Category: Sauces, Dressings and Condiments
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Spiced Mango Chutney
Chutney is a delicious and versatile condiment that is full of micronutrients and thought to aid digestion. It can be used in a variety of cuisines and is often made from fruits, vegetables, and/or herbs with vinegar, sugar, and spices. There are many types of chutney which can be used to add a variety of flavours to a range of things such as curries, cheese and biscuits, roasts and sandwiches. Generally, chutney can be used to highlight specific flavours or provide balance to a range of dishes.
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Three Variations of Orange Tahini-Based Sauces or Dressings
Oranges, similar to lemons or limes, mix well with tahini to create a deliciously rich, creamy, nutty, and tangy sauce which goes with many dishes These three variations of orange tahini-based sauces include a salty and tangy orange miso, an earthy, pungent orange ginger, or enjoy the golden colour of the earthy-sweet taste of orange tumeric. Any of these sauces can be drizzled on a dish to add a refreshing zing to a meal.
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Three Variations of Lime Tahini-Based Sauces or Dressings
As tahini is high in protein but relatively low in saturated fats, I tend to use it mostly to enhance the flavour and nutrition of a simple salad or meal of roasted vegetables. A different sauce makes for a different meal. One of the most popular and simplest sauces to make is lemon tahini which creates a deliciously rich, creamy, nutty, and tangy sauce which goes with many dishes. As I use the lemon tahini sauce so frequently, I started looking for variations and discovered a tasty selection of lime-based tahini sauces. Similar to lemons, limes also add additional flavours and health benefits to a meal.
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Christmas Mincemeat (Vegan and GF)
Growing up in England, one of my strongest associations with feasting at Christmas includes mince pies! These days I make my own mincemeat and tend to experiment with different variations every year. Although the recipes generally include a mix of fruit, dried fruit and spices, one of the beauties of modern mincemeat is that it is extremely flexible and forgiving. Some years, I have been ambitious enough to make candied peel from scratch. Not this year, however! Still, regardless of how it evolves, mincemeat with its distinct taste and aroma will always be a holiday favourite of mine. This is the first mincemeat recipe I have tried that uses a Dutch oven rather than the stove-top method. The slow cooking of the mincemeat in the oven over 90 minutes fills the kitchen with the familiar and delicious aroma of dried fruit and spices.
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Raw Sweet Potato Salad with Curry Almond Sauce
When it comes to eating vegetables, I am not a big fan of crunching them uncooked and generally prefer roasted, stir fried or even boiled. Despite this, I did enjoy this raw sweet potato salad with a curry almond sauce! I had prepared a similar dish many months ago in which the sweet potato spirals were stir fried for about 5 minutes before adding them to the salad which softened them slightly. However, this recipe is authentically raw! As it involves no cooking, it is great for a summer meal when you don’t want to turn the stove on or, alternatively, it can be served as a light side dish to add a fresh flavour and crunch to a warm, winter meal.
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Farro, Kale and Roasted Sweet Potato Salad with Lemon Tahini Dressing
As we move towards the holiday season, it can be challenging trying to cook for a “mixed-eater household” or, if you are a vegetarian/vegan, visiting where “traditional” holiday meals are being served. In a household with a mix of meat eaters, vegetarians and vegans, the Farro, Kale and Roasted Sweet PotatoSalad can make either a hearty lunch or a tasty and satisfying side dish that everyone can enjoy. This recipe can be made ahead of time and the chewy, nutty flavour of farro, tart cranberries, chilli roasted sweet potatoes and chickpeas all topped with a tangy lemon tahini dressing makes for such an interesting combination of textures and flavours. Last but not least, the lovely colours of the ingredients will make it a feast for the eyes on any holiday table!
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Plant-Based Ice Cream (“Nice Cream”) with Caramel Sauce
Ice cream is probably one of the most popular desserts enjoyed globally. Although various forms of the frozen treat have been around for centuries, today’s commercial ice cream can be full of saturated fats, refined sugars and preservatives. Fortunately, there are tasty, low fat, plant-based alternatives that mimic the creaminess of traditional ice cream but are without all fats and sugars.
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Chia Jams
Since commercial jams can be laden with sugar, chia jam offers a healthy alternative and can be made with a variety of fruits. Chia seeds are becoming known today as a “superfood” as they are nutrient rich and perfect for jam making because they will turn any liquid into a thick gel in under half an hour.
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Lemon Tahini Based Sauces and Dressings
In plant-based cooking, I have come to believe that it is all about the sauce! Previously, the idea of preparing a meal with a sauce would not have been entertained. For one thing, I was haunted with flashbacks from school days and the intricacies involved in making items like a lump-free roux sauce! The whole […]
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Tahini as a Plant-Based Staple
Since moving to plant-based cooking, Tahini has become one of my staple ingredients. Previously, my only experience of Tahini had been many years ago when I tried it as a spread on toast. At the time, I found the taste extremely unappealing and did not go near it again until recently. Little did I know […]
The Dragon's picnic 