plant-based

Hot off the press! Our New Vegan Wine and Tapas Tasting Menu

Posted on October 25, 2019 by leroy watson

 

Join us for award-winning wines, creative plant-based tapas dishes….

 

Hot off the press, a sample menu for all you lucky people heading over to our vegan wine extravaganza in Manchester in a few weeks!

BOOK NOW

 

Click here for bookings and details

 

 

VEGAN WINE AND TAPAS EVENING – MANCHESTER
9th November ‘19

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SAMPLE MENU
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ARRIVAL CHAMPAGNE
Nicholas Feuillate, Vintage 2009
A special treat with notes of brioche, baking apples and hazelnuts

Roasted Herb and Maple Nuts, Vegetable Crisps, Piri Piri Chickpeas

 

WHITES
Vinalba Torrontes
A refreshing wine with delicate flavours of lychees, white peaches and pears

Thai Ghost Pumpkin and Coconut Soup

Martin Codax Albarino
A fantastic expression of the coastal community of Rias Biaxas, tasting of white peaches, lime zest and salty sea-spray

Smoked Carrots, Dill, Labneh

Albana Secco Campodora
An exceedingly rare grape, not found outside of Romagna. It has delicate flavours of apricots, quinces and white flowers

Kichi Muri and Sage Farroto

Escarpment Chardonnay
A far cry from the clumsy, mug-you-in-an-alleyway Aussie Chardonnays that many people remember, this critically acclaimed wine has long and slow flavours of peaches, apricots, melons and toasted nuts

Roasted Cauliflower and Butter Bean Hummus, Confit Garlic

 

REDS
Louis Latour Bourgogne Pinot Noir
This offering from Burgundy tastes of cherries, bramble, strawberries and liquorice

Wild Mushroom Sausage, Red Cabbage and Apple Sauerkraut

Domaine Tourelles Pierre Brun
A Lebanese wine, it brings flavours of dried dark fruit against complex herbal notes of liquorice, black pepper and cardamom

Roasted Lebanese Vegetables, Pomegranate, Tahini Sauce

Springfield Thunderchild
Grown on the estate of the Herberg Children’s Home in South Africa, all the profits from this wine go straight back to that same orphanage. A complex wine full of dried mint and smoky forest fruit flavours

Glazed Umami Burgers, Pickled Ginger, Wasabi Mayo, Baechu Kimchi

Masi Costasera Amarone
A premium Italian wine that is full of indulgent flavours of baked plums and cherries, spices, coffee and dark chocolate

Porcini Ragu, Caramelised Artichoke, Smoky Parmesan Crumb, Black Kale Leaf

 

CHEESE BOARD
Roast Garlic Cream Cheese, Nettle Moxarella, Radish Bombs, Fermented Mushroom Pate – platters

 

DESSERT
Royal Tokaji
A Hungarian dessert wine, this is what emperors used to give as presents to one another. Have this in very small glasses because the delightful sweet flavours of orange zest, caramel, raisins, honey and exotic spices are a real treat to be savoured

Cacao and Hazelnut Brownies, Single Estate Chocolate, Lavender Oranges

 

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Vegetables supplied by Tyddyn Teg Organic Farm, Bethel, North Wales
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Categories: Events, plant-based, Vegan, vegan cheese | Tags: , , , , , | Leave a comment

YoVeg! Mediterranean Vegan Yoga Holiday – Spain, May 2020

Posted on October 18, 2019 by leroy watson

The Shining Lights! – Vegan and Yoga Cooking Holiday ’19

 

WITH LEE WATSON, COOKBOOK AUTHOR AND TV CHEF

AND COMPLETE UNITY YOGA

9th May – 16th May 2020

 

Join us in our stunning beach-side ECO-villa for this transformational, life-enriching Mediterranean Vegan Yoga Holiday in Spain.

This is your new home away from home, beachside eco-villa in plant-based paradise!

It is time to enjoy the feeling of the sun on your skin with the sound of the ocean and views of palm trees and the expansive blue sea with delicious vegan food and enlightening yoga and meditation. You’ll meet like-minded people, have fun and leave feeling nourished and inspired.

 

Limited Availability – this YoVeg! Vegan Yoga Holiday always sells out! Secure your space today with a £49 deposit. Book now!

 

Here’s the view from the Yoga Platform 👇

 

YoVeg! Yoga Holiday ’20 – Right on the beach!

 

What to Expect

A stunning beach-side villa for a transformational life-enriching yoga holiday. Set in the Costa Calida, the jewel of the Spanish coastline, we have arranged a carefully crafted program designed to fully nourish your mind, body and soul.

YoVeg! Mediterranean Vegan Yoga Holiday in Spain is bursting with inspirational workshops, delicious plant-based food, yoga, meditation and life-enriching experiences.

Wander along the stunning beach, unwind on the villa’s sunny terraces, go swimming in the blue sea or join excursions to explore the fascinating local area. This promises to be an unforgettable vegan yoga holiday in the Mediterranean.

Enjoy time, space, and guidance, to find inner peace and harmony, whilst learning new healthy habits to live a passionate and empowered life, full of joy and well-being.

 

 

What’s Included

✓ 7 nights in our modern villa 10 meters from the beach surrounded by empowering mountains and beautiful palm trees
✓ Jane’s delicious daily morning smoothies
✓ Plant-based food cooked by the cookbook author Lee Watson
✓ Bespoke recipe booklet by Lee Watson
✓ Daily yoga and meditation classes with Will Fisher and Malene Vedel (International Yoga Teachers)
✓ Evening transformational experiences with Will and Malene
✓ Specialised yoga workshops with Will and Malene
✓ Cooking demonstration/workshop with Lee
✓ Empowering herbal health workshop with Jane Legge
✓ Day trip to a local Sunday market
✓ Stand up paddle boarding in the bay
✓ 2 walks/treks to beautiful locations and viewpoints
✓ Optional daily massage treatments
✓ Lunch in one of the area’s best restaurants
✓ Optional airport transfers*

 

Picnics and walks in beautiful nature

The Food

YoVeg! Mediterranean Vegan Yoga Holiday in Spain will be full of delicious plant-based food cooked by our amazing chef Lee Watson (cookbook author) using super fresh ingredients sourced from the local markets in Costa Calida.

A true taste bud party 3 times a day every day! During the retreat, Lee will also share with you a cooking workshop where you have the opportunity to learn new techniques and get hands-on with the amazing fresh local produce from the Murcia region.

 

Lots of decadent, healthy desserts and sweet treats

 

Accommodation

Beautiful modern rooms with the option to book either twin rooms, double rooms, shared accommodation with en-suite or shared bathrooms.

This year we are also offering the option of camping, bring your own tent and enjoy the beautiful warm Spanish spring evenings and sleep to the sound of the sea.

 

Strolls down the paseo and time to chill on the beach or terrace

 

Prices

Single and Double Rooms (SOLD OUT)

Twin Room (2 people) – £939 per person (ONLY 1 LEFT)

Shared Accommodation – £819 per person (2 MORE)

Camping – £619 per person (ONLY 2 AVAILABLE)

 

BOOKINGS HERE

 

 

Reviews

“Once again, Malene, Will, Lee and Jane have surpassed themselves creating an outstanding week of nourishing yoga and food. As with last year, I came back so refreshed and renewed in both my yoga and vegan cooking practice. I wouldn’t have thought it possible, but the food this year was even more amazing than last years. The Danish Picnic up in the hills was a real highlight. It is a wonderful treat to be cooked such incredible vegan food that is made with love and passion.
Malene’s yoga classes were once again, beautiful crafted and designed for us to get exactly what our bodies needed. The yoga and meditation sessions on the beach to the sound of the roaring waves was just beautiful. Thanks again to all of you for another very special retreat! Love and light. Xxx”

 

Will – Yoga teacher and ace cook, buying produce at the local market

 

“Wow, what a fantastic week this was!
I had been searching for the ‘right’ yoga holiday and this turned out to be exactly what I wanted, needed … and more!
I am just embracing a vegetarian lifestyle and was amazed by the gorgeous food Lee of ‘Beach House Kitchen’ demonstrated and created lovingly for us 3 x daily … plus snacks! and the chocolate fudge cake was the best I have tasted … ever!!”

“The food was wonderful Lee spent a lot of time in the kitchen creating delicious food for us all assisted by the wonderful Jane who’s smoothies are now legendary
If there is one retreat that to go on then this is it.
A truly amazing experience which I would recommend to everyone.”

 

Meditation practice on the beach

 

Categories: Cooking Holidays, Cooking Retreats, Events, healthy, photography, plant-based, Vegan | Tags: , , , , , , | 4 Comments

Baked Pea, Lemon & Mint Tortilla – Vegan and Gluten-free

Posted on October 16, 2019 by leroy watson

Tortilla – One of my favourite tapas dishes can be vegan and delicious

I travel a lot in Spain, it’s one of my favourite places to get lost, eat well, experience sunshine and culture.  

As a vegan wanderer, the institution of the tapas bar can be a chastening experience.  Olives, bread, maybe the occasional mushroom is thrown your way.  Not much else.  While everyone feasts, I nibble.  I don’t mind really.  I never go hungry but I rarely get to sample the culinary adventure that’s happening all over Spain.  That is the way of things, but what it does stir up, is the desire to make tapas vegan.  In fact, make all of my favourite dishes purely plants!  I love the challenge.  At home, or at work, I get stuck into creating new recipes.

Many fail, some are decent, this one I like very much and make regularly.  I’ve been through hundreds of tortillas to make it here.  Trying out a variety of methods and ideas, making it with ingredients that are easy to source.   The tofu adds essential texture, both blended into the mix and roughly crumbled, the lemon elevates the flavours and the well cooked onion and garlic offer important depth.

Secret vegan weapon….

In fact, onions are an ingredient that is often overlooked in plant-based cooking.  They are the bedrock to so many dishes and how we cook them will make all the difference.  Vegan food can easily be bland, which is strange when you look at the list of ingredients in many dishes. Seasoning and well cooked onion will go a long way to making our plant-based dishes sing with flavour.

One thing I talk about at my cooking workshops is tasting food.  Taste, taste, taste.  Keep tasting, it’s the only way to develop a palate and with that palate, make your food taste awesome!  Just the way you like it, cook plenty and develop some skills that suit you.  Help you to prepare the food you want to eat.  It’s not important what the present Instagram craze is; blue smoothies, charcoal in stuff, at least it’s not to me.  It doesn’t have to be deep fried, covered in cheese, with a bucket of BBQ sauce to have flavour, to be exciting.  I aspire to live a simple foodie life, eating the food that is good for my soul.  It’s different for everyone, but surely, a tortilla is on the list right?!

Giant Tortillas  

When I was a vegetarian, a few moons ago, I used to visit a little tapas bar in the village where my parents own a property.  The woman in the kitchen was eccentric, around 80, with sparkling eyes and constant beaming smile.  Daily, a giant pea tortilla appeared from the kitchen.  A foot thick.  Only the eccentric can be this brilliant!  I’m exaggerating size wise but it wasn’t far off.

The pan she used was like something from an old-school foundry in Sheffield.  Some serious iron in that piece.  I was amazed she could lift the final pea studded behemoth which strained resplendent every mid-morning on the bar.  A slice would do four.  I was invited to the kitchen one day to witness the preparation, it was a exhibition of skill, grace and brute strength.  The son helped with the last bit.  Potato tortilla is good, but a pea tortilla just looks cooler, especially at that scale.  The food we make expresses who we are, that tortilla smiled from the bar every morning at me.

Not many ‘Guiris’ ventured into that place, the decor was a little past it, the TV barked like a rabid megaphone, the furniture was uniformly battered plastic, but, the food was hot!  Hot in a good and simple and humble and just damn tasty way. Using local produce and time honoured recipes, the tapas was a treat.

Being a local ‘Guiri’

I did get ripped off for a simple salad one day, 10 euros for a plate of lettuce and tomatoes.  I seldom returned.  I am a Guiri after all.  We’re not used to paying 10 euros for a plate of slices tomatoes and iceberg!  I also wear shorts 12 months a year and sometimes I like to eat dinner before 10 pm.  But otherwise, I think I’m chilling out and getting into the Spanish vibe pretty well.  I’ve also perfected a few Spanish phrases, in the gruff local Murcian dialect.  This means a certain level of (very minor) acceptance.

So, a medium-length story, slightly shorter, that’s why I’m posting this recipe.  I hope you enjoy it and cook it lots.  Please post below and say hello and let’s talk vegan cooking and Spain.  Two of my favourite subjects.  I love coming up with recipes and your feedback is really important in so many ways.

I’ve also finally, after around 7 years, got a new phone!  Meaning, I’m on Instagram, follow me over right here.

Baked Pea, Lemon & Mint Tortilla – Vegan and Gluten-free

Little green shoots

There are green shoots of veganity all over Spain now.  There are even a few vegan restaurants in Murica, a local vegan festival in our port town, plus a growing awareness in the media and populace about this vegan thing.  It’s wonderful to see.  Down at the local supermarkets, and we live in the sticks, plenty of vegan options and plenty of organic options.

For me to sit in a vegan restaurant in Spain and order a nicely cooked meal is a privilege.  In fact, it’s a privilege anywhere in the world.  Having ate many lifetimes worth of side dishes; chips, bread, uninspiring salads, olives, to be catered for in restaurants is something I’ll never take for granted.   Having worked in restaurants my whole life, I always appreciate what’s going on, how hard it is, how it takes over your life, how it’s driven by passion and hard work and also how easy it is to be overly critical.  Something I see regularly on social media, trip advisor etc.  I always try to be supportive of restaurants, it’s tough to run a good place and I have huge respect for people who do it well.   Especially if they’re making efforts to get vegan. Anyway, tortilla, here it is……

Full of flavours and a light texture, vegan tortilla is on the menu!

Recipe Notes

I decided that baking a tortilla is best here, giving a nice crisp, crust and it keeps things soft in the middle.  Every oven is different, check the middle of your tortilla is cooked using a skewer, like a cake.  Too long, it will be dry, too short and it will be uncooked in the middle.  Press the tortilla, in the middle, it should be springy and also the edges will leave the side of the baking dish.  It’s a fine-ish line.  The tortilla will firm up once it leaves the oven and cools, it’s worth remembering that.

No mint and dill.  Try other herb combinations, like thyme and rosemary.

I’ve added some raising agents.  On occasion, some gram flour, vegan tortillas can be quite heavy.  This helps lighten things.

 

Baked Pea, Lemon & Mint Tortilla – Vegan and Gluten-free

The Bits – For One Large Tortilla, 8-10 large slices

Batter

100g gram flour

175ml soya milk

75g firm tofu

1 teas salt

½ teas turmeric

½ teas bicarb of soda

½ teas baking powder

 

Filling


1 large onion (sliced)

2 large cloves garlic (sliced)

½ teas salt

125g firm tofu (broken into pieces with fingers)

2 tbs lemon juice (1 small lemon)

½ tbs lemon zest (½ small lemon)

2 tbs olive oil

150g frozen peas

1 teas dried mint

1 teas dried dill

¼ teas black pepper

 



Do It


Oil a 22cm/ 8.5 inch cake tin (a big one).  Line with baking parchment if it is not non-stick.

Press tofu between kitchen paper, remove excess moisture.

Preheat a fan oven to 180oC.

Add 1 tbs oil to a large frying pan, on medium heat, cook the garlic and onions for 7-9 minutes, adding 1/2 teas salt, until soft and golden.  Set aside to cool.

In a blender, add the tortilla batter ingredients and blitz until smooth.  

Add you dried herbs, black pepper, peas, 1 tbs olive oil and lemon juice to the frying pan.  Break the tofu into the pan using your fingers, large pieces are fine, this is to give the look and texture of egg white. Mix together, then stir in the batter until all is nicely combined. Pour this batter into your oiled cake tin and sprinkle with a little more sea salt.

Place in the oven for 25 minutes, drizzle over a little more oil at 20 minutes.  When it’s ready, the top will be nicely golden and the centre will be springy when pressed with your fingers.

Leave to cool in the tin for 15 minutes before slicing and serving with a crisp salad, olives and all your other favourite Spanish tapas.  It’s great with vegan aioli, also nice with a scattering of freshly chopped herbs, mint and parsley especially.

Flamenco in Sevilla

Our recent travel post, Vegan on the road – Andalucia, has been one of our most popular ever!  Check it out here for more vegan Spanish travelling and foodie things. 

Categories: gluten-free, healthy, photography, plant-based, Recipes, Travel, Vegan | Tags: , , , , , | 2 Comments

Easy Vegan Indian Bowl – Roasted Vegetable and Coconut Curry, Black Kale Daal and Coconut Rice

Posted on October 2, 2019 by leroy watson

Beach House Kitchen Bowl!

Better than takeaway! Wayyyy better!! Made with only fresh vegetables and spices, this Indian feast is delicious, rich and healthy too.  I’ve stripped down the preparation and ingredients, so this need not be a weekend treat.  It’s very mid-weekable!  Three recipes, served with our favourite condiments and we’re feasting vegan style!

I’m addicted to spice!  Can’t live without it for long.  When I travel around Italy or France, I’m always packing garam masala.  We really fancied a thali today, something colourful, filled with fragrant aromas, dishes to enliven the taste buds.  Plus, it’s my day off, what better way to celebrate!  We were missing India (see some of our India travels here) and felt like a light and seasonal curry. Lots of it….this is our Beach House Kitchen Thali Bowl!*

Curry in the BHK front garden, where the herb garden has gone a little feral.

It happens at this time of year.  The trees are all turning golden and crimson and I begin to ponder dark nights and BIG storms (we live on a mountain side).  I love the drama and peace of winter, but I need colours, spice and variety to get me through.  I like to get some rainbows cooking in the kitchen when the skies are grey.

We eat curries every week, sometimes even for breakfast (AM curry recipe here). I love giving local, seasonal veggies an Indian twist. I’ve used simple spices and ingredients here, like I said, this is a staple recipe, something I’d like you to find easy to cook. Add and subtract vegetables as you like, whatever is good or in your veg basket/ fridge.

Travelling India, especially in the South, is a moveable vegan’s feast. So many, coconut based options and up North, just ask to hold the ghee and you have a whole host of tantalising options, from street foods to wedding banquets, you’re gonna eat well in India as a plant-based wanderer.

Easy Vegan Curry Feast – 3 quick recipes

The essence of a good curry is fresh spices and a vibrant sauce (or gravy as they sometimes call it in India).  Got to be flavourful, it’s the base for soulful and spicy things to happen in your kitchen.  You’re creating something very special.

Here we make a simple tomato sauce, that can be used in a whole host of curries.  We mix in coconut cream, but it can be served as it is with vegetables.  We don’t blend it here, but that will make for a nice smooth sauce.

A portal to Pondicherry…..India we miss you (thanks for the spice!)

This was our lunch, so we ate it out in the garden.  I love the autumn up here in Snowdonia, the sunsets are regularly spectacular and there is plenty of sunshine with a nip in the air.  Ideal for walking in the mountains and along the beaches.  I’ll post some pictures soon.

We’ve been preparing for winter by refining our fermentation skills, Jane is on kombucha, I’m all over sourdough and sauerkraut etc.  Packing loads of colours and flavours into big jars and fermenting, it really is magic.  You can see some of our Radish Bombs here, with a nice hit of lime and spices.  Perfect on most things!  We are always inspired by our friend Janice from Nourished by Nature, see Spicy Radish Bomb recipe here.  A shining light!

These curry recipes will keep you going this autumn, straight through winter, filled with spicy, rainbow bowls.

Roasted Vegetable and Coconut Curry, all the trimmings…

Recipe Notes

The curry and daal will freeze well.  Make double if you fancy, portion it up into seperate containers and you’re well ahead.

The vegetables can be played with here. No squash, carrots or pumpkin is fine. No kale, use savoy cabbage or spinach.  No peppers, try courgettes or aubergines.  You get the idea!  Mix and match.  Play.  Enjoy!!

I’m not shy with oil here.  It adds richness, but using less will not adversely affect these dishes at all.  Stirring coconut oil into these dishes at the last minute is a nice way to finish things.

Add tofu to your roasted vegetables.  It’s delicious and adds even more protein to these dishes.

I roast and grind my own spices before cooking, especially the cumin and coriander.  You can’t beat the flavour.  Here’s a post about roasting and grinding your precious spices.

This is a mild, lightly spiced curry.  If you like spices add more!  If you like chillies, go crazy!!

Timing is everything right!  

Stage one – Start with your rice, then daal, then roast your vegetables and get the sauce cooking.

Stage two – Leave a lid on the rice (keep it warm), finish off the daal with the fried spices and garlic, add your roasted vegetables to your sauce.

There will be a lot going on here, you’ll need four pans and an oven working in harmony, but that’s the buzz and excitement of cooking like this, pots bubbling away, all action.  Once you’ve made these recipes a couple of times, you won’t even need the recipes.  You’ll be free-styling and expressing yourselves like true curry champions!!

Do let us know if you like this recipe, or even better, if you try it out.  

We love to hear from you below in the comments.  Say “hello!”  

I’ve also just started posting over on Instagram.  

Svaadisht!

 

Easy Vegan Indian Feast – Roasted Vegetable and Coconut Curry, Black Kale Daal and Coconut Rice

 

The Bits – For 4 big eaters or 6

Coconut Rice 

250ml brown basmati rice

500ml vegetable stock

1 1/2 teas cumin seeds

2/3 teas nigella/ kalongi seeds

1/2 teas mustard seeds

1/2 stick cinnamon

5 green cardamom pods (cracked)

4 tbs dessiccated coconut

1 tbs cold pressed oil/ coconut oil

1/2 teas sea salt

 

Black Kale Daal

250g red lentils

850ml vegetable stock

1/2 teas turmeric

 

125g black kale/ cavolo nero (finely sliced)

1/2 tbs cold pressed oil/ coconut oil

3 cloves garlic

2 heaped tbs chopped ginger

1 1/2 teas cumin seeds

1 teas mustard seeds

1/2-1 teas sea salt

 

Roasted Vegetable and Coconut Curry

2 peppers (chopped)

500g/ 1/2 large butternut squash

1 large onion

1/2-1 tbs cold pressed oil/ coconut oil

Sea salt and black pepper

 

Spicy Tomato Sauce 

1 large onion (chopped)

5 tomatoes (chopped)

5 cloves garlic (finely chopped)

2 tbs ginger (finely chopped)

1-2 red chillies (sliced)

150g/ 2 handfuls white cabbage (sliced)

2 teas garam masala

2 teas ground cumin

1 1/2 teas ground turmeric

1 1/2 teas ground coriander

1-2 tbs cold pressed oil/ coconut oil

1 teas sea salt and black pepper

Easy to be vegan!

Do It

Rice

Wash and drain your rice.  Add the oil to a small saucepan, heat on medium, add the seeds, stir for a 30 seconds, add the coconut, cinnamon and cardamon, stir and cook for a few minutes, until the coconut is golden and fragrant.  Add the rice and stock.  Stir again and bring to a boil.  Lower heat to a slow simmer and pop a lid on.  Leave to cook for 25-30 minutes.  It will depend on your rice.

Daal

Wash and drain your lentils.  Add them to a medium sauce pan.  Cover with the stock, add the turmeric and bring to a boil.  Lower the heat to a low simmer, pop a lid on and leave to cook for 25 minutes.  Stirring a few times.  Once the lentils are cooked, in a small frying pan, add the oil and heat on medium.  Fry the seeds, ginger and garlic together until the garlic is golden.  Add this mix to the lentils, season with salt and thin out the daal with hot water if needed.

Curry

Preheat oven to 200oc.  Toss you squash, peppers and onion on a baking tray with oil, salt and pepper.  Place in the oven and roast for 30 minutes, turning once.  Get some nice colour onto the vegetables, some charred edges are very welcome.

While that’s happening, in a large frying pan on high heat, add your oil and cook the onions for 7 minutes, until golden.  Add the garlic, chilli, ginger and spices, fry a minute, stirring.  Now add the tomatoes and salt.  Lower the heat and cover with a lid.  Leave to cook for 8 minutes.  Take the lid off, add the coconut milk and cabbage, leave to simmer for 10 minutes.  Check the seasoning and ensure the cabbage is cooked through.

Your roasted vegetables will now be ready, scrape them gently into the pan and combine well with the sauce.

You’re good to go!  On a preferably warm plate/ shallow bowl, add the rice, daal and curry.

Serve topped with sliced chillies, your favourite pickles, crispy onions, radish bombs and we had coconut yoghurt.

Vegan curries all the way!  Healthy and delicious, always possible!!

Foodie Fact

Every part of this curry sparkles with nutritional wonders.  Because we’re only using fresh vegetables, whole grains and spices, it really is a bowl of healthy happy.  Eating a balanced vegan diet, based around fresh fruit and veg is the healthiest way we can fuel ourselves, tasty too!  This bowl is filled with a huge range of vitamins, minerals, iron, protein, anti-oxidants, pro-biotic goodness, good energy, good fats, good vibes!   This bowl is good for your heart, your mind, your skin, your tastebuds!!

You could even add some steamed broccoli or kale for an ultimate healthy happy bowl.

 

Come cook and holiday with us.  All of our upcoming events are right here

 

 

*PS – A thali is a traditional plate, with loads of compartments for treats.  We don’t have one.  I’d like one, but I’m trying to minimise my kitchen equipment.  It’s amazing what you can do with a few spoons and a pan.  No gimmicks.  No gadgetry.  I’m getting back to the roots of cooking.  Except my blender.  I draw the old school line there.  How do you hand-make a smoothie?

Categories: Autumn, Curries, gluten-free, healthy, photography, plant-based, Recipes, Vegan | Tags: , , , , , | Leave a comment

Merry Vegan Midwinter Workshop – An alternative festive feast and celebration

Posted on September 20, 2019 by leroy watson

 

Sunday 24th November 2019

10am-5pm

 

With Gillian Monks ‘Merry Midwinter’ and Lee Watson ‘Peace and Parsnips’

 

Get back in touch with the true spirit of Christmas!

 

Join best-selling authors, Gillian Monks and Lee Watson at the beautifully situated Trigonos, to celebrate an alternative Festive season with a delicious, 3 course plant-based lunch and cooking demonstration.

 

Are you interested in a Christmas which doesn’t revolve around commercialism and consumerism?

 

Do you wish to return to celebrating this time of year in a more authentic way?

 

Gillian will be sharing her passion for this season and introducing you to an alternative festive approach, re-introducing ourselves to activities and customs which better reflect the nature of this time of year.

Prepare to be inspired!

Vegan chef Lee will be creating a plant-based festive menu, with lots of treats. A slap up three course Christmas lunch, using local produce, that everyone can enjoy! Vegan, gluten-free and sugar-free options are available, all decadent and delicious. Lee will also be demonstrating how to cook a full vegan Christmas dinner, step by step.

Learn to cook this Parsnip, Chestnut and Cranberry Roast

Gillian’s workshop will involved creating your own Christmas decorations from locally foraged evergreens. Design and make your own advent wreath or kissing ball, Welsh calennigs, Christmas woodland gnomes and eco-friendly gift-wrapping.

Gillian will also be sharing ideas for festive entertainment, games and gifts, which cost nothing except time, inspiration and care, as well as leading our stories and carols by the fire.

 

What’s included:

 

Three course plant-based festive lunch and welcome drink

 

Authentic Christmas decoration workshop with Gillian, using locally foraged evergreens

 

Cooking demonstration with Lee, learn how to make this Christmas plant-based and decadent

 

Storytelling and carols by the blazing fire,
with special hot chocolate

 

Full recipe booklet, especially designed for the day, try all the recipes out at home

 

Much knowledge and many practical tips of how you can re-connect with the Festive season, in new, old ways

 

A selection of Teas and Fresh Coffee

 

——–

 

Why we came together for Merry Vegan Midwinter:

 

“Celebrating midwinter is not about what you buy or how much you spend….Turn away from the frenetic consumerism of Christmas and rediscover the authentic and meaningful realities of this, the oldest and most precious celebration of the year.
The true significance of midwinter is not found in any individual spiritual or religious belief or practice. Instead, the winter solstice provides an opportunity to celebrate what we as humans share; to set aside our differences and come together with a sense of community and cheer.”

Gillian

 

“Many people are choosing to eat more plant-based foods, I want to make the festive season delicious for all! Taking into account vegans, gluten-free and even sugar-free options, I’ll be creating a Christmas lunch menu that everyone will enjoy. Full of flavours, textures and pleasant surprises along the way.”

Lee

 

 

Come along for an enjoyable, delicious and relaxing day, reconnecting with the true spirit of Christmas.

 

 

Tickets £79

 

TO BOOK

Call 01286882388 or email info@trigonos.org

 

Normal Day Ticket £79

 

Address:

Trigonos
Plas Baladeulyn
Nantlle
Caernarfon
Wales
LL54 6BW

 

*Early Bird Offer ends 19st October 2019

Categories: Cooking demos, Events, gluten-free, healthy, plant-based, Vegan, Wales, Winter | Tags: , , , , , | 6 Comments

Vegan Japanese Hambagu – Teriyaki Burger Bites with Flax Gomasio

Posted on September 17, 2019 by leroy watson

Fancy a bite! Japanese Hambagus, vegan and gluten-free

This is my little, burger shaped homage to my favourite Japanese flavours; miso, ginger, wasabi, toasted sesame seeds. These crispy little burger bites are filled with flavour and when served with crisp vegetables and creamy mayonnaise, make for a delicious lunch.  We paired it with a Autumn stir-fry noodle salad with a creamy peanut and lime sauce.

Autumn Stir-Fry Salad with Peanut and Lime Sauce

The great thing about this salad is that you can use whatever is seasonal or in your fridge/ veg basket.  Filled with Asian flavours, lots of chilli, garlic and ginger for a base, then the dressing comes with toasted sesame oil, tamari and lots of lime.  We’ll be eating this right through the winter, so tasty and easy to get together.  Recipe coming soon……

I’m glad I got around to posting this recipe, I have piles of notebooks with tested recipes that don’t make it to the blog.  My motivation to get typing tonight was YOU!  Thanks so much for all the love you’ve shown over on Facebook and Twitter.  I shared a couple of pictures of these little Hambagus and the response was amazing.

I wanted to make some burgers with a BIG flavour and I also wanted to add an Asian lunch for our Vibrant Vegan! Snowdonia event.  This is basically how this recipe came about, a lot of my favourite things in a mini burger.

These hambagus are crispy on the outside and have a good, firm texture.  They’ll go well on a grill or BBQ, but I like the control of a frying pan.  But, the next time I have a BBQ, these are hitting it! Most veggies burgers may seem a little soft when they first go into the pan, but will firm up nicely when flipped.

A Hambagu is basically a Japanese hamburger and generally when I make Japanese dishes, I whizz up some Gomasio.  The recipe is below.  Gomasio is normally made with sesame, I’ve added flax because I love it, you may like to add a little seaweed.  It is a brilliant way for adding flavour, umami-tastic, to dishes.  Keeps well in the fridge too.

If you like the look of this, or cook it, do let us know in the comments below.  It’s great to hear from you.  We love the idea our recipes being cooked and enjoyed.

 

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Flax Gomasio – One of my favourite savoury toppings

Recipe Notes

Buy the sticky, thick version of teriyaki sauce to use on these burgers, or seek out Hoisin (which is Chinese, but works well with this recipe).

When handling the burger mix, wet hands makes all the difference.  No sticky messes here.

For presentation sake, take some time in forming your mini patties, get them quite uniformed and they’ll look awesome!

I’m torn between what is better, basting them with teriyaki and giving each side a quick fry or just basting them after cooking.  I’ve gone with the later, but if you like intense flavours, maybe try frying them quickly once you’ve basted.

Don’t over bake these, or any veggie burger for that matter, they’ll go dry.  We just want to warm them in the middle and they’re best served just after cooking.

The mix will freeze well and can be defrosted for future burger missions.  This recipe does make lots!

If you are gluten-free, just check what your miso is made out of.

You can also make a big burger if you like, I’d serve it with a sticky, sushi rice bun if I were you, some roasted sweet potatoes on the side.  In fact, I’ll do that next time…..

Vegan Hambagu! – One is never enough…..

Vegan Japanese Hambagus – Teriyaki Burger Bites with Flax Gomasio

 

The Bits – For 24 burger bites

100g toasted sunflower seeds

1 tin aduki beans (drained, reserving the liquid)
75g gluten-free flour (I used gram flour)
1 tbs ground flaxseed (mixed with 3 tbs water)
1 ½ tbs brown miso
2 tbs tomato puree
2 tbs teriyaki or hoisin sauce

200g cooked quinoa (cooled)
½ red pepper (finely diced)
1 teas garlic powder
1 teas ground ginger
3 tbs gomasio
¼ teas ground pepper

Cold pressed coconut or rapeseed oil (for frying)

Basting
4-6 tbs teriyaki (the thick and sticky variety) or hoisin sauce

Flax Gomasio
2 tbs toasted sesame seeds
1 tbs flax seeds
⅔ teas sea salt

Serve
Wasabi Mayonnaise
Sliced Tomato, chopped daikon or radish
Pickled ginger
Gomasio or toasted sesame seeds

 

Do It
In a food processor, blitz your sunflower seeds to a rough crumb. Some chunks of seeds are preferable here. Set aside.

Add your beans, miso, tomato puree, hoisin sauce, gram flour, 2 tbs bean tin liquid and flaxseeds. Blend until smooth

In a large mixing bowl, add your cooked quinoa, sunflower seeds, ginger, garlic, red pepper, gomasio, black pepper.

Scrape out the bean mix into the mixing bowl and stir together until all is combined well. Cover the bowl and place in a fridge for 45 minutes to firm up and chill.

Preheat an oven to 180oC. Pour enough hoisin sauce into a small bowl, have a basting brush handy.

Using wet hands, form 1 heaped tablespoon of mix into fat discs, mini burger shapes. Place them onto a plate.

Warm a large, heavy bottomed, frying pan on medium heat. Add 2 tbs cooking oil and when hot, add your burger bites. Fry for 2 minutes each side, until nicely charred. Once done, place on a baking tray. Continue frying in batches until you’re all done for mix.

Brush the top of each burger generously with hoisin sauce and place in the oven to cook for 8 minutes. The burgers should be piping hot and cooked in the middle.

Serve with your favourite Japanese influenced toppings. I like wasabi mayo, toasted sesame seeds and pickled ginger.

Gomasio – Toast the sesame and flax seeds in a pan on medium heat. Allow them to take on some colour, a nice dark golden shade. Around 10 minutes will be enough, tossing them regularly.

Place in a blender and blitz them with your salt. A fine powder will form, use straightaway of store in an airtight container in the fridge.

View of Nantlle Valley and Snowdon from BHK hill, and yes, the sky is normally like this.

 

Vibrant Vegan! Snowdonia, Plant-based Cooking and Yoga Holiday is now SOLD OUT!  We can’t wait to welcome the group this Saturday. 

 

If you couldn’t make it to Vibrant Vegan! maybe you’d like one of our upcoming events, ranging from Spanish Beach Holidays to Wine Tasting Evenings and Festive Vegan Cooking Workshops.  CLICK HERE

 

Categories: gluten-free, healthy, photography, plant-based, Recipes, Vegan, Wales | Tags: , , , | Leave a comment

Kombucha Time! Fermented foods in the Beach House Kitchen

Posted on September 12, 2019 by leroy watson

Jane toasting you all with tonights Kombucha! Strawberry and Rose Spritz (with a tickled of mint and a twist lime)

It’s wild today in the Beach House, we sit at the top of a hill, overlooking the Irish Sea, we get some tasty weather!! We were in the garden last night, basically it’s a big chunk of mountain, taming it and wrestling with brambles mainly. Seeing how the newts and frogs were getting on in the pond. We also got a nice pile of windfall apples (bonus!) We got a thirst going…..kombucha time.

We’re taking the Vibrant Vegan! Challenge, no alcohol for a few weeks now. We’re feeling groovy! Kombucha is the perfect treat drink. It has that fermented quality, and sometimes even tastes a little alcoholic.

Jane loves making Kombucha and we’re trying out new flavour combos for our Vibrant Vegan! Snowdonia – Plant-based Cooking & Yoga Holiday using mainly strawberry, raspberry and blackberry as bases. This is Jane toasting you all with last nights winner!!
We are truly blessed to have the magnificent Janice, aka Nourished by Nature, joining us for the holiday and hosting a fermentation masterclass. All of your Kombucha questions answered and much, much more!  Lots of tastings, pro-biotic chocolate anyone!!  How’s about some coffee Kombucha?

Sometimes I can’t believe we live here!! So beautiful. This is the view from the stone circle behind the BHK. 

Living right beside Snowdonia national park, it’s basically behind our back garden, means our local walks are pretty special!  You can nearly see Mount Snowdon in the photo above, tucked behing Mynydd Mawr (The Elephant Mountain, my local stomp).  We even have a little stone circle in our garden, which for many years we thought was all ancient and druidic etc, until we met the former owners and they said it was built in the late ’90’s.  Hari hum.  Still a great place to sit and watch sunset over Anglesey.

Several different sauerkrauts on the go…

I take charge of the sourdough and sauerkraut’s.  We both love making feremented foods, I always enjoy an edible hobby.  Here we have a few different types of ‘kraut, notice the German made Sauerkraut barrel, Jane get’s me the best Xmas pressies.  We experiment with all kinds of flavours and use many different veggies, herbs, spices etc.  Once you have the basic technique, the world of veg is your fermentable friend.  I’m keeping these a little secret, because they are especially for Vibrant Vegan!  Apologies.  One of them is Nepalese, the other, proudly German. One is with fennel, dill and lemon.  I love that combo.

You can’t make a sauerkraut, without covering your kitchen with cabbage. Them’s the rules!

Sauerkraut and fermented foods in general are a real gift, for good health and incredible flavours.  Most of our favourite foods are fermented; cheeses, coffee, wine and beer, yoghurt…the list goes on.  Fermenting foods is an ancient little trick that all cultures in the world have practiced.  It means your food is preserved, but unlike pickling for example, fermented foods come to life!  Their flavours are enhanced and their nutritional properties go through the roof.  They are also easier to digest.  Fermenting foods is also fun, and like I said, it’s and addictive hobby.  Our scobies (alien like creatures that live in jars and make kombucha) or our sourdough starter (named ‘funk face’ due to it’s fruity odour) are members of the BHK family.

Yesterdays sunset sourdough was Seeded Wholegrain

We have a new heating system in the Beach House, it’s uber energy efficient and we’re chuffed and cosy.  One thing it’s made so much better is our sourdough.  It’s actually warm enough for it to do it’s thing!  Before we tried heat pads and leaving near the fire, anything we could think of, but a consistent ambient temperature is working wonders for our little Funk Face.

Our windfall apples, let the wind do the work!

We’re not long back to the Beach House, after walking around Portugal for a while this summer and working in Spain.  The garden is now only semi-forested and we can now get down to the fun bits, like picking apples.  I feel another Kombucha flavour coming on!

What’s your favourite Kombucha flavour and what are your scobies called?  Do you love sourdough and yes, what is your sourdough called?  They have to have names, that’s more than half the fun of it…..

Breakfast Superfood Ice Cream – Vegan, Gluten and Sugar free

We also make our own yoghurt.  Just using the cultures that are already in the shop bought yoghurts.  Just add milk and leave….  It adds a pro-biotic punch to our morning bowls.  We’re loving superfood ice creams at the minute.  Lots of colours, textures and big flavours, just what I need to get me going in the mornings.

Fermentation is simple, with a little experience, anyone can do it and you don’t need any special equipment or fancy ingredients (although, like I said, a scobie is technically an alien lifeform living in your house.  You can buy them online!)

Please share your fermented food tales below in the comments and show some fermented love!!

There is loads more BHK chat, recipes and vegan cooking over on our Facebook page, click here.  

 

Here’s a recipe from a few years ago, KIMCHI, one of our favourties.  

Also, a Beetroot, Apple and Caraway Sauerkraut from the Beach House recipe library……

 

Our fermentation gurus are Janice from Nourished By Nature.  A ray of sunshine, wealth of knowledge and fermentista extraordinaire.

Plus Sandor Katz, his book ‘Wild Fermentation’ changed the way we look at food, packed with recipes and a huge amount of tips and knowledge.

 

Best to contact us via email, send a letter or leave a comment below, no phone signal up here in the hills;)

 

Categories: Baking, Cooking Holidays, Fermentation, fermented foods, healthy, photography, plant-based, Recipes, Vegan, Wales | Tags: , , , | 11 Comments

Vibrant Vegan! Cooking – Organic soul food in stunning Snowdonia

Posted on September 5, 2019 by leroy watson

Dream cooking – picking tomatoes for the pot and platter)

Picking my own ingredients freshly is a dream.

All grown to organic standards just beside the kitchen.  This is surely every cooks idea of paradise!  I felt like sharing a few pictures of what I’ve been harvesting of late.  Good food comes from the earth, from rich soils, the very best vegetables are always local, seasonal and organic.

Cooking at Trigonos is always pleasure.  You may not have visited Trigonos, or Snowdonia, and I know may of your are scattered all over the world.  I’d like to bring this area to life a little, some of you are joining us for our Vibrant Vegan! Snowdonia, Cooking Holiday.  We’ll be seeing you here soon.  Can’t wait!

A peaceful day by the lake, Trigonos

The Beach House Kitchen sits high in the hills in North Wales overlooking the Irish Sea, Anglesey and the Llyn Peninsula.  The views and sunsets are stunning.  We are right beside Snowdonia National Park, a place of wild beauty, stunning mountains, lakes and valleys.  We can jump over our back wall and walk up a mountain!  We love the lifestyle and one of the highlights for me, being a cook, is the local produce.

Radiant Welsh cherry tomatoes…

Yellow ones too…

I cook regularly at Trigonos, a retreat and learning centre, set in the spectacular Nantlle Valley.  It’s a hidden gem, no one goes there (don’t tell anyone about it;)  These pictures say it all really!  Trigonos sits on a little shelf of flat, arable land, beside a small lake, surrounded by old forests and a disused slate quarry.  Looking up the valley, we can see the mighty Snowdon which rises like a rocky crown above the other mountains.  Trigonos has been described as “heaven on earth” by many people who visit us and I tend to agree.  It’s one of the most beautiful spots in the UK and I feel very lucky to be able to play with veggies in their kitchens!

Trigonos has it’s own vegetable farm, a large field and a series of polytunnels, our resident horticulturalist was away in Canada, so us chefs were picking our own for a while and I loved every minute.  I visit the polytunnels regularly to see how things are sprouting and blooming, but to actually get to pick my own was a rare privilege.  I’ve been fortunate to be in this situation before, even picking my own fruits and veggies for the pot in Tamil Nadu, and it’s one of my favourite things to do.  Hand selecting the ripest and most appealing produce, to then take to the kitchen to prepare.  It doesn’t get any better!

Basil grows perfectly with the tomatoes. It’s very happy here!

 

I think autumn is my favourite time at Trigonos, the trees are all changing to a warmer shades and the mountains begin to take on burnt bronze and crimson hues

 

The peppers are coming….

But this behemoth (below) may well be the pinnacle for me, the giant and outrageously orange Crown Prince Squash.  Veggie royalty for certain.  The sweetest and most flavourful of the entire squash/ pumpkin collective.  You can see they’re massive already, and will hopefully sweeten up in the next few weeks and we’ll be preparing dishes with them for Vibrant Vegan!  A simple soup made with these squashes, home-made stock and a little onion, is a thing of rare beauty.  With produce like this, simplicity is the key, enhancing their nature fragrance, textures and sweetness.

Giant Crown Prince Squashes lurking under the leaves…

In these times of abundance from the land, we try our best to preserve the mountains of tomatoes, basil, cucumbers and other produce.  My favourite method is fermenting them into a variety or saeurkrauts and kimchis, or just fermenting things like cherry tomatoes whole (they’re then called Tomato Bombs!)  We also make lots of roasted tomato sauce for the freezer, as well as frozen berries and apples for crumbles and pies later in the year.

Chutneys, jams and pickling are of course another way of preserving autumn’s abundance and we have members of the team who love nothing more than making wine from everything!  Oak leaves, no problem.  But elderberries, blackberries and rhubarb are more palatable I reckon!!

This time of year can be a busy time in the kitchen, there is a buzz in autumn, a feeling that I’m getting ready for a long winter.  The more little gifts I can preserve for those times, the better.  I think we have to put effort and care into things to feel the true benefit, food is no different.  Popping open some homemade tomato sauce on a drizzly Tuesday in February makes me very happy….

A passion for cooking is a life-long joy!

Not forgetting the intense Ruby Chard corner

We love visiting Spain and have just returned from walking the Camino Portugese, post coming soon.  Here are some of our Spanish holiday snaps, Vegan on the Road – Andalucia.  The tomatoes in this polytunnel would be worshipped in Spain!  Such is the reverence tomatoes have there.

The Beef Steak tomato below would be thinly sliced in a restaurant, drizzle with olive oil and a little sea salt and served as a starter or tapas, for a pretty penny too!  Tomatoes are selected at markets with incredible care and cooked with sensitivity to the differing flavours and textures of the tomato in the basket.  It’s this kind of ‘feel’ I try to bring to my cooking and my mind and senses are focused even more when cooking with hand-picked produce.  How can it not be?  There is so much subtlety to be aware of in the kitchen, every action has a consequence, good cooking requires a relaxed focus, it is mindfulness in action! 

Giant Beefsteak tomatoes, Ive no idea how the thin stems support these. Some seem to weigh 1kg!

A natural groove…

Growing your own vegetables, cooking and eating them, seems like a perfect cycle.  Something so natural, grounding and fulfilling.  The ultimate healthy relationship, the happiest of marriages, with our food.  Even if it’s just some pots of herbs on a window ledge, or a little tomato plant, some spuds in the garden or plums from the neighbours trees, this is food for the soul.  We all feel that I believe.  How many of our happy memories and meals as children revolved around such produce?  I know I have loads, veggies coming from my Grandad’s gardens or allotments, pick your own strawberries and raspberries, pears from my aunties garden and of course, blackberry picking (we’re going to harvest our garden blackberries soon, it’s pretty intense out there at the minute, the brambles are taking over like rabid Triffids).

Growing our own food makes us more conscious of what and how we choose to consume and plugs us straight into our local environment, the seasons and a sense of wellbeing.

We always have a range of freshly picked salad leaves for lunch at Trigonos

When I was younger (I’m not that old now, but you know what I mean…) there were many more opportunities to see and pick our produce, get up close and personal with our muddy potatoes.  Many more people were growing things and sharing in the community and amongst families.  This approach is a gift for any community and I’m grateful to Trigonos and local farms like Tydynn Teg who provide us with produce grown with care and love.  Better for our environment, better for our health and better for our tastebuds (not to mention our souls!!)

If you’re growing your own or have memories you’d like to share about awesome produce, please leave a comment below.  

Happy cooking!:)   

I love these Purple Mangetout. Amazing colour and a vivid stock when cooked. They really brighten things up.

Trigonos has many options for B+B, just give them a ring, 01286882388 or email – info@trigonos.org, to check availability.  We cook with as much produce from the land throughout the year, if you head down there soon, you’ll be tasting these tomatoes yourself!

I’ll be doing more cooking workshops in Snowdonia and at Trigonos in the future.  Here’s the BHK cooking event page to keep up-to-date, or join our seasonal newsletter here.

Looking up the valley, across the lake, Snowdon in the distant. We’ll still have many bright, fresh days like this in autumn.

 

Just to finish things off nicely, a bonfire on a chilly autumn night….

 

We have a bonfire planned at Vibrant Vegan! Snowdonia, under the stars, beneath the mountains, with lots of hot chocolate

Categories: Autumn, Cooking Workshops, healthy, Local food, Organic, photography, plant-based, sustainable, Vegan, Wales, Welsh produce | Tags: , , | 2 Comments

Vibrant Vegan Challenge! Let’s get healthier and happier together

Posted on September 2, 2019 by leroy watson

 

A healthy lifestyle promises a brighter future!

 

Do you want more energy? A greater sense of wellbeing?

 

Take the VIBRANT VEGAN! challenge.

 

Our Vibrant Vegan! Snowdonia holiday is fast approaching and we have a challenge for our attendees, and you all, let’s get healthy together!!

We’ve been travelling a lot recently and feeling out of balance, our diet has been all over the place, it’s been an amazing adventure, but we’re so glad to be back in the Beach House after a few years.  We’re feeling grounded and at peace again, the Beach House energy is strong!!

What’s the idea?……

I’m back in my beloved kitchen, surrounded by glorious local produce, fresh mountain air and inspiration to bring you healthy and delicious recipes.  The Beach House lifestyle revolves around a sense of wellness and positivity in life and to tap back into that has been transformational for me.

But it’s not all about a healthy diet, exercise, especially yoga, and positive practices, like meditation, also play a major part in this.  Wellness is a fine balance, it touches and is influenced by everything I do.  It was this motivation and a desire for me to be better and brighter that resulted in the Vibrant Vegan!

 

Let’s get together, form a group of like-minded, open hearted folk who are seeking a exciting new adventure.

 

This challenge is open to anyone, you pick and choose what works with your lifestyle at the minute, just a little taste of vibrant vegan will be enough to get started.  After that…anything is possible!!

I was told by one of my favourite teachers that an ounce of practice is better than a tonne of theory so…..LET’S DO IT!

Vibrant Vegans!!

Here’s the guidelines:

 

– Eat a balanced vegan/ plant-based diet

– Make healthy eating choices, so no white sugar, white flour, alcohol, takeaways or heavily processed, deep fried food. Eat good fats, cold pressed oils and loads of fruit and veg. Eat the rainbow!

– Exercise daily or whenever possible. Even if it’s just a brisk walk, gently stretching or going to a yoga class. Raise our heart rate a little.

– Drink more water. Water is life! Drink water throughout the day.

– Go to bed early. Get 8 hours-ish sleep, your optimum sleep.

– Take deep breaths ofter, we’ll be posting links to videos about this on the group (see below). Breathing right, which may sound a little strange, is the foundation for a healthy, energised life.

 

———-

You can start the challenge NOW! Why not? We’ve already been doing it for a week and feeling the benefits.

I’ve set up this group especially for everyone who is looking to move towards a healthier and more energised way of being.

 

Click here – Vibrant Vegan! Healthy Plant-based Livin’ to join, there will be loads of support and information. All you need to start a new way of being right NOW!

 

The official start date will be a week before the holiday, 9am Saturday 14th September. This means you can build up to it slowly over the next couple of weeks and then GO FOR IT!

Lots of new, healthy plant-based recipes coming soon….

 

I’ll be posting more here soon.

 

Please leave a comment below if you’re interested, we love hearing from you.

 

Let’s get happier and healthier together!

 

Health is wealth….

 

Categories: Events, Healing foods, healthy, Healthy Eating, Healthy Living, photography, plant-based, Superfoods, Vegan, veganism | Tags: , , | 1 Comment

Vegan Wine and Tapas Evening ~ Manchester, Saturday 9th November 2019

Posted on August 17, 2019 by leroy watson

Vegan Wine Tasting and Tapas Evening, Manchester

For one night in November, the vegan chef, Lee Watson (author of ‘Peace & Parsnips’ cookbook), and professional wine geek, Robert Moore, are teaming up to bring you an entertaining and exclusive evening of delicious wine and food pairing.

 

Guests will be treated to ten fabulous wines* from around the world, each wine being specially paired with mouth-watering tapas from the same country.

 

Lee will be creating bespoke recipes especially for the evening, using local, seasonal produce, most of which will be organic. It promises to be a menu filled with plant-based surprises and bold, creative flavours that everyone will enjoy, vegan or otherwise.

Albariño grapes in Rías Baixas, Lee has just returned from Galicia in Spain. We will be sampling a crisp, citrus and floral Albariño soon….

As you try each of the wines and accompanying tapas, you’ll be learning not only how to properly taste wines, but more about the wine making process and regions where they grow.

 

Did we mention that all the wines and all the food are completely vegan? We did? Oh, good.

 

Rob has created a varied and dynamic vegan wine list, one which will take your tastebuds on a global adventure. He will be answering any questions you have about the wine, as well as imparting knowledge on how to best match wine and food, offering you skills to asses and buy quality vegan wines.

 

Lee will talk about the dishes and how they were prepared, sharing vegan cooking tips, plus you will leave with a recipe booklet containing a number of the tapas recipes so you can try them at home for yourself.

 

We are in the process of finalising the wine list and menu and will be let you know further details very soon.

 

Come and join us for a celebration of the best vegan wines and delicious plant-based flavours!

 

~

What’s included:

 

– Ten stunning wines from around the world; vintage champagne, red, white and a very special dessert wine, hand picked by Rob

 

– A variety of creative tapas, vegan cheese and canapes to compliment the wine

 

– Knowledge and skills to taste wines with confidence, enhancing your wine drinking experience

 

– A guide to pairing wine and food collated by Rob

 

– An original recipe booklet by Lee

 

A fine selection of global Reds awaits!

 

Tickets for the evening:

 

£79 per person

 

CLICK HERE TO BOOK 

 

 

Address:

St. Clement’s Church, Edge Lane, Chorlton

M21 9AE

 

7.30pm – 10pm

 

 Contact us at wineandwaistcoats@gmail.com

 

Gluten-free options available

*All wines are kindly supplied by Majestic Wines

**Early Bird Offer ends 26/9/19

 

Categories: Events, gluten-free, plant-based, Vegan, veganism | Tags: , , , , , | 4 Comments

Strawberry, Spinach and Walnut Salad – Simple Summer Special

Posted on August 14, 2019 by leroy watson

View up the Nantlle Valley towards mighty Snowdon.

Is it summer or autumn?  I’m not sure anyone knows over here.  The weather is unsure, sleet one day, sizzling summer rays the next.  We’re back in the beautiful Beach House, after a summer walking around Spain and Portugal.  More of that to come soon, travel pictures and some tall tales.  Click here for a sneak preview.  We’re full of energy and new ideas.  It’s great to be back in Snowdonia, just look at these pictures……

Random flower pics. We love em!

We’re busy planning new events for later in the year, news of one coming later this week hopefully.  It involves wine, that’s all I’m saying.  It may be in the North West of England.  I can say no more.  But, it is very exciting.  Trust me.  Also, our Vibrant Vegan! – Cooking and Yoga Holiday is fast approaching.  Click here for more information.  We can’t wait to see some of you back up here by the mountains and sea for a vegan cooking extravaganza!!

It’s always salad season in my book and here’s a simple one which has nice textures and colours.  Salads are only boring if there is no inspiration involved.  Do people still feel salads are boring?  I think the UK might have evolved in that area.  Let me know…..  If you have someone in your life who is a salad naysayer, make them this.  They’ll soon change their salad spots.

This is on my summer menu and it’s a hit!  The flavour combos really work and I love adding basil to the leaf mix.  The recipe takes a short time to get together and is ideal as a colourful side salad or add some roasted squash or new potatoes to take it towards main course-ville.

We quickly press the red cabbage here, you can also use beetroot if you like, releasing more nutrients and flavours. This technique works with most vegetables and I Iove it.  Pressing elevates humble veggies to new levels and also lessens the funky ‘cabbaginess’ of the cabbage. Mellows it out nicely.

Welcome to Snowdonia! Home of the Beach House Kitchen

Do let us know if you try out this recipe.  How does it look to you?  Fancy trying it out?  Leave us a comment below.

Happy cooking:)

Strawberry, Spinach and Walnut Salad – A vegan late summer treat

Strawberry, Spinach and Walnut Salad – Simple Summer Special

 

The Bits – For 4 as a side salad

8 strawberries, cut into quarters lengthways

6 handfuls spinach leaves, washed and dried

1 small handful basil leaves

1/4 small red cabbage, finely sliced

Balsamic reduction

Sea salt

1 big handful toasted walnuts, roughly chopped

 

Do It

In a bowl, not a metal one please, rub 1-2 teas salt into your red cabbage, massage it lovingly, it will release some water. That’s good! Leave for 1-2 hours to soften. Now taste it, if it’s salty, rinse in cold water until you like the saltiness of it.

In a large bowl, gently toss together the strawberries, basil and spinach, drizzling in a dash of balsamic reduction and toss more.  Then serve straight away on a large plate, scattering the red cabbage and toasted walnuts on top.

Now for the final drizzle of balsamic reduction and you’re good to go.

Fresh basil from the polytunnels at Trigonos. Where I regularly cook, using a lot of produce from the land. It’s the best, cooking with freshly picked produce.

Foodie Fact
Strawberries are very, very, very high in vitamin C.  Strawberries are one of those things I eat and think, “I’m so happy this is good for me.”  Eat strawberries and be merry!

They’re also pretty good for fibre and our old friend, Manganese.

 

 

Categories: gluten-free, healthy, photography, plant-based, Recipes, Summer, Vegan, Wales | Tags: , | Leave a comment

Vegan On The Road – Andalucia, Spain

Posted on June 17, 2019 by leroy watson

Jane and the Happpy Restaurant:)  Cordoba

We’re on the road again!  Out and about around Spain, the fascinating region of Andalucia.  Fillled with history, diverse culture and loads of tasty treats.

We sampled a variety of vegan treats all over Andalucia. Here’s some delicious Smoked Lebanese Aubergines bound together with tahini.

We stayed in central Malaga and were really surprised by the place, loads to see, do and nibble.  We’d recommend a visit and you can even chill on the beach, it’s miles long!  The hill top fort was a real highlight, as well as the old town and Picasso Museum.

There are some great little vegan restaurants, we enjoyed delicious, innovative meals.  Plenty of chilled soups, gazpacho and salmorejo, were always an option for a quick and nourishing lunch or snack.  We tend to eat loads of fruit and fresh veg, or salads, on the road.

Overlooking Malaga, a vibrant place with plenty of historical sights, galleries and some awesome little vegan restaurants.

 

Loved this simple and tasty dish – Grilled Vegetables with Mojo Sauce, Sevilla

In Cordoba we stayed in a small village, 30 mins away from the centre, tucked away behind a hill overlooking the vast plains of Andalucia.  Our room was built into the thick walls of a medieval church/ fort.  The village was sleepy and the main form of transport seemed to be tractor, with the occasional donkey.  Cordoba is the hottest place in Europe and it averaged around 40oC for our stay.

Cordoba is heavily influenced by the Moors and has always been a centre of learning and culture, you can feel that.  It’s a beautiful, stylish place and the Mesquite is simply stunning.  A huge edifice, once a mosque (accomodating 20,000) now converted into a cathedral.  It’s mind boggling in an awe inspiring way.  We were blow away by the scale and complexity of the place.

There are not loads of vegan restaurants, but we found it easy to order a variety of tapas and plates in most joints.  We also bought local produce in the village in a large co-operative.  Mostly organic and our accomodation had a little kitchen.  It was a real pleasure to use the local olives, paprika, herbs, olive oil, wine and sherry in a variety of dishes.  The fruit and vegetables were all so fresh and flavourful.  Paella was definitely on the menu!  I found the food and produce in Andalucia to be some of the best in Spain.

We caught some fiestas (there are so many in Spain!!) Some women in traditional dress coming out of the Mesquite. A hot one for a stroll…40oC! Cordoba

 

Old time Spain. We love it!!

 

Us. Outside the spectacular Mesquite, one of the most amazing buildings we’ve ever seen.  Cordoba

 

Some awesome street art all over Spanish cities. The streets are galleries too.  Sevillla

In Sevillla we stayed in the outskirts, a friendly neighborhood with probably the best fruit seller we’ve ever encountered.  A real pleasure to sample a variety of local fruits that we knew would be fragrant and delicious.

Sevilla city is touristy, as are most of the cities in Andalucia, but it wears it well.  Again, it’s a stylish place with it’s own flavour.  We loved wandering the windy little streets of the old town and getting lost for a while.  The river has a wide promenade, a must for sunset when locals gather, some jogging, some with guitars, most just chilling and enjoying the cool air and ambience.

There are plenty of vegan options all over the city, with a few vegan restaurants.  Add to this loads of cool cafes/bars and the most amazing cathedral we’ve ever seen (and we’ve seen a few on our travels!!) and you’ve got a awesome place to visit.

Pumpkin, Walnut and Spinach Lasagna. Reminded us that we don’t eat anywhere near enough lasagna! Sevilla

 

IMG_20190618_101726

We’ve moved on to Portugal now and are walking the Rota Vincentina, mainly skirting the coastline of southern Portugal.  Our next post will be coming soon with pictures and plant-based pilgrim news……we’re heading all the way to Santiago Compostela in Spain.

 

Jane hanging out beside a Roman Amphitheatre. Malaga was a surprise, it has loads to offer a curious wanderer, plus beaches too.

 

 

Categories: healthy, Healthy Eating, photography, plant-based, Travel, Vegan | Tags: , , , , , | 25 Comments

Delicious Vegan Cooking Highlights….Here’s what’s cookin’ in the BHK!!

Posted on April 25, 2019 by leroy watson

Coconut Kulfi with Chargrilled Pineapple, Rose and Chocolate Sauce

Here’s a few highlights we’ve been cooking up this Spring time.  Lots of plant-based treats, we’ve been busy and loving cooking with the fruits, veg and leaves of Spring.

Onion Jam and Black Olive Rolls

We wanted to share something with you before we wander over to Spain, to cook on the beach at our Taste of Bliss ’19 Holiday, cannot wait!!  After that we’ll be walking around Spain and then heading up some old pilgrimage routes towards Santiago Compostela.  Lots of camping, nature, beaches and some awesome vegan food.

Polenta Pizza with loads of goodies....sunflower cream cheese, artichokes, grilled squash and fennel

Polenta Pizza with loads of goodies….sunflower cream cheese, artichokes, grilled squash and fennel

We’ll be back in mid-July and we’ve loads of cool cooking plans for later in the year, events coming up in Manchester, more in North Wales and maybe even a return to Hackney.  Plus lots of private cooking events, which we are loving.  A chance to get creative with unique menus.

Puglian Roast Potatoes with Vegan Parmesan, Garlic, Olives, Artichokes, Parsley from the garden plus lots of fruity olive oil

If you are liking these foodie pics, click like below or leave a comment.  We love hearing from you!

Faro and Nettle Superfood Salad with Pickled Red Cabbage

Come and cook with us, see below for pictures of beautiful Trigonos, the venue for our Vibrant Vegan! Cooking Holiday in September.  Lots of inspiring workshops, delicious plant-based food, walks in beautiful nature.  Celebrate the autumn equinox with us around a bonfire!

Keralan Sweet Potato and Red Pepper Coconut Curry

Being pilgrims for a while, exploring Portugal and Northern Spain means many amazing things to us, but we won’t have wifi!  The BHK will be quiet until later in the year.

Loads of organic produce from the Trigonos land, yellow chard, wild garlic, nettles, curly kale….a cooks dream come true! Get in the pan!!

Double Chocolate, Cherry and Pomegranate Cake

This cake will be served on the Murcian beach very soon!!  We love these flavour combinations and a touch of rose in the chocolate sauce make makes things extra special.

Asian Orange, Ginger and Carrot ‘Slaw – nice colourful salad for Spring

Black Kale, Courgette and Parmesan Frittata

Rainbow Vegetable Tempura with Wild Garlic and Pumpkin Seed Mole

Spring Roots Tart Tatin, served topped with Zaatar and Tahini and Lemon Sauce

Loads of walks in beautiful North Wales, this one is up in North Anglesey. Its been a beautiful Spring, lots and lots of sunshine.

So it’s a little goodbye for now, until later in the year.  We’ll be posting some things on our Facebook and Twitter pages.

Happy cooking and enjoy the sunshine!!

Categories: Cooking Holidays, gluten-free, healthy, Healthy Eating, Organic, photography, plant-based, Spring, Travel, Vegan, veganism, Wales | 8 Comments

Super exciting news!! New Fantastic Fermentation Masterclass

Posted on April 6, 2019 by leroy watson

Super EXCITING news!!😄🌞 Brand NEW fermentation workshop announcement.

The amazing Janice from Nourished by Nature will be joining us for our Vibrant Vegan! Snowdonia – Plant-based Cooking & Yoga Holiday

Are you interested in fermented foods like kombucha, kefir, kimchi, sourdough, sauerkraut etc? Very healthy and very delicious. You’re in for a real treat!! Here’s all the details:

 

Janice – Nourished by Nature

 

Janice’s Fantastic Fermentation Masterclass

We have never met anyone as passionate about fermented foods! A real Fermentista!! Janice is a macrobiotic health coach and writes the wonderful blog ‘Nourished by Nature’, running regular fermentation classes in and around her Glasgow home.
We love Janice’s enthusiasm for healthy, seasonal and nutritious food, she is a real inspiration for us, and believes:

“We can all make a very positive difference to both our own lives/health, and also environmentally through minimising the negative impact we create from the foods we choose and how we source them.”

Janice will show us how delicious fermented foods, made with simple techniques, can heal ourselves on every level and taste amazing! We’ll be sampling seasonal kraut, some fermented relishes/chutneys/dips and also some seasonal kombucha flavours!

 

Full info for our awesome Vibrant Vegan! Plant-based cooking and yoga holiday is HERE.

 

Trigonos, our venue – a pretty stunning place to cook and be!  Lots of snow recently;)

 

We’ve already sold over half the rooms in the first week!!
If you have a booking form, please return it asap, we can only guarantee bookings once we have the forms. Otherwise…..

 

😄🌞BOOK YOUR PLACE NOW😄🌞
By emailing info@trigonos.org
or calling 01286 882 388:)

 

Fermented food, delicious and very healthy!

 

To get a flavour of things, you’ll find lots of delicious fermented food recipes over on Janice’s blog HERE. 

We love the radish bombs, fermented tomato salsa and mushroom pate and coffee kombucha rocks!!  Plus, Janice makes the most incredible sourdough loves.

 

Categories: Cooking Holidays, Events, Fermentation, gluten-free, healthy, Nutrition, photography, plant-based, Recipes, Vegan, veganism, Wales | Tags: , | 2 Comments

Quick Pickled Rhubarb and Ginger plus The Joys of Spring!

Posted on April 3, 2019 by leroy watson

Rhubarb, fresh of the land, organically grown

Here’s a really quick and easy way to pickle rhubarb.  I’ve added some ginger, which gives even more intense and beautiful flavour to this pickle.  The method could not be much easier, and it’s a great technique for preserving delicious produce, enough to enliven any meal!

Rhubarb makes a great pickle, maybe you haven’t tried it?  I find it goes well with Middle Eastern salads, anything with a bit of spice.  I also like it with Japanese style salads. It has a real sweet and sour twang!

When this lovely bunch of rhubarb landed in the kitchen we wondered what to do with it?  How to make it shine!  No crumbles here.  I shouted “Pickle!”   Jane shouted “Ginger!”  And it was as easy as that really.

Nantlle Lake looking stunning in Spring (you can just about see Snowdon from here)

 

It has been a stunning week, Spring has been in full swing (and then it snowed/ hailed for a couple of days!)  A Snowdonian Spring!  It has been still and sunny, and this extra sunlight and warmth has meant some surprises in the poly tunnels.

We’ve had some beautiful and colourful, organically grown, produce coming off the land this week at Trigonos.  Owain (our resident Horticulturalist and Organic Superhero) has been appearing in the kitchen with arm loads of all kinds of goodies.

 

Not sure what you call this one? Golden Chard?  I’ll have to ask Owain

 

Most of these are seeds from last year, that have decided to make an appearance in the poly tunnels; ruby chard, swiss chard, purple rocket and some radiant rhubarb!!

 

You know I love this one. Curly Kale.

 

Along with a host of herbs and a scattering of salad leaves, and of course outside, the wild garlic is doing it’s thing.

 

Ruby Chard, love the vibrant colour!

 

I always feel like the luckiest cook alive to have access to this kind of produce.  Especially at this time of year.

 

Purple rocket. The flavour here is amazing! Very peppery and fruity even.

 

Produce picked in the morning and by lunchtime is being served (or pickled).  I love it!

 

Maybe you saw, we recently announced our:

Vibrant Vegan! Snowdonia – Plant-based Cooking and Yoga Holiday, 21st-25th September 2019

This is a rare chance to come over here to beautiful Snowdonia; relax, rejuvenate and get inspired!  Plus, sample lots of dishes prepared by our awesome team of chefs with produce straight from the land, and even have a tour around the farm with Owain and myself.  A little bit of foraging and lots of chat about excellent produce and organic happiness.

For more info leave a comment below or email – info@trigonos.org

The holiday is booking up quickly. Exciting times!!

 

 

Recipe Note

Only use the pink rhubarb stalks, never the leaves.

Any excess pickling liquor can be used in dressings or to marinade tofu, for example.

 

Quick Rhubarb and Ginger Pickle

 

Quick Rhubarb and Ginger Pickle

 

The Bits – Makes 2 jars

500g rhubarb (finely sliced)

300ml apple cider vinegar

300ml water

4 tbs sugar

8 slices fresh ginger

2 bay leaves

 

Do It

You’ll need two clean glass jars with lids.

Gently pack the sliced rhubarb into your jars.  So it’s snug, with a little room left at the top.

Place the vinegar, water, bay leaves, ginger and sugar into a small saucepan.  Bring to a boil.  Pour this mixture over the rhubarb until it’s covered.   I add the bay leaves and ginger to the jars also.  Leave to cool.

That’s it!  Label and date the jars.

If your jars are clean, this will last a long time, one year or more when stored in a cool place.

 

Foodie Fact

Rhubarb is packed full of minerals and vitamins. It’s a source of vitamin C, protein, calcium, fibre and beta-carotene.  Plus a whole lot more.  Much more than just a crumble!

 

Categories: Cooking Holidays, Cooking Workshops, gluten-free, healthy, Healthy Eating, Nutrition, Organic, photography, plant-based, Recipes, Spring, Vegan, Wales | Tags: | 8 Comments

Vibrant Vegan! Snowdonia – Plant-based Cooking and Yoga Holiday, 21st-25th September 2019

Posted on March 28, 2019 by leroy watson

Our venue Trigonos, Nantlle Valley, Snowdonia. Photo by Ashley Duckerin

 

TIME TO NOURISH, RELAX AND GET INSPIRED!

 

This Vibrant Vegan! holiday offers a healthier approach to life and delicious plant-based food, space to rejuvenate, learn, develop and chill in beautiful surroundings, reconnect with nature and a sense of well-being.

 

This is a celebration of good living!

 

Your host is Lee Watson (vegan chef and traveller, author of cookbook ‘Peace and Parsnips’ and beachhousekitchen.com, co-host of ‘Meat vs Veg’ TV program) and his team of inspiring and talented teachers, will lead you through a varied program, designed for you, offering new skills, experiences and confidence.

 

Lee cooking at the Ludlow Food Festival last year

 

Vibrant Vegan! is all about energising, enjoying and learning, with an emphasis on vibrant and colourful, seasonal plant-based food. It’s about enjoying life, finding balance, healthy indulgence, finding peace and learning skills to promote well-being and compassion, for ourselves and others.

You’ll meet like-minded people and form new friendships, supported all the time by Lee and his team. Activities are all optional (see below), we’ll have workshops ranging from healthy vegan cooking, empowering mindful walks, a fermentation masterclass, creative crafts using locally foraged produce, bonfire storytelling and hot chocolate, candlelit meditations and more.  A time to feel grounded and nourished.

Our venue is Trigonos, a lakeside retreat centre, nestled in the stunning valleys of Snowdonia, famous for it’s seasonal and delicious food, comfortable surroundings and excellent hospitality. A location described as; ‘heaven on earth!’

 

Energy balls and healthy truffles, ideal fuel for yoga, long walks and swimming – many treats await!

 

Whether you’d like to learn how to prepare fresh and delicious plant-based meals, perfect your yoga, have an adventure in wild nature or just spend time curled up with a book in front of the fire, there is time and space during Vibrant Vegan! for all.

You will feel all the benefits of a whole food, plant-based lifestyle.  Healthy and vibrant living is fun and accessible to everyone.

 

Morning lakeside walk – Trigonos

 

LOCATION

Trigonos is a retreat centre set in the picturesque Nantlle valley, just beneath Mount Snowdon, beside a peaceful lake and forests. A variety of comfortable rooms are available, many with beautiful views.

Lee is a chef at Trigonos and has hosted a number of holidays and retreats here. Trigonos is a ‘secret garden’, a place to get away from the outside world for a while and reconnect with nature, find peace and calm, engaging with new found friends and the breath-taking scenery of Snowdonia.

 

Trigonos sits below Mount Snowdon, spectacular views await!

 

FOOD

Being a vegan chef, healthy and delicious food is one of the main focuses. Lee has created menu’s, using local, seasonal and organic ingredients, some of which are even grown on-site.

From quick dishes you can try easily at home, to desserts and cakes, homemade breads, to curries and attractive salads, a wide range of skills and dishes will be covered. Vegan roast dinner, soups and stews. Prepare for the autumn, with tips on preserving and fermenting.

 

 

Autumn is a time of abundance, this is reflected in the meals, a huge range of flavours and textures, with lots of treats along the way. This is plant-based food that everyone will enjoy!

Lee will also be hosting two cooking demonstrations (see below), where you’ll see how to cook the dishes you are enjoying, plus pick up many new cooking tips.  Lee’s demonstrations are upbeat and fun, with opportunities for you to put an apron on and get involved.

All meals are prepared by the Trigonos team, with love and care, served buffet style in the dining room, overlooking the mountains and lake.

 

You’ll enjoy delicious plant-based treats cooked by Lee and the Trigonos chefs

 

ACTIVITIES

The progam for Vibrant Vegan is varied and involves a host of wonderful, experienced teachers and experts:

A cooking demonstration, One World Vegan Holiday 2017

 

Lee’s vegan cooking demonstrations

Lee will host two vegan cooking mornings where you’ll learn practical skills and knowledge to make creative, nourishing and delicious plant-based food at home. Meals everyone will enjoy, vegan or not!

Learn how to make an awesome Vegan Sunday Roast – simple and tasty gravy, perfect Yorkies, a show stopping centre-piece, Rainbow Tart Tatin, vegan cheese,
a knockout Indian feast with curry and avocado naan, decadent desserts and cake, beetroot and squash buns and sensational umami burgers and chorizo (which can even be bbq’d).

The food you want to cook and eat!

You’ll leave feeling inspired to get cooking at home, with a recipe booklet covering all the main recipes from Vibrant Vegan!

 

“Every meal is a celebration!  An opportunity to nourish ourselves and others and fall in love with food and life.” Lee

 

Laura’s blissful morning yoga

Yoga is an excellent practice to incorporate into our lives. It offers a chance to find balance, positive energy and peace. Laura will be our yoga teacher for Vibrant Vegan!, the classes will be found useful for all levels, absolute beginner to experienced yoga practitioner.

Laura’s yoga promises techniques to ease stress and tension, stretch and strengthen out bodies and connect in a positive way with ourselves.

 

Dinas Dinlle is such a stunning beach

 

Tom’s mindful beach walk**

Tom is an inspiring and experienced leader of groups into the wilderness with his company ‘Nomad – Journey with Purpose’, with a focus on re-establishing our relationship with nature and how that reflects within ourselves and others.

We are so lucky to have him join us to lead an afternoon beach walk along the stunning Dinas Dinlle (loads of pictures of this in Peace and Parsnips), a mini adventure and loads of fun, with breath-taking views of the Snowdon Range, Llyn Peninsula and Anglesey.

 This is no ordinary stroll. This is walking with purpose, walking to discover more about ourselves and our environment.

Tom will also be joining us around our Autumn equinox bonfire, where he and Lee will be telling stories and reading poems. You are invited to join us in sharing a story or poem, or just warm your hands by the fire and contemplate the trees, lake and stars.

This quote sums up Tom’s style:

“Be daring, be different, be impractical, be anything that will assert integrity of purpose and imaginative vision against the play-it-safers…” Cecil Beaton

 

Down at the Trigonos farm, picking curly kale.  The abundance of autumn!

 

Janice’s Fantastic Fermentation Masterclass

We have never met anyone as passionate about fermented foods!  A real Fermentista!! Janice is a macrobiotic health coach and writes the wonderful blog ‘Nourished by Nature’, running regular fermentation classes in and around her Glasgow home.

We love Janice’s enthusiasm for healthy, seasonal and nutritious food, she is a real inspiration for us, and believes:

“We can all make a very positive difference to both our own lives/health, and also environmentally through minimising the negative impact we create from the foods we choose and how we source them.”

Janice will show us how delicious fermented foods, made with simple techniques, can heal ourselves on every level and taste amazing!  We’ll be sampling seasonal kraut, some fermented relishes/chutneys/dips and also some seasonal kombucha flavours!

 

Owain’s vegetable farm tour

Owain is our resident veg superhero! We’ll go for a short tour around the Trigonos farm, where all veg and fruit is grown using organic principles, taking in foraging spots. Owain is an experienced horticulturalist and has been growing veg at Trigonos for years. He will be able to answer questions and help us to appreciate the importance of amazing, fresh produce, with plenty of growing tips.

 

Gillian’s autumnal craft workshop

An afternoon making celebratory door wreaths with locally foraged and hand grown woodland produce and fruits like acorns, alder masts and tiny pine cones.

Gillian Monks is a local druid, quaker, friend and best selling author of last years ‘Merry Midwinter – How to re-discover the magic of Christmas time’.

We’ll spend the afternoon creating autumnal wreaths, broaches/ posies, pine cone gnomes, or anything your imagination conjures. An afternoon with Gillian will help us to learn new skills and celebrate the rhythms, abundance and beauty of nature.

“I have a deep reverence for all that is and a great compassion and love for life.” Gillian Monks

 

Jane leading a mountain walk at our One World Vegan Holiday, 2017

 

Jane’s candle-lit meditation

Jane is Lee’s partner and will be leading our evening meditation, bringing us closer to our breath and a sense of peace and well-being.  The perfect practice for helping to quieten the mind and get a blissful nights sleep.  Jane likes to keep things simple and believes that even a little  meditation can change our lives!

Jane is also famous for her awesome smoothies, which we’ll enjoy every morning at breakfast.

 

Our days are full of activities, all optional, time is given for you to do your own thing, explore the local area and countryside, or just curl up with a book in the library.

Evenings will be spent with drinks by the open fire, an ideal chance to talk, relax and reflect.

 

Other extra activities, that can be booked at your own cost, include:

A range of massage therapies

 

Sunset at Trigonos can be an incredible time

 

PRICE INCLUDES:

 

Four nights comfortable accommodation in tranquil surroundings

 

Jane’s epic morning smoothies

 

Full bespoke recipe booklet

 

Two morning yoga and meditation classes

 

Two creative vegan cooking workshops

 

‘Vibrant Vegan!’ healthy living talk and Q+A
The fundamentals of vibrant living and well-being in mind and body

 

Stunning mindful beach walk

 

Autumn equinox bonfire with storytelling

 

Trigonos vegetable farm tour

 

Wild swimming in the lake

(Swimming in the lake is entirely at your own risk)

 

Nutritious breakfast buffet with home-baked bread and preserves

 

2/3 course lunches and dinners with vegan cheese boards
Prepared by the Trigonos chefs using carefully sourced
local, seasonal and organic produce.

 

Afternoon sweet treats, cakes, and ‘special’ hot chocolate

 

Free-flowing fresh coffee, tea, herbal infusions and fruit bowl – very important!

 

Open log fire for cosy gatherings

 

Free wifi and access to library

 

Vegan chocolate tasting – now a legendary part of our retreats!

 

Plenty of time to just be, find peace, chill
and explore the stunning valley, forests, lakes and quarries

 

Gluten-free, sugar-free and other dietary requirements are catered for and welcomed.

 

Jane and Lee with another glorious Trigonos buffet

 

PRICES

Ensuite
Single, Double, Twin

£579 per person

 

Shared Bathroom
Single, Twin

£499 per person

 

Non-resident rates are also available on request.

 

BOOK NOW

 

Call Trigonos 01286882388 (9:30am – 5:30pm)
or email info@trigonos.org

 

You can also contact us at – hellobeachhousekitchen@gmail.com

 

———

 

Click HERE to find the ‘Vegan Cooking with Beach House Kitchen’ Facebook group where you can connect with other attendees, share photos and pick up new cooking tips.

 

Click HERE to find the ‘Vibrant Vegan Snowdonia’ Facebook page, with up-to-date information on the holiday.

 

Here is Lee’s food blog with lots of recipes to tantalise your tastebuds – beachhousekitchen.com

 

Vibrant Vegan! Down on Dinas Dinlle, the beach where we’ll have a mini-adventure

 

What a Vibrant Vegan! Day looks like (example):

8:00 – 9:30 – Relaxation Morning
Lie in, practice your own yoga in the studio, swim in or walk around the lake*

 

9:45 – 10:30 – Breakfast and Jane’s Smoothies

 

11:15 – 12:30 – Vegan Cooking Demonstration and Talk with Lee

 

12:30 – 13:30 – Lunch with Homemade Soup and Loaves

 

15:00 – 18:00 – Beach Walk with Tom and Lee

 

19:00 – 20:00 – Dinner with Vegan Cheese Board

 

20:30 – Bonfire and Storytelling with Tom and Lee

 

Come and join us!

 

WE LOOK FORWARD TO WELCOMING YOU!

 

———-

** Transport to the beach walk will be using the vehicles we have available.  If you are driving, and have a free seat, we may ask if another guest can take a ride with you.

 

Categories: Cooking demos, Cooking Holidays, Cooking Retreats, Cooking Workshops, Events, gluten-free, Healthy Eating, plant-based, Vegan, Wales | Tags: , , , | 19 Comments

Vegetable Peel and Herb Crisps – Don’t throw them away!!

Posted on March 13, 2019 by leroy watson

Celeriac, Brussel’s Sprouts, Swede, Squash and Potato Crisps – Food waste made tasty!!

These just make perfect sense.  Transforming, what for many, is food waste into something delicious.

Why throw all those vegetable peels away?  Especially when you can make these delicious, light crisps.  They’re very tasty and they crisp up beautifully and are so easy and quick to prepare.

Veg peels are also packed with vitamins, fibre and minerals.  We normally throw away by far the most nutrient-rich part of the vegetable!   See below for more, ‘Foodie Fact‘.

I used some of my favourite winter vegetables; celeriac, squash, potato, swede, Brussel’s sprout leaves and parsnip.  I think these crisp are ideal when you’re making a big dinner, when your food waste bowl fills up, it’s time to get excited.  Peel crisps are on the menu!

I’ve been making a vegetable and potato broth for a while now and needed a crisp topping, something that would be light and packed with flavour, with that very crisp texture.  Here they are!  They arrived by chance the other day, I was frying off some rostis and had a large bowl of vegetable peels……It just fell nicely into place.  I was blown away by the results, you’ve got to try these out!

FLAVOUR IDEAS

You can flavour these crisps with anything you fancy, some smoked paprika is nice, I fried some fresh herbs, which gave a earthy, full flavour to the crisps, plus, you can eat the herbs as well.  A sprinkle of sea salt is essential.  Try seaweed flakes, nutritional yeast flakes (NOOCH!), mushroom powder, za’atar and sumac (especially yum), citrus zest, garlic powder and chilli, mixed spices, you can even make peelings like sweet potato and carrot into a sweet snack, with cinnamon and sugar.

I’ve given you two options for cooking, roasted in an oven or fried in oil.  As you would expect, the fried in oil option is a crispier way of doing things.

So crispy, these are the best!

HOW BEST TO PEEL – HARD LEARNED LESSONS

There are many ways, this is mine, hard learned from years of peeling piles of vegetables in kitchens.  Here we go.  Use a sharp, French peeler, they’re by far the best and most efficient.  A blunt peeler is a recipe for grunts and straining.  A sharp peeler will glide, most of the time, through the veg peel.

Have a food waste bowl handy, it keeps your kitchen surfaces clean and tidy and ensures your chopping board is kept clean.  Working in a clean and efficient way in the kitchen is essential.

The easiest way to peel anything is to not pick it up.  Leave it on the board, hold it down and peel away.  You’ll find that holding a vegetable in your hand, especially large, heavier veg like squash or big potatoes, lead to exertion and strain.  Let the board and the sharp peeler do most of the work for you.  Because the veg is stable, you’ll also notice you’ll get longer and better peels to make crisps out of.  I hope that makes sense, it took years for me to figure this one out!!

A good peeler is sharp, be careful when peeling.  I rarely cut myself in the kitchen, but when I do, it’s normally when peeling things.  I get a bit carried away sometimes!!

 

Recipe Notes

Try out any veg peels, but make sure they’re dry.  Pat them with kitchen paper or a clean kitchen towel.

Make sure you wash your vegetables thoroughly and give them a good scrub if needed.

Use any veg peelings, beetroot, sweet potato, carrot, for example, are also delicious.

I use a French Peeler when peeling vegetables, they’re the best.  If your peeler is nice and sharp, you’ll get nice thin, uniform peels.  That’s what we’re looking for.  The longer the better.

These veg peels are best cooked fresh, not too long after you peel them.

It’s always a good idea to use organic veggies when you can, especially with these crisps.

You know your oven, these crisps will burn quickly if you have hot spots, make sure you turn them and move them around on the tray to get even cooking.

If you’re going to fry them, and in fact generally with cooking, use an oil with a high smoking point.  Cold pressed rapeseed oil works very nicely for me.

Vegetable Peel Crisps – My new favourite snack

Vegetable Peel and Herb Crisp 

The Bits – For One Small Bowlful 

4 big handfuls vegetable peels – I used celeriac, squash, potato, parnsip, swede, outer leaves of Brussel’s Sprouts

1 large sprig fresh rosemary

1 large sprig fresh thyme

Cold pressed rapeseed oil

Sea salt

 

Do It

Frying

In a small saucepan, add an inch or so of oil.  Warm on a high heat.

Pat your vegetable peelings dry with kitchen paper.

Test the oil is hot by dipping a single veg peel into the pan, if it sizzles frantically, it’s ready.

Add your peelings and herbs to the pan, stir a little so they don’t stick.  Don’t overload the pan. Fry into batches if needed.

Fry until crisp and golden.  Remove using a slotted spoon and place on a plate lined with two layers of kitchen paper, leave the crisps to drain off excess oil.

Serve straight away, season and flavour as you like.

 

Baking

Preheat an oven to 190oC.

Toss the peelings and herbs in a bowl with 2 tbs cooking oil until well coated.  Add spices or flavourings now if you’re using them.

Spread them out, without overcrowding, on a large baking tray.

Pop in the oven, bake for 5-7 minutes.  Turn the crisps and bake for another few minutes.  Check them at this stage, this is the burn zone, when they may well go from perfect to a burnt crisp in a minute.  Keep your eye on them!

 

Foodie Fact

Most of the nutrients of vegetables is found just below the skin, so basically, we normally throw the best bit away!  This varies from veg to veg but generally, veg peels contain considerably more vitamins, fibre and minerals than the rest of the vegetable.  The same can be said for many vegetable leaves.

Here’s a quick example; it’s said by some that non peeled apples contain over 100% more vitamin C and A than peeled apples.  Plus over 300% more vitamin K.  Pretty impressive!!  A non-peeled potato contains over 100% more potassium, vitamin C, folate, magnesium and phosphorous, than a peeled one.

The research on this, like with most things nutrients and health, varies.  But from what I’ve read, everyone agrees that veg skins contain good amounts of the right stuff.

The skin also contains loads of anti-oxidants and fibre.  So if you feel like being healthier, leave your skins on!

Categories: gluten-free, Nutrition, photography, plant-based, Recipes, Snacks and Inbetweens, Uncategorized, Vegan | Tags: , , , | 1 Comment

Quick and Delicious Plant-based Brunch! Middle-Eastern Mushrooms, Purple Sprouting Broccoli and Smoky Chickpeas

Posted on March 3, 2019 by leroy watson

Weekend Plant-based Brunch

A simple, colourful and delicious brunch that is ready in double quick time.

I wanted something fresh, tasty and healthy this morning.  It’s Sunday, a treat brunch is on the menu!  I love baked beans, but fancied something healthier with a spicy and smoky twist, also pan fried vegetables with some of my favourite flavours of the Middle East.

When this brunch is served with hummus/ tahini sauce and toasted pitta bread, it hit’s the spot; weekend, weekday, in fact any time of day.  Add bulghur wheat or cous cous to make it a hearty lunch or dinner.

Middle-Eastern Mushrooms, Purple Sprouting Broccoli and Smoky Chickpeas – Vegan

I love the combination of delicious, fresh vegetables, warm breads, olives, herbs and something tahini-ish.  Its a tried and tested format for a tasty vegan meal.  Light and full of flavour and nutrition.

With that in mind, this is my version of things today, with what we’ve got locally (and in the cupboards/ veg basket).  That’s how my favourite recipes arise, out of necessity and a chunk of inspiration.  Bringing the best out of what you’ve got.  I only ever plan meals if I really have too.

In the pan

It’s that time of year when we’re all feeling the pinch as far as seasonal veggies are concerned.  I can’t wait for Spring, the wild garlic, dandelions, elderflowers, nettles etc all on the way soon.

Trigonos has been stunning this past month, this is where we have coffee/ lunch.  Not a bad view!  The beautiful Nantlle Valley.

At Trigonos, preparation is in full swing for the coming growing season.  The seeds are being sown and the soil prepared.  With all this uncertainty about our food, something to do with that Brexit thing that’s going on, it’s a great time to invest in and celebrate local farmers/ growers.  Having organic local produce available is a real blessing for any cook, but I think anyone can feel the benefits of eating with the seasons and celebrating what’s available in our area.

I’ve traveled all over the UK and there are so many passionate foodies, we’re looking forward to meeting more at this year’s food festivals.  We’ll be doing cooking demonstrations and talks at:

Ludlow Food Festival

and

Beaumaris Food Festival

Hope to catch you there and get loads of new foodie inspiration.  Seems like every year, there is greater diversity at these festivals and plant-based options.

On the plate – quick and delicious weekend treat

Event Updates

Up-date on our cooking retreat in Spain this May, Taste of Bliss (info here).  We’ve had a cancellation!  Which is actually good news, because we now have one double room available just for you!!

Maybe you’re looking for some time to relax on the beach with a wonderful group of people, learning to cook some amazing plant-based food and explore the local area?  Who isn’t?!!  Let us know if you’re interested.

Our cooking retreat at Trigonos in September is in the planning stages, more information coming soon.   Here’s some photos of our last event at Trigonos, we can’t wait to see some of you in September, we’ve so many exciting plans.

Let us know in the comments below if you like the look of this dish, or get to try it out.  We hope you are all well and feeling inspired to cook some fresh and colourful plant-based dishes.  We’re always here to support you if you have any questions.

Happy cooking from the BHK!:)

 

Recipe Notes

Make sure you cook the vegetables on a high heat for a short time, something like a stir fry.  The tomatoes and broccoli will get slightly charred, bringing out the flavours.  Quick and hot will mean the vegetables cook, but don’t get too soft, we seal in the flavours and retain their vitality.

Use any olives you like, but I love the flavour and texture of Kalamata olives.  Make sure they’re de-stoned to avoid any unwanted brunch-based crunches.

This makes a great lunch or dinner, serve with cous cous or bulghur wheat to bulk it out and make the meal more substantial.

I sometimes make a double batch of the chickpeas and keep them in the fridge or freezer, they’re so versatile.  Use them as part of a Mexican/Indian meal for example.  If you re-heat the beans, add a splash more water to the pan to stop them sticking.

 

Middle-Eastern Mushrooms, Purple Sprouting Broccoli and Smoky Chickpeas 

The Bits – For 2 as a brunch 

Middle-Eastern Mushrooms
2 large flat mushrooms, portobello or field (chopped in half)
100g/ 2 handfuls purple sprouting broccoli
85g/ 3 handfuls cherry tomatoes
3 sprigs fresh thyme
1 heaped teas cumin seeds
16 kalamata olives (de-stoned)
2 tbs olive brine or water
Sea salt and black pepper

Smoky Chickpeas
1 tin chickpeas (drained and rinsed)
2 tbs tomato puree
1 tbs white wine vinegar
1 tbs maple syrup or other sweetener
2 teas smoked paprika
1 teas za’atar or dried thyme
½-1 teas chilli powder
4 tbs water
1/2 teas salt (to taste)

Olive oil (for cooking)

To serve
Hummus or tahini/ tarator sauce
Toasted Pitta Bread

To Do

For the Smoky Chickpeas – Add all the ingredients to a small saucepan.  Warm on a medium heat, cooking for 10 minutes, stirring regularly.  Taste and season with salt.

For the Mushrooms – Trim off the woody ends of your broccoli.  In a large frying pan, add 1-2 tbs olive oil, warm on high heat.  Add the cumin and fresh thyme, then the mushrooms.  Fry for 3 minutes, turning the mushrooms once.

Add the broccoli, tomatoes and olive brine/ water.  Stir and toss the vegetables and cook for 3 more minutes.  Add the olives to the pan and warm for 2 minutes.  Season with sea salt and pepper.

Serve straight away with hummus and toasted pitta bread.

 

In the Trigonos poly tunnels, not much to see yet, but give it a couple of months…..

Foodie Fact

Chickpeas, aka gigglebeans, aka garbanzos, aka the Egyptian pea, are probably the best named legume.  What do you reckon?

It’s a very good idea to eat lots of chickpeas, or at least, enjoy them regularly.  Full of protein and fibre, some calcium, magnesium, potassium, iron…..  Plus they just taste fine, I’ve been making cakes with them!!  There is no end how awesome and versatile the humble chickpea can be.

 

Categories: Breakfast, gluten-free, healthy, photography, plant-based, Recipes, Vegan, Wales | Tags: , , , | 4 Comments

Wholegrain Soda Bread Muffins – Vegan

Posted on February 12, 2019 by leroy watson

Vegan Soda Bread Muffins, it’s all about the buttermilk!

Home-baked bread in no time at all!!

Perfect with a nice bowl of soup.

 

I’ve been busy away from the blog recently, so it’s great to be back! Thought I’d get started again with something simple and hearty.

I love soda bread, good bread doesn’t need to be fiddly or take ages to make.  These muffins are wholesome, have a great flavour and texture from ingredients you’ve probably got tucked away in your cupboards right now.

Soda bread is easy when you know how.  We don’t want to taste any soda (bicarbonate that is) so we balance it with the flavour of the buttermilk.  That’s the art of soda bread.  The acid in the buttermilk help the loaf to rise.  We use plain flour here to give the soda bread lighter texture.  Soda bread is unique!

WHY MUFFINS?

At work I was asked, why are you always making things into muffins?  It’s a good question.  I do like a muffin!  We make fresh loaves everyday so it’s just changing things up a little.  These will be paired with a nice Winter Roots and Lentil Soup at the minute on my menus.  All hearty and satisfying, here’s why we need this (see below – view from near the kitchen over Nantlle Valley towards Mount Snowdon).

Nantlle Valley, home of Trigonos Retreat Centre and these muffins

I think with a muffin like this, it’s also about the crust.  It’s a wrap-around crust!  Crust all over.  This is a definite bonus when it comes to muffins or rolls.

You can add all kinds of herbs (rosemary and thyme), nuts or seeds and spices to this bread.  You can also bake it in a loaf shape, just add a little more time to the bake.

Simple Vegan Soda Bread – Ready in 45 minutes.

Making vegan buttermilk is very easy and ideal for baking.  I like to use vinegar as the acid, and soya milk.  But you can experiment with acid’s like lemon/ lime juice and other plant milks, like almond.  But other plant milks may not curdle.

View from the dining room, it’s been a chilly few weeks in North Wales

Relax, Recharge and Re-energise! 

Come and cook with us, learn new skills and meet like-minded people

 

I recently announced the dates for our autumn Vegan Cooking Holiday at Trigonos, see below.  21st-24th September!

We’ll be hosting you in beautiful Snowdonia, expect lots of delicious plant-based food, inspiring cooking workshops and talks, walks, yoga and lots more.  If you want to get away from it all, relax, recharge and energise, do let us know.  It promises to be a celebration of good livin’ and the abundance of autumn!  Lots and lots of amazing local produce.  I’ll be announcing the full details soon.

If you can’t wait until autumn:)  We have one room available for our annual and stunning Vegan and Yoga Retreat on the beach in Spain.  A Taste of Bliss – Click here for more information.  It’s a once in a lifetime experience and I’m getting the menus together this month.  Expect new and creative dishes for you to enjoy, and learn how to cook, in our beautiful beach side villa.  We’re very excited indeed!!

We need loads of hearty and warming dishes at this time of year, I hope you like these muffins.  Do let us know if you make them and feel free to ask any questions or give feedback in the comments below.

Happy cooking!!

 

Recipe Notes

You can go wholegrain 100% here if you fancy.  Just replace wholegrain flour with the white flour. The texture will be a little more dense, but tasty.

Make sure you give the mix a good stir, this helps to create a nice texture.

 

Vegan Soda Bread – A simple and satisfying Beach House Kitchen favourite

Wholegrain Soda Bread Muffins – Vegan

The Bits – For 12

Dry

150g plain white flour

300g wholemeal bread/ strong flour

2 tbs brown sugar

2 tbs rapeseed or olive oil

1 teas bicarbonate of soda

1 teas salt

 

Oats (for sprinkle)

 

Vegan Buttermilk 

325ml soya milk

2 teas apple cider or white wine vinegar

 

Do It

Stir the vinegar into the soya milk and leave to sit for 10 minutes.  It will form a buttermilk texture.

Preheat a fan oven to 180oC.

Place all the dry ingredients in a large mixing bowl then mix in the buttermilk.  Mix well for a few minutes, I like to use a wooden spoon.

Lightly oil a muffin tin and using two dessert spoons, this is the easiest way, spoon the dough into the tin.  Make the muffins roughly equal in size.

Sprinkle with oats or a little more flour and place in the oven.  Bake for 14 minutes.

Once baked, they’ll be nice and golden on top.  Leave the muffins to sit for a couple of minutes in the tin and then remove onto a wire cooling rack.

Best enjoyed warm with a nice bowl of soup.  Also nice with your favourite jam and vegan creme fraiche.

Trigonos in Snowdonia – a pretty stunning place to cook.  You can come and join us here in September!

Foodie Fact 

Wholegrain flours are less, or not, processed at all.  Wholegrain flour is much higher in fibre than white flour, fibre is essential in our diets for loads of reasons.  Good levels of fibre in our diets will help our digestion, can lower blood cholesterol and even help to lose weight.

Wholegrain flour has roughly six times more fibre per serving than white flour.  Wholegrains are low GI, meaning they’re great fuel for our bodies, releasing sugar slowly into our bloodstreams.  We’re also talking vitamins; some vitamin B’s, folate, riboflavin.

Go wholegrain!

Categories: Baking, Cooking Holidays, healthy, Nutrition, photography, plant-based, Recipes, Vegan, Wales, Winter | Tags: , , | 3 Comments

Apple, Orange and Bourbon Tart – Vegan

Posted on January 26, 2019 by leroy watson

Apple, Orange and Bourbon Tart – Vegan

This is a really easy and great looking tart with flavours that just rock!! 

 

Bourbon, pecans, seasonal apples, warming spices.  It’s got lots of wintery flavours, but is quite light and crispy too.  The fruit in the tart can be changed, it’s a seasonal sweetie!

I’ve baked loads of variations of this tart, there’s on in my cookbook ‘Peace and Parnsips’.  It has been out for a few years now, I’m working on a follow up (promise!;)

I normally prefer experimenting in the kitchen, but some recipes I just go back to and this is one of them.  When I go travelling, here and there around the world, one of the things I miss is a proper British apple.  They really get us through the winters, especially when desserts are needed, so many amazing apple recipes.  Crumbles are, of course, very important.  But, this type of tart just changes things up a bit.

How has your 2019 started?  We’ve had a quiet one, some beautiful walks up in the snowy mountains around here.  They look stunning, much bigger, with a white dusting on top.  Down at Black Rock Sands beach today, it was fierce.  The waves were huge, roaring in, with bitter winds.  It is a beautiful sight!

A question for you?

 

What kind of recipes would you like us to post on the Beach House Kitchen this year?  We’d love to know.

 

Let us know if you get to get baking, we’ve also got over 200 recipes right here for you if you’re looking for vegan cooking inspiration. 

 

Recipe Notes

The tart in the picture is a smaller version, which I like, especially if you’re not cooking for lots of people.  Just cut the pastry in half, width ways.

This tart also works really well with pears instead of apples.

My friend loves Sailor Jerry’s rum, use rum here instead of bourbon, for that spiced rum thang!

Best to use quite a firm and acidic apple here if you can.  Something that won’t go mushy when you bake it.

The bourbon is not essential, if alcohol is not your thing.  The marmalade with the spices also makes for a top glaze.

Puff pastry can be bought frozen, and will just sit in the freezer until this tart comes calling.  It’s a great standby to have tucked away.

 

—————–

 

Apple, Orange and Bourbon Tart – Vegan

 

The Bits – For One Big Tart

1 sheet pre-rolled puff pastry (roughly 320g)

4-5 apples (cored, cut in half then thinly sliced, skins on)

70g unrefined brown sugar

1 tbs flour (unbleached white or a gluten-free mix)

1/3 teas ground cinnamon

Small pinch of sea salt

 

Orange Glaze

4 tbs marmalade

1-2 tbs bourbon whiskey

2 star anise

4 cloves

 

1 big handful toasted pecans

 

Do It

Roll out the pastry onto a baking tray, lined with baking parchment.  Carefully score a 1 1/2 cm border around the edge, using a sharp knife.  Do not cut all the way down to the bottom of the pastry.  Prick the rest of the tart base with a fork, to make sure it doesn’t rise too much.  Pop in the fridge until you’re ready to bake it.

Preheat an oven to 220oC and bake the pastry base for 10-12 minutes, until the base is lightly golden on top, but not fully baked.  It will puff up, set it aside, the pastry will deflate and settle down.

Toss your apples in the flour, sugar, salt and cinnamon.  Arrange in overlapping rows on your tart base, inside the border/ crust.  Try to make them neat and tidy and ensure the whole base is covered with apples.

Pop back in the oven and bake for 15 minutes, until the apples are soft and the pastry is nicely cooked.

Put the orange glaze ingredients into a small saucepan, gently heat until the marmalade melts, forming a thick syrup.  Set aside, keep warm.

Once the apples are cooked, liberally brush the tart and edge with your warm orange glaze, pop back in the oven for 5-7 minutes-ish.  The glaze will mean a lovely caramelised finish on your tart crust.  Keep an eye on it, the glaze will caramelise quickly.

Decorate the tart with crushed pecans and I like to add some of the spices, star anise, cloves.  They look cool!

Serve warm with vegan ice cream or your favourite vegan cream.

 

Foodie Fact

I eat at least an apple a day, sometimes two if I’m feeling adventurous.  They contain good amounts of fibre, vitamin C and other anti-oxidants, and may well help lower blood sugar levels and keep our hearts healthy.

Always best to give you apples a good wash, but try to leave the peel on whenever possible.

 

————-

 

We’re heading to Spain this May for our annual Taste of Bliss Vegan Cooking and Yoga Holiday

 

Come and join us for relaxing times in a stunning eco villa right on the beach.

The week will be filled with delicious plant-based food (we’re cooking!), empowering yoga, coastal walks, a boat trip to a picturesque cove, food market visit, sunset drinks on the terrace, Jane’s morning smoothies and more.

A chance to totally unwind in a peaceful and beautiful environment.

 

Photos and details here

 

 

Categories: Baking, Desserts, photography, plant-based, Recipes, Vegan | Tags: , | Leave a comment

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