What I Ate This Weekend #2 – Vegan

I want to begin each ‘What I Ate…’ with this reminder:

This is a diet I have found personally works for me. This means a lot of things. Don’t let a popular diet affect your way of eating! If you love the things you eat and you are happy + nourished, do not change. You do not need to change your standards to meet the criteria of some-one else’s opinion, stand up for yourself! Everybody’s mind and bodies react to different foods in different ways, emotionally and physically. Find what’s right for you and your mind/body. And yes this takes time, but one day it will pay off. Just remember that ‘A person who has good thoughts cannot ever be ugly. You can have a wonky nose and a crooked mouth and a double chin and stick-out teeth, but if you have good thoughts they will shine out of your face like sunbeams and you will always look lovely.’ – Roald Dahl (my child hood superstar author) So lets begin…

Saturday

☮ BREAKFAST ☮

Gluten free, organic CORN FLAKES. With: Carob powder, agave nectar, Banana, chopped dates and a sprinkle of pb2 powder. Then served with half coconut rice milk and oat milk.

+ Fresh Lemon and Ginger Tea

 

☮ LUNCH ☮

Now, lunch was a bit funny. We had attended a good friends funeral and at the gathering afterwards we were treated too lots of different food dishes. However, a lot of it contained meat or cheese, so I filled up on what I could, which was…

Plain Rice, Hummus, lots of Bread and a mixed salad.

I brought with me an apple and ate that too.

SNACK

2 corn thins with marmite and some grapes.

+ Peppermint Tea

☮ DINNER ☮

Mixed Vegetable and Lentil Soup with baked Corn Mountain Bread Wraps (kinda like crisps when baked).

SNACK

4 large pitted dates and a banana both with home made carob sauce.

Sunday

❀ BREAKFAST ❀

Sweet Smoothie Bowl

CONTAINING:

• Mango
• 2 Banana’s
• Coconut Water
• Rice milk
• Half a peach
• Sprinkle Cinnamon

Topped with Buckinis, Choc Shot, Pomegranate, dates and Toasted Oats.

SNACK

Organic Vanilla Rooibos tea with a little soy milk.

❀ LUNCH ❀

Giant Fruit Salad.

Every week, mum and I set out early to our towns little market. We have made really good friends (and I even believe he may have a crush on my mum haha 🙂 ) with the fruit and veg guy who knows I’m obsessed with fruit. Each week he gives us great discounts and offers for our weekly fruit and vegetable haul. So I always love a good fruit salad after.

CONTAINING:

• Papaya
• Mango
• Strawberries
• Apples
• Pears
• Melon
• Kiwi
• Oranges
• And plums

with a sprinkle of chia seeds on top.

Yes, even though its winter here

SNACK

Raw Chocolate Fruit and Nut Bar, Classic Chai Tea and 2x Corn cakes with Marmite.

❀ DINNER ❀

Home-made Gluten Free Pizzas (which were giant)

Topped with:

Cashew Cheese (home made), Fresh and Sun-dried tomatoes, Onions, Peppers, Mushrooms, Cougette, Olives, sweet + normal potatoes and Herbs.

SNACK

A piece of dark chocolate and half an apple with cinnamon.

And that was me for the weekend…

HAPPY EATING!

 

 

☾ Moroccan Stuffed Aubergine ☽

VEGAN – GLUTEN FREE – HEALTHY – REFINED SUGAR FREE

One word: divine

Impressing some-one with a tasty, spiced and all well healthy vegan meal? Here is one you need to test…

This dish is brilliant as the ‘main point’ on a plate with various side dishes surrounding it. I have suggested a few below but it is completely optional.

Not only is it a great dinner, this dish is also so tasty the following day. I guess its because the flavours marinate overnight which is perfect.

The serving size with dish varies on the size of the Aubergine, if you prepare side meals and how large your filling is.

The ingredients for the filling in this dish is very minimal (yet delicious) but slowly after experimenting you can add some more desirable goods. For instance a grain, bean or different vegetables.

What you will need:

• 2 medium to large aubergines/eggplant, halved lengthways
• 1/4 tsp black sesame seeds (or onion seeds)
• 1 large clove garlic, finely chopped/grated
• 1 red onion, diced
• 3/4 tsp cumin
• 1/2 tsp turmeric
• 1 tsp coriander seeds
• 1/4 tsp chilli powder (optional)
• 1/2 tsp dried mixed herbs
• 600g tomatoes
• 250 ml water
• Hemp, Flax, Olive or Sunflower oil, just a little
• Salt and Pepper, to taste
• Fresh Coriander, chopped
• Mixed Olives, quartered 
• Grain- Rice, Quinoa or Millet, cooked
• Sesame seeds to garnish, optional
• optional- Cheese (vegan or non-vegan)

What to do:

Preheat the oven to 200°C 

Place the aubergine halves on a baking tray. Score the inside flesh of the aubergine with a tip of a sharp knife. Brush the tops with a little oil and sprinkle over the black sesame/onion seeds before placing in the oven for 35-40 minutes or until the flesh is nice and soft.

Whilst this is baking, Cook the grains according to their packet instructions.With 20 minutes remaining of the aubergines cooking, heat some water or oil on a large pan over medium heat to sauté the onion, spices and garlic for 2-3 minutes. Add in the tomatoes and 1/2 of the water to the pan and simmer for 15 minutes. The tomatoes should be super soft and the water reduced. When its time, take the aubergines out of the oven and scoop out their fleshes carefully. Make sure to leave the skins whole and unbroken. Add the aubergine flesh to the tomatoes and cook for a further 7-8 minutes before adding in fresh coriander. As it reduces it may need a bit more of the water to bring it to a saucy thick consistency.

Once the filling has reduced entirely and become a sauce add in salt and pepper to taste. You may also wish to add in more quantity of spices if you like (sometimes I add in a bit more chilli, garlic powder, cumin and turmeric for a super spiced filling). Take it off the heat. At this point you have the option to stir in some of the grains to the sauce or leave it how it is and serve the grains on the side, both workout brilliantly.

Spoon the filling into the aubergines skins and sprinkle over some more fresh coriander, cheese and sesame seeds.

Enjoy x

 

Veg Voyage Part 3

So where were we? In my last Veg Voyage post I wanted to say to you all… have faith! I wrote that after stepping out of my comfort zone, opened my awareness to the beauty of how the human nature deals with its different emotions. I left it all of at:

“We all get nervous, we all get scared and we all tend to doubt ourselves at things, but we also have a little fight in us. Its ok to worry, actually I believe its good to be scared sometimes. Because how else would we learn to get over what fears us if we exceed to do what it is that worries us. Its been said a lot, but you never know what you are capable of achieving unless you try. And in the end, if we do not pursue something a little daunting, then one day we may live to regret it! But best of all, DO NOT BE AFRAID TO DREAM, even if you are going through a nightmare.”

Meeting my loved ones after what felt like forever, wondering surrounding old-time hang outs and generally settling in, it was already approaching the end of the week. My body clocks were re-adjusting but my adrenaline was still pumping.

Friday the 17th July, 2015.

So, although you have just read that date up top, I’m going to take you back a few weeks earlier to explain to you that through the wonders of social media (Facebook to be exact) I re-kindled an old flame. My best buddy from back in primary school. We met in year 4 and spent 3 years causing no-mischief but building something which we both agreed to hush about. Trust me, we were embarrassing at that age! And since I moved away, the building was not worked on. Until now.

On that Friday, my dad took me to Robina. In the car I nibbled on a container filled with fruit and raw buckini granola + dates. We were off to find a sim for my phone and possibly some new shoes. You see, I was starting to admit that my £5 Primark shoes with toe holes and loose soles were not going to last me.

Although I love Australia for its hot climate, I do remember the days where it was so hot that the beach was a no-go, the park was a no-go, the pool was a no-go, just outdoors activities were a no-go. The place too go was a shopping centre. A nice cool air-con mall. So although it was just a shopping centre, it still filled me with memories.

My dad and I gobbled down some sushi, rice paper wraps and smoothies before it was already time to say goodbye to each other… for the weekend any-way. I was off to Brisbane… Home town number 2!

Ticket: Brought!

Platform: One.

Service: VLBD

Time: 3:13pm

Seat: Next to the window in carriage number 2

Vegan + Gluten Free Vanilla Cookie Sandwich in hand and Sam Smith’s voice in each ear. Here we go again…

Arrival Time: 4:28pm

Station: Roma Street, Brisbane

Platform: 6

Emotions: Crapping myself! – Excuse my language.

I’m off the train and in a crowd of people heading for the ticket barriers. Maybe I can hide in the toilets to my right? Just until its time to go back? No? okay…

She was running a little late, so I decided to finish of my cookie on the ledge of the giant windows not to far behind a pop-up newsagent where a very cute worker was finishing his shift. There were a few messages here and there to keep us both updated about how close we were to each other. You know, to make the experience a little more nerve-racking!

But there wasn’t a crumb left of my cookie before I witnessed a rather teenage version of my old friend standing 10 metres away. She curiously discussed if the older teenage version of me was actually, me to her dad’s girlfriend so the awkwardly smiles at each other soon clocked our answers.

We waddled to her car before she told me that she was taking me to a late night food & music market by the river. By this point I knew we were best buds at heart, both massive foodies! To be entirely honest I was listening, but I think I was paying more attention to her accent then her words. It was so bizarre. The place was called ‘Eat Street Markets’ and if you’re ever in Brisbane on a Friday night, GO HERE! It has everything: Mexican, Asian, American, Japanese, Greek, German, Indian, Turkish, Thai, European, Hungarian, Brazilian, Malaysian, I can continue but I’ll save your eye flickers.

There were countless stores of indulgent goodies like Japanese pizza’s,  Paela, Potato Slinky’s, Dumplings, Giant chocolate fondue fountain, churros and the most incredible doughnuts EVER. I mean a lot of thing were not vegan but still worth the looking! I devoured a veggie burger which was delicious and a vegan cronut, as well as, a small pot of gelato. I can’t urge you more to go, can I?

After the sugar rush, my friend showed me round her home which is situated in the suburbs of Brisbane. I settled into her super large guest bedroom, joined by her super fluffy cat in a super cosy bed with super high buzzes of emotions! And yes, this all happened on one day.

Saturday 25th of July,

Breakfast: Thick sliced bread with jam and a cup of green tea.

Movement Ability: Non existent! Couch potato alert.

But by midday we decided to move our butts to the cinema… ow yes, more lounging. And play: The Minions Movie. And yes, I am 17 years old.

Lunch was a medley of Roasted Pumpkin Cous Cous salad and a Lentil Tabbouleh with a side sweet boost of fresh watermelon, pineapple and orange juice gathered at the shopping centre before we waited to be picked up.

When I look back at this trip there is one major aspect of an  Australian’s daily lifestyle that makes me appreciate the lifestyle here in England. Currently, it takes me roughly 7 minutes to walk to not just one but three different leading supermarkets. It takes me 10-15 minutes to walk to our local leisure centre equipped with a gym, swimming pool, running track, roller rink and more. It took me 10 minutes to walk to school and now only 15 minutes to walk to work. It takes me less than 8 minutes to walk to a reliable train station which can take me to Brighton, London, Ore, Seaford, Cornwall, Bournemouth, anywhere in fact and we even have a castle not even 5 minutes away. On this day, it took us 35 minutes to drive to the nearest shopping centre, which in that time I could have brought some bananas from the supermarket, rummaged around in a charity shop and stopped to buy some bread from the markets. I love Australia with my heart and soul but, in my opinion, it would be difficult to live down there without a driving licence.

Sorry, rant over!

To finish the week and start week number 2 stay tuned. Some new adventures and some delicious veg food will follow…

 

*Note: I am not a professional writer. These blogs are being written from my chaotic mind and so I’m sorry if there are any mistakes within the paragraphs.

 

✲ What I Ate Today – Vegan ✲

I want to begin each ‘What I Ate…’ with this reminder:

This is a diet I have found personally works for me. This means a lot of things. Don’t let a popular diet affect your way of eating! If you love the things you eat and you are happy + nourished, do not change. You do not need to change your standards to meet the criteria of some-one else’s opinion, stand up for yourself! Everybody’s mind and bodies react to different foods in different ways, emotionally and physically. Find what’s right for you and your mind/body. And yes this takes time, but one day it will pay off. Just remember that ‘A person who has good thoughts cannot ever be ugly. You can have a wonky nose and a crooked mouth and a double chin and stick-out teeth, but if you have good thoughts they will shine out of your face like sunbeams and you will always look lovely.’ – Roald Dahl (my child hood superstar author) So lets begin…

❀ BREAKFAST ❀

Frozen Pink Nice-Cream

(Instagram: Floralfoodss)

CONTAINS:

• Frozen Bananas
• Frozen Peach
• Frozen Strawberries
• Soaked Dates
• Maca Powder
• A splash of Rice Milk

Topped with: Home-made ‘chocolate’ and coconut sauce, kiwi, banana and goji berries (not pictured).

Snack: An Organic Pear

❀ LUNCH ❀

Today I went into town to originally try out a new vegetarian/vegan place but unfortunately they were not open! So instead, I was tempted to stop by for my favourite…Sushi!

8 Small Sushi Roll Pieces with soy sauce and pickled ginger.

Sushi contained: Cucumber, Pepper and a type of tofu which I wish I knew the name of (so if you know, let me know!)

And a completely raw pressed 300ml cacao shake…

Containing:

• Alkaline Water
• Raw pressed Activated Almonds
• Raw Cacao
• Vanilla
• Dates
• Coconut Nectar
• Himalayan Pink Salt

This was the first time I tried something like this that wasn’t jam packed full of sugars and sweeteners. At first, it was a little odd because there was a very strong taste of almonds and raw cacao but after a while the nectar began to settle in! For the price it is at, I may not go back for it but it defiantly makes you feel clean, nourished and satisfied!

I then went on a 45 minute hike/walk!

❀ DINNER ❀

A selection of simple fresh salads, oven baked portobello mushroom, cashew ‘cheese’ dip, pea and mint dip, alfalfa and aduki bean quinoa oat burgers for my mum and I.

Salads: Fresh leaves, a grated Beetroot/carrot with lemon and a tomato, onion, coriander, pepper, chilli and lime salad.

(We had 1 large ‘burger’ each and shared a range of the salads + dips)

❀ DESSERT ❀

Peppermint and Licorice tea + cooked stewed apple made with cinnamon, raisins and agave.

HAPPY EATING!

– Spicy Lime Black Bean Filled Wraps –

*VEGAN * GLUTEN FREE (op) * REFINED SUGAR FREE * LOW FAT *

Black beans are a great source of protein and are high in fibre. Not only do they contain many key vitamins and minerals but they act as a great edible substance that will help maintain healthy bones. Because black beans contain iron, phosphorous, zinc, magnesium, copper, manganese and calcium they have been understood to contribute to the building and maintaining of our bone structure. Just like any other legumes and pulses they have so many beneficial aspects, as well as, being very yummy.

Saying this, I have never really made anything with black beans, unless they have been in the mixed beans tins or something along those lines. Being half Mexican, black beans are quit a staple in some traditional Mexican dishes, but I still haven’t made anything of my own using these little fellas.

Only last week, however, was I trying to find our usual bean selections, I found that the supermarket was selling some organic black beans for less than half price as an “introductory deal”. They were honestly so cheap that I couldn’t resist. Although my next problem was: What on Earth am I going to do with these?

I knew of a really simple but delicious sauce my dad makes in bulk, but at that moment in time, I just felt like experimenting.

I realised I had some organic Rice flour ‘tortilla’ wraps stored in the mist of weird but wonderful foods we have stocked up in our cupboards and decided to create some sort of spicy spread that I could use to really jam pack this lunch full of flavour.

And so this is what I created: A tangy, smoky and spicy dip with a desirable freshness.

What you will need…

For the Black Beans:

• 1 can Cooked Organic Black Beans (try to get the ‘in water with no added salt’)
• Juice of 1/2 a Lime (or more to taste)
• Zest of 1/2 a Lime
• 2 tbsp Tomato Purée
• 2 tbsp fresh Salsa (mild, medium or hot) **
• 1 tsp Cumin
• Large handful of chopped Cilantro/Coriander
• 1 large garlic clove, minced
• Himalayan Salt
• 1/4 tsp chilli powder (or more if preferred)
• Paprika (optional)

For the wrap:

The wrap ingredients are completely up to you but here are mine:

• Tortilla Wraps (optional gluten free)
• Alfalfa Sprouts
• Grated Carrot
• Avocado
• Fresh Leaves
• Spring Onion
• Bell Peppers
• Tomato’s
• Cooked Beetroot….

M E T H O D:

Firstly, drain and rinse your black beans.

Place the beans into a food processor along with the cilantro, tomato purée, salsa, garlic and lime juice. Pulse a few times before adding in the spices and seasoning’s. (With the paprika, I added a few shakes to make it slightly smoky but not to powerful.) Then let it turn into a slightly hummus like texture. If its to stiff then add a few teaspoons of water to your desired texture. Give it a try and adjust flavours to your liking.

Spread onto your favourite wrap and add all the little goodies on top. Roll it up and take a nice BIG bite.

** If you do not have fresh tomato salsa, you could use a tomato sauce!

FF x

Veg-Voyage Part 2

(Veg Voyage part 1–> click here)

So it was the morning of July the 20th, 2015 and I was sitting in my dads car (that I still remember from over 5 years ago) in an airport car park. The same area of the last memory I had on Australia, which happened to be the last memory of one of the biggest changes to occur in my life. The car still had the same smell, same fur covered seats and familiar stickers that a long time ago a young me thought would make the car look ‘pretty’.

My bags were loaded and we were off.

Although I would say that the 14 hour flight from Dubai to Brisbane with a belly fuelled by only a small amount of snacks and a head as light as a feather may have contributed to the effect, I won’t lie, I felt obscure. I was sitting next to a man I haven’t seen for a great chunk of my life, in a familiar setting that was just not that familiar. What do you say? What do you do? What if he doesn’t like me? What if I don’t like it here? What am I doing? What if… STOP! I was full of questions. Full of anxious feelings, but I knew one thing for sure… I’m not going to want to leave. The fact is, it was going to be difficult, but that’s why I was here.

However, It didn’t take long for me to feel settled. My dad took me to the Gold Coast, the city ‘Famous for its fun’ south of Brisbane on the East Coast. I explained to him this little blog and my new love for good nutritious foods with its glorious benefits. He understood and explained that he, himself, is trying to cut down on dairy products, coffee, etc. Perfect. We talked about the bigger changes in our lives since last seeing each other and lots to do about food. To all my friends, this will seem ironic, as i’m all about the food! So then that lead us to breakfast, or whatever it was for me, seeing as I hadn’t slept in over a day and my fellow friends were probably just going to bed! It didn’t take us long to find a decant little coffee place near the sea side that offered small vegan things and a range of sweet and savoury breakfasts.

I had a gorgeous bowl of macadamia maple clusted granola base, soy yoghurt, fruit and superfood toppings of coconut, goji berries and chia seeds. Along side it, I had a lovely bottle of tangy juice, which (if I can remember) contained Grape fruit, orange, lime and carrot. A real refresher.

It took us another hour or so driving and talking before we entered the cold mist of the forest cluttered mountain where a community of animals and friends lies at the bottom to middle edge. Where snakes, bush turkeys and other critters roam, or in other words…home.

A tiny self made mud hut where the birds clean the dishes and the kangaroo’s make the fire’s… haha I’m only messing with you.

It would be wrong to say ‘nothing had changed’, because it had. But I guess what was making me think that, was that nothing, in terms of feelings, had changed at all. It felt so natural. It felt so good.

Now the next bit, again, the feelings are very special and I don’t think there are words that exist that describe the way I felt with the next two encounters.

I have two sisters. Two younger sisters. Two beautiful younger sisters. One of which, I have never met. So not only was I re-connecting with my dad, making myself feel at home again and settling to my new (but old) surroundings, I was meeting some-one very dear and who I had already loved,but had never actually met before. Again, the sorts of things that play around  the mind are questions. What if she doesn’t like? What if she doesn’t want anything to do with me? What if I can’t be a good role model? What if I don’t know what to say? What if… well F-it  (excuse my language), I needed to meet her! And so I did, and she is gorgeous. She is my little star.

She took me to her room, showed me all her dolls, introduced me to the two new cats and there on, a new story of our lives began. I suddenly felt a little more complete.

I was re-connected with my dad’s partner and introduced to her parents, who were staying for a couple of days. To be honest, I think I sat down for an hour or so quietly trying to take it all in. But before I could really be still, we were off again to collect and resume my relationship with another little gem.

We drove down to the bottom of the mountain and waited fro the school bus to arrive. I wish I could say it was a nice little wait, but lets just say, my palms were sweaty and I was shaking inside.

“Here it is” …

Before I even had the chance to really step out of the car I saw this small little girl (who in actual fact, was not as small as I remember) clasped around my hips. I was in total state of shock, but I felt like my happiness could’ve shot me to the moon and back. Again, she was beautiful, inside and out! It took me a little while to convince myself that the little toddler I once knew, was not a toddler but a stunning young lady.She told me that my cheeks were red and then went on to ask “Is it because you are happy?” and of-course my answer was ‘ I’m happy!’.

The next couple of days: Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday were mainly resting, re-adjusting and chitter-chattering.

On Tuesday and Wednesday morning I had bowls of fruit with vanilla soy-yoghurt and a self made topping of muesli (which consisted of oats, various dried fruits and super foods). Thursday, I had some banana porridge.

On Tuesday my dad made some amazing maize based tortillas which he flattened with an amazing but simple construction of wood and filled it with his special bean sauce. Along with this I had some avocado and chilli sauce. True Mexican feelings were starting to take over! My taste-buds where beginning their dance hehe :)) For dinner we had a lovely quiche which was filled with sweet potatoes and pumpkin which was sourced from their permaculture. Yep, it couldn’t be any more organic.

On Thursday, my dad’s partner made an exquisite Thai dish. I have never tried real Thai food before and if you havn’t, you really have too! Using paw paws grown on their land, she made a stunning and spicy green paw paw salad with crushed peanuts, sticky rice (super sticky, yet supper satisfying) and a shredded tofu salad. Oh my… heaven! Thank you Kat.

But to sum this very long and probably over written blog post… I want to say to you all , have faith! We all get nervous, we all get scared and we all tend to doubt ourselves at things, but we also have a little fight in us. Its ok to worry, actually I believe its good to be scared sometimes. Because how else would we learn to get over what fears us if we exceed to do what it is that worries or scares us. Its been said alot, but you never know what you are capable of achieving unless you try. And in the end, if we do not pursue something a little daunting, then one day we may live to regret it! But best of all, DO NOT BE AFRAID TO DREAM, even if you are going through a nightmare.

I’m sorry for a very long post, even though it was really only the one day I talked about…

What’s next?

PART 3 COMING SOON!

CLICK HERE TO SEE WEEKLY SNAPS OF MY FOOD CREATIONS AND HOLIDAY FUN ON INSTAGRAM!

Tell me what you think of my little Travel series too!

Lots of Love!

WHAT’S TO COME:

      

– Fat Free Spiced Baked Chips & Fresh Chilli Salsa –

* Vegan * Gluten Free * Fat Free * Refined Sugar Free *

“I’ll just have one” Said no-one EVER when it came to chippies.

 

But first, lets talk about potatoes!

It seems to be that normal potato’s have a bad reputation among society these days! But why?  These beauties are packed with a variety of vitamins, minerals and phytochemicals, all of which, fight off disease’s and benefits to a humans diet.

Ok, so a Sweet potato is proven to be better for you, which is great because I LOVE SWEET POTATO! But why does that determine another variety of potato un-healthy? After all, have you ever heard of a fattening or ‘bad for you’ vegetable? I certainly haven’t!

Just don’t fry them!

Because of the raise in interest to all the ‘low-carb’, ‘low-glycemic’ fancy diets that are advertised to make us slimmer, potato’s have earned this bad reputation because of its starch content. Hands up, I used to think that potato’s were no good for you either! However, each of us as individuals have such different body types, needs and health regimes that for many individuals, like me, a potato won’t hurt. Now I eat them whenever I crave one, story of my life.

Sorry, my little rant is over… Lets just get cooking these beauties!

The salsa is a very quick, ‘throw it all in’ dip that I feel is very refreshing! But go ahead and pair these chippies with any of your favourite sauces.

CHIPS

All herbs listed below are optional and you can leave out or add in any you like!

• Potatoes (however many you like) **
• Paprika
• Garlic Powder
• Mixed Italian Herbs
• Chilli Powder
• Cumin powder
• Coriander powder
• Himalayan Salt
• Pepper

METHOD:

Preheat your oven to 200 °C.

Cut your chosen potato’s into slices lengthways (like chippies). Rinse the potatoes so they are a little damp (this helps the seasoning to stick to the chips).

Lay on a baking sheet and sprinkle on as much of each spice. I would recommend putting more mixed herbs, garlic powder, coriander and less of the others.

Either place the chips onto a wired tray were the chips will get cooked on each side and browned. Or leave the potatoes on the non-stick baking sheet and place on a tray to bake. If you use this method, every 10 minutes give them a shake to turn them over a little.

Bake for 30 – 40 minutes until crispy and golden.

** I have used Kennebec (which I think are just Normal ones), Russet, Sweet and Red potato’s. I find that the normal + Russet are the best.

SALSA

• 1/2 Can chopped tomatoes
• 4-5 Large fresh tomatoes
• 1/2 small onion, peeled
• 1-2 clove’s garlic minced
• Large handful of cilantro/coriander
• Few basil leaves
• 1/2 Lime or Lemon, juice
• 1/2 tsp red wine vinegar
• 2 small jalapeño peppers or 1/2 a chilli and a shake of chilli powder (optional and adjust to taste)
• 1/2 tsp agave nectar
• 1 tbsp tomato paste
• Sprinkle of cumin and coriander (optional)
• Salt and pepper to taste

METHOD:

Place the chopped tomato’s, fresh tomatoes, onion, fresh coriander and garlic in a food processor and blend for a few seconds. Then, add all the other ingredients and blend until well incorporated and at desired consistency. Taste it and vary on seasoning.

Serve these two with some veggie burgers, salad, smashed avocado, rice or anything you can think of!

Made this recipe? Snap it and tag me on Instagram @floralfoodss! I would love to see your creations :))

ENJOY!

FF x

Veg-Voyage PART 1

On July 18th, 2015 at 8:20pm I said goodbye for the first time ever to one of my greatest friends: my mum.

At the age of 16 I was clasping on to a ticket, which in actual fact, meant so much more than a piece of printed paper. I had just finished secondary school a few weeks before and already it felt like I was in the ‘real world’ adults try and foreshadow for you. Yes, maybe I should have listened a bit more to that. But there I was, all alone in an airport making my way back to a place so familiar yet so unknown.

At the age of 10 (nearing my 11th birthday) I left my birth country of Australia to move to England with my mum. At the age of 16 I was returning for the first time ever in 5 and a half years to see the other half of my family and friends. However, from a child to a teenager, it was daunting to allow myself to understand that not all would be the same. So, for that next 7 hour flight to Dubai, I was just anxious.

So what did I eat? Well, nothing! I was very surprised and appreciative of the fact that I could order myself a ‘raw food’ palate on the plane which included meals that had no dairy, no egg or no meat. Woohoo consideration for different diets are improving, terrific! But the next steps of my journey would not be any better. I get travel sick on aeroplanes so easily. YUCK!

The ‘raw food’ platter consisted of a few slices of cucumber, tomato and onion with a small side of a few lettuce leafs securely packed in a tiny plastic container Along side it was a small tub of cut orange slices and grapes with a tiny packet of four squared salted wheat crackers. What a great ‘meal’!

Starved and sick I had made it to Dubai. The next step was trying to find my way around a huge airport half delusional.  Worryingly my biggest concern was that I was getting hangry (humorous-meaning: One feels irritable as a result of feeling hungry = English Dictionary). I ate a tub of porridge with golden syrup from a pop-up chain coffee cafe which I knew from England, plus a bag of salt and vinegar crisps. Just what I needed.

The next flight was a dreaded 14 hour flight. Yep you guessed it: 2 more ‘raw food’ palates wasted and a whole load of paracetamol. Funnily enough, I was fine! I thank the porridge. During this flight I ate one nakd bar and a pack of vegan chocolate chip oat cookies which I brought over with me.

Arrival: July 20th, 2015. Early Morning at Brisbane Airport

Security, customs, baggage, deceleration… the moment I have been waiting (anxiously waiting) for.  I wish I could write the feeling, but I just cannot find the words. So ill keep it for me to treasure. Lets just say, the next thing I knew I was in the arms of a man I have not seen in over 5 years. My dad.

What next?

PART 2 of my Veg-Voyage coming SOON! 

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Lots of Love!

WHATS TO COME:

Bucky-Rice Pizza Crust (Yeast, Oil & Gluten Free)

* VEGAN * YEAST FREE * GLUTEN FREE * OIL FREE * DAIRY FREE * REFINED SUGAR FREE *

Everyone loves a slice of pizza, right?

They are perfect to share (well, if you’re in the mood). Perfect for unique tastes, because of their large variety in toppings; perfect for those ‘nothing’ days or for those hectic days and just so darn delicious.

Living a plant-based veg lifestyle, many people believe that you miss out on such foods like pizza. Ready for your socks to knock off? Since making my own pizza’s, hand on heart, I prefer these versions waaaaay more. And this is coming from an absolute Pizza Express/(Ex)Cheesy Margherita Pizza fan! Even my friends who love their traditional Italian cuisine (or lets be honest, American style takeaway pizza) have really enjoyed these recipes. So much so, they have asked me to teach them how its made.

However, there is a catch! As these are gluten free, yeast free AND oil free the mixture can sometimes be tricky to work with! But don’t worry, as long as you get it in the oven at whatever shape you have made it, I promise it will taste amazing 🙂  And feel free to add oil (such as coconut oil or EVOO) if it is to difficult to handle.

I have made so many variations of pizza crusts now its insane! So get ready for some more recipes on the way 🍕 🍕 However, this recipe in particular is so tasty, its probably my favourite ‘mistake’ ever! I hope you enjoy it as much as I do.

P.S. Remember to go crazy with your favourite toppings!

This makes around, 1 very large or 2 medium sized pizza’s as it depends on the thickness you like your pizza to be!

What you will need:

(**) – Please see notes below

• 1 cup water
• 1/2 cup organic rice milk – or any other milk
• 3/4 cup buckwheat flour **
• 1 cup brown rice flour **
• 1/2 cup almond flour **
• 1 tsp apple cider vinegar
• 1 heaped tsp xanthan gum
• 2 tsp baking powder
• 1/4 cup ground flaxseeds or chia seeds **
• 1 tbsp Oregano or mixed herbs (optional)
• 2 tbsp nutritional yeast (optional) **

What to do: Preheat oven to 200 °C and line 2 baking trays with non-stick baking sheets. In a large bowl mix together the flours, xanthan gum, flax/chia meal, baking powder and optional spices/nutritional yeast until they are all fully combined. Add in the vinegar and rice milk into a small well in the middle of your flour mixture and slightly fold in from the sides, gently, before adding in the water in parts. Please note that the dough will not look like an ordinary pizza dough and may be a little sticky and mixture-y but not runny! (Sorry, I’am not to sure how to explain it). You may need to either add more flour or liquid. Leave to sit for roughly 10 minutes.

After 10 minutes is up, spread and roll your batter out onto the baking sheets evenly. It helps by covering your rolling pin in lots of flour or using a metal spatula to press it and spread it out. Bake (without toppings) in the pre-heated oven for 10 minutes or until it is more firm and not raw.

Whilst this bakes cut up all your favourite toppings (see below for suggestions) and make alternative nut-cheeses, pesto’s or any sauce! When ready, remove from the oven, add your toppings and place it back in to bake until your toppings are cooked to your desirable consistency. Then, take it out, slice it up and eat, eat, eat!!

Enjoy x

(**) – Firstly, Nutritional yeast is deactivated yeast. It is nothing like other yeasts which are used for beer making or bread making, so do not try and substitute this for those. Nutritional yeast has a ‘cheesy’ taste which is great for vegan-istas but can also be brought with added B12 which is a brilliant element that often lacks within a vegan diet as it is mostly found in meats.

– The flours I used I personally ground/ pulverised myself in a coffee grinder. You can do this too in a high speed food processor. So for the almond flour, I used whole almonds. For the buckwheat flour I used buckwheat groats and for the brown rice flour, well… (un-cooked) brown rice.

My topping favourites: Things like home-made Cashew Cheese is a must for my mum and I on our pizza’s.                                                                I cannot leave out a nice Herbed Tomato Sauce too, right?!                                                                                                    Even some freshly made vegan Pesto is a must in my house hold.

Then just an abundance of veggies like: Tomato’s, Zuchinni, Mushroom’s, Peppers, Peas, blah…blah…blah!

Packing Extra Flavour with things such as: Olives, Sundried tomato’s, adzuki beans, etc. LITERALLY ANYTHING YOU LIKE!!

 

Got Instagram? Re-create this recipe? Tag me in a photo of your creation (@floralfoodss) as I would love to see your creativity x