Arabic Seven Spice (Baharat) White Bean Stew

Eating black eyed peas at the start of the New Year had become a bit of a tradition in my home, reputed to bring good luck and prosperity. 

Goulash made with Black Eyed Beans
Black Eyed Peas Hot Pot
Ginger Black Eyed Peas
Trini Black Eyed Peas with Rice

Well whether its true or not, I fancied a change this time round and made something different. Still with pulse goodness.  I like the natural buttery nature of butter beans more than cannelini beans, but choose whatever white bean takes your fancy if you want to try this recipe.  What really tempted me to make this White Bean Soup was actually the Arabic Seven Spices  known as Baharat.  Follow this link to learn and see so many other variations of the Middle Eastern - Arabic Seven Spice - Baharat.

When the dish was completed, I felt it was more of a stew than a soup which was actually a good thing, making this suitable more for a meal than a light lunch.  The weather has been stupendous, the rain has been relentless - down pouring bucket by the bucket non-stop, so you can imagine how welcoming this stew was for me and my sniffly nose. 

This thick tomato based stew is not spicy hot like cuisine rooted in the Indian Sub-Continent, but gentler and more warming. The warmth comes from the paprika and freshly ground black peppercorns. 

D absolutely loved it and said he could eat another bowl of it, I said good.  You can have it again tomorrow (that was today!).  I am sharing this with My Legume Love Affair created by The Well Seasoned Cook and coordinated by Lisa's Vegetarian Kitchen.  This month it is being hosted by Sizzling Tastebuds.

Blogiversary & My Top 5 Best Vegetarian - Vegan Cookbooks 2015

I celebrate my Blogiversary today.  Hip Hip Hooray. 

2009

2010

2011

2012

2012-2013

2013

2014

2015

Blogging is not the same world anymore when I begun.  It has changed enormously - these days more about ratings, chasing awards, promotion of products, competition give aways and so on.  I am not of that blogging world. I am on the periphery of that world, though I must admit I been seduced sadly a couple of times when I should have stuck with my gut instincts and principles.  I miss honest and down to earth blogging.  There have been times when I have had to remind myself of the reasons I set my blog up in the first place as I haven't enjoyed it so much over the past couple of years.  I have to make blogging succeed for me. And I shall as I enjoy my blog space.  I will continue with my blog adventures and share what inspires me, what I create at home in my kitchen.  Its also a way for me to stay in touch with friends afar and loyal readers, as well as meeting new bloggers, so it is with this vain that I continue to blog when I can.  

Anyway I don't want this to be a rant, but a personal Celebration of sorts.   I launched my blog Allotment2Kitchen in 2009 mentioning some of my most thumbed through Vegetarian and Vegan cookbooks.   This year I thought I would share 5 Best Vegetarian and Vegan Cookbooks from 2015.  Its very different from the other lists you'll find.  No apple polishing, no - just my honest opinion for what it is worth.  I will write more about the cookbooks in the months to come, but here are my recommended picks from 2015:

5 Best Vegetarian - Vegan Cookbooks 2015

Cooking Up A Storm Laura Dakin from Sea Shepherd's 

Prashad At Home by Kaushy Patel

Street Vegan Adam Sobel

V is for Vegan Kerstin Rodgers

Vegan Bible Marie Laforet

What was your favourite vegetarian or vegan cookbook from 2015?

Heart Shaped Vegan Cheesecake for the New Year

Happy New Year.  Let us welcome 2016 with optimism, hope and kindness. 

I want to say a heartfelt Thank you to my loyal readers.  I honestly do appreciate you for supporting and reading my blog and commenting when you can.  And as a Thank you I share with you this Heart Shaped Vegan Cheesecake - albeit virtually. 

Many of you will know that I am a vegetarian; and what I cook and eat at home is mostly vegan, it is with this in mind that I have signed up to participate in Veganuary for a third year.  Veganuary is a campaign in association with Viva! that is encouraging people to pledge and try vegan food for every meal this January.