Chilli

Chilli

Really, really like this one!

Ingredients

2 tbsp olive oil
1 onion, chopped
1 carrot, chopped
3 cloves garlic, chopped
1 green pepper, chopped
1 red pepper, chopped
4oz green lentils
½ tsp chilli powder
1 tsp cumin
1 bay leaf
pinch cayenne pepper
1 tin tomatoes
¾ pint vegetable stock
1 tin kidney beans, drained
1 tin chick peas, drained


Method

Heat the oil, add the onion, carrot, garlic and peppers. Add the lentils and spices, the tomatoes and the stock. Simmer for 50 minutes. Add the kidney beans and chick peas. Remove the bay leaf.

That's it! Easy!

Onion Bhajis

Onion Bhajis

This is an adaption of a recipe I found on Vegweb.com & they taste great!

Ingredients

4oz gram flour
2 onions, chopped
1 tsp fresh coriander, chopped
½ tsp turmeric
1tsp cumin
1/2 tsp garam masala
1 to 2 chillis (to taste), de-seeded and finely chopped
pinch salt & freshly ground black pepper
¼ pint water


Method

Mix all the ingredients except the water together, then add the water gradually until you have a thick batter (you may not need to use it all).

Deep fry in batches for 2-3 minutes, until golden brown.

Spicey Bean Burgers

Spicy Bean Burgers

I love these!

Ingredients

1 carrot, diced small
2 tbsp oil
1 onion, chopped small
1 clove garlic, chopped
1 tsp ground cumin
1 tsp ground coriander
1 tsp dried mixed herbs
½ tsp paprika
½ tsp chilli powder
4 oz cooked red kidney beans (half a 400g tin, rinsed and drained)
4 oz cooked chick peas (ditto)
1 tbsp cooked sweetcorn
1 level tbsp flour

Method

Boil the carrot until al dente then drain.

Meanwhile, heat 1 tbsp of the oil in a frying pan and fry the onion and garlic for 5 mins until soft and starting to brown.

Add the herbs, spices and flour, and cook for 1 min, stirring well (don't let the flour burn).

Mash the beans and chick peas with a fork. Mix in the onion mixture, the carrots and sweetcorn and mash some more. Season to taste.

Heat the remaining oil, shape the mixture into 4 burgers and fry for 5 to 6 mins on each side til done. Delicious!

Poor Man's Stew

Poor Man's Stew

I found this one on Vegweb.com - It's pretty good when the cupboards are bare and you need feeding! ;-)

Ingredients:

2 Potatos
1/4 onion
1/4 cup lintels
water (as needed)
1 bay leaf
salt & pepper to taste

Directions:

For every 2 potatoes use a 1/4 cup of lentils and 1/4 onion (or more depending on taste) Large dice potatoes, and mince onions and add to heavy bottom pot with lentils. Cover with water and boil with salt, pepper and bay leaf (add water about every ten min. or so) When the potatoes start to fall apart the dish is done. (add more salt and pepper if needed)

Tex Mex Chilli Beans

This is a recipe which I got from my cousin, Kate!

Ingredients

1 tbs oil
2 Garlic Cloves, crushed
2 Small fresh Red Chillies, finely chopped
1 Onion, finely chopped
1 Green Pepper, chopped
440g Canned Red Kidney Beans, drained and rinsed
440g Canned Peeled Tomatoes
125g Ready made Tomato Salsa
1 tsp Soft Brown Sugar

Method

1.Heat the oil, garlic, chillies and onion in a heavy-based pan and cook over a medium heat for 3 minutes or until onion is golden.

2. Add the green pepper, kidney beans, undrained crushed tomatoes, salsa and sugar, Bring to the boil, reduce heat and simmer, uncovered, for 15 minutes or until the sauce thickens.

Serve with Tortilla wraps for scrummy fajitas – Guacamole is a must have!

Green Lentil Curry

Green Lentil Curry

This is probably one of my favorite recipes.

Ingredients

4-6 portions of cooked rice
Vegan Plain yoghurt to serve

175g Green Lentils
2 tbsp Sunflower Oil
1 Large Onion, chopped
1-2 Cloves garlic, crushed
1-3 tbsp Curry Powder (according to taste)
1 red and 1 green pepper, chopped
2 Carrots, peeled and chopped
2 x 400g cans chopped tomatoes
1 heaped tbsp tomato puree
300ml Vegetable Stock
100g Frozen Peas
3 tbsp Vegetarian Pesto
175g Mushrooms, wiped and quartered
1 Corgette, chopped
Salt and freshly ground black pepper

Method

1. Place the green lentils in a large bowl and pour over boiling water. Leave to soak for 30 mins (alternatively, buy a tin of pre-soaked lentils) Drain.

2. Heat the oil in a large saucepan and fry the onion and garlic together with the curry powder, until the onions are softening.

3. Add the peppers, carrots and drained green lentils and cook for 5 mins, stirring all the time. Add the tomatoes, puree, stock, peas and pesto; bring to the boil and simmer until the lentils are tender (about 30 mins). Add the mushrooms and corgettes and simmer for 5 mins more.

4. Season to taste.

5. Serve with brown rice

Curry of the World

Here's a recipe which I 'invented' when I got bored making a standard bean chili. It combines some really interesting flavors from Indian, Oriental and African food. May not be to 'everyone's' taste, as can be quite intense. But perfect if you're looking for something with a bit of 'bite'.

Obviously, you can alter the amounts of spices/garlic etc to your own liking.

Ingredients:

2-3 medium onions, chopped
5 cloves garlic, chopped
2 medium sweet potatoes
175g Green Lentils (soaked for 30 mins in boiling water before hand)
1/2 tin kidney beans
1 tin mixed beans
2 cups veg stock
2 cans chopped tomatoes
4 tablespoon tomato puree
1tsp cumin
1tsp garam massala
1/2tsp cinnamon
1/2tsp fennel seeds
1tsp Soy Sauce
Couple of jalapenos (I used the 'Discovery' jarred ones)
Pinch Salt and pepper



Method:

1) Fry the onions and garlic together in a little olive oil for around 5 minutes (until limp).
2) Add the soy sauce and stir fry for a couple of seconds.
3) Combine the Garam Massala, Cinnamon, Fennel, Cumin, Salt and Pepper together to make a 'curry powder' add to the onions and stir fry for a few more seconds.
4) Add the sweet potatoes.
5) Add half of the veg stock, cover and cook for around 15 mins.
6) Add the lentils, beans and jalapenos, stir and cook for a couple of minutes.
7) Finally, add the chopped tomatoes, tomato puree and the remaining veg stock and cook for a further 15 minutes, adding more water if required.

If the flavor is too intense, add a cup of water, and cook for a further 15 minutes to reduce it down.

The Beginning

Well I thought it would be a good idea to set-up a blog for all the wonderful vegan food out there, that's a little bit more exciting than chickpeas and rice! I'll be posting all of my favorite recipes which I've found from various locations, as well as a couple which I've made up myself.

I'll also be posting any other random thoughts and ideas to go along with it.

Hope you find it useful! =D