Vegetarian Foods Archive

Halloween theatrical feasts have come and gone and so has Friday the 13th, but I share with you something dark, dramatic and bold - Spreadable Black Butter.  Please don't be judgemental and deceived by its menacing appearance, it is nutty and subtly sweet.  Give it a chance and it may win you over.   I've had a jar of these black tear-drop shaped seeds in my kitchen cupboards for a couple of years.  I've reached for the jar a few times, but its mostly been used as a garnish than an ingredient in its own right.  So recently when a Korean friend was telling me about the new rage in the West for (Kimchi and) Black Sesame Tahini being sweetened a little either with honey or maple syrup and then used as a spread, well I just had to give it a try.   I made it.  I tried it.  I spread on a toasted bagel and liked it, but the man in the house wasn't that keen on it.  So,  the sweet black sesame butter is pretty much all for me.  The o...

Flapjacks are back on the menu for our on the go work breakfast bar or energy injecting power snack. I made these particular ones with Black Sesame Seed Butter , they were so good that I made them twice!   As you can see t he artistic streak came out. I splodged the black sesame seed paste here and there, but could have easily spread it out over the top neatly had I had the patience and inclination. I mentioned previous, when I made the Black Sesame Seed Butter , D wasn't that keen on them, but when I stirred it into some flapjacks he absolutely loved it.   Black Sesame Seed and Cranberry Flapjacks Makes 8 - 12 Ingredients 125g butter 100grams golden caster sugar 2 tablespoons golden syrup 2 (or 4) tablespoons black sesame seed butter/paste    260grams rolled oats (Optional) 60grams dried cranberries Optional: plus 2 tablespoons for topping Method In a pot, melt the butter, sugar and golden syrup, then remove from the heat and stir in 2 (or 4)...

I am certainly making the most of my jar of black sesame seeds.  First it was  Black Sesame Seed Butter , then   Black Sesame Seed Flapjacks and now its sprinkled over these Aubergine Nibbles.   These Aubergine Nibbles are not far removed from the Japanese Nasu Denkagu loosely translated as  Miso Glazed Aubergines , Here though the aubergines are chopped and roasted in the oven with sesame seeds, once golden. Served with a dip, this of course can be made from miso, but i have to be honest I used one from a squeezy bottle.  These Japanese sushi plates have made an appearance on the blog before.  They are rather special to me.  I got them in the US of A from a independent Oriental shop in Berkeley when visiting my beautiful friend in 2000.   It was my first time in America too.  I carefully packed them and they arrived back with me in the UK in tact.  I treasure them and whenever I use them, all those precious moments we shar...

When the opportunity presents itself, I do like going to farmers markets to see what's in season and also what new and what different vegetables I can get hold off, plus I am always looking for inspiration. It did not disappoint I came home with a purple and green cauliflower.  At the time I was not sure what to make with it to be honest, but that is me - buy first - think later.  At one point I had considered making a warm cauliflower salad with them, but then D suggested making a Savoury Cauliflower Cake that I made many years ago.   I don't make this Savoury Cauliflower Cake that often because it uses 10 eggs, but as we had some friends coming over, I thought it was worth the effort.   Of course in true Shaheen style I adapted it a little from the original recipe only in that I added some beetroot powder to the egg batter. I also made the topping looking a little more pretty with red onions filled with some black sesame seeds. Here it is looking vivid and i...