Categories
Favourites Lunch & Dinner

Vegan Sushi

Want to learn how to make sushi? Don’t worry, you are in the right place, it’s easy! Get your sushi mat out and let’s get started!

Hi Everyone,

Welcome back to the blog!!

In this post, I will show you how to make vegan sushi and I hope you are as excited as me to try this out, if this will be your first – or if you want to find out for some new fillings.

To start off you will need:
– 2 cups of sushi rice (short grain rice)
– 5-6 Nori seaweed sheets (also called SushiNori)
– 130 ml of sushi dressing (or make a mixture of rice vinegar, salt, and sugar)

Put the rice into a bowl and wash it gently in cold water 2-3 times (you will see the water becoming much clearer), then drain the water and put the rice into a pot/pan and top it up with only 2 cups of water.
Start off with cooking it on high fire and once it starts boiling, lower down the heat (very low) and put a lid on top and cook for another 10 min.
Once done, spread the rice into a large shallow dish so it can cool down.
In the meantime, use half of the sushi dressing and gently mix it with a spatula (cut and fold technique).
Let it sit for about 5 min and then do the same with the rest of the dressing – once done, cover it with a kitchen towel again and now we are ready to get the fillings ready!

We will make 3 fillings:
1. Carrots, spring onion, and sweet paprika & wasabi
2. Spicy tofu, cabbage & sesame seeds (Californian roll)
3. Tempura mushrooms & avocado

DON’T forget your sushi mat – I usually wrap it in cling film so it doesn’t get too messy!
The easiest way to see how to roll the sushi is to check out the video below!

1. Carrots, spring onion, and sweet paprika & wasabi + how to roll the sushi
For the first one to get also warmed up, it’s really easy, just cut all the vegetable julienne cut.
Take your sushi mat and lay down a sushi nori sheet (shiny side down) and take about a cup worth of rice (maybe a bit more) and lay it on the sheet (wet your hands for every time you need to handle the rice, as it is very sticky). Spread it onto the sheet but leave about 1-1,5 inches of seaweed not covered with rice (the side that you are furthest away from). Now you are ready to put the filling (don’t put too much!). Take the mat side that is facing you and start rolling!
Once done, cut the sushi first in half and then 3 pieces out of every half.
1st one done, 2 more to go!

2. Spicy tofu, cabbage & sesame seeds (Californian roll)
First, you will need a small bit of firm tofu (press it to take out as much water as possible – cut into small cubes.
Use the following ingredients to marinate:
– 1 tbsp of sunflower oil
– 1 tbsp of sesame oil
– 1 tsp of salt
– 1 tsp of pepper
– 1 tsp of chili flakes
– a bit of lemon juice
– 1,5 tsp of maple syrup
– 1 tbsp of tomato paste

Once marinated, bake in the oven for about 20 minutes at 180°C(360F) on the FAN option – turn them over halfway.
You will only need some Jullien cut cabbage and some sesame seeds (Californian roll is made with the seaweed from the inside.

The only difference is to do the following while making the sushi roll is once the rice is evenly spread out on the mat, you can sprinkle some sesame seed on top of it, and then you will turn it over (don’t worry, the rice will stick) and just put the filling after that!
One more to go!

3. Tempura mushrooms & avocado
I have to say that I don’t make tempura very often, but I do LOVE it!
The ingredients for the mushroom tempura:
– 1 cup of very cold water (cool it down with ice and if there is some left, just take it out
– 3/4 cup of all-purpose flour
– 1/4 cup of corn starch
– a bit of salt
– a few mushrooms nicely sliced (thicker)

Mix up the cold water and the rest of the ingredients (leave out the mushrooms for now 🙂 and mix it well. Prepare a saucepan with sunflower oil (in this case with just a 1,5 inch of oil as the mushrooms aren’t that big). Once your tempura and oil are ready, put the mushroom into the tempura and fry it.
This sushi will be rolled with the seaweed outside – don’t forget the julienne cut cabbage!

Thanks & Enjoy!

Cheers,

Vito

For a video tutorial, chceck the link below:

Categories
Lunch & Dinner

Noodles

Need to make lunch but have very little time?!? You are at the right place, check out our SUPER SIMPLE stir fry noodles recipe!!!

Hi Everyone,

Welcome back to my blog!

In this post I am keeping it very simple – stir fry noodles – for those busy days! It will take you no more than 20 minutes to prepare this yummy recipe filled with crispy vegetables.

INGREDIENTS:
– 200g of noodles (I used Ramen)
– 3 scallions
– 1 carrot
– 1/2 sweet pepper
– a handful of mange tout
– g of broccolini
– a few baby corns
– 1/3 of a pointed cabbage
– 2 tbsp of sesame oil
– 2 tbsp of soy sauce
– 2 tsp of salt

PREPARATION:
Go ahead and cut all the vegetables into strips/slices and cook the noodles. Now, preheat a stir fry pan on max and add 100ml of cooking oil and all the vegetables except the cabbage to it, add the salt, and saute for 2 minutes.
Add the noodles and cook for another minute – turn off the hob and add the cabbage to it, mix it and you are ready to serve it!

Enjoy!

Cheers,

Vito

For a video tutorial, check the link below:

Categories
Lunch & Dinner

Vegan Mince – 3 Layered Pie

Today we are doing a nice 3 layer vegan oven-baked dish that consists of a soy mince and veg layer, followed by some ‘cheesiness’ (who doesn’t like that?! 🙂 and finished off with mash potato. Not to forget a sprinkle of breadcrumbs that will create a crunchy crust.#

INGREDIENTS:
– 1 zucchini
– 1/2 eggplant
– 2 medium carrots
– 1 sweet pepper
– 1 leek
– vegan butter
– vegan cheese
– 1 tbsp brown sugar (or just use regular)
– 3 tsp salt
– 2 tsp pepper
– 1 tsp chili flakes (or as spicy as you like it 🙂
– 2 tsp mixed herbs
– 1/3 cup breadcrumbs
– 50g red lentils
– 50g soya mince
– 1 cup passata

PREPARATION:

To start off, did you wash your hands?!? 🙂
Begin with washing your lentils and put them in a pot of cold water with some salt and start cooking them (this will take about 15 minutes).
The next step is to chop your vegetables into small cubes, once that is done, it will probably be time to rinse of those cooked lentils under some cold water.
Afterward, start prepping your sauce by adding your ingredients (salt, pepper, chili, sugar, and herbs) into the passata and mix it all together (for some more flavor, you can always add some olive oil).
Now, preheat your pan and start frying the vegetables (put some salt to take out the water more easily out of them), meanwhile wash of the soya mince. You will also have enough time to cut your leek into rings, once cut, separate them so you can wash it more easily.
It’s time to get back to your veg and add the sauce and a cup of water – cook for about 5 minutes. Afterward, add your lentils and soya mince to the pan and stir it all together. In a few minutes it will all thicken up, but if it is still not up to your satisfaction, add 2 tbsp of milled chia seeds that will for sure do the job!
Before taking it off the stove add the leek and mix it once more.
Now, preheat your oven on a 180°C (360°F) on the FAN option.
At last, take a baking tray and start putting your mince as the first layer, followed by cheese and then mash potato. On the mashed potatoes spread some butter and then sprinkle the bread crumbs on top.
After 15 minutes of baking, it’s time for why we are all here – to serve it and enjoy (or just straight out of the tray, that’s all up to you 😉

Enjoy!!

Vito

For a video tutorial, check the link below:

Categories
Snacks & Sides

Vegan Mashed Potatoes

Who said you can’t make delicious and plant-based mashed potatoes, well they were wrong! All you need is my secret ingredient…..

This VEGAN mash potato is a real favorite even among my non-veggie friends, so don’t miss on trying this one yourself!!

INGREDIENTS:

– 5 medium-sized potatoes

– 2x 2 tsp salt

– 2 tsp pepper

– 50g cashews

– 2 tbsp coconut oil

And my secret ingredient is….. homemade CASHEW MILK!

You will also need a hand-held blender to make your cashew milk.

PREPARATION:

How to make it: Peel and cut your potatoes into cubes and top them up with cold water and add 2 tsp of salt to it. Once you bring it up to boil, lower down the heat and let it cook for 8-10 minutes (this all depends on the types of potatoes). In the meantime, soak the cashews into warm water for about 10 minutes, you will just have enough time for that while your potatoes finish with cooking. Once you drain your cooked potatoes, blend your cashews in some fresh warm water for a minute, until you get a smooth compound. Now it is time to do your last steps, add salt, pepper, coconut oil, and your cashew milk to the potatoes and start mashing (may the force be with you on this one)!!

A quick tip: if you want your mash a bit more creamy, you can always add a bit of soy milk, or make more cashew milk (it’s important that it suits your taste buds).

Thank you for reading.

Vito

 

For a video tutorial, check the link below:

Categories
Snacks & Sides

Soybean Snack

Ever wondered what to do with dried soybeans? This is the perfect occasion to find out what to make when your friends come over!!

Hello everybody,

It’s nice to have you back!

In this post, I will show you a simple yet delicious snack made out of soya beans. It will be both crunchy and spicy, sounds good right? 🙂

The preparation will start a day prior, where you will have to soak 2 cups of dried soybeans in a bowl of water. This will make them bigger, so count for some extra water in that bowl.

INGREDIENTS:

– 3 tbsp of oil (I made a mixture of sunflower and sesame for an extra punch)

– 3 tsp salt

– 2 tsp of chili (this really depends on how spicy YOU like it)

– 2 tsp of seasonal cajun and fennel mix (you can find these in almost any grocery store)

PREPARATION:

To start off the day of snacking, drain the soya beans and give them a good wash (take out the separated skins and the ‘not so good lookin’ ones’). After that, place them back in the bowl and add all the seasoning to it – give it a good mix. If you do this by hand, don’t be touching your eyes – trust me on this one!

Preheat your oven to 160°C (320°F) on the FAN option. Take some baking paper and place it on a baking tray and nicely spread all the soya beans on it. Now it’s roasting time! The baking will take around 30 minutes, but take them out every 7-8 minutes to give them a mix, so they don’t burn that quickly.

At last, once you take them out of the oven, you can give them some extra flavor with 2 tsp of dried paprika and then transfer them to some kitchen paper so it soaks out the extra oil.

Enjoy!!

 

For a video tutorial, check the link below: