I've been thinking about it for a while and now the time has come to take a break from blogging! I've been *so* stressed over school and my job and unfortunately something has to change for a while until I get on top of things.
I know a lot of you have only just discovered this blog! There is a wealth of information to wade through (almost 2 solid years of blogging), a recipe index and quite a few good articles on making being vegan easier (and more delicious). I'm a perfectionist at heart and the quality of the recipes on here (and photos) has finally gotten to me. I want them to be beautiful, I want a set set up in my house, with proper lighting and a digital SLR. So when I come back I will have all these things and I will be rewriting and reposting my old recipes all done up fresh again along with new material.
I'll still be around. I'll be updating the easy as vegan pie facebook page with interesting links and still organising monthly veg*n drinks. You can always just email and say hi, carla.sammut[at]gmail.com.
Just shy of my baby blogs 2 year anniversary I'd like to thank everyone! Especially all the veggie bloggers Michael and Cindy, Steph, Danni, K and Toby, Tahn, Vicky and Lisa. You guys were so welcoming when I first started and it was through having a community that made me start veggie drinks and reach out to other people (and also the wonderful Sharon at Vegaroo). I know what its like to be the lonely angry vegan with no one to talk to and how life changing it is to meet a whole bunch of people who share the same views as you. Until we meet again, please keep cooking from the blog and offering feedback on the recipes, everything can do with some updating.
Lots of love, Carla
Monday, March 28, 2011
Wednesday, March 23, 2011
Q and A
I know there has been a woeful lack of cooking posts but that will all change soon. I am having a huge dinner party on Sunday and plan on cooking ALL NEW RECIPES stay tuned! School has been really kicking my butt and I've been living on quick, simple meals for my detox. This weeks question kind of leads into this so I will combine it all into one post.
What are your favourite fast and easy recipes? especially things you like to freeze?
Organisation/preparation is key. Make sure you have your cupboard stocked with cans of beans/lentils and tomatoes, these are brilliant to make up something in a flash. Frozen vegies and fruit (canned and dried as well) are totally your friends! Quick cook grains like couscous or quinoa are great to knock up a quick salad or accompany a dish. Try to find the time at least once a week to make a big meal you can freeze. Eating the same thing for lunch everyday for 5 days gets boring but its MUCH better than processed food/going without/grabbing quick greasy junk food. Home made, healthy vegan food will help power you through the really busy times. Remember to maintain your protein, take loads of vitamin supplements, get your iron and b12 checked every 3 months. Most importantly remember to take time out just to rest.
Right now my favourite thing EVER to make is a big batch of red curry tofu (with thick instant rice noodles instead of waiting to cook rice - you know the kind that are sealed in the big packets, not dried, just throw in the curry in the last 2 minutes). Without the potatoes and split peas this takes 10 minutes. I always have coconut milk, curry paste, tofu, frozen veg and noodles in the cupboard.
A super quick meal (especially if you have some herbs growing in the garden) is bigilla. Just simple white bean dip, packed with protein and iron, raw garlic to keep you well. Enjoy on toast or cruskits. Takes 5 minutes. Make TONNES and you can eat it as a snack on the run with raw vegies.
Tofu scramble is also a winner. Throw whatever vegies you have lying around, tinned pineapple whatever! Get creative. Lots of protein and fresh vegies.
Smoothies are also fabulous for filling that void. I buy fruit while its in season then freeze to use for later. My freezer is full of berries and bananas all waiting to be in a smoothie! Rice milk, a handful of oats, some fruit, some linseed oil, shredded coconut maybe some raw peanut or almond butter. Super healthy and super tasty!
Broadbeans and garlic
Miso soup with instant fresh noodles and frozen vegies - protein packed and delicious
Couscous and lentil salad or variation on a theme handful salad. Any grain, any vegies or beans, maybe some smoked tofu cubes, make a quick dressing and off you go!
Lentil stew, one of the most popular recipes on the site for a reason!
Mushrooms on toast or consider having breakfast for dinner! Porridge is a really great dinner meal, you can get loads of frozen fruit in there, nuts, linseed oil.
Consider freezing baked goods, they defrost just as scrumptious! Make a huge batch of muffins loaded with fruit (this is where canned fruit particularly comes in handy) and freeze them. You can grab your breakky and nuke it and eat it on the way to the train like I've done many mornings.
And any soup!! Most soups freeze really well and if you take the time to make a really big batch it can feed you for months.
The bonus of all of this is, most of these recipes are really cheap to make. You are eating your own healthy food, keeping yourself well and not wasting your money on salty food high in saturated fats. In a bind I always have a couple of Amys Organics soups in the cupboard and at work.
Any other great recipes/tips? Would love to hear from you guys!
What are your favourite fast and easy recipes? especially things you like to freeze?
Organisation/preparation is key. Make sure you have your cupboard stocked with cans of beans/lentils and tomatoes, these are brilliant to make up something in a flash. Frozen vegies and fruit (canned and dried as well) are totally your friends! Quick cook grains like couscous or quinoa are great to knock up a quick salad or accompany a dish. Try to find the time at least once a week to make a big meal you can freeze. Eating the same thing for lunch everyday for 5 days gets boring but its MUCH better than processed food/going without/grabbing quick greasy junk food. Home made, healthy vegan food will help power you through the really busy times. Remember to maintain your protein, take loads of vitamin supplements, get your iron and b12 checked every 3 months. Most importantly remember to take time out just to rest.
Right now my favourite thing EVER to make is a big batch of red curry tofu (with thick instant rice noodles instead of waiting to cook rice - you know the kind that are sealed in the big packets, not dried, just throw in the curry in the last 2 minutes). Without the potatoes and split peas this takes 10 minutes. I always have coconut milk, curry paste, tofu, frozen veg and noodles in the cupboard.
A super quick meal (especially if you have some herbs growing in the garden) is bigilla. Just simple white bean dip, packed with protein and iron, raw garlic to keep you well. Enjoy on toast or cruskits. Takes 5 minutes. Make TONNES and you can eat it as a snack on the run with raw vegies.
Tofu scramble is also a winner. Throw whatever vegies you have lying around, tinned pineapple whatever! Get creative. Lots of protein and fresh vegies.
Smoothies are also fabulous for filling that void. I buy fruit while its in season then freeze to use for later. My freezer is full of berries and bananas all waiting to be in a smoothie! Rice milk, a handful of oats, some fruit, some linseed oil, shredded coconut maybe some raw peanut or almond butter. Super healthy and super tasty!
Broadbeans and garlic
Miso soup with instant fresh noodles and frozen vegies - protein packed and delicious
Couscous and lentil salad or variation on a theme handful salad. Any grain, any vegies or beans, maybe some smoked tofu cubes, make a quick dressing and off you go!
Lentil stew, one of the most popular recipes on the site for a reason!
Mushrooms on toast or consider having breakfast for dinner! Porridge is a really great dinner meal, you can get loads of frozen fruit in there, nuts, linseed oil.
Consider freezing baked goods, they defrost just as scrumptious! Make a huge batch of muffins loaded with fruit (this is where canned fruit particularly comes in handy) and freeze them. You can grab your breakky and nuke it and eat it on the way to the train like I've done many mornings.
And any soup!! Most soups freeze really well and if you take the time to make a really big batch it can feed you for months.
The bonus of all of this is, most of these recipes are really cheap to make. You are eating your own healthy food, keeping yourself well and not wasting your money on salty food high in saturated fats. In a bind I always have a couple of Amys Organics soups in the cupboard and at work.
Any other great recipes/tips? Would love to hear from you guys!
Monday, March 21, 2011
monday melbourne roundup
out.
joanna newsom @ melbourne recital centre
Firstly the acoustics in the recital centre main hall are exquisite. Secondly Joanna Newsom in such surroundings was utterly amazing. She is one of my favourite singers EVER and now with full band touring with her, really I feel like its something everyone should experience in their lives. She is incredible. I absolutely drowned in this.
thai food and culture festival - federation square
I ducked in there for an hour to gorge on a few thai treats. Being from Sydney I really miss amazing thai food everywhere available to me. Lots of noms, spring rolls and my favourite spring onion pancake. YUM.
in glass - malthouse
I dont go to dance things very often (I think I've been to 3 things in my life), its not something that I really enjoy or maybe more specifically I dont know what to go to that will be good etc. I went along with my friend Josh who is the director of Dance Victoria (so gets lots of freebies and knows whats good). I enjoyed this, the dancers bodies are just incredible, so mesmerising and I think I enjoyed it a lot more because its not something that I go to. I think if you wanted to check out dance go to this one, its very accesible and beautiful.
acca - australian centre for contemporary art
We ducked into ACCA before the Malthouse and saw the new exhibition, it's free and if you're in the neighbourhood check it out. Some quite lovely pieces, some absolute rubbish but thats contemporary art for you.
eats.drinks.
alasya
I've been living in Brunswick for 3 years and I've only ever grabbed a rushed takeaway from A1, Tabets and the car wash falafel joint. Shame! So meeting up with someone new, another resident of the republic of brunswick, I suggested we do a middle eastern place. She suggested alasya and the rest is history. So.much.food. A little bit of everything, falafel, dips, bread, vine leaves etc. I would suggest getting the small plates of everything if there is only two of you as we wasted a fair bit of food. It was totally delicious. I look forward to exploring more Sydney Road goodness. Your middle eastern food suggestions?
prince alfred port melbourne
Friday pub lunch with the boy(s) and I felt like chips so we went to the prince alfred. They no longer have the $15 lunch special which is a shame, but I got the 4 mushroom risotto which was totally delicious. Review coming this week.
tom phat
I had one of their new breakfast options which is nas goreng bananas with pineapple fried rice (minus chicken) DELICIOUS!! I didnt have my camera on me so didnt take a snap. I am loving their new menu, totally rocking my world!
joanna newsom @ melbourne recital centre
Firstly the acoustics in the recital centre main hall are exquisite. Secondly Joanna Newsom in such surroundings was utterly amazing. She is one of my favourite singers EVER and now with full band touring with her, really I feel like its something everyone should experience in their lives. She is incredible. I absolutely drowned in this.
thai food and culture festival - federation square
I ducked in there for an hour to gorge on a few thai treats. Being from Sydney I really miss amazing thai food everywhere available to me. Lots of noms, spring rolls and my favourite spring onion pancake. YUM.
in glass - malthouse
I dont go to dance things very often (I think I've been to 3 things in my life), its not something that I really enjoy or maybe more specifically I dont know what to go to that will be good etc. I went along with my friend Josh who is the director of Dance Victoria (so gets lots of freebies and knows whats good). I enjoyed this, the dancers bodies are just incredible, so mesmerising and I think I enjoyed it a lot more because its not something that I go to. I think if you wanted to check out dance go to this one, its very accesible and beautiful.
acca - australian centre for contemporary art
We ducked into ACCA before the Malthouse and saw the new exhibition, it's free and if you're in the neighbourhood check it out. Some quite lovely pieces, some absolute rubbish but thats contemporary art for you.
eats.drinks.
alasya
I've been living in Brunswick for 3 years and I've only ever grabbed a rushed takeaway from A1, Tabets and the car wash falafel joint. Shame! So meeting up with someone new, another resident of the republic of brunswick, I suggested we do a middle eastern place. She suggested alasya and the rest is history. So.much.food. A little bit of everything, falafel, dips, bread, vine leaves etc. I would suggest getting the small plates of everything if there is only two of you as we wasted a fair bit of food. It was totally delicious. I look forward to exploring more Sydney Road goodness. Your middle eastern food suggestions?
prince alfred port melbourne
Friday pub lunch with the boy(s) and I felt like chips so we went to the prince alfred. They no longer have the $15 lunch special which is a shame, but I got the 4 mushroom risotto which was totally delicious. Review coming this week.
tom phat
I had one of their new breakfast options which is nas goreng bananas with pineapple fried rice (minus chicken) DELICIOUS!! I didnt have my camera on me so didnt take a snap. I am loving their new menu, totally rocking my world!
Friday, March 18, 2011
detox - the first 3 days
As followers of my twitter account (or just in plain hearing range of me) would know that I've been really stressed recently then consequently run down.
My whole life from when I was small I had terrible heartburn/indigestion/diarrhea/allergies/asthma/eczema. My whole family have stomach/digestion problems, IBS/twisted bowels/barretts disease, you name it we got it. The doctors answers were always more medicine. Steroids, antacids, hormones. When I cut out dairy from my diet 10 years ago it was the most amazing, life changing moment. Within 3 days my sinus dried up, my stomach cramps/heartburn stopped. Gradually over the past ten years my allergies have almost completely gone (I was SEVERELY allergic to many things, cats, grass, mould, trees, pollen, to the point I couldn't go outdoors in spring/summer, couldn't go to peoples houses who owned a cat, a lot of the time I could have a sinusitis attack from just hanging out with someone who owned a cat). My allergies were so bad I couldn't travel, I couldn't risk staying at someones house who had mould (not something you could ask about) or even feather pillows/doonas. For hotels I had to specify what kind of bed linen. Generally it completely freaking sucked.
Anyway fast forward ten years, being on a vegan diet cured me of my asthma, allergies and completely changed my life. So as I don't have such glaring physical symptoms anymore I didn't equate that I would still be having digestion problems. I had been writing all about it on my facebook/twitter and my sister (who is in a same but different boat to me) recognised all my symptoms and suggested I needed to up the fibre as our families digestion systems are sluggish and a sluggish system doesnt digest food properly nor vitamins and slows you down (takes away energy from the body that could be used elsewhere). What a revelation!!
So I decided to start taking fibre supplements but also went on a detox. Just eat plain food, very basic beans and rice, lentils and substitute one meal per day for a protein shake. I eat too much food and I am 7kgs overweight. I am 5ft6 and 82kgs, I would like to lose 10kgs. Its simple. Not only do I eat too much food I have a crazy sweet tooth and eat way too much refined sugar. I'm taking this chance to reset my tastebuds, clear out my system and get all pins firing.
How am I feeling? A M A Z I N G. The first two days I woke up sweating in the middle of the night, having crazy hot and cold sweats. I feel sleepy but energised if that makes sense. I feel light and my stomach feels great (not crammed and bloated like its been feeling). I'm sleeping TONNES (9-10 hours) but obviously I need it. It goes to show you, even though I eat really well, lots of organic fruit and veg, pulses, grains, I still have a lot of toxin build up from eating TOO MUCH food and TOO MANY sweets. I plan on doing this detox for 2 weeks and hope to lose 5 kgs in the process. I will keep you posted!
My whole life from when I was small I had terrible heartburn/indigestion/diarrhea/allergies/asthma/eczema. My whole family have stomach/digestion problems, IBS/twisted bowels/barretts disease, you name it we got it. The doctors answers were always more medicine. Steroids, antacids, hormones. When I cut out dairy from my diet 10 years ago it was the most amazing, life changing moment. Within 3 days my sinus dried up, my stomach cramps/heartburn stopped. Gradually over the past ten years my allergies have almost completely gone (I was SEVERELY allergic to many things, cats, grass, mould, trees, pollen, to the point I couldn't go outdoors in spring/summer, couldn't go to peoples houses who owned a cat, a lot of the time I could have a sinusitis attack from just hanging out with someone who owned a cat). My allergies were so bad I couldn't travel, I couldn't risk staying at someones house who had mould (not something you could ask about) or even feather pillows/doonas. For hotels I had to specify what kind of bed linen. Generally it completely freaking sucked.
Anyway fast forward ten years, being on a vegan diet cured me of my asthma, allergies and completely changed my life. So as I don't have such glaring physical symptoms anymore I didn't equate that I would still be having digestion problems. I had been writing all about it on my facebook/twitter and my sister (who is in a same but different boat to me) recognised all my symptoms and suggested I needed to up the fibre as our families digestion systems are sluggish and a sluggish system doesnt digest food properly nor vitamins and slows you down (takes away energy from the body that could be used elsewhere). What a revelation!!
So I decided to start taking fibre supplements but also went on a detox. Just eat plain food, very basic beans and rice, lentils and substitute one meal per day for a protein shake. I eat too much food and I am 7kgs overweight. I am 5ft6 and 82kgs, I would like to lose 10kgs. Its simple. Not only do I eat too much food I have a crazy sweet tooth and eat way too much refined sugar. I'm taking this chance to reset my tastebuds, clear out my system and get all pins firing.
How am I feeling? A M A Z I N G. The first two days I woke up sweating in the middle of the night, having crazy hot and cold sweats. I feel sleepy but energised if that makes sense. I feel light and my stomach feels great (not crammed and bloated like its been feeling). I'm sleeping TONNES (9-10 hours) but obviously I need it. It goes to show you, even though I eat really well, lots of organic fruit and veg, pulses, grains, I still have a lot of toxin build up from eating TOO MUCH food and TOO MANY sweets. I plan on doing this detox for 2 weeks and hope to lose 5 kgs in the process. I will keep you posted!
Thursday, March 17, 2011
kanteen - south yarra
Stopping for a coffee before we went to Herring Island at the delightfully rustic Kanteen, I spied my favourite food on the menu, black sticky rice with coconut milk! Nom! As a breakfast item! Ten points! It was delicious. Plump, sticky rice with creamy coconut milk and fresh banana (and strawberries if you're into that kind of thing). I had to lay on some sugar though because I like it sweet. The coffee was also excellent. The cafe was bustling, lots of cyclists there stopping for some mid ride nourishment. Kanteen is on the main Yarra Trail, and being that its almost entirely outdoors I'm not sure if its open in winter. But definitely something 'different' to check out, especially if you go to Herring Island. To make your own check out my recipe.
deets: 154 Alexandra Avenue South Yarra web: http://www.kanteen.net/map.html
$$: $9.50
other voices, other times:
Could only find two reviews from the Breakfast blog (2005 and 2006 respectively)
Breakfast blog one, two
Wednesday, March 16, 2011
Q and A
What would you substitute buttermilk for and also full cream milk powder?
Buttermilk is soured milk by the addition of lactic acid bacteria (these days) traditionally it was the liquid left behind from churning butter. In any event you are looking for a sour tasting "milk" product as a substitute. Traditionally vegan buttermilk is made by adding a tablespoon of vinegar or lemon juice to vegan milk and leaving it to curdle for about ten minutes before adding to your recipe. Thats for baking, I think for like a buttermilk sauce you would add vinegar to liquefied Japanese soft tofu with a tablespoon of soy cream cheese. Full cream milk powder? Dumb question but can you buy soy milk powder? If not there are soy based (vegan) baby formulas out there they might have the exact taste you need. Let me know how you go with this one! (just thought also protein powder? the arbonne vanilla one is rich and creamy but not sure what purpose you would like to use it for).
I buy already marinated tofu. What do you suggest marinading tofu in without having to fry it?
This question comes from my sister who is very much NOT a vegetarian, but curious in different ways of cooking so I will take a little bit longer than I usually would to answer this question. Tofu is like a sponge, it takes on all the flavours of the food you are cooking it with. For a guide on all the different kinds of tofu and how to prepare them please see this post. So you will see by squeezing as much water out of the firm tofu it leaves more room for it to soak up liquids. So you may find you don't need to marinade it at all if you are throwing into a stir fry or curry. If you want to enjoy as thick tofu steaks on their own or marinade to throw on a bbq, use any of your favourite recipes, marinade just like meat. Cover the tofu with the liquid and let sit in the fridge for a couple of hours. I would say dilute marinades meant for meat as tofu takes on SO much flavour they might become too overwhelming and marinades meant for meat are full of acidic ingredients to break down the meat and tenderise it, tofu doesn't need that at all, its just waiting to soak up the love. My favourite is to marinade in half soy sauce, half maple syrup with 4 or 5 cloves of garlic minced, grated fresh ginger, fresh chilli and a dash of sesame oil (enough liquid to cover the tofu steaks). So simple and delicious! I love using this on tofu steaks and cook them in a fry pan for sandwich fillings. This marinade is almost instant so no need to wait!
Buttermilk is soured milk by the addition of lactic acid bacteria (these days) traditionally it was the liquid left behind from churning butter. In any event you are looking for a sour tasting "milk" product as a substitute. Traditionally vegan buttermilk is made by adding a tablespoon of vinegar or lemon juice to vegan milk and leaving it to curdle for about ten minutes before adding to your recipe. Thats for baking, I think for like a buttermilk sauce you would add vinegar to liquefied Japanese soft tofu with a tablespoon of soy cream cheese. Full cream milk powder? Dumb question but can you buy soy milk powder? If not there are soy based (vegan) baby formulas out there they might have the exact taste you need. Let me know how you go with this one! (just thought also protein powder? the arbonne vanilla one is rich and creamy but not sure what purpose you would like to use it for).
I buy already marinated tofu. What do you suggest marinading tofu in without having to fry it?
This question comes from my sister who is very much NOT a vegetarian, but curious in different ways of cooking so I will take a little bit longer than I usually would to answer this question. Tofu is like a sponge, it takes on all the flavours of the food you are cooking it with. For a guide on all the different kinds of tofu and how to prepare them please see this post. So you will see by squeezing as much water out of the firm tofu it leaves more room for it to soak up liquids. So you may find you don't need to marinade it at all if you are throwing into a stir fry or curry. If you want to enjoy as thick tofu steaks on their own or marinade to throw on a bbq, use any of your favourite recipes, marinade just like meat. Cover the tofu with the liquid and let sit in the fridge for a couple of hours. I would say dilute marinades meant for meat as tofu takes on SO much flavour they might become too overwhelming and marinades meant for meat are full of acidic ingredients to break down the meat and tenderise it, tofu doesn't need that at all, its just waiting to soak up the love. My favourite is to marinade in half soy sauce, half maple syrup with 4 or 5 cloves of garlic minced, grated fresh ginger, fresh chilli and a dash of sesame oil (enough liquid to cover the tofu steaks). So simple and delicious! I love using this on tofu steaks and cook them in a fry pan for sandwich fillings. This marinade is almost instant so no need to wait!
Tuesday, March 15, 2011
monday melbourne roundup - the tuesday edition
I'm finally getting over my cold and feeling bouncy again! Work has calmed down and the long weekend with no computer meant I got to relax and clean out some cupboards/do a bunch of fun things I've been wanting to do. I hope you had a great long weekend as well Victoria!
out.
apologia - mtc - fairfax studios - art centre
I'm getting pretty tired of isolated-workaholic-mom-is-confronted-by-her-kids-for-her-neglect-when-they-kids/kids-who-cant-accept-their-parents-as-professional-people family dramas. Is this a generation of playwrights rejected by the throws of women just discovering feminism? Or are playwrights more naturally the children of workaholic academics? Overall it was an excellent production, Robyn Nevin - the queen of the Australian stage, was exquisite as usual. I would recommend definitely I'm just burned out on these types of stories.
herring island
What if I told you there is a man made island in the middle of the Yarra thats a sculpture park? I have been DYING to go to Herring Island for about 3 years. Such a great little adventure. I'll be writing about it more in Milkbar but suffice to say its super cool and a fun day out. The island is tiny and you can do the sculpture walk in about 20 minutes. The weather was lovely, there is large picnic grounds and an art gallery. The boat to the island operates roughly between October and April every year. Go!
eats.drinks.
dancing dog cafe
Sometimes I get to Footscray early and want nothing more than to sit, read a book and drink a coffee before school melts my brain. The Dancing Dog Cafe is a super lovely little cafe right near my uni, serves booze also which is a big plus. Light and airy, quiet (!!!), I think there is food I'm not sure but I'm sure I'll become a regular.
lord of the fries
Ok so I've figured it out. Elizabeth St store = BAD. Soggy chips, not hot enough/stingy serving sauces, poor attitude workers. Flinders St Station store GOOD, crispy fried everything, lovely kids, everything humming along like it used to. I went to the Elizabeth st store buoyed on my experiences from Flinders st and was sad. Very very sad. I'll be emailing this feedback to LOTR as well.
fo guang yuan art gallery
Wonderful Buddhist centre in Melbourne CBD. Lunch is only served between 10.30am and 3.30pm so I wasn't able to make that but I did have some lovely tea and did some reading in the peaceful reading room. Cant wait to have lunch there one time.
movida aqui
Fig salad (goats cheese cigars for Clare), organic tomato salad with dried olives and iceburg lettuce salad with fennel. nom nom nom!
kanteen
Review coming soon - great little cafe on the Yarra River just opposite Herring Island.
handsome steves house of refreshments - abbotsford convent
Hidden in Abbotsford Convent, its one of those places Melburnians cherish, even though its been open one million years in Melbourne terms (about 4). Vague instructions on Foursquare (find the tree that looks dead, look up and you will see the window) to the girls in the art gallery not knowing where it was "but apparently you have to find a quadrangle and then find the Geelong flags". Another tip was "its in the main building on the second floor" but you don't know exactly which is the main building. ANYWAY obviously we found it, the best directions I can give you is go in the main entrance opposite the car park, walk towards the bakery then turn right on the path. Find an open doorway and go up 2 flights of stairs, go in the first entrance and turn left, you will find Handsome Steves. We were already pretty full so I didn't try any food but their lemonade is famous so we had some. It was delicious. Handsome Steves is super cool, out of the way, tiny place to have some lunch and some lemonade (choice 70s garage on constant rotation is also awesome).
gasometer
No photos as it was almost pitch dark where we were eating. DELICIOUS!! The recommendation is the barbecue tofu strips COMPLETELY AMAZING. I also had some fries ALSO AMAZING. I can't wait to try their other vegan dishes. So SO good! Cant wait to have monthly veg*n drinks there.
out.
apologia - mtc - fairfax studios - art centre
I'm getting pretty tired of isolated-workaholic-mom-is-confronted-by-her-kids-for-her-neglect-when-they-kids/kids-who-cant-accept-their-parents-as-professional-people family dramas. Is this a generation of playwrights rejected by the throws of women just discovering feminism? Or are playwrights more naturally the children of workaholic academics? Overall it was an excellent production, Robyn Nevin - the queen of the Australian stage, was exquisite as usual. I would recommend definitely I'm just burned out on these types of stories.
herring island
What if I told you there is a man made island in the middle of the Yarra thats a sculpture park? I have been DYING to go to Herring Island for about 3 years. Such a great little adventure. I'll be writing about it more in Milkbar but suffice to say its super cool and a fun day out. The island is tiny and you can do the sculpture walk in about 20 minutes. The weather was lovely, there is large picnic grounds and an art gallery. The boat to the island operates roughly between October and April every year. Go!
eats.drinks.
dancing dog cafe
Sometimes I get to Footscray early and want nothing more than to sit, read a book and drink a coffee before school melts my brain. The Dancing Dog Cafe is a super lovely little cafe right near my uni, serves booze also which is a big plus. Light and airy, quiet (!!!), I think there is food I'm not sure but I'm sure I'll become a regular.
lord of the fries
Ok so I've figured it out. Elizabeth St store = BAD. Soggy chips, not hot enough/stingy serving sauces, poor attitude workers. Flinders St Station store GOOD, crispy fried everything, lovely kids, everything humming along like it used to. I went to the Elizabeth st store buoyed on my experiences from Flinders st and was sad. Very very sad. I'll be emailing this feedback to LOTR as well.
fo guang yuan art gallery
Wonderful Buddhist centre in Melbourne CBD. Lunch is only served between 10.30am and 3.30pm so I wasn't able to make that but I did have some lovely tea and did some reading in the peaceful reading room. Cant wait to have lunch there one time.
movida aqui
Fig salad (goats cheese cigars for Clare), organic tomato salad with dried olives and iceburg lettuce salad with fennel. nom nom nom!
kanteen
Review coming soon - great little cafe on the Yarra River just opposite Herring Island.
handsome steves house of refreshments - abbotsford convent
Hidden in Abbotsford Convent, its one of those places Melburnians cherish, even though its been open one million years in Melbourne terms (about 4). Vague instructions on Foursquare (find the tree that looks dead, look up and you will see the window) to the girls in the art gallery not knowing where it was "but apparently you have to find a quadrangle and then find the Geelong flags". Another tip was "its in the main building on the second floor" but you don't know exactly which is the main building. ANYWAY obviously we found it, the best directions I can give you is go in the main entrance opposite the car park, walk towards the bakery then turn right on the path. Find an open doorway and go up 2 flights of stairs, go in the first entrance and turn left, you will find Handsome Steves. We were already pretty full so I didn't try any food but their lemonade is famous so we had some. It was delicious. Handsome Steves is super cool, out of the way, tiny place to have some lunch and some lemonade (choice 70s garage on constant rotation is also awesome).
gasometer
No photos as it was almost pitch dark where we were eating. DELICIOUS!! The recommendation is the barbecue tofu strips COMPLETELY AMAZING. I also had some fries ALSO AMAZING. I can't wait to try their other vegan dishes. So SO good! Cant wait to have monthly veg*n drinks there.
Friday, March 11, 2011
tom phat - brunswick
A new season and it's time for some new menu items. The ever delicious tempeh rendang and tofu and tempeh skewers are still there but there are many new additions that just look spectacular. You are meeting the chilli salt silken tofu with broccoli, snakebeans, lime basil & red curry. Delicious. The giant, custardy chilli salt tofu cubes explode into the full bodied red curry sauce creating a giant saucy mess. Served with snake beans and roasted pumpkin, get a wee bit of each on your fork you fall in love with the texture and flavour combinations. I didnt think anything could woo me from my usual but we have a worthy new contender. The kitchen issues they were having around the Christmas close down period seem to be well gone. A tip o the hat to you Tom Phat, keeping Brunswick well fed.
Deets: 184 Sydney Road, Brunswick web: http://www.tomphat.com.au/
$$: $15 (?) around that
previous easy as vegan pie trips: one, two, three, four
Other voices, other times:
mel: hot or not
the hungry lawyer
food rehab
melbourne gastronome
we do chew our food
vegan about town
wheres the beef?
Tuesday, March 8, 2011
red curry dahl with coconut rice
I cooked. It's true, after having to throw out a vegie drawer of food. I have never thrown out that much food before, I felt so bad. I am doing 3 subjects at school this semester (IT diploma at Vic Uni), doing 5 days worth of work crammed in 4, working on Arbonne and writing for 2 websites. To top it all off the project I've been working on for the past 2 years is down to its final thesis period where we evaluate all we've done and in the next month present our finding and final recommendation to the steering committee. If that wasn't all enough I'm doing school two nights a week in addition to the one day, meditation one night a week have Queer Film Festival just around the corner and a visit from two DEAR friends from the UK in a couple of weeks. EEK! So of course I've been sick, and the cure for sickness is CHILLI!! lots and lots of garlic and curries. This was knocked up from whatever food wasn't rotten in my fridge! It was DAMN good and helped flush out my body. Book mark for the upcoming cold and flu season.
ingredients
400 gm of peeled potatoes, cubed small (floury works well)
2 small onions, diced
4 chillis, thinly sliced
300 gms of firm tofu, rinsed, drained and cubed
1 x 400ml can of coconut cream
3 - 4 tbsp of red curry paste (Thai Gourmet brand is vegan and gluten free)
1/2 cup of yellow split peas
1 bunch of asparagus or green beans cut into 2 cm pieces
1 tbsp of grated palm sugar
2 kaffir lime leaves, crushed
2 tbsp of soy sauce (tamari to make it gluten free)
1-2 tbsp of fresh lime juice
method
1. Sauté the onions in a drizzle of oil (or sesame oil) on medium high until they turn translucent. Add the sliced chillis and sauté for another minute. Stir in the red curry paste until well combined and the spices have started to release flavours (don't stick your head over the pot like I did and almost get maced in the process!). Add the coconut milk and stir until the paste is well combined. You now have your curry sauce.
2. Add the potatoes, split peas, tofu and kaffir lime leaves, reduce heat to low and leave to simmer gently for 20 minutes.
3. Grab 2 tbsps of the curry mixture out of the pot and mix with the stock cube in a small bowl to dissolve it. Add to to the curry mixture. Once the potatoes are tender finish off the curry with the soy sauce, lime juice and asparagus. The asparagus only needs 2 minutes to cook in the hot liquid. Serve over rice (my favourite is coconut rice).
Monday, March 7, 2011
monday melbourne roundup
out.
sbs food journey - carlton gardens exhibition centre
L A M E. It was a total rip off!! $18 entry for what? It was a bunch of food stalls all selling food. There were quite a lot of cooking demos and stuff like that but I wasnt interested. I thought they would have HEAPS more food samples or a ticketing system where you got 5 tickets you could trade in for large samples plates of food from whatever stalls. Outside stank like bbq the whole time :( inside was like a trade show with lots of cooking tools, tupperware stalls etc. We got to sample dumplings at the Supreme Master table (and I got to say hi to some lovely ladies who follow the blog!) and I got to sample quite a few different olive oils but that was it. We stayed for approx half an hour. I dont know what the attraction is to these things?
the adjustment bureau
BORING. So half baked, not quite sci fi, not quite thriller, not quite full blown love story. Was really bland, 2 dimesional and Matt Damon is such a ponce these days. 2/5
eats.drinks
journal
I must be autumn/winter as I am going to journal at least twice a week. I love the space, the crowd, its like having a few drinks in a lovely library where you can talk really loudly.
horse bazaar
Jeez I'm really getting my festivals haunts on right? and festival season hasnt really started for me yet. Bring on MQFF!! (horse bazaars food has never faultered, its always amazing).
simple affair
Yes I haven't been cooking if you haven't already surmised from the lack of cooking related posts. I'm having lunch once a week in Port with the boys from work, we always end up at Simple Affair - its expensive but one of the few places in Port that caters to everyone. Now they've demolished the supermarket area of the space and made it all cafe its lovely, open and breezy. I quite like it there.
tom phat
Twice! finally I'm getting my Tom Phat back on! They have a new menu! Still with the old favourites but I spied at least 3 other vegan meals that all looked delicious. I tried one and will be blogging about it this week. Suffice to say they are still on game! Go Tom Phat!
miss marmalade
This is my local local (it's on the end of my street) and while its very northside young family friendly (its like an obstacle course to navigate the prams) it serves decent chai and good coffee in a bind. The staff are also lovely and its a nice place for me and my flatmate to spend some time together without having to go to Sydney Rd (hah!).
bimbo deluxe
Twice! I've been fighting off disease and once the biggest hurdle of my career to date came through with flying colours my body took it as a sign that it no longer needed to prop me up and I descended into feeling like I was dying. I had an appointment in Fitzroy so went to Bimbos for my patented cold and flu cure, the napolitana with no anchovies, no capers (hate capers) and extra garlic. I had this two days in a row and now I am feeling much better. I think its the equivalent of 3 knobs of garlic and 6 heads of chilli. nom nom nom.
sbs food journey - carlton gardens exhibition centre
L A M E. It was a total rip off!! $18 entry for what? It was a bunch of food stalls all selling food. There were quite a lot of cooking demos and stuff like that but I wasnt interested. I thought they would have HEAPS more food samples or a ticketing system where you got 5 tickets you could trade in for large samples plates of food from whatever stalls. Outside stank like bbq the whole time :( inside was like a trade show with lots of cooking tools, tupperware stalls etc. We got to sample dumplings at the Supreme Master table (and I got to say hi to some lovely ladies who follow the blog!) and I got to sample quite a few different olive oils but that was it. We stayed for approx half an hour. I dont know what the attraction is to these things?
the adjustment bureau
BORING. So half baked, not quite sci fi, not quite thriller, not quite full blown love story. Was really bland, 2 dimesional and Matt Damon is such a ponce these days. 2/5
eats.drinks
journal
I must be autumn/winter as I am going to journal at least twice a week. I love the space, the crowd, its like having a few drinks in a lovely library where you can talk really loudly.
horse bazaar
Jeez I'm really getting my festivals haunts on right? and festival season hasnt really started for me yet. Bring on MQFF!! (horse bazaars food has never faultered, its always amazing).
simple affair
Yes I haven't been cooking if you haven't already surmised from the lack of cooking related posts. I'm having lunch once a week in Port with the boys from work, we always end up at Simple Affair - its expensive but one of the few places in Port that caters to everyone. Now they've demolished the supermarket area of the space and made it all cafe its lovely, open and breezy. I quite like it there.
tom phat
Twice! finally I'm getting my Tom Phat back on! They have a new menu! Still with the old favourites but I spied at least 3 other vegan meals that all looked delicious. I tried one and will be blogging about it this week. Suffice to say they are still on game! Go Tom Phat!
miss marmalade
This is my local local (it's on the end of my street) and while its very northside young family friendly (its like an obstacle course to navigate the prams) it serves decent chai and good coffee in a bind. The staff are also lovely and its a nice place for me and my flatmate to spend some time together without having to go to Sydney Rd (hah!).
bimbo deluxe
Twice! I've been fighting off disease and once the biggest hurdle of my career to date came through with flying colours my body took it as a sign that it no longer needed to prop me up and I descended into feeling like I was dying. I had an appointment in Fitzroy so went to Bimbos for my patented cold and flu cure, the napolitana with no anchovies, no capers (hate capers) and extra garlic. I had this two days in a row and now I am feeling much better. I think its the equivalent of 3 knobs of garlic and 6 heads of chilli. nom nom nom.
Thursday, March 3, 2011
babycakes - nyc
I'm a huge fan of Babycakes, the mainly gluten free, some soy free, vegan bakery! I went to their store in LA quite some time ago and was so happy to visit the original in NYC when I was there in December. There are quite a few things not to my taste so it's easier to go there each time as I've tasted almost everything! This time I got my favourite (the choc chip cookie sandwich) and the carrot cupcake and I cant remember maybe the lemon one? All were fantastic! To see what else I've eaten please see my LA post. Babycakes is a must do in LA or NYC. I also have the cookbook and look forward to Erin's new book due out really soon.
Wednesday, March 2, 2011
Q and A
where can a guy get nutritional yeast flakes in melbooooourns?
Nutritional yeast (or nooch as its known to vegans, also more commonly know as "savoury yeast" in Australia) is available a lot of places. Mainly health food stores and of course the Radical Grocery. But if you're stuck out in the boons or not in Melbourne town I'm not sure? You can always order online from cruelty free shop (based in Sydney and the first online vegan retailer in AU!), vegan online (based in Adelaide with free shipping to Adelaide region for orders over $60) or the vegan store (based in Brisbane). I've bought from all three retailers and the service has been amazing. I can highly recommend all of these businesses. Nooch is best kept in the dark (sunlight can make it ineffective) and according to ehow keeping it in the fridge/freezer is best.
Nutritional yeast (or nooch as its known to vegans, also more commonly know as "savoury yeast" in Australia) is available a lot of places. Mainly health food stores and of course the Radical Grocery. But if you're stuck out in the boons or not in Melbourne town I'm not sure? You can always order online from cruelty free shop (based in Sydney and the first online vegan retailer in AU!), vegan online (based in Adelaide with free shipping to Adelaide region for orders over $60) or the vegan store (based in Brisbane). I've bought from all three retailers and the service has been amazing. I can highly recommend all of these businesses. Nooch is best kept in the dark (sunlight can make it ineffective) and according to ehow keeping it in the fridge/freezer is best.
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