Noodles in ginger broth

First two days as a vegan was easy, with crispbread and red pepper hummus for breakfast, red lentil coconut soup for lunch and noodles in ginger broth for dinner. Can't say that I missed anything, except possibly milk. Soy milk works OK in coffee, but I don't want to use too much soy products. There is definitely a lot of controversy around soy, how it's produced and possible health implications. Think I will try almond milk next time I go shopping and compare.

Anyhow, this ginger broth is hot, spicy, and fragrant, everything you need on a chilly day :) The carrot and sweet corn add some crunch and sweetness. Hopefully this broth and the numerous oranges I've been munching on is finally going to help my immune defence get rid off a very persistent sinus infection. I'm so fed-up with being ill! I've basically spend most of the last two weeks in bed, watching Downton Abbey and Sons of Anarchy...

This is quite a light meal, but you can add some stir-fried tofu for a bigger meal. Or for non-vegans, simmer thinly sliced chicken or salmon in the broth before adding to the noodles, or add a handful of prawns.

Noodles in ginger broth (serves 2)
120 g noodles (instant, egg, soba or udon)
0.5 tsp sesame oil

Broth
10 cm fresh ginger, chopped
2 stalks of lemon grass, bruised and chopped
2 shallot onions, chopped
2 red chillies, chopped
2 garlic cloves, finely chopped
2 star anise
2 tbsp light soy sauce
1 tbsp rice vinegar
1 L of water
1 cube of vegetable stock
1 pinch of light brown sugar
1 small can of sweet corn
1 large carrot, finely sliced into matchsticks

Garnish
4 spring onions, finely chopped
1 small bunch of coriander, chopped
1 red chili, finely sliced
1-2 limes, in wedges

Prepare all ingredients for the broth and garnish

In a medium pot, saute ginger, shallots, chillies, garlic, and star anise for 2 min at high heat

Add water, vegetable stock, soy sauce, rice vinegar and sugar. Simmer for 15 min

While the broth is simmering, prepare the noodles according to pack instruction. Toss with the sesame oil and keep warm

Pass the broth through a sieve or colander

Transfer the broth back to the pot, and add the carrot and sweet corn. Simmer for 2-3 min

In bowls, add the noodles and ladle over the hot broth

Sprinkle over the garnish and serve with lime wedges

Smaklig måltid!

Red lentil coconut soup

Happy New Years everyone! Have you made any resolutions for 2013?

I'm not going to promise to post more recipes, but I will try :) I've actually got another resolution regarding food, I'm going to go vegan for a month. 

So why do I want to try going vegan? I've always cooked quite a lot of vegetarian food, and I think that in general we in the Western world eat way too much meat and fish. The main food industry is horrid (please do pay a bit more for your dairy, chicken, pork, beef and seafood to ensure you get animals that are better treated and responsibly sourced!), and there really is no reason to have meat with every meal. Not to mention the impact raising large amount of animals have on the environment, and that we are (permanently) destroying the ecosystem in the oceans by overfishing. In addition, the dairy and egg industry are also treating and keeping animals in awful conditions. So one reason to go vegan is that it is a more ethical and sustainable lifestyle. That said, I'm not against eating animals, we're omnivores, but I think everyone should eat less and that the animals raised for food should be treated well.

Another reason is plain curiosity, can I as a cheese addict survive without eating dairy products for a month? I do anticipate serious withdrawal symptoms and cravings for cheese. Another craving will for sure be for bacon. I also feel that I need a bit of challenge in the kitchen, taking away not only meat/fish, but also dairy and eggs, will definitely give me that challenge. 

I will however continue using my leather bag and shoes during this month. Maybe not very vegan, but I think there are levels of commitment to everything, and it is up to everyone to find a level they're comfortable at. This goes for pretty much for anything in life from recycling to exercising to working. Better to do something than nothing. Getting rid of the bag or shoes I usually use is a waste, I got them already, and buying new ones just for this month doesn't make sense and goes against my general attempt at downsizing my possessions (more on that another time). 

Another thing I'm not going to really bother with is if the wine or beer I drink are vegan. Mostly because there will be very little of either this month as I got a finance exam and crazy amount of work. I'm also skint....

Part of the difficulties with eating vegan for a month is going to be eating out. There are of course vegan restaurants in London, and many others serve at least one vegan dish, but I'm thinking more of having a coffee at work (fingers crossed they'll have soy milk, or I will be (even more) grumpy and tired at work), or having a quick bite on my way to university. 

Another challenge is breakfast. I typically have something like crisp bread with cheese, yogurt or omelette for breakfast, all non-vegan options. I have to admit though that most mornings my breakfast is just coffee with milk.... For when I want something more, I think that probably crisp bread with hummus or a fruity smoothie would work well. 

I will also have to think a bit more about supplements. It can be more difficult to get enough calcium, B12, iron and D vitamin eating a vegan diet, and I will start taking a multi vitamin to ensure I get enough. 

For anyone else thinking of trying a vegan diet, I found helpful tips and food inspiration on Serious eats - The vegan experience, Post punk kitchen, Vegan yum yum, Vegie head, Oh she glows, and Vegan yack attack. 

So from now and for 30 days, until 3rd February, I will try a vegan diet. I'll try to keep the blog updated with my experiences and recipes.

The first vegan recipe for this month is this delicious red lentil coconut soup. It's a bit spicy with sweet coconut and a bit of zing from lime and coriander.

Red lentil coconut soup (serves 4-6)

250 g red lentils

2 yellow onions, chopped

2 peppers (any colour), chopped

1 garlic bulb, finely chopped

2-3 red chillies, finely chopped

3 tbsp fresh ginger, grated

2 tbsp tomato paste

2 tbsp coriander seeds, toasted and ground

1 tbsp curry powder

3 limes, zest and juice

2 tbsp mango chutney

1 pinch of brown or white sugar

2 cans of chopped tomatoes

1 can coconut milk (full-fat, trust me on this, it tastes better and half-fat is just diluted full-fat anyway)

0.5 L water

2 cubes of vegetable stock

0.5 tsp salt

1 bunch of fresh coriander, chopped

oil

Toast the coriander seeds in a dry frying pan for a couple of minutes and then grind to a coarse powder

In a large pot, add onions, garlic, peppers, chillies, ginger, curry, coriander and lime zest. Fry for 4-5 min

Stir in the tomato paste and fry for another 2 min

Rinse the red lentils in cold water, add to the pot

Add the cans of tomatoes and coconut milk, mango chutney and water

Cook at medium to high heat for 10-15 min, stir occasionally

Add the vegetable stock and salt, and simmer for 15-20 min until the red lentils are soft. The reason for not adding the stock and salt from the beginning is that it may result in harder and more bitter lentils. I'm not sure it really makes a difference though....

Using a hand mixer or food processor, blend 3/4 of the soup, reserving 1/4 to keep some chunky bits in the soup

Transfer the soup back to the pot, add more water if it is too thick, and stir in the lime juice and fresh coriander

Taste and adjust by adding more salt or sugar if necessary

Smaklig måltid!

Spiced apple caramels

One of my favourite food blogs is Smitten kitchen, who recently came out with a cook book that I have to get! She recently posted a recipe for apple cider caramels, and this is my slightly adapted version of the recipe. These caramels taste of hot apple cider and are utterly delicious!

I made these tonight to bring with me when I'm going home tomorrow to Sweden to celebrate Christmas. My tiny flat (aka the shoe box) now smells of apple, cinnamon and caramel :)

Merry Christmas and God Jul!

Spiced apple caramels (25-30 caramels)
1 litre of fresh apple juice
2 dl white sugar
1 dl light brown sugar
115 g butter, cut into chunks
1 dl double cream
0.5 tsp cinnamon
1 pinch ginger
1 pinch cardamon
2 tsp flaky sea salt, like Maldon for example

Boil the apple juice in a pan on high heat until its reduced to a dark and thick syrup, about 1.5 dl in volume. This takes 30-40 min. Stir occasionally.

Line the bottom and sides of a 20 cm square baking pan with baking parchment

Once the apple juice has reduced down, remove it from the heat and stir in butter, sugar, cream and all spices except the sea salt

Return the pot to medium to high heat, nad let it boil for 5-15 min. Test that the caramel is ready by dropping a tiny spoonful into a glass of cold water. The caramel is ready when it becomes firm, chewy, and able to plied into a ball.

Remove from the heat, stir in the salt, and then pour the caramel into the prepared pan

Let it sit until cool and firm, then cut into squares either using a sharp kitchen knife that has been oiled with a neutral oil, or using kitchen scissors

Keep in an airtight container at room temperature or in the fridge for up to two weeks.

Smoked salmon, saffron, and orange pirogues

Look who's back :) I've had such a crazy busy autumn with quite an intense mix of work, studying, moving, and although I have been cooking, there just haven't been enough time and energy to also blog about it.

Anyhow, I made these little pirogues or pasties recently. Saffron and oranges are two common flavourings for a lot of typically Swedish Christmas treats. Here I incorporated saffron and oranges with smoked salmon in puff pastry pirogues. The results is a salty tasty treat with a hint of sweet citrusy zest, perfect as a starter or served with drinks. The pirogues can be made the day before, and served cold or hot.

I was lazy and bought puff pastry. If you too feel like not making your own, buy a high-quality all butter puff pastry.

Smoked salmon, saffron and orange piroges (30 mini pirogues)
1-2 packages of puff pastry
300 g smoked salmon
200 g cream cheese
0.5 g saffron
1 dl chives, finely chopped
1 dl dill, finely chopped
1 orange
black pepper
pinch of chili flakes
1 egg, beaten

Heat the oven to 200C

Prepare the saffron; I find it easiest to grind the saffron threads with a pinch of salt using a pestle and mortar to a powder. I then add a little water, this makes it easier to transfer the saffron and infuse it into the other ingredients

Mix salmon, cream cheese, saffron, chives, dill, chili flakes, zest from one orange, and juice from half an orange in food processor to a coarse mix. Season with black pepper.

Roll out the puff pastry, and cut it into squares roughly 4 x 4 cm

Add 1-2 tsp of the filling to each square, fold over the pastry to a triangular shape and join the edges. Crimp the edges using a fork to form a seal

Transfer the pirgoues to a lightly oiled baking tray and brush the top with egg wash

Bake for 10-20 min until golden brown

Transfer to a cooking grid to cool, or serve directly

Smaklig måltid!

Meet Mr Kenwood

I have finally bought myself a food processor, and hopefully that means less blood in the coleslaw and more grated beetroot salads!

I've been ill for the past week, got a pesky cold and nasty cough. I'm feeling really sorry for myself, in particular as it meant that I spent last bank holiday weekend in bed. Not fun :(

Anyhow, since I bought this beautiful machine earlier, I could treat myself to mango milkshakes, yummy! Highly recommended when you feel sorry for yourself. Just blend one ripe and juicy mango with 1-2 generous scoops of vanilla ice cream and enough cold milk to make one pint of tropical sunshine to enjoy :)

Summer holiday and food in Sweden

The beautiful Swedish west coast

 

Back in a hot and sunny London after a fantastic holiday in Sweden. One week full of great times with family and friends, and of course lots of food. Swedish cheeses, sausages, my dad's BBQ pork, crayfish, filmjölk (soured milk, you eat like yoghurt for breakfast), cinnamon and cardamon buns, salty licorice, my mum's citrus aioli, chantarelles, raspberries, fermented herring, licorice ice cream....

I know, it sounds like I did nothing but eat, but in between all meals I also managed to visit the west coast with both my Swedish and Danish family, my home town Uppsala, and Stockholm, and see lots of my friends and their kids, including the newest addition, the tiny 5 day old son of two of my best and oldest friends. Not bad for one week ;)

Here's a couple of pictures from my holiday

Grundsund on the west coast

Reimersholme in Stockholm, where I had ice coffee and cardamon buns with Sofia by the water just outside her flat

Beef cheeks with truffle potato mash at Rolf's kitchen in Stockholm with Sigrid. Read her blog (Swedish only) here

My parents place outside Uppsala

Toast with chantarelles - possibly the best thing ever

Raggmunk - Swedish potato pancakes with bacon and lingon berries

Fermented herring on crisp bread with fresh potatoes and red onion - and of course schnapps

My grandma's beautiful raspberry cake

Peanut butter truffles

 

I'm going home to Sweden today for one week, so looking forward to just relaxing and meeting family and friends! I wanted to bring a small treat home with me, and decided to make salted caramel chili chocolate truffles. That does sound awesome, doesn't it? As you may have noticed though, this post is not called salted caramel chili chocolate truffles...

The reason is that I couldn't get the caramel to work. Seriously annoying, it shouldn't be that difficult! The first batch I had too much water in as I decided to freestyle and not read any recipes before. Second batch I burned and then spent 20 min cursing as I tried to get the caramel mess out of the pot. Third batch, well, the less that is said about the third batch the better. Then I was out of sugar, and patience. Clearly this was not the day to make caramel!

So what to do instead? I was after that combination of salt and sweet and chocolate, so what could I do instead? Peanut butter truffles of course! I tweaked this recipe from Joy of baking, and it was so easy to do, no pesky caramel to make, and are crunchy, salty and sweet. Quite like one of my favourite sweets from the US, Reese's peanut butter cups.

Have a great weekend wherever you are, I'm going on vacaaaaaaation :)

Peanut butter truffles (makes approx 30 truffles)
300 g of crunchy peanut butter
30 g of butter
approx 1-2 dl icing sugar
approx 1-2 tsp salt
200 g dark chocolate (60-70%), chopped

Add peanut butter and butter to a bowl, and microwave for 1 min to soften. This could be done in a pot on the stove as well

Combine well, then add enough sugar to make a loose dough that can be easily rolled

Add salt to taste. Obviously adding the sugar in the step above will make it sweeter, and if you're a salt aficionado like me, you need to balance it with adding more salt

Roll the dough into balls and leave on tray in the freezer for 1h or overnight

Melt the chocolate

Dip the peanut butter balls in the chocolate and place on a baking sheet

Leave in the fridge for 1 h

Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 weeks or freeze