February 2022 Review

 

The goals were the same as last month, to lose 3kg, make or remake an item of clothing, and to try a new vegan recipe.  

Three kilos have gone.

The Dancing in Paris wrap skirt has been completed, and a crocheted shawl has been started.

The vegan recipes I've tried this month are:

• Shepherd's Pie
• Pea and Lentil Soup
• Tofu Stir Fry

and an old recipe rediscovered, Banana and Walnut Muffins.

Lemon Curd

Ingredients

300 g granulated or caster sugar
65 g cornflour
1 pinch of salt
235 ml oat milk
115 ml water
235 ml lemon juice
Zest of 1 unwaxed lemon
1/4 tsp turmeric powder
15 g vegan butter

Method

Mix the cornflour with the water, and then into the oat milk.

Into a saucepan, place the sugar, lemon juice, lemon zest, and turmeric powder. Stir in the cornflour-water-oat milk mix. 

Over a medium heat, cook the ingredient, whisking continually. After about 5 minutes, the lemon curd will be thick enough to coat the back of a spoon. Remove the saucepan from the heat, and stir in the vegan butter. 

Set aside to cool, stirring occasionally. Then transfer into a sterilised glass jar. Store in the fridge.

Banana and Walnut Muffins

Ingredients
280g plain GF flour

1tsp baking powder

1tsp bicarbonate of soda

3 ripe bananas

110g sugar

90ml oat milk, or water

90ml vegetable oil

60g-80g walnuts

Method

Prepare muffins cases. Preheat oven to 190C.

In a large bowl, sift together the flour, baking powder, bicarbonate of soda, and sugar. In a separate bowl, mash the bananas, and mix in the oat milk, and oil. Stir the two together until just mixed. Add the chopped walnuts, and give a final stir.

Spoon into the cases. then bake for 20-25 minutes, until the tops are lightly browned. 

Pea and Leek Soup

Ingredients

700ml vegetable stock

2Tsp vegetable oil

1 large onion

1 large leek

2 large potatoes

500g frozen peas

2Tsp lemon jiuce

4tbsp mixed seeds

10g fresh mint

Method

Heat the oil in a large pan. Add finely diced onion and potato. Cook on a low heat for 5 minutes, then add sliced leeks.  Continue to cook until the vegetables have softened but have not become too brown.

Add the stock, cover with a lid and cook on a low to medium heat for 10 minutes

Add the frozen peas and 300mls of just boiled water and let simmer for a couple of minutes - until the peas are cooked through. Blend the mixture until smooth. Add the lemon juice and stir.

Serve the soup,  and garnish with a tablespoon of the seeds and a sprinkle of chopped mint.

Notes

The original recipe did not have onion it. I added it before even making the recipe once. After the soup was made, I added lemon juice as the soup was dull and lifeless. The addition of the lemon juice perked it up.

Dancing in Paris

At the shop we have a new fabric distributer, and we now have access to a huge range of Moda fabrics. The one that really caught my eye was from the range, "Dancing in Paris".  This will become a summer, wrap skirt for me.

Started: 4th February 2022

Finished: 17th February 2022

Fabric: Dancing in Paris

Amount: 1.75m

Two pieces (85cm by width of fabric) were cut. The fabric was stacked right side to right ride, and a seam sewn along one of the selvedges. This was pressed open. Six darts were sewn, two in the front, two in the back, and two in the wrap section. These were my hand width long, and two thumb widths wide. The side and bottom edges were hemmed, and the skirt ironed.

A strip of 5cm by width of fabric was cut. This was cut in two, to make the ties for the skirt. A tie was folded over (rs togetheer),  sewn along the cut sides, It was turned inside out, and pressed. The second tie was worked in the same manner. 

The waist of the skirt was turned over, and the ties pinned in place. This was sewn down, taking care to ensure the ties were securely fastened.

Thoughts on Vegan Shepherd's Pie

I made the Shepherd's Pie the night before, but didn't assemble it. It 'rested' in the fridge overnight. This made for a very easy weekday meal - assemble and put in the oven for 40 minutes. It was also rather tasty.

Next time I make it I'll use clapshot instead of mash. That will add another layer of taste.

On the whole, very tasty, and worked well as lunches the following day.

Vegan Shepherd's Pie

Ingredients

1 Tsp olive oil

6 mushrooms, finely diced

1 onion, diced

2 carrots, diced

3 cloves garlic

1 Tsp soy sauce

1 Tsp Worcestershire sauce

300ml passata

1 tsp mixed herbs, dried

250ml dried red lentils

250ml red wine

250ml vegetable stock

Topping

4 large potatoes

4 Tsp vegan butter

120ml oat milk

1 Tsp  olive oil

salt and pepper

Method

Saute the onions in the oil. Add the carrots, and mushrooms. Cook for 10 minutes. Then add the garlic. Cook for 3 minutes more, then add the lentils, red wine, stock, passata, herbs, soy sauce,  and Worcestershire sauce.

Meanwhile, make your mash potato for the topping.

Add your potatoes to a medium saucepan and cover over with water. Place the pan over medium heat & cook the potatoes for around 10-12 minutes, or until they are soft enough to mash.

When the potatoes are cooked, transfer them to a colander draining away the water. Let the potatoes dry for 2-3 minutes, then pass them through a potato ricer to mash them. Stir in the milk, vegan butter, olive oil and seasoning. Set the potato aside until you’re ready to top your pie.

When the lentils have cooked, and the liquid has reduced to a sauce, transfer it to your baking dish and top with the creamy mash. 

Bake for 25-35 minutes, at 180C, or until the mash on top has gone crispy and golden.

Serve right away.

January 2022 Review

 

My three goals for January were to lose 3kg, make or remake an item of clothing, and to try a new vegan recipe.

Losing weight was 3kg.

My new skirt is rather missing. The pattern was created, and as I was going to cut out the pieces I realised the fabric had been sun-bleached, and so wasn't suitable. The plan for this fabric is to set it aside, and use it for a straight skirt when I have lost more weight. I'll make 2 items in a month later on.

We are enjoying the Spiced Parsnip soup, the lemon and poppy seed muffins, and also the onion and walnut savory cake. The pumpkin falafels were a pile of 'meh'. One of the local shops has falafels, and they are rather nice, we've been eating them instead. 

Lemon and Poppy Seed Muffins

Makes 12 muffins

Ingredient

250g self-raising flour (Dove Farm Flour for gluten-free)

100g white sugar

20g poppy seeds

1Tsp chia seeds

3Tsp water

240ml apple juice or oat milk

90ml vegetable oil

1 lemon

icing sugar

Method

Prepare muffin tin with paper or silicon muffin cases. 

Preheat the oven to 190-200°C.

Put the chia seeds and water in a bowl, leave the seeds to swell.

Place the dry ingredients into a large bowl and mix.  Grate the rind of the lemon into the bowl with the dry ingredients. Add the wet ingredients to the chia seeds. Mix the contents of each bowl.

Combine the wet with the dry, mixing thoroughly, but quickly.

Divide the mixture between the 12 cases, and bake for 22 minutes.

 

Whilst the muffins are cooking, use a lemon reamer to extract the juice from the lemon. Strain the lemon juice. Slowly add icing sugar to the lemon juice, stirring as you go. This will be about 3Tsp of icing sugar. Combine it well. This is the lemon glaze.

When the muffins have cooked and are still hot, spoon a little lemon glaze over each one. Allow the muffins to cool for a few minutes, and then place on a cooling rack.

The muffins freeze well, but they are best served warm. 

Onion, Spinach and Walnut Savory Cake

Ingredients

Onion marmalade

2 Tsp olive oil

4 large sweet onions, thinly sliced 

3 Tsp balsamic vinegar

1 1/2 Tsp light brown sugar

1 tsp finely chopped fresh thyme

Cake

1 1/2 cups plain, gluten-free flour

1 Tsp baking powder

1 tsp  salt

1 tsp paprika

1/2 tsp medium curry powder

2 Tsp chia seeds

6 Tsp warm water

1/2 cup  yogurt (vegan)

5 Tsp olive oil

1 cup spinach (coarsely chopped)

1/3 cup toasted walnuts, (chopped)

Method

To make Onion Marmalade: Heat oil. Add onions, and cook 30 minutes, stirring occasionally. Stir in vinegar, brown sugar, and thyme, and reduce heat to medium-low. Cook 40 minutes, or until onions are caramelized. Cool.

To make Cake: Preheat oven to 175C. Line loaf pan with parchment paper.

Mix the chia seeds and water in a bowl. Then measure, and chop, ingredient. Whisk together flour, baking powder, salt, and spices in bowl. Mix chia seeds, yogurt, and oil in separate bowl. Stir the wet mixture into the dry. 

Fold in the spinach, walnuts and 1/2 cup  of onion marmalade. Spoon into the loaf pan, and bake for 45 minutes.

Notes

This would be great for a buffet or picnic.

Christmas Under the Stairs

 

Whilst the Beloved was taking the decorations of the Christmas tree, I was busy under the stairs decluttering, organising and tidying.  This large cupboard is used to store the Christmas tree, all the decorations, the recycling boxes, cake decorating supplies, and a number of  small kitchen appliances. 
The space has been re-organised - the items used most frequently are now most easy to reach.  

The Christmas tree and decorations have been decluttered and put away too. 

A Vegan Cook

 

A new person , F, came along to Shut Up and Write. She is a friend of MJ and also DH. As well as being friendly, she is a vegan cook, and works in one of the local cafes. She has given me some tips and pointers for falafels.

F suggested using a bit of cinnamon, and some curry powder to bump up the flavour, and agree with the addition of onion and the need for more fresh herbs. She also said pumpkin and butternut squash were to soft and squishy. Grated carrot would give a better texture.

Something I am finding is vegans are incredibly supportive of others learning to cook vegan foods. They are patient and kind.

Second Day Falafels

Oh my goodness! The difference a day (and an onion) can make. 

A quarter of the falafel mixture was left in the fridge overnight, and this morning, half a grated onion was added. The falafels were shallow fried, and placed on top of my lunchtime salad, along with some garlic cream cheese (vegan).  So much better! SO MUCH!

It was still too sloppy, but there are plans in place. Next time, I'm going to use a couple of sweet potatoes. These will be roasted in their skins whilst another meal is being cooked. The spices will be bumped up, as will the parsley and garlic. A grated onion will be added too.

I'm also wondering about whether it would be worth trying to deep fry them instead of baking or shallow frying.

My plan is to experiment with the new falafel recipe on Saturday, and to leave it overnight in the fridge. This has the potential to create a really quick and easy meal if the work can be done the night before, rather than straight after I come in from work. 

Pumpkin Falafels

 

I tried a recipe for pumpkin falafels, and it achieved a rating of 'meh', but interesting also 'has potential'. 

My new blender is not a suitable bit of kit for this recipe. It wasn't able to blend everything, and there were huge chunks. Water was added to try to enable blending. It worked (sort of), and naturally made a very sloppy mixture. The potato ricer worked far, far better. 

The plan is to switch to sweet potatoes, and roast them in their skins in the oven whilst cooking another meal. I'll also increase the spices, and the parsley to see if that makes a difference.

I'm generally reckoned to be a pretty good cook, and it's weird learning to cook in a new style, and finding practise is most definitely needed.

Spiced Parsnip Soup

Ingredients

4 Tsp olive oil

2 tsp coriander seeds

1 tsp ground cumin

0.5 tsp ground turmeric

2 large onions, cut into chunks

8 parsnips, diced

4 large carrots, diced

1 Tsp chopped garlic

2 litres vegetable stock

1 tsp dijon mustard

2 Tsp lemon juice

salt and pepper

Method

Heat the oven to 220C.

In a large bowl, mix together the oil, coriander, cumin, and turmeric  Add the onion, parsnips and carrots. Mix well. Spread over a heavy baking sheet, then roast for 30 mins. Add the garlic and cook for 5 more minutes.

Put the veggies, stock, mustard and lemon juice into a blender and process until smooth. This will need to be done in batches. 

Bring the soup to a simmer, and check seasoning.

January Goals

• lose 3kg
• make or remake 1 item of clothing 
• try 1 new vegan recipe

The excess me created during lockdown has gone, but there's more of me to go. 3kg a month seems like a very achievable goal.

After the year of buying no clothes, I had a very hard job finding clothing I actively liked. The result was 10 new identical (bar colour) tops, and two pairs of trousers. The linen trousers could not stand the strain, and the crotch has gone. I'm going to remake the remaining fabric into a skirt, and use a bit of the left over material to patch my navy cord skirt. 

The vegan mushroom soup was not a success, but I'm hopeful other recipes will be better. 

Christmas Sweater

One of  the Beloved's Christmas presents this year was 12 balls of King Cole Explorer Super Chunky in the colourway Raleigh. This is being worked into a sweater. 

I'm roughly following a pattern.  The largest size is two sizes too small, so I'm grading it to fit. It was also written as flat pieces to be worked separately, and then sewn together. This is not my style at all! This sweater is being worked in the round, and will have Raglan sleeves rather than drop sleeves.... oooh, I'm going to make a 4 stitch cable pattern going up the Raglan.

The pattern was also created without a chart for the cabling on the front and back. One of my tasks this morning is to take the jumble of numbers and letters, and make a pretty picture. 

Mushroom Gloop

 My first attempt at Mushroom soup was not a success. It started out as a vegan experiment, and was only rescued by the addition of a pair of chicken stock pots, and half a pint of double cream!  These additions moved the soup from the 'It's food, I suppose' into 'Yeah, it's okay...ish'. 

My next foray into vegan soups will be spiced parsnip. This sounds like it has the possibility for tastiness.

Decluttering Clothes

From July 2020 for a year, I took part in a challenge not to buy any new clothes. There were a couple of exceptions, underwear and emergencies. The challenge went well, and I only bought two items outside of the exceptions - a party dress and a wrap.

In August, I bought 10 new tops, and two pairs of trousers. These were to replace worn out clothing. The worn out items have yet to be disposed of. That's what happening today. I'm going to go through my clothing and declutter.

In the past, I've asked such questions as:

• do I like it
• do I wear it
• does it fit
• does it need to be repaired

This year, I'm going to take a different approach. I shall be thinking about what I need and want, and whether my current wardrobe meets those needs.

I need 3 pairs of pjs, 2 night shirts, 3 bras, 14 pairs of knickers, 14 pairs of socks, 5 pairs of woollen socks, 5 pairs of tights, 2 slips, 2 strappy tops, 1 swim suit, 14 tops, 4 pairs of trousers, 4 winter skirts, 1 party outfit, 3 jackets, 5 sweaters, 5 cardigans, 5 pairs of shoes. (Closer to summer, I'll look at what I need for warmer weather.)

My clean clothing has been sorted and decluttered. As I work my way through Mount Washmore, I'll declutter as I go. 

Back to Decluttering

Decluttering isn't a 'once and done' event. It needs to be done again and again until people can find a balance of things entering the house, and leaving it. I'm good at decluttering, but woefully bad regarding bringing new items into the house. 

Being the boss, means I decide when the shop opens, and closes. This means the shop closes between Christmas and New Year to allow the staff to have a good long holiday. For me, this is 10 days. Three of these days have been used. One day for Christmas celebrations, and two days doing very little apart from resting. Now, my need to 'accomplish stuff' has kicked in, and it's time to turn my mind to decluttering.

• declutter DVDs
• declutter games
• declutter jigsaws

The grand total from this round of decluttering is 12 DVDs. In previous years, it's been far more. The objective is not to simply get rid of stuff, but to get rid of the things we don't need. I would happily have said goodbye to much, much more, however, I'm not the only person in the house who has a say in it.