Loving summer and its food

Summer is in full swing but unfortunately the weather doesn't seem to know it! I can't complain because we have had some lovely warm days and the forecast for the next couple of weeks is looking better. I love how food changes throughout the seasons. Here are some of the things I have been eating:

Raspberry Muffins

Mushroom Risotto

Tofutti Cornetto



Alpro Strawberry Milkshake and mini Chocolate Vegan Muffin

Vegan Beef with Rice Noodles, Peas and Broad Beans


It's my birthday on Thursday so I need to make some cakes to take into work. Luckily I have the day off and we are planning on going to the seaside. I'm not sure what cakes to make, I'm thinking of maybe apple muffins and chocolate cupcakes? Any other suggestions...??

Lots of food but not alot else

I have been eating some really good food lately. Here is some of it:

Tofutti Ice Cream Lolly

Cold pasta salad from Sainsbury's with tofu salad toppers mixed in

Vegetable spring rolls and a stir fry made with noodles, mushrooms, carrots, green beans, soy sauce and tofu

Sausages made using an Asda packet mix, peas, broccoli and creamy pasta made with mushrooms, soya cream and Tofutti cream cheese

Bean burger with broccoli, green beans and Morrisons salad bar salad

Pasta mixed with tomato sauce, mushrooms and mixed beans with a side of garlic bread

My first attempt at a Tofu omlette from Vegan Brunch. I added mushrooms and spinach. It turned more into scrambled egg as the omlette was too soft. I served it with baked bean and potato wedges. It was yummy.

Apple Pie Larabar - I didn't really like this : (

Fry's sausages in buns with onions, salad, mustard and ketchup

Fry's Chocolate Cream bar

Bran flakes with strawberries and blueberries served with Alpro soya milk

Pecan clusters with blueberries served with Alpro soya milk with 3 small slices of bread topped with homemade plum jam

Booja Booja Hunky Punky Chocolate Ice Cream - this was well worth the £5.99 I paid for it

Books glorious books

I have been craving new vegan recipes recently so naughtily ordered three vegan books off Amazon. They were: The Garden of Vegan, La Dolce Vegan and Vegan Brunch. I didn't really know what to expect but was pleasantly surprised. The Garden of Vegan and La Dolce Vegan are both written by Sarah Kramer. Each book was a paperback with no piccies of the food! I always like to see pics as it gives me an idea of what my dish is supposed to look like. More reason to cook them to see how they turn out! I love both of these books already. They are both thick and choc full of mouth watering recipes. I have already made three dishes from La Dolce Vegan (I only got it on Friday!). I attended a party on Sunday so made 3 different flavour muffins; double choc, maple streusel and banana and blueberry. All I can say is wow. All turned out perfectly and were just right. Not too sweet, good texture and appertising to look at. They went down a treat with all the non vegans. I think all that baking went to my head as I forgot to take any pictures of them! Doh..a good excuse to make some more : ) I have yet to make anything from Vegan Brunch but plan on doing so at the weekend starting with the first recipe, a tofu omlette. I will post a pic of how it turns out. This book is written by Isa Chandra Moskowitz, famous for books such as Veganomicon and VCTOTW.

Since I last blogged I have also "discovered" Etsy! What an amazing site. It's the type of site I have been hoping existed. I love vintage, home made and anything unique. I wish I was a creative person so I could put my wares on to sell. The only creative thing I do is cross stitching. I have been doing this on and off for around 15 years. The only problem is it takes me so long to finish a piece it would never be worth my while selling them. I like to do them for family and friends to give as gifts. Here is the first thing I bought off the site; it's a scottie dog brooch! How adorable. Look at the cute packaging. I was dead chuffed with it.

This weekend I would like to buy a food processor. Alot of recipes require the use of a food processor so I thought it was time I got my ass into gear and got one. If anyone has any suggestions on what one to buy, please can you let me know. I know the cheapest one will probably not be the best but then again my pocket wouldn't love me if it will cost over £100. Any suggestions would be great. Thanks peeps. x

Things I made with the silken tofu

I thought I would share with you two things I have made with the silken tofu I bought on Saturday. This was a "made up" chocolate pudding similar to an angel delight. I blended some silken tofu with soya milk, sugar, dark chocolate and vegan chocolate spread. Wow.... it was good. : )

The 2nd thing I made was this gorgeous chocolate chip pound cake from Veganomicon. I think it ranks in my top 5 best cakes I have ever made!

So many photos...

Well I haven't blogged for a few days but have been taking lots of photos for when I do.

The past week I have been trying out a new cereal for breakfast. It's made of oats and it was so good. When I have cereal I have to eat it quickly before it goes soggy. I didn't have to worry with these, they did not go soggy even after 10 mins of sitting in soya milk. Yum!

Breakfast on Saturday and Sunday is more of a leisurely affair so I made pancakes! I haven't had any since I came back from the USA (the end of April). Mine are really simple to make, just self raising flour, bicarbonate of soda, baking powder, sugar, oil and soya milk. Sometimes I like to add lemon juice and sultanas but this time I just made a plain batter. I always have them with maple syrup. I don't understand the American way of serving them with savoury items like eggs or sausages. I find it the strangest thing. Pancakes should definitely only be accompanied by sweet items.

I went shopping in Kettering midday on Saturday and popped into Holland and Barratt. I love to stock my freezer up with vegan products I just can't buy anywhere else in the town. I try not to eat convenience foods all the time but when I am busy it helps to have something I can just shove in the oven. I popped into Home Bargains to try and get some cat litter bags (they didn't have any) but I spotted silken tofu. I've never seen it in there before and it was at the bargain price of just 19p per carton (that's like 50cents to anyone reading from the US). I bought five because at that price you just have to. I may even go back again and get some more. I love making puddings with them.

Hello and welcome...

As you can see this is my first post to my brand spanking new blog.

I'll give you the lowdown on me in case you are interested. My name is Rachael and I am 27 years old. I live in Northamptonshire in England. I have been a vegetarian/vegan for the past 15 years. At the moment my veganism isn't as committed as it once was but I am trying to get back on track! My blog will include a bit of everything from what I have been doing to what I have been eating and drinking.

I have not long been back from the US where I was holidaying in California. Unfortunately my bodyclock hasn't reverted to the British time yet so I am still going to bed late and getting up late! : (

I managed to drag myself out of bed at 1:3opm today which I know is really bad! I had so many plans as well of what I wanted to do today. I really wanted to go charity shop shopping and do some gardening but alas they didn't get done.

Breakfast was going to be American pancakes but I didn't have time as I wanted to get to Asda to do the food shopping. I settled for a crunchy oat and fruit cereal with soya milk. Two cups of tea later and a long shopping list I left. Every week I scour my vegan cookery books and food magazines to come up with dinner ideas. I find it so difficult to just pick food off the shelves without a list. I tend to spend way too much but still come away with no full dinners!

I like shopping in Asda as they do tend to stock alot of vegan food. You just have to look in the right places in the store. Some of my treats included some packets of burger and sausage mixes, redwood sausages, vegan ham, strawberries, dried mixed berries and the latest Good Food magazine. I also bought 2 tops and a pair of trousers. I always spend double what I should when I go to Asda. Oh well never mind, it's not like we are in a recession or anything! :P

I missed lunch due to my late awakening but plan on having a lovely dinner to compensate. So far I am thinking maybe Gardein "Beef" steak with dauphinoise potatoes, sweetcorn and peas. I need to get my skates on though as it is already 8pm. Yikes. I will post a pic tomorrow.

I hope you like my first post and continue to read more.

Rachael x