Carrot and Cashew Nut Roast

Went to a winter solstice dinner a couple of weeks ago, and had a very nice time, but the idea was that everyone brought a plate to share, it was a wonderful foodie dinner, so my contribution was the Carrot and Cashew Nut Roast needless to say I was asked by a few of the group for the recipe, so here it is, I only wish I had taken a photo of the night as well as the food.

1 medium onion, chopped
1-2 cloves garlic, crushed
1 tbsp olive or sunflower oil
450g carrots, cooked and mashed
225g cashew nuts, ground
100g breadcrumbs
1 tbsp tahini
1 1/2tsps caraway seeds
1 tsp yeast extract
juice of 1/2 a lemon
65ml stock
salt & pepper

1. Fry the onion and garlic in the oil until soft.
2. Mix together with all the other ingredients and season to taste.
3. Place the mixture in a greased loaf tin, I used a square dish and that presented very nicely.
4. Cover with foil and bake at 180 c or 350 f] for about an hour.
5. Remove the foil and bake for a further 10 minutes. Leave to stand in loaf tin for 10 minutes before turning out. I left mine in the dish for carrying and presentation.
ENJOY

Old Friends

Went to a friends 60th birthday party on Sunday, caught up with alot of old friends that I haven't seen for a good ten years, some have changed alot and then some, who haven't changed much. What I found interesting was how much I had changed, not in looks, I'm not concerned about that, but the path one takes in life. Fifteen years ago I became a vegetarian so my interests have evolved along that path into animal rights, veganism, etc. It's ten years since I left the suburbs to live here in this beautiful country town of Daylesford and Hepburn Springs, and the 7 acres we live on and, in our wonderful nearly finished mud brick home that we have slowly built over the last 5 years. Sunday was for me, an eye opener, we could still be suburbanites if we hadn't taken a chance and changed our outlook on life. My vegetarianism was the beginning or should I say Peter Singer's book on Animal Liberation was my awakening. Not one of my old friends has travelled with me on this path, which makes me rather sad, even Global Warming isn't part of their concerns. Don't take this the wrong way, I'm not really complaining, I'm just amazed that in the suburbs things don't change too much, so how are the issues of Global Warming or Peak Oil going to be tackled when issues of keeping up with the Joneses are still important. How do we get the messages across to these people, when even being a vegetarian is still unusual.

new computer

My old computer died around last december, we now finally have a new one, only problem is so much new stuff to learn. So I will be updating my blog soon.

Wedding Anniversary

Went to Apollo Bay for our 40th Wedding Anniversary at the weekend, one of our Daughters gave us the weekend as a present, we had a delightful time. The area around Apollo Bay is beautiful, we could very easily live there, the only problem from my point of view is that these small resort towns don't cater for Vegetarian too well, and if you where a committed Vegan then bring your own, would help you not to go too hungry. There needs to be a push to be more environmentally focused in these sort of places, I'm sure even on Holidays one would not loose ones ideals and, with the growing trend of environmental vegetarians surely restaurants could start catering for them more, with not just one choice and expensive as well. Enough with the complaining, as our weekend was very nice and the wine was great. Long walks and just very relaxing, after all the problems with owner building etc it was great to have a whole weekend with nothing to do except enjoy.

Patio

Finely the patio paving is done and I love it. Naturally there is still alot to be done, but this is a start. Now we have to start designing the garden, I think that's when the fun begins?

Apple and Cinnamon Muffins

These muffins are the easiest to whip up when unexpected visitors drop in.
Makes 10-12
220grms self-raising flour
1tsp baking powder
1 1/2tsp ground cinnamon
120grms vegan margarine
1/2cup maple syrup or other sweetner [apple or pear syrup is good]
1 1/2tsp vanilla extract
1cup unsweetened apple sauce or stewed apples [ I usually have some frozen, but you also can use tinned or jar variety]

1] Pre-heat the oven to 180c and prepare a muffin tin [ I use muffin papers]
2] Place all dry ingredients into a bowl, mix well.
3] In a larger bowl, cream margarine and add all the wet ingredients, mix well.
4] Slowly add the dry ingredients to the wet, stirring gently by hand.
5] Spoon into muffin tin and bake for 25-30 minutes or until skewer comes out clean when tested.
6] Leave to cool in the tin for 10 minutes before transferring to a wire cooling rack. ENJOY

Chocolate Berry Muffins

I have been so busy, not much time to blog. Lots of work going on at our place, the only problem is that the workers don't take as much care as when one does things oneself, my beautiful two year old grape vines are gone, but thank God, my wisteria remains, lets hope there are no more mishaps. I have promised friends that I would put more recipes on the blog so here is one of my favourites.
CHOCOLATE BERRY MUFFINS
Makes 12 - 14
2 cups self-raising flour
1 tbsp. soy flour
1/2 cup cocoa
tsp. baking powder
1 cup raw sugar ( I use 1 cup maple syrup or other sweetener)
160mls. vege oil ( I used olive or other nice oil)
1 tsp. vanilla extract
160mls. rice or soy milk( can use almond milk or other)
160mls. apple juice
1 cup mixed frozen berries ( I have actually used between 1-2 cups we like more berries)

1) Pre-heat oven to 180 c and prepare muffin tin.
2) In a large mixing bowl, combine all the dry ingredients, Sifting the flours and cocoa.
3) In another bowl, whisk all the wet ingredients together.
4)Slowly stir the combined wet ingredients into the dry ingredients, then stir in the frozen berries. (the berries are best kept frozen as they keep their shape better when mixing)
5) Spoon the mixture into the muffin tin and bake for 30-35 minutes or until a skewer comes out clean when tested.
6) Leave to cool in the tin for 10 minutes before transferring to a cooling rack.

I usually use muffin papers in my muffin tins, so much easier and less mess. ENJOY