the British weather warm, some of us are still finding it, so stew-like meals have been on the menu quite a bit.   

Cwtch means hug in Welsh and it a word you will hear and see a lot in Wales. And these light cloud like dumplings definitely give you a big warm welcome hug, who doesn't love a good hug. 

The topping of Welsh cheddar or Caerphilly cheese is purely optional.  

Vegetarian Welsh Cawl Hot Pot

In anticipation of St David's Day, I made this Welsh Cawl Hot Pot yesterday afternoon.

Most people in the U.K are familiar with Lancashire Hot Pot made more famous by a barmaid called Betty (now deceased) in a popular British soap drama called Coronation Street.  It was Betty's signature dish at the Rovers Return Inn - a English pub.   

Hot Pot is a slow cooked recipe traditionally made with lamb and vegetables, but as this is a vegetarian blog I made mine with some vegan mock 'lamb' meat pieces.  I also decided to give this Hot Pot a Welsh touch with the addition of leeks and good Welsh cheese.  

Actually this can easily be a vegan Welsh Cawl Hot Pot, if you omit the cheese, but as I had some Dragon Welsh Caerphilly and Colliers Welsh Cheddar I opted to use them.  Although not authentic in any way, I enjoyed my vegetarian Welsh Hot Pot alternative.  It delivered on flavour, texture and substance.  there was also some gravy juices sitting at the bottom of the hot pot when it came out of the oven that made for moist mock 'lamb' pieces.  I served the finished dish with some steamed broccoli heads. 

This is not a sponsored blog post

Made in Wales

So its Five on Friday and I am sticking once again with my Welsh theme especially as it is St Davids Day next Tuesday.

I thought I would share five Made in Wales things in my home.

I picked up this 'Made in Wales' framed picture from a crafts arts and fair market. Its handmade and upcycled with a traditional Welsh blanket, almost tartan style and some cute little alphabet cards.  I fell in love with it instantly and D bestowed it upon me within moments.  He has a terrible habit of spoiling me.  I love him.

These graceful Welsh ladies are handmade by Kingsmaker  and carved from real welsh coal.  I  think they date back to the 1950s.  I know such things are terribly old fashioned but I like them.  I picked these charming Welsh ladies in full Welsh costume from a charity shop last summer, there is something quite solemn about them and somehow that impacts on my mood in a positive way.  I hold one in the palm of my hand when I feel that I am getting angry or mift and they bring a calmness in me.   

Next we have some Welsh recipe books  resting on a heart shaped Welsh slate.  All these Welsh cookbooks were printed in Wales.  Croeso Cymreig - A Warm Welsh Welcome was published in the 1950s and cost One Shilling.

Here we have The Best of Traditional Welsh Cooking, Welsh Country Puddings and Pies and my favourite acquisition 'Recipes from Wales' a binded book with lovely illustrations from John Cleal.  This was published in 1976 - 1977 by Workshop Wales in Fishguard.  There is one bizarre recipes in this on Banana'n Bacon Rolls!  Otherwise.  

Five Welsh Vegetarian Leek Recipes

Many of you came by last week through Amy at Love Made My Home were really kind.  You seemed to have enjoyed my Five Welsh Castle posts, so in the same vain I thought I would share five of my favourite Welsh leek recipes with you. The Leek - as many of you will know is the national emblem of Wales alongside the daffodil and the roaring glorious red dragon.  

This short blog post is also a nod towards St David's Day that will shortly be here and my Welsh roots. Hope some of these Welsh Leek recipes inspire you to celebrate St David's Day whether your Welsh or not. 

Simple, but this Leek and Potato Soup with Chilli aka Welsh Dragon Soup remains one of my firm favourites.  

I created theseWelsh Leek, Caerphilly Cheese and Laverbread Burgers when I lived in Scotland and my lovely nephew came up to see me, they were a super success. 

You will find lots of versions of Red Dragon Pie, thisFiery Red Dragon Pie is mine.

Welsh Haggis Lasagne - Yes, the Welsh also have haggis!  

Not the prettiest, but these deep fried Welsh Leek and Caerphilly Cheese Pakoras aka Bhaji's are very tasty

So do you like leeks? Do you have any Welsh leek recipes to share. Do you celebrate St David's Day where you are? 

Autumn Puff Pastry Mincemeat Trees

A few weeks back when we were all planning on our Christmas menu, a colleague at work who loves her sweet baking shared a link with me for a very easy, yet very impressive recipe that would Wow guests.  It was simple enough, spread between two sheets of ready rolled puff pastry is a sweet (chocolate and hazelnut, fruit jams) or savoury (pesto, cheese) spread, then the pastry is shaped into a tree - an edible tree that is, where the tree branches are twisted for breaking off and enjoying.  I can only describe this a bit like a Danish pastry without the sugar icing.   I loved the look of the recipe, the fun aspects as well as the ease of making it, so picked up some puff pastry with intentions of making it for unexpected visitors, but sadly we didn't have many guests over the festive period... 

Then New Year came and I was given the opportunity to make it. 

Even though mine did not turn out as elegant as that featured in the link below and looked more like a Autumnal Tree, I was still pretty impressed with my effort.  I also loved the Welsh Lady's Christmas Mincemeat that had been in my cupboards for over a year. It was surprisingly jammy, unlike some jarred mincemeat that are dry and best shared with the garden birds. Saying that, we did share some of the leftovers of this Autumn Tree Twists with the garden birds.   

For the recipe follow this link.  For the filling I used a jar of Welsh Lady's Christmas Mincemeat (vegetarian) with Brandy & Sherry.  I am hoping to make another with Cheddar Cheese and Welsh Lady Roasted Chestnut Chutney.

Couple of other recipes to use up fruit mincemeat jars. 
Apple and mincemeat Crumble Tart
Fruit Mincemeat Flapjacks
I am sharing this with Credit Crunch Munch hosted by hosted by Fuss Free Flavours and Fab Food For All.

Vegan at Home in Wales

Today you can call me a 'vegan taff', I won't mind.  Taff is a slang word that was often used to describe a person from Wales. There are a few different explanations to its origins, some say it refers to the River Taff (which sounds more likely) and others claim its is derived from the Welsh name David pronounced Dafydd in Wales.  I remember being called Taffy quite clearly when I was small, especially whenever I would visit distant relatives in England, their neighbours would hear our accent and shout out 'taffy's' here.  

Anyway, today's prompt is 'make or eat a traditional local dish' and tomorrow's is 'honour a human (or non-human) that inspires yours veganism'.  

So I thought I would take the opportunity to share a post that I shared last year for Vegan Mofo, as this touches on both: it is filled with lots of Welsh vegan goodness, some traditional and some original and its respectfully acknowledges St David, the patron Saint of Wales who was a vegetarian.  St David only ate bread, herbs, vegetables and bread and drank only water. 

Laverbread, Samphire and Seaweed Flakes Also Known as 'Sea Vegetable' Quiche with Perl Las

One of the prettiest Quiches I have ever made.  Strewn with samphire spears, sprinkled with sea flakes and hidden under the pillowy creamy cheese softness, you will find a thin layer of Welsh laverbread on the still crisp pastry crust. 

When I went to Swansea Vegfest we also went to Swansea Market. Swansea Market is absolutely thriving.  There is a positive vibe and buzz in the air with the jostling and bustling  - not an empty stall in sight.  I brought back home some samphire known fondly as asparagus of the sea and some fresh laverbread (known in Wales as Welshman's Caviar); and some Perl Las cheese.  I knew exactly what I wanted to make with these ingredients as a recipe for 'Sea Vegetable' Quiche has been in the planning.  

At home I  also had some  Atlantic Kelp Organic Seaweed Flakes (see below), but I had to wait for the samphire and laverbread that are not so easy to come by, even though I live in the Welsh valleys, but travel a little closer to the coastline then you have may just be able to acquire some. And the decision to add Perl Las to the quiche was well rather poetic as Perl Las translates as Blue Pearl.  Perfect and a bit corny at the same time. 

The Sea Vegetable Quiche was absolutely lovely.  It tasted of the sea, you know that taste on your lips when you have been at the beach....but I have to add it is a bit of an acquired taste.  I think most people will not mind the salty samphire and the seaweed flakes, but the laverbread - well that is where it comes to personal taste.  I don't love laverbread, but I don't mind it now and again.  I have one little regret and that is not showing you a cut slice of this gorgeous quiche, as it was very pretty inside - flecked. 

Welsh Nosh and Welsh Things In My Kitchen

In the past, Celia from Fig Jam and Lime Cordial who hosts In My Kitchen (IMK) series has been kind enough to give me the opportunity to showcase my new Welsh kitchen when I moved home.  

Now nearly a year on I am going to share some other Welsh things and nibbles.  So what's in my kitchen for March?!  As we just celebrated St David's Day in Wales I thought IMK this month would have a distinct Welsh influence.

I am not a beer drinker at all, but I had to have this glittery beer glass.  It will probably never be used for drinking, but it looks pretty.  I may just fill it up with pens and pencils and put it on a table; or fill it up with daffodils when they pop up in our garden.  Next to this big glass is a little Welsh shot glass, look close and you will see a little Welsh lady.  

I have some Laverbread: a traditional Welsh delicacy that is often just spread on toast.   I have made some vegetarian recipes in the past with it like vegetarian burgers and pie, but I have recently made some new ones over the weekend including this rather rich Laverbread Dal - fusing my Welsh and South Asian heritage. 

I will showcase some of the recipes in the coming days, if you interested.  In the dainty red ceramic jar, we have Halen Mon Anglesey sea-salt that was gifted to me a little while back.  

Lurking back at the back of my cupboards in the kitchen, I found two Welsh Lady jars, one contains Roasted Chestnut Chutney and the other Mincemeat. You may not the little red ceramic dragon sitting on top of the left jar, I picked the cute little dragon from a crafts fair around Christmas time.  

Next we have 100% Welsh Extra Virgin Rapeseed Oil by Blodyn Aur.  It's been a while since I've used Rapeseed oil, the last time was actually when I lived in Scotland and I picked one up from the farmers market then. I am looking forward to using this mostly on salads.  Next to it, we have a Welsh Dragon Chilli Sauce called Electric Mud.  I picked this up when I was in Cardiff from the Riverside Market.  It is extremely hot and to be used in very small drops.