Broccoli Soup, Vegan and Gluten Free

Perfect for when you need something warming, tasty and full of goodness – nothing beats a good soup. I really love how good, wholesome food can lift your spirits to. Sitting here at the end of a lovely, lazy week off contemplating returning to work I can’t think of anything else I’d rather be chowing down on right about now. That and it’s stupidly easy to make, which helps , if you’re having a lazy week.. or you’re just generally a slightly lazy person like me.

Vegan Pancakes, American and British style!

It’s nearly Shrove Tuesday a.k.a stuff yourself silly with pancakes day – which is quite far from the point of Shrove Tuesday, but hey.. PANCAKES! How do you like yours? Thin, thick, sweet, savoury, fruity, chocolaty, sugary, lemony.. plain-y?

Potato Cakes

You know when you’re out shopping and you really should have eaten before you left because all you see when walking around is fast food, cookies and sweet shops? Well, in a round about way that’s how this recipe came about. Managing to avoid temptation meant I needed something quick, easy and tasty for lunch and that’s where these scrummy little potato cakes come in.

Roasted Sprouts

This recipe is so simple it hurts, in fact it’s more just like a piece of advice rather than a recipe it self! How many of you always boil your sprouts? I mean, it’s just what you do. Years and years and years (well.. I’m really not that old.. but as long as I have been alive for) I’ve always had my sprouts boiled, or very occasionally, steamed. I just assumed that’s what you did with them and so whenever I made them I done the same. Until now that is!

Mushroom and Chestnut Parcels

I love this time of year, with all the celebrations, events, nights out and great company. But of course, let’s face it, food can be the star of show! When I initially became vegetarian Christmas dinner was a little awkward, my family of die-hard meat eaters not really knowing what to cook for me and to be honest I didn’t really know either! Since then we’ve found new and tasty ‘alternative’, meat-free, Christmas faire and in fact my mum and sister both enjoy that more than the Turkey!

Roasted Pumpkin and Chestnut Soup

Pumpkin, pumpkin and more pumpkin, it’s all you see this time of year. But for a jolly good reason: it’s amaaaazing! So many things get a pumpkin twist from lattes to cupcakes, from pancakes to crackers, even air fresheners get pumpkinified! Sometimes I think pumpkin is just an excuse to add plenty of nutmeg and cinnamon to something, which isn’t all that bad. However my personal favourite way to enjoy pumpkin is this hearty soup, packed full with flavour and nutrition!

Creamy Mushroom Pâté

Traditionally pâté is made with meats, or even offel such as liver, which is cooked and ground with fat to make a spreadable paste. This vegetarian, mushroom alternative is made in the same vein, combining super tasty mushrooms with butter and crème fraîche to make a rich, creamy and full of flavour pâté!

Simple Tofu Burgers

It has to be said that I LOVE tofu! I especially love how versatile it is, you may have already seen my ‘Lemon Cheese-less Cake’ or ‘Meat-Free Spaghetti Carbonara’, both using Tofu in very different ways.  Now I know tofu is not everyone’s cup of tea and contrary to popular belief not all vegetarians eat tons of it, in fact a lot of my vegan and vegetarian friends aren’t keen on it at all. A lot of tofu’s bad rep comes from people simply not knowing what to do with it and it was this that spurred me on to find new and interesting ways to cook with it.

Carrot and Lentil ‘Shepherds’ Pie with Sweet Potato Mash

This recipe is based on a traditional Shepherds pie, a true British classic, traditionally made with lamb mince. It’s very easy to make a shepherds pie vegetarian (or even vegan!), simply follow your favourite recipe and substitute the meaty mince for a meat-free alternative (such as Quorn Mince or Linda McCartney Vegemince) and leave out anything else not suitable. Our recipe however uses lentils – which are great if you are vegetarian/vegan – for a different texture and flavour altogether!

Creamy Garlic Mushrooms

Today’s recipe is a take on a greasy spoon fry up classic, Garlic Mushrooms, perfect if you’re as much of a garlic lover as I am! You can make this as an indulgent lazy weekend lunch, perfect for this time of year when the weather is on the turn, or it fits nicely into any dinner party menu as a starter.