Prize Winning Crumble!

Last Friday, we had a 'Cultural Day' at work. I've never come across a cultural day back at home in England, but over here in New Zealand (and Australia, for that matter) they seem quite big on them. I suppose it's because there's so much diversity of nationalities in these two countries. We all had to dress up in clothes native to our country and take in a regional dish as to where we were from too. I chose to make an apple crumble! I used to often make this dish as an omni, but a couple of weeks ago was my first attempt at veganising it (which was fairly easy, just the substitution of vegan margarine for butter!). It was absolutely delicious, and tasted just like it always had! Crumble has always been my absolute favourite dessert, and as apricots are in season over here at the minute I decided to make it using apricots (instead of my usual apple and raisin).



It was in fact so successful, that I decided that this is the dish I would take to work to represent England in the cooking competition! I made it with apples this time though. However, even from the start of making it, it just didn't seem to go right this time! I didn't have quite enough flour left, but I forgot to change the measurements of the other ingredients, so I ended up with a with a mixture that didn't crumble quite right! However, I persevered and when it came out of the oven, it looked alright so I decided to take it into work. My boyfriend tried it fresh out of the oven and proclaimed it fine, so I took it to work the next day to serve up to my coworkers.

However, it wasn't until all the dishes had been judged that I finally sat down with a piece of the crumble myself. I was completely disappointed, it was no where near as nice as it normally was! In fact, I couldn't even eat it all (which is really saying something for me!).

So you can imagine my suprise when later in the afternoon, I got called up by one of the judges, and handed a runner up prize! I had come in second place, and one of the judges proclaimed my crumble as "the best crumble she had ever tasted!" I was absolutely over the moon; I'd never won anything before! And I know it's only second place but... imagine how I'd have done if my crumble had been on top form that day! ^_^

Yummy Korean Food

Yesterday was mine and my boyfriends four year anniversary, and so to celebrate, we went to a Korean BBQ restaurant. I was a bit apprehensive about it; usually 'bbq' is synonymous with 'meat, meat and more meat' but I agreed to go due to it being my boyfriends favourite restaurant, and so far I have found absolutely no vegan or even vegetarian restaurants in Auckland!

And to be honest, I ended up being completely glad we went! After I had explained to the extremely friendly waiter who greeted us that I was vegan, he kindly seated us at a table with two barbeques so I wouldn't have to cook my stuff on the same barbeque as A's food. I had emailed the restaurant ahead of time, and they had assured me there would be plenty of foods that I could eat, and they weren't joking! There was so much vegan-friendly food, I couldn't believe it. The highlights of which were:

Asparagus spears (I've always wanted to try asparagus but never had done, I wasn't sure how to cook it but now I absolutely love it!)

Sushi

Bean sprout and chilli salad

Chinese cabbage salad

Some sort of kiwi soup/sauce which was so delicious. I'm not sure exactly what it was, but it was served in a glass bowl over ice and completely refreshing. I'm going to have to attempt to recreate it, as I adore kiwi fruit.

I ended up having a really amazing night, and will be definitely be going back there again! The only downside? I wish I'd have taken my camera!

Apple Raisin Spice Muffins

Ingredients:

1.5 cups self raising flour
0.5 teaspoon cinnamon
1/8 teaspoon nutmeg
1/4 teaspoon allspice
1 cup water
1/3 cup maple syrup
1 apple (grated)
1/2 cup raisins

Combine all the dry ingredients (I just used 1tsp of allspice, as I didn't have the other ingredients in!), add the grated apple, then mix in the maple syrup and add the water. Bake at 180c for about 20 minutes.

These turned out lovely, although they weren't quite sweet enough for my taste, even though I did sprinkle sugar on the top of them all.

My first post...

Well, I've done it! I've finally taken the plunge to become vegan. I've been researching it, and collecting recipes and so on, while cutting down on meat, eggs, dairy and other animal products. So now I'm all set to begin my new life. Last night, I celebrated by making 'Apple Spice Muffins'! Recipe and photos to follow =)