Week 34 -35 - Falafel

The amount of time it has taken me to feature falafel in this blog is not a reflection of how much I like it, I love it.  It was one of the veggie foods I had discovered long before doing my year meat free; I would almost live off falafel at the Glastonbury Festival every time I went!

But I've never had too much success making my own falafel.  It tasted fine, but I could never get a good firm falafel ball or patty.  So when I found this recipe, I was intrigued.  

Balls

I had previously always tried making falafel with chickpeas; by mashing, processing, blending them etc.  So when I saw a recipe using Chickpea flour (or Garbanzo Bean Flour in the US), I had to give it a go.

I continued reading the same website, when a couple of minutes later I discovered this, a falafel pie!!  Now, I love a pie and I live falafel......I had struck gold here.

I'm pleased to report the chickpea flour made the recipe simple to make and texture and taste were good, however I found the falafel a bit dry.

Falafel Pie.  If it was as good as it sounded there would be a global Chickpea shortage!  (it's still really good though)

The pie was a bit disappointing.  On a global scale it was good, really good; I had just hoped for so much more........

So my Rating (for the falafel pie):
Taste - 17/20
Cost - 6/10
Difficulty - 6/10
Prep Time - 4/10 
Overall 66%

Week 33 - Nut Loaf 2

So, roast dinners as a vegetarian just aren't the same.  As I found in my previous attempt at a Nut Loaf.

But undeterred, I decided to have another crack at the Nut Loaf (geddit!?!?).

Cabbage as wrapping paper? Less mess at Christmas AND a healthy treat for the kids......I could be onto something here!

I found this recipe via the Guardian website.  It claims to be the perfect Nut Roast.  It was tasty, but if this was the perfect nut roast.  It seems a roast dinner is one of the few areas veggie food just just can't compete (I am happy to be proven wrong!).

Rating
Taste - 16/20
Cost - 4/10
Difficulty - 4/10
Prep Time - 4/10 
Overall 56%

Week 32 - Vegetarian Pizza

Pizza in our house is a fun night.  I make a (fresh) pizza base, put out a load of ingredients and let the diners build their own.   

So you can do the same, the ingredients are:
Tomato Sauce
Mozarella Cheese
Basil 

This is how your pizza may look!

I use this recipe for my pizza dough.

Rating
Taste - 15/20
Cost - 5/10
Difficulty - 3/10
Prep Time - 3/10 
Overall 52%

Week 31 - Roasted Asparagus and Tomato Penne Salad with Goat Cheese

The wife had another go ........but this one was actually pretty good!

More Pasta with Cheese than salad!

Recipe here

Rating
Taste - 17/20
Cost - 3/10
Difficulty - 6/10
Prep Time - 6/10 
Overall 64%

Week 30 - Vegetarian Moussaka

Moussaka is a dish from the Balkans.  It (typically) contains layered aubergine and potato with a meat layer thrown in.  Think Lasagne with potato and aubergine instead of pasta.  But then I'm sure you already knew that; but I didn't!  I knew I liked Moussaka, but it wasn't until I made this recipe I realized how it was made.

So a veggie Moussaka?  It's a winner, but be prepared for a shift in the kitchen to make this.  Well worth the effort though if you have the time.

Note: The use of this recipe in no way condones the work of Jamie Oliver.

Plan View

Rating
Taste - 18/20
Cost - 6/10
Difficulty - 5/10
Prep Time - 5/10 
Overall 68%