Vegetarian – Page 24 – The Food Wife

Apple, Sultana and Cinnamon Banana Loaf Cake

14th July 202014th July 2020
by thefoodwife

Serves 8-10

Looking to make a fruit cake? Iâ€™m not sure you could get a fruitier loaf cake?! This has the base of a banana cake but then has the addition of apple, sultanas and cinnamon to transform it into an apple cake. A great way to use up the fruit bowl when things are past their best, and it couldnâ€™t be easier to make. Itâ€™s dairy free too!

Ingredients:
2 large/3 medium/4 small very ripe bananas, mashed
110g vegetable oil
60g caster sugar
170g self raising flour
2 large eggs, beaten
1 tsp ground cinnamon
50g sultanas
2 eating apples, peeled, cored and cut into small chunks

Step 1: In a large bowl, mix the bananas, oil, sugar, flour, eggs and cinnamon together.

Step 2: Fold in the sultanas and apples.

Step 3: Pour into a lined 1lb loaf tin and bake in a preheated oven at 180c (fan) for 50 mins, or until golden, risen and springs back to the touch.

Step 6: Remove from the oven and allow to cool for half an hour before transferring (out of the tin) to a wire rack.

Store in an airtight container and it can
last a few days.

BBQ Pulled Jackfruit

13th July 202013th July 2020
by thefoodwife

Serves 4-6

Iâ€™ve long been curious to try jackfruit and recently decided to give it a go. I picked up a couple of tins in the supermarket and as I was making a vegetarian meal for friends who had just had a baby I thought this would be a good time to make something with it.

The jackfruit came in chunks, which, when simmered down in the bbq sauce, became soft enough to easily pull apart with fork to create, what looked like, pulled pork.

All the flavour here comes from the tomatoey sauce. The jackfruit adds the bulk and texture.

We had ours loaded into brioche buns, but it would also be good served with rice.

Ingredients:
1 tbsp oil
1 red onion, finely chopped
1 tsp ground cinnamon
1 tsp ground cumin
2 tsp (smoked) paprika
2 tsp chipotle paste (or use a chilli sauce such as siracha)
1 tbsp cider vinegar
8 tbsp bbq sauce (see below for how to make your own in this quantity)
400g tin of chopped tomatoes
2 tins of young green jackfruit in salted water, drained
Salt and pepper

Step 1: Sweat the onion and oil together in a large frying pan over a medium heat, until soft.

Step 2: Add the spices and chipotle paste and stir for a minute before adding the bbq sauce, vinegar and tomatoes.

Step 3: Add the jackfruit and a splash of water. Bring to a simmer, lower the heat and cover with a lid. Cook for 30-40 minutes until the jackfruit is soft enough to shred with a pair of forks. Taste and season as necessary with salt and pepper.

Step 4: Once shredded leave the lid off and cook for another 10 or so minutes until the sauce is thick and slightly sticky.

Serve in buns or with rice. Great with coleslaw on the side.

To make your own bbq sauce mix together 100g tomato ketchup, 2 tbsp soft light brown sugar, 2 tsp smoked paprika, 1 tbsp Hendersonâ€™s relish (or Worcestershire sauce if you donâ€™t need it vegan/gluten-free) and 1 tbsp cider vinegar.

Lemon Loaf Cake

15th May 202015th May 2020
by thefoodwife

Serves 8-10

Behold! My bake for VE Day!

Lemon cake is a favourite here. If Iâ€™m making a gluten-free lemon cake then I go for my Lemon and Blueberry Polenta Cake, which can also be made dairy-free. This is a best-seller on my market stall.

Here is a more traditional lemon loaf cake with a lemon icing. The sponge is flecked with lemon zest and I adorn the icing with candied lemon slices and more zest.

This is lovely served as part of an afternoon tea.

Ingredients:
190g softened butter/margarine
190g caster sugar
2 unwaxed lemons, zested
3 large eggs
190g plain flour
1 tsp baking powder
Pinch of salt
1 heaped tbsp sour cream

For the icing:
2 lemons, juiced
200g (royal) icing sugar

Step 1: Cream together the butter, sugar and lemon zest.

Step 2: Add the eggs, one at a time. Beat until smooth.

Step 3: Gently beat in the sour cream, flour, baking powder and salt.

Step 4: Pour into a lined loaf tin and bake in a preheated oven at 170c (fan) for 50-60 minutes until cooked through.

Step 5: Remove from the oven and allow to cool.

Step 6: Make the icing by combining the lemon juice and icing sugar to a smooth consistency. Pour over the cooled cake and allow to set.

If you like you can decorate with candied lemon zest and slices. To make these make a sugar syrup with equal parts sugar and water (50g/50ml of each is enough to make enough for the top of the cake). Add thin slices of lemon and/or the zest to the syrup on a gentle simmer and cook for about 10 minutes. Remove the pieces into a non stick surface, such as some greaseproof paper, until ready to use.

Loaded Jackets

22nd April 202022nd April 2020
by thefoodwife

Makes 4

Creamy and cheesy these filled potatoes taste great. I added chorizo to ours, but leave out of making these meat-free. Or if you want meat but donâ€™t have chorizo, use cooked bacon, ham or salami.

Iâ€™ve stipulated full fat cream cheese for flavour, but if you want a lighter option then use reduced fat.

This recipe really is just a guide and you can add any ingredients you fancy. Try adding some chives or red onion to the filling for a stronger onion flavour.

If youâ€™re keeping these veggie, sliced olives would be a good option for a salty hit of flavour in the filling.

Ingredients:
4 baking potatoes
250g full fat cream cheese
3 spring onions, finally sliced
100g chorizo, finely diced (optional)
Cheddar, grated
Oil
Salt and pepper

Step 1: Preheat the oven to 180c (fan). Prick the potatoes all over with a fork. Place on a baking tray and drizzle with a little oil and a pinch of salt and pepper. Use your hands to rub the oil and seasoning all over.

Step 2: Bake for an hour and a half.

Step 3: Remove from the oven and slice the top off the long edge of each potato. Use two spoons to carefully scoop the flesh out of each potato into a large bowl. Add a large pinch each of salt and pepper, the cream cheese, spring onion, and if using, the diced chorizo. Mix well until combined and smooth. Taste for seasoning.

Step 4: Load the creamy filling back into the skins on the baking tray. Top each with a large pinch of grated cheddar.

Step 5: Refrigerate until ready to bake or bake straight away. They will need 25-30 minutes at 180c until fully heated through, and the cheese on top is golden.

Sourdough Naan Bread

16th April 202016th April 2020
by thefoodwife

Makes approximately 3 naan

Having made sourdough crackers I next wanted to try making homemade naan breads. Soft, slightly chewy breads, with a sour tang. Theyâ€™ll definitely be making an appearance on future curry nights.

Ingredients:

90ml Warm milk
45ml Plain yogurt
180ml Sourdough starter
190g Strong white bread flour
Salt
Nigella (onion) seeds (optional)
Butter (melted)

Step 1: Combine the warm milk, yogurt, starter, flour and a large pinch of salt in a bowl. The mix should be smooth but sticky. Cover and leave for 45-60 minutes.

Step 2: Tip the dough out onto a floured surface. Knead the dough, adding small amounts of flour as necessary, until you have a soft, pliable dough. If using the nigella seeds, add a heaped teaspoon and fold into the dough.

Step 3: Divide the dough into three. Make a rough ball with each and then using the palm of your hand press the dough out into a flat disc, about 3mm thick.

Step 4: Heat a non-stick frying or griddle pan until very hot. Cook the dough discs for a couple of minutes on each side until
slightly charred. Remove from the pan and brush with melted butter. Serve immediately.

You could add crushed garlic and herbs to the butter to give extra flavour. Likewise you could replace the nigella seeds with other spices or herbs, as desired.