Some Product Reviews Because I Have Been On A Spending Spree!!

Ok, so I haven't been doing much inventive cooking recently but was feeling the need of a blog post so I thought I would write about some of the products I have been trying recently

To start with Vegourmet Cheese in Paradiso flavour which is meant to have a slight spicy tomato flavour to it. To start with I tried a chunk of it. I'd tried Cheezly and Sheese before and wasn't a fan at all (except I quite like the blue Sheese but it doesn't really taste much like the real thing). This still didn't taste that great to me. I don't really miss cheese as such. More the texture and something melty to put in toasties and on pizzas etc. In light of this I decided to try something that was recommended to me in the shop I bought it (Vx in King's Cross) which was cheese on toast. This was more pleasing and it melted really well and went bubbly on top and browned nicely- just like the real thing. Definitely not for someone who wants that cheese on toast taste but it is nice as a hot snack- particularly with tomatoes!. Next came the pizza challenge! I grated it on top of a homemade tomato, mushroom and olive pizza. This was definitely a success- it just made that whole pizza experience much more satisfying. My omnivorous boyfriend even enjoyed it and said he wasn't even thinking about the pizza being vegan- he was just eating pizza. That said I think that some of the cheaper "cheeses" can do the job just as well as the texture and meltiness is what counts. All in all I doubt I will buy this again.

Next was Sojade yoghurt in banana flavour. I bought this because it was reduced in the local health food shop (As Nature Intended, Chiswick) and because I love banana flavoured things. I do enjoy Alpro soya yoghurts and I think I have been disappointed by a previous Sojade yoghurt so I was a little doubtful to whether I would like it. BUT it was soooooo good!! My favourite vegan yoghurt that I have tasted so far. I could only taste the soyaness when I really put my mind to it. I doubt an omnivore would either. The strength of the banana flavour was just right and not too artificial tasting like you often get with banana flavour. I will DEFINITELY be buying this again and for full price!!

I will leave it with those two as they were the only two I have properly taken the time to have a good taste of. I'm sure more will follow soon though!

Joining in the fun at the Parsnipship (Surbiton)

Yesterday I got to help out with some of the cooking at the Parsnipship (Surbiton) which is the vegetarian and vegan catering business that my sister and cousin run, selling delicious food at markets in London. I arrived a bit later than I meant to so the cooking was well under way by the time that I got there and I walked into a delicious aroma of spices. Yesterday we were cooking Beetroot Bombs, Indian Summer Puddings and Brie, Pea and Thyme pies (obviously not vegan) and more was cooked after I had to leave for work including some delicious vegan bread rolls. Unfortunately I cannot share the recipes (as I'd have to kill you) but I can share some of the pictures of our day. You can find them on facebook and twitter to find out where they will be selling their food next (https://www.facebook.com/TheParsnipshipatSurbiton, https://twitter.com/#!/TheParsnipship). It has only been going a few months but has already proved very successful- often selling out all their food of the day. The business is already expanding from selling things to cook and eat at home to food you can eat on the day and promises even more in the future. It is well worth checking these guys out!!!

The mixture for the Indian summer puddings with  gorgeous spices and a hint of coconut

The mixture for the Brie, Thyme and Pea Pies

The beetroot bombs

The brie, thyme and pea pies