Sunday 11 April 2010

Good nom nom

In secret I have been papping some of my baked vegan delights, in the hope that I'd make a lovely little post about each, as they so rightfully deserve, but unfortunately it has come to this. A food porn post. So, here we go!


Wonderful little polenta pizzas.
The polenta chunxx were massive, but tasty nonetheless.
Think next time I'll make my own polenta though...



Date, cranberry and nut bar.
I make a load and hoik one out of the freezer
if I can't be bothered to make something
..

Right, because these are soo delish and delightful and easy, I'm going to do my first recipe!
Delectable date and nut bar

This recipe is pretty haphazard, add as much of whatever or take out/add what you like. It's just important that it has enough sticky stuff to set nicely and not fall apart. You'll see what I mean...

Ingredients:
  • 3/4 cup walnuts
  • 2/3 cup chopped dates (chop them yourself!)
  • 1/2 cup brazil nuts
  • 1/4 cup almonds
  • 1/8 cup pumpkin seeds, sesame seeds, flax seeds and sunflower seeds (all mixed together)
  • 1/4 cup porridge oats
  • 1/4 cup cranberries
  • 1/3 cup vegan margerine
  • 1 and half tbs cocoa powder
  • 2 tbs sugar or a healthy squeeze of agave nectar
  • Clingfilm, or something similar, to wrap them in
Method:
  • Throw everything except the margerine, cocoa powder, sugar/agave and... clingfilm into a food processor (if you're lazy) or chop them by hand. You only want to break them up into little-ish bits, not paste them!
  • Melt the butter in a relatively large saucepan, and add the cocoa powder and sugar or agave until all liquid-y
  • Take the pan off the heat and throw the busted nuts and fruits. Mix until well combined.
  • Pull out some clingfilm onto your counter top and put enough mixture in to make a nice-sized bar. Make them into nice packages, it's better if you compact them with your hands as you go, it makes them easier to eat after.
Store these bad guys in the freezer right up until the desire to demolish one takes you!

And finally, my most lovely little creations that made me weep with pride and taste-sensation, my very own vegan bakewell tarts! And an almond and cranberry loaf for good measure!!



For a day or so I'd bee craving almonds, maybe I needed some vitamin E or whatever almonds are good for. So to totally thwart the goodness my body wanted, I had the bright idea of making these sugary little sods. I did use ground almond in the cake mix, and the almond loaf had loads of whole almonds in. They were really fun to make, I'll definitely make them again. I didn't realise how easy pastry is to make!

I made some almond milk too, to wash the three I claimed down with. Can't quite get the milk right though, it's tasty but not quite enough. I add some cinnamon and some agave nectar, but it's a little too watery so all the taste goes to the bottom, even if you mix it. I'm sure I'll get it right one day though.

1 comment: