So, in the pursuit of grain-free, dairy-free, low-ish carb meals, I have been looking lately at lots of vegetarian and vegan recipes. We aren't giving up meat or fish, or eggs, but I'm finding that starting from a vegan base is giving me lots of ideas for creating interesting meals which tick all my boxes. Then I can modify if I wish, and add whatever I feel we might like in the way of omnivorous eating - or not, as the case might be.
Here you see a large dish which is strictly vegan. Avocado chunks bathed in lemon-juice and olive oil. Sticks of carrot and mooli - a type of radish. And a heap of quinoa laced with extra virgin olive oil and finely grated garlic.
Added to this I made a bowl of hummus, dressed with olive oil and sprinkled with a spice mix called za'atar. Now together with the platter above, this would make a pleasing light lunch.
I also added a dish of roasted veggies - butternut squash, red and yellow and green peppers, aubergine, and onions Lots of extra vitamins here, and the meal becomes more substantial.
However, it was Saturday night, so we had some finger-licking chicken wings which I marinaded in oil and herbs before roasting along side the veggies. As a special treat I added a naan bread each.
So we veered away from vegan/veggie a little, and popped a few grains in with the naan bread, but it made a really interesting and satisfying meal for two, with quite a few left-overs. And before you say that quinoa is a grain - yes, you are right , but it is virtually gluten free, and a great substitute for rice or pasta. Added to which, this is the kind of meal I really enjoy preparing, and it is so easy to double up on the ingredients to feed a few more mouths.
I'm wondering whether to include a regular foodie post each month - what do you think? I'm not starting a food blog, but there have been a few foodie posts over the past year and you seem to have enjoyed them. It has become a bit of a habit too, to keep the camera in the kitchen, and Jim often sees a good photo-opportunity before I do!
I'd also say, food like this can be served all year round, it is pleasing to the eye, and fills up the tum nicely. You may like to whip the roast veggies out of the oven a LITTLE sooner than I did - they were just beginning to catch - as I'm sure you all spotted! Now I am away to bask in the sense of self-righteousness for having got a second post out within the space of THREE DAYS!!! (but don't hold your breath until the next one!)
All looks good to me and like you say, another one or two meals can be had from the left-overs. I love to see food on blogs that is a little more out of the ordinary as I think we can all, on occasions, either stick with the same things or be lost for idea's.
ReplyDeleteHi Dc, thanks for posting. I can't pretend that this is frugal food, exactly, as avocados and peppers aren't the cheapest of ingredients. But they do add colour and more importantly, a variation in vitamins and minerals and are so good for you. (I can't pretend it was a vegan feast, really with the chicken wings in there, but hey, it's my blog!)
DeleteI think not only is it interesting for other people, it's a wonderful thing to look back on too, however I have to look away when I see dead animals or fish, yuk.... I think burnt roasted veg are the best!
ReplyDeleteSue xxx
Sorry, Sue, can't cut out the omnivorous bits I'm afraid! I have to say to my veggie friends - look away now! The roasted veg wasn't too far gone! Lxx
DeleteLooks like a nice meal. Well done.
ReplyDeleteThank you. Love love, Andrew. Bye.
Hello Andrew - thanks for visiting and your comment. Enjoyed your poetry!
DeleteThis sounds delicious Lynne, most of those things I'd love although I've never tried quinoa. I could happily be meat free most of the time too. I do love a foodie post, more please!
ReplyDeleteHi Jay - I shall try and organise myself a bit and get a foodie post out each month. Well, I plan to anyway! Try the quinoa - it is a tiny grain, smaller than rice but a bit larger than couscous.Lx
DeleteGorgeous food, just my kinda thing, I wish my hubby would eat that, the only thing he would enjoy would be the flatbread, me I would scoff the lot! He eats quite a lot of things he doesnt like cleverly disguised of course :-) tonight he ate broccoli without moaning...result! Xx
ReplyDeleteHahah! Karen subterfuge is the name of the game! It's a shame people won't try new stuff but you can't force them. Sneaky little additions now and then are probably the way to go.Lx
DeleteI really like the look of your 'nearly' vegan meal Lynne. John and I are trying to cut back on red meat and sometimes have the odd veggie meal too. This would suit our palate very nicely. As you're talking about a foodie post which incidentally is a brilliant idea, would you happen to know how to create a place for it, like a tab on a header for instance? I think I would be able to create the tab or page but not sure how I'd get my subject in it if you know what I mean.
ReplyDeletePatricia x
We would have quite happily eaten this without the chicken wings, actually, Patricia, we frequently go meatless. Now as to headers .. I have seen them on many other blogs but have no idea how you go about doing it. Dc and Annie at Knitsofacto have this sewn up, I should ask them I think, pick their brains. (If you find out first, let me know!) Lxx
DeleteOh Lynne, that's all so YUM ~ definitely my kinda food! Love roasted veg, especially peppers. It's exactly what I'd make if I was still into cooking. Oh hang it ... you might have just inspired me ~ think I'll go out and check what I have in the fridge! ;)
ReplyDeleteI shall expect a piccie on face book, Inara! going to check NOW! Lxx
Deletei'm going to show my ignorance here by stating i don't really know what quinoa is - at first glance it looks like mince and i don't really "do" mince myself these days - a throwback from school dinners when it was revolting - my mum - bless her - would always make her own from the left over joint of beef from sunday - my job was to turn the mincer as she put the meat in!!!! her cottage pie was to die for - i agree with almost everyone else in that i could easily devour those roasted veggies now!!!!! they look delicious - on the subject of your blog - i think it's your blog you can do what you like!!!!! i simply enjoy having a "nose" and seeing what you are up to - whatever the subject - i'm looking forward to your book review in march!!!! with best wishes lynne xx
ReplyDeleteHi Lynne, picture if you will a dish of very tiny lentils, or a wild rice that looks like pudding rice only smaller - erm, perhaps I'm not explaining very well. But it is definitely NOT mince, or TVP or any other soya substitute (very bad for you!)
DeleteAnd not liking mince! My tip would be to buy good lean steak mince if you can afford it - and I know lots can't. Brown well and season season season. Think bolognaise sauce, lasagne, really good shepherd's pie ...what's not to love! Mind you, my sister could never cook mince - hers was always grey and watery!Lxx
lol i think i may have gone to the same cookery school as your sister!!!!! i do use the lean steak mince when i make a lasagne or cottage pie for dave BUT by then i can't eat it because i have also seen it in it's raw state - what a wimp!!!! xx
DeleteThere is just no hope for you, Lynne! I'm sure you have other talents!! Lxx
DeleteI think your meal is a feast, I love Quinoa and have grown it in the past, not sure why I stopped, It has a distinctive nutty taste. Have you tried Buckwheat, it is a grass seed with no gluten, very nice boiled or steamed and makes wonderful flour. I mix the two and have them hot or cold, they make a good substitute for bulgar wheat in Tabbouleh.
ReplyDeleteThanks Pam, it was very enjoyable! I've never thought of growing quinoa! I did the Vegetarian Society's foundation diploma - ooh, more years ago than I care to remember, and was introduced to buckwheat and sundry other new-to-me useful grains' seeds. It's really good that people are making more use of them now.
DeleteHi Lynne
ReplyDeletejust to let you know I'm enjoying the Elly Griffiths books - I'm now onto The Janus Stone and finding it just as hard to put down. There are some concerned faces as teatime approaches and I'm still on the sofa!
Aren't they good, Kate? I have her next one all ready to go but that's for my next post. So good to 'pass her on' to other readers.
DeleteFrom a feast for the eyes in your previous post to a feast for the stomach here. Yum, looks fabulous.
ReplyDeleteIt was, Andrea, and we ate a bit too much, but it did last quite a while so I console myself with that thought!
DeleteOh lordy you are making me hungry! This is my kind of food - I always say that I could do without meat, but have never actually given it a try - I should! Loved looking at your pics from your Textile Jaunts - I finally got to the Yarmouth Exhibition before it vanished! xCathy
ReplyDeleteOH NO!!!!!!! Am I too late? I thought it was on throughout March?
DeleteOn the subject of mo meat I'm sure there are meatless meals you have - macaroni cheese? pizza? salads? Yeah, you do! So just incorporate some 'exotic' foods and knock the family for six, I'm sure you''l get away with it!
Your food looks delicious and so healthy! This looks perfectly balanced and very filling. I used to be vegetarian as a health choice but bacon frying was always my downfall. I still say the vegetarian meals are by far the tastiest. Have a great weekend. xx
ReplyDeleteWe can have it both ways, Chel; I have to say we eat quite a few meatless meals, not through any philosophical reasoning, simply because we like them now and then. I had a great w/end thanks though I am now exhausted! Lx
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