Vegan

Sesame toast with new season asparagus (gluten-free;dairy-free;vegan)

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Gluten-free_vegan_sesame_toast_topped_with_pan-fried_British_asparagus
New season asparagus on sesame toast. Image: Kathryn Hawkins

Hello again. It’s that time of year again when I welcome the arrival of the British asparagus season. From around the middle of April to the end of May/beginning of June, I have just a few weeks to feast on my favourite green vegetable.

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New season British asparagus. Image: Kathryn Hawkins

I have suggested a few accompaniments to this delicious vegetable over the years. I like to keep it simple and enjoy the stems for their own unique flavour, and this year’s offering is no exception. Delicious crispy fried toasts dipped in a sesame batter and served with a sesame flavoured mayo dressing.

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Tip top British asparagus. Image: Kathryn Hawkins

When the asparagus season is over, make and cut the toasts into triangles and serve as a crunchy and very moreish snack – they really are very tasty.

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Crisp and crunchy sesame triangles. Image: Kathryn Hawkins

Makes: 4 servings of asparagus on toast, or 16 sesame triangles

Ingredients

  • 2tbsp chickpea canning water (aquafaba)
  • 20g gram (chickpea) flour
  • 20g ground flaxseeds
  • Pinch of salt
  • 4tbsp plant milk
  • 4 slices free-from bread
  • 40g toasted sesame seeds
  • Vegetable oil for shallow frying
  • 6tbsp vegan mayonnaise
  • 1tbsp Teriyaki marinade
  • 2tsp sesame oil
  • Chopped spring onion to serve
  • 300g new season fine asparagus spears

1. Put the chickpea water in a bowl and whisk with an electric mixer until very thick and foamy.

2. Mix the flours and salt in a bowl. Make a well in the centre and add the milk. Gradually mix everything together then fold in the chickpea foam.

3. Put some of the batter on a plate or in a shallow dish. Working on one piece of bread at a time, dip the bread on both sides and sprinkle the top with a few seeds.

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Making the sesame toast batter. Images: Kathryn Hawkins

4. Pour sufficient vegetable oil to just cover the base of a large frying pan and heat until hot. Cook the battered bread over a medium to low heat for about 2-3 minutes on each side until crisp and golden. Drain and keep warm whilst coating and cooking the other 3 slices.

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Cooking the toasts and making the dip. Images: Kathryn Hawkins

5. For the dip, mix the mayonnaise with the marinade and 1tsp sesame oil. Cut the toasts into triangles, sprinkle with spring onion and serve warm with the mayo to dip.

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Sesame toasts with freshly chopped spring onion. Image: Kathryn Hawkins

To serve topped with asparagus, trim a little from the ends of the asparagus stems. Heat a little vegetable oil in a large frying pan until hot and stir fry the stems for about 5 minutes until just tender and lightly browned.

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Pan-frying new season asparagus. Images: Kathryn Hawkins

Turn off the heat, season with a little salt and drizzle over a little sesame oil. Stand for 5 minutes before serving on sesame toast with a drizzle of the sesame mayo.

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Dressed and ready for eating. Image: Kathryn Hawkins

Thanks for stopping by. I hope to see you again in a couple of weeks. Until then, take care and enjoy the season 🙂

Simnel loaf cake (gluten-free; dairy-free; vegan)

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Gluten-free_dairy-free_vegan_Simnel_loaf_cake
Simnel loaf cake. Image: Kathryn Hawkins

Hello again. It’s nearly Easter which is one of my favourite times of the year. Lots of wonderful spring flowers everywhere with longer days and (usually) warmer temperatures. The garden is full of spring bulbs at the moment, and on a rare sunny day last week, I managed to capture some of them in all their bright and bold glory.

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Golden glow. Images: Kathryn Hawkins

My recipe this month is a bake, inspired by Easter and the season, it’s a no-fuss cake mix baked in a loaf tin, flavoured with Chai Masala mix and marzipan. You can use any regular spice mix but if you fancy the Chai blend, here’s a link to making your own from a previous Easter post of mine Chai masala biscuits for Easter (gluten-free, dairy-free, vegan)

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Key ingredients and flavours. Images: Kathryn Hawkins

I used a white gluten-free bread flour for this recipe but you can use a standard blend and either add your own Xanthan gum or leave it out altogether. The raising agent is baking soda and the liquid is buttermilk which is quick and easy to make at the beginning of the recipe along with a flax egg.

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Marzipan centre. Image: Kathryn Hawkins

I have put a layer of grated golden marzipan running through the cake which you can leave out or replace with extra dried fruit pieces if you prefer. The flowers on top are also made from marzipan, but use coloured ready to roll icing if you prefer.

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Easter baking in one slice. Image: Kathryn Hawkins

Serves: 8

Ingredients

  • 5tsp fresh lemon juice
  • 185ml plant milk (I used oat milk)
  • 1tbsp ground flax seed (linseed)
  • 200g golden marzipan
  • 115g lightly salted plant butter, softened
  • 150g light soft brown sugar
  • 250g gluten-free white bread flour
  • ¾tsp bicarbonate of soda
  • 1½tsp Chai Masala or other ground spice mix
  • 75g sultanas
  • Orange food colour gel
  • 75g icing sugar

1. For the buttermilk, mix 2½tsp lemon juice into the plant milk and leave to stand for 15 minutes until thickened slightly. For the flax egg, mix the ground flax seed with 3tbsp water and leave for a few minutes to thicken.

2. Grate half the marzipan and set aside. Grease and line a 1kg loaf tin. Preheat the oven to 180°C, 160°C fan oven, gas 4.

3. Put the butter and sugar in a bowl and mix together until thick and creamy. Stir in the flax egg and then mix in the buttermilk – it will look a bit lumpy and separated at this stage.

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Making the batter. Images: Kathryn Hawkins

4. Stir in the flour, bicarbonate of soda, spice and sultanas and mix until everything is well blended and smooth.

5. Spoon half of the cake batter into the tin and smooth the surface. Sprinkle over the grated marzipan and spread the rest of the batter on top. Stand the tin on a baking tray and bake for about 1 hour 15 minutes until risen and firm to the touch – test the centre with a skewer to make sure it completely cooked. Cool in the tin for 30 minutes before removing and placing on a wire rack to cool completely.

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Easter loaf ready for baking. Images: Kathryn Hawkins

5. While the loaf is cooling, make the decorations. Break off a small piece of the remaining marzipan and blend in a little orange food colour gel. I used a 4cm star cutter to make the outer yellow petals of the Daffodils, and a 1½cm flower shaped cutter to make the central orange petals.

6. Roll out the marzipan thinly and cut out stars and flower shapes. You should be able to make 12 of each. Transfer to a lined board until ready to decorate the cake.

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Marzipan Daffodil decorations. Images: Kathryn Hawkins

7. For the icing, sift the icing sugar into a bowl. Add 2-2½tsp of the remaining lemon juice to make a spreadable consistency, then spread over the top of the cake, allowing it to drip down the sides. Arrange the marzipan flowers on top.

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Ready for slicing. Image: Kathryn Hawkins

The cake keeps well, and improves in flavour and texture if you make it at least 24 hours before decorating and serving. Store in an airtight container once decorated.

I hope you have a good Easter weekend and enjoy some spring sunshine whatever you are doing. Until next time, thanks for stopping by 🙂

Baked mushrooms in Gochujang sauce (gluten-free; dairy-free; vegan)

~ My virtually free-from kitchen ~ 4 Comments
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Gochujang mushrooms. Image: Kathryn Hawkins

Hello there. I’ve been back in the kitchen for my post this month and I have a very tasty recipe to share, perfect for this time of year when it’s still a bit on the chilly side.

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Mushroom marinade ingredients. Images: Kathryn Hawkins

If you’re a regular reader of my recipes you’ll know that I’m not a huge fan of fiery food. However, I discovered this Korean paste a while ago and really enjoy it’s rich umami flavour and spicy chilli heat. I’m sure there are brands on the market which are very hot but this blend is just right for me, and it’s gluten-free and vegan as well 🙂

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A bowl of chestnut mushrooms. Images: Kathryn Hawkins

I chose chestnut (or brown) mushrooms for this recipe because they have a “meaty” texture but large flat or Portobello mushrooms will work just as well I’m sure. Prepare the ingredients the day before you want to serve the mushrooms. This will allow the marinade time to draw out some of the moisture from the mushrooms. Serve them as a side dish for 4 people or as a main course for 2-3. They also make a delicious filling for steamed sesame buns – see my recipe here Steamed sesame buns (gluten-free; dairy-free; vegan)

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Mushroom-filled sesame bun. Image: Kathryn Hawkins

Serves: 2-4

Ingredients

  • 2 fat cloves of garlic
  • 15g root ginger
  • 4 tbsp sunflower oil
  • 2 tbsp gluten-free, vegan Gochujang paste
  • 2 tbsp maple syrup (or other plain plant syrup)
  • 1 tbsp light brown sugar
  • 1 tbsp light gluten-free soy sauce
  • 500g chestnut mushrooms, wiped
  • Sesame seeds, chopped red chilli and spring onion to serv

1.Peel and finely chop the garlic and ginger. Place in a large bowl and mix in all the ingredients except the mushrooms.

2. Slice the mushrooms thickly, and add to the bowl in batches, mixing with the marinade ingredients to make sure all the slices are coated. Cover and chill overnight.

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Making the marinade. Images: Kathryn Hawkins

3. The next day, drain the mushrooms, reserving the marinade and pouring into a small saucepan. Put the mushrooms into a shallow roasting tin and place in the oven. I don’t preheat my oven for recipes like this, I just set it to 200°C, 180°C fan oven, gas 6 and leave the mushrooms for 30 minutes until tender and cooked through.

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Ready to roast. Images: Kathryn Hawkins
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Before and after roasting. Images: Kathryn Hawkins

4. While the mushrooms are cooking, bring the marinade to the boil and simmer for about 10 minutes until reduced by half. When the mushrooms are ready, pour the reduced mixture over them and mix well.

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Reducing the marinating juices. Images: Kathryn Hawkins

5. Serve the mushrooms with sesame seeds, chopped chilli and spring onion. Great spooned over rice, pasta or noodles. I hope you enjoy this recipe as much as I do. I hope to see you again next month and thanks as always for stopping by 🙂

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Warming, spicy and very, very tasty. Image: Kathryn Hawkins

Veg-rack-raid roasties (naturally vegan, gluten-free and dairy-free)

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Diced_root_veg_tray_baked_naturally_vegan_and_gluten-free
Veg-rack-raid roasties. Images: Kathryn Hawkins

Hello again. I don’t know about you, but I’m always looking for ways to cut back on the amount of energy I use especially in the kitchen. I have certainly changed the way I cook my everyday meals and only put the oven on if I can fill it.

One of the things I do every now and then is have a big bake up of all the bits and pieces of vegetable I have in the veg rack or fridge and I have taken a few images over the past few months of the combinations I have cooked depending on what I have to hand.

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Veg prep for roasting. Images: Kathryn Hawkins

Most vegetables require only simple prep, just peeling and cutting into uniform pieces so that they all bake evenly. The only vegetable I par-cook is turnip (swede) because it is denser than other vegetables. Just a quick cook of 10 minutes in boiling water, then drain and cool before mixing into the other prepared veg.

For best results, choose vegetables that take roughly the same amount of time to cook, or add quicker-cooking vegetables later on once the other have had a bit of a head start.

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Seasoned diced roots, ready for roasting. Images: Kathryn Hawkins

Use what ever oil you prefer too cook your vegetables with. Toss a generous amount into the prepared veg, season with plenty of salt and ground black pepper and mix well. Add herbs and spices to taste. Spread out evenly on lined baking trays and put the trays in a cold oven – no need to waste energy on preheating the oven for this type of cooking. Set the dial to 200°C, 180°C fan oven, Gas 6. After about 25 minutes, turn the vegetables and cook for a further 15-25 minutes depending on how finely you have chopped them, until they are tender.

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Roasted and ready for freezing. Images: Kathryn Hawkins

When they are cooked, drain off the excess oil, blot with kitchen paper and they are ready to serve straightaway. Alternatively, leave them to cool after draining and pack into containers for later use. In the fridge, the cooked vegetables will keep for 3-4 days, or freeze them for up to 6 months. Most vegetables freeze fine and can be added to soups, sauces and stews at a later date (usually I add them still frozen directly to hot stock or sauce and just heat them through).

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Tray-roast peppers, onion, celery, garlic and herbs. Images: Kathryn Hawkins
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Tray-roast carrots, onion, celery, garlic and herbs. Images: Kathryn Hawkins
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Potatoes, mushrooms, garlic and herbs. Images: Kathryn Hawkins

Until next time, have a good rest of the month and I hope that I will see you again in February. Thanks for stopping by 🙂

A marmalade-maker’s breakfast (gluten-free; dairy-free; vegan)

~ My virtually free-from kitchen ~ 3 Comments
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Chocolate and marmalade porridge. Image: Kathryn Hawkins

Happy new year to you! 2024 has begun with chilly, frosty weather here in central Scotland and elsewhere in the UK. But it’s that time of year when the Seville oranges are in the shops, marmalade-making is underway and the sweet smell of citrus wafting round the kitchen makes me think of sunnier climes and warmer days.

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Marmalade season. Images: Kathryn Hawkins

I’ve covered making marmalade in a couple of other posts over the years so if you want to have a go, here are the links to the recipes: Chunky Seville orange marmalade (naturally gluten-free; dairy-free; vegan) and Seville orange marmalade – traditional and dark (naturally gluten-free, dairy-free and vegan)

Even with the best planning, I always have leftover preserve once I have filled the jam jars I have cleaned and got ready. However, it does mean that I get to taste what I’ve made straight away without feeling guilty about opening a jar of freshly made preserve too soon. I call the surplus “The Cook’s Privilege”, after all the effort, you deserve the first pickings 🙂

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Marmalade leftovers for the cook. Images: Kathryn Hawkins

My recipe this week is a simple way to enjoy such spoils for your breakfast the day after your toils. The ingredients below make enough for one portion. I cook my porridge in the microwave, but you can just as easily pop everything in a saucepan and cook it on the stove top.

Chocolate porridge: put 40g gluten-free porridge oats in a large microwave-proof bowl. Sift 1½ teaspoons of cocoa on top and stir in 2 teaspoons maple syrup and a pinch of salt. Mix in 200ml plant-based milk. Cover and microwave on High for 2½ minutes (my microwave is 900W so adjust the cooking time accordingly if necessary). Stir well then cook for a further 1 minute on High. To serve, stir in extra plant milk (or plant cream for extra indulgence) if you prefer a thinner consistency and top with plant-based yogurt and a generous dollop of your leftover marmalade. Delish 🙂

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Microwave chocolate porridge. Images: Kathryn Hawkins
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Indulgence in a bowl. Image: Kathryn Hawkins

Until next time, happy marmalade making and enjoy your preserving spoils!

Edible holly garland (gluten-free; dairy-free; vegan)

~ My virtually free-from kitchen ~ 2 Comments
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Happy Christmas! Image: Kathryn Hawkins

Well the festive season is almost upon us, and it’s time to share a suitably Christmassy recipe with you. I’ve turned to an old favourite as the base for my edible holly garland: shortbread 🙂

Simple enough to make, shortbread is much loved by many and a staple bake at this time of year. I’ve flavoured my shortbread with cocoa powder and iced it with peppermint flavoured icing, which make these cute little nibbles a perfect treat to serve as an after dinner alternative to accompany coffee and liqueurs. If you don’t fancy peppermint, try adding orange or lime zest, or enhance the cocoa flavour by adding some cinnamon or vanilla.

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After dinner coffee and nibbles. Images: Kathryn Hawkins

If you are going to display the leaves as a garland you’ll need to bake a good number, so my recipe makes 40, but cut the quantities in half if you just want a few nibbles to serve with coffee. The shortbread leaves can be made a couple of days in advance of serving, but I’d advise not to ice them more than a day before serving as the icing often softens the shortbread.

By the way, I couldn’t find the right shade of green for my biscuits, so I am including instructions for colouring white icing. If you do have ready prepared green icing, all you need do is add some flavour.

Makes: 40

Ingredients

  • 100g lightly salted plant or dairy butter
  • 50g caster sugar
  • 20g cocoa powder
  • 175g gluten-free plain flour blend plus extra for dusting
  • 225g white ready to roll icing
  • Green food colour gel
  • Icing sugar to dust
  • A few drops peppermint extract
  • 75g readymade royal icing or similar white pipeable icing
  • Red sugar balls or icing to decorate

1. Beat the butter and sugar together until light and creamy. Sift the cocoa powder and flour on top and mix well, then bring everything together with your hands to make a firm dough.

2. Lightly flour the surface and roll out the dough to a thickness of about ½cm. Use a 6cm holly-shaped cutter to stamp out shapes, re-rolling the dough as necessary, to make around 40 leaves.

3. Arrange on lined baking trays, prick the tops with a fork and chill for at least 30 minutes before baking.

4. Preheat the oven to 180°C, 160°C fan oven, gas 4. Bake the shortbread leaves for about 15 minutes until firm to the touch. Leave to cool on the trays.

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Just out of the oven. Image: Kathryn Hawkins

5. For the icing, knead the white ready to roll icing to make it more pliable. Break it into smaller pieces and add a little green colouring to each piece. Work each batch of colouring into the icing before adding a little bit more. When you have a few pieces of the same colour, blend them altogether into one piece. Although this takes a bit of time, it is much easier than trying to colour a big piece of icing in one go. If things get a bit sticky, add a little icing sugar.

6. To add flavouring, flatten the icing and sprinkle with a few drops of peppermint extract, then work into the icing. Repeat until you have the desired amount of flavouring, adding a little icing sugar if the mixture becomes sticky.

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Making the icing. Images: Kathryn Hawkins

7. Add some colour and flavour to the royal icing and mix well to achieve an even colour. Now you are ready to decorate.

8. Dust the work surface with a little icing sugar and roll out the green icing thinly. Cut out holly shapes using the same cutter.

9. Spread a little smear of the green royal icing over each biscuit and fit a holly icing shape on top.

10. Spoon the remaining royal icing into a small piping bag fitted with a plain writing nozzle and pipe leaf detail. If piping is not your forte, you can score a leaf pattern on the icing using the blade of a small knife.

11. Pipe a little extra icing at the stalk end of the leaves and attach sugar balls or red icing berries. Leave for at least an hour to set before arranging.

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Christmas decorating. Images: Kathryn Hawkins

12. To serve as a garland, choose a large board or flat serving plate and arrange a layer of the shortbread leaves at different angles in a circle, and arrange more shortbreads on top. Add a ribbon bow as a finishing touch just before serving.

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Chocolate shortbread holly leaves. Image: Kathryn Hawkins

This is my last recipe post of 2023. Thank you for stopping by and for all your nice comments over the past 12 months. I hope you have a lovely Christmas and I look forward to posting more throughout the new year ahead. Merry Christmas!

November new potatoes

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November_new_potato_harvest
November new potatoes. Images: Kathryn Hawkins

It has turned much colder here since my last post. Frosty mornings and an increasing number of sub-zero nights. Back in late August, I planted a few Arran Pilot seed potatoes in the green house. With the wintry feel in the air and knowing potatoes are not frost-hardy, I decided it was time to dig them up.

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Late season greenhouse-grown potatoes. Images: Kathryn Hawkins

The foliage had all but withered away over the month, but under ground a few little potatoes had formed. I was a couple of weeks later planting them than usual and subsequently, the plants hadn’t had time to develop properly before the days got shorter and the temperature lower. No matter, there were enough to make one of my favourite potato dishes, and they tasted just as delicious as the potatoes grown earlier in the year.

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Smashed new potatoes sprinkled with chives. Image: Kathryn Hawkins

I took a few images of the preparation of this potato dish back in the late summer when I had some pink fir potatoes. Choose a waxy or floury textured potato for best results. Scrub the potatoes and boil them in their skins until tender, then drain well and cool for about 10 minutes. Transfer them to a board and squish them with a masher or large fork.

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Smashed pink fir potatoes. Images: Kathryn Hawkins

I usually melt butter with some olive oil in a pan and heat until bubbling – either will work on their own, it’s personal taste which you use. Add the potatoes and seasoning and cook over a fairly high heat, turning them until they are crispy. Towards the end of cooking, I add chopped garlic and cook it for a couple of minutes until just cooked through. Serve straight from the pan, sprinkled with chopped parsley or chives.

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Smashed pink fir potatoes with garlic and parsley. Image: Kathryn Hawkins

Well there’s just one more post before Christmas – I can’t believe it will all be over by this time next month. Until then, take care and thanks for stopping by 🙂

Aromatic and spiced, slow-cooker quince (naturally gluten-free; dairy-free; vegan)

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Gold_serving_bowl_of_freshly_cooked_slow-cooker_spiced_quince
Slow-cooker spiced quince. Image: Kathryn Hawkins

Hello again. It’s officially the time of year when the slow-cooker is permanently on the work top in my kitchen. With daylight hours becoming fewer and the temperature getting lower and lower, in my mind, “comfort food” is an important aid to get me through the next few months.

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Golden quince. Image: Kathryn Hawkins

I’ve been saving these beautiful quince for a few weeks, making sure they are perfectly ripe for maximum flavour and aroma before I cook them. I chose a selection of my favourite aromatics to add to a sugar syrup: rose water, lemon, vanilla and cinnamon, all perfect companions for this fabulous autumn fruit.

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Fresh qunice and flavourings. Images: Kathryn Hawkins

This is a very straightforward recipe for the slow-cooker. Once the quince are prepared it’s just a case of making the syrup to pour over. When the cooking is done, I reduced the cooking juices down to make a more intensely flavoured syrup to pour back over the fruit. If you don’t have quince, try using slightly under-ripe pears instead.

Serves: 4-6

Ingredients

  • 750g ripe quince
  • 1 unwaxed lemon
  • 1 cinnamon stick, split
  • 1 vanilla pod, split
  • 50g caster sugar
  • 2tbsp carob or maple syrup
  • Rosewater to taste
  • Pistachios and pomegranate seeds to sprinkle

1.Using a vegetable peeler, carefully peel away the outer lemon zest without taking too much white pith. Set aside. Cut the lemon in half and extract the juice. Place in a large bowl along with the squeezed out lemon shells. Top up with cold water.

2.Peel the quince thinly. Cut into quarters and slice out the core. As soon as you prepare each quarter, push it down into the lemony water to help prevent discolouration.

3.When all the fruit is prepared, drain well, discard the lemon shells and place the quince in the slow-cooker dish. Add the reserved lemon zest, cinnamon and vanilla.

4.Put the sugar in a saucepan with 400ml water. Heat gently to dissolve, then bring to the boil and cook for 5 minutes. Pour over the fruit, place the lid on top and cook on High for 2 hours, turning the fruit halfway through, until tender.

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Slow-cooker spiced quince preparation. Images: Kathryn Hawkins

5. Turn off the power and leave to cool for 2 hours before draining the fruit and straining the cooking liquid into a saucepan. Put the fruit in a heat proof dish and cover with foil.

6. Add the maple or carob syrup to the cooking juices, bring to the boil and simmer for 7-8 minutes until syrupy. Cool for 10 minutes. Add a few drops of rosewater to taste then pour over the fruit and leave to cool completely.

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Making the syrup. Images: Kathryn Hawkins

7. Cover and chill until ready to eat. Serve at room temperature for maximum flavour. Sprinkle with pistachios and pomegranate seeds for crunch. The quince freezes well in the syrup for later enjoyment.

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Sweet, spiced deliciousness. Image: Kathryn Hawkins

I hope you enjoy the recipe and I look forward to welcoming you back to my next post in a couple of weeks time. Thanks for stopping by 🙂

Fruit and oat crunchies (gluten-free; dairy-free; vegan)

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Pile_of_homemade_fruit_and_oat_cookies
Fruit and oat crunchies. Image: Kathryn Hawkins

Hello again. I have something tasty and sweet for you this week. With the weather cooling down here, I have felt more like being in a cosy kitchen rather than the great outdoors. These cookies are an absolute winner if you like a crunchy textured bake. If you can leave them alone long enough, they retain their crispness perfectly when stored in an air-tight container.

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Too tempting to ignore, crunchy homemade cookies. Image: Kathryn Hawkins

I made up the dough using my own blend of gluten-free favourite flours but a readymade combination will work just as well. Whether you add fruit or not is up to you – I have just made a batch without fruit, and added some caramel flavouring instead; there aren’t that many left is all I’ll say! Use small pieces of fruit for best results, like currants or dried berries. If you only have larger dried fruit, like apricots or raisins, chop into small pieces before using. This is a really easy recipe so I hope you might give it a go.

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Crunchelicious cookies. Image: Kathryn Hawkins

Makes: 12

Ingredients

  • 105g plain gluten-free flour blend (I used a combination of white rice flour, tapioca flour and cornflour (cornstarch))
  • 90g gluten-free porridge oats
  • 40g desiccated coconut
  • ¾teasp bicarbonate of soda
  • 115g soft light brown sugar
  • 90g plant butter, softened and cut into small pieces
  • 50-75g small dried fruit (depending on how fruity you want them to be)
  • 25g golden syrup (corn syrup)

1.Preheat the oven to 190°C, 170°C fan oven, gas 5. Line 2 large baking tray with baking parchment. Put the flour in a bowl and mix in the oats, coconut and bicarbonate of soda. Stir in the sugar.

2. Add the butter and work into the dry ingredients until well blended, the stir in the fruit and bind together with the syrup, bringing the mixture together with your hands to make a firm dough.

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Making cookie dough. Images: Kathryn Hawkins

3. Divide the dough into 12 pieces. Form each into a ball and place on the trays spaced well apart – the mixture does spread during baking.

4. Press each piece of dough gently to make a 6cm round, then bake for about 20 minutes until golden. Leave to cool on the tray for 10 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.

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Shaping and baking. Images: Kathryn Hawkins
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Freshly baked crunchy cookies. Images: Kathryn Hawkins

I hope you enjoy these cookies as much as I do. Until next time, have a good few days. Best wishes and happy baking 🙂

Slow-cooker tomato confit (naturally gluten-free; dairy-free; vegan)

~ My virtually free-from kitchen ~ Leave a comment
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Freshly made tomato confit. Image: Kathryn Hawkins

Hello again. I hope you have had a good few days since my last post. After lousy weather here in the UK in August, September started with a mini heatwave. The high temperatures have come to an end now but the extra heat and sunshine certainly helped ripen off the fruit and vegetables. It’s been a bumper year for tomatoes, and I’ve been exploring new ways to serve and preserve them.

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Greenhouse cherry tomatoes. Images: Kathryn Hawkins

My recipe this week is a very simple one. It’s an easy and energy-efficient way to cook small tomatoes. All you need is a slow-cooker and an amount of small tomatoes to fit neatly in a single layer over the base of the cooking dish. You can adapt the quantities you cook to fit the size of your cooker.

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Confit ingredients. Images: Kathryn Hawkins

I have kept the flavours simple, using fresh herbs from the garden, some garlic and a few coriander seeds. Add chilli for some heat, or experiment with your favourite spices. The confit can be served on its own as a sauce for pasta or blitzed and used as a base sauce for other dishes. If you want to keep it for a few days, place in a sealed container, covering the tomatoes with extra oil as necessary, and store it in the fridge. For longer storage, it freezes fine.

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Tomato confit, fresh basil and black pepper. Images: Kathryn Hawkins

This really is a great way to enjoy the flavour of freshly picked sweet baby tomatoes with the minimum of effort. I hope you enjoy the recipe 🙂

Serves: 4-6

Ingredients

  • 650g whole, same size, small or cherry tomatoes – or a weight that fits neatly in a single layer inside the base of your slow-cooker dish
  • A few sprigs of fresh thyme and oregano
  • 1 bay leaf
  • 1tsp coriander seeds, crushed
  • 3 garlic cloves, peeled
  • 1tsp sea salt
  • Freshly ground black pepper
  • 2tsp caster sugar (optional)
  • 100ml good quality olive oil + extra for storing

1. Remove the stalks from the tomatoes and wash well. Pat dry using kitchen paper and place in a single layer in the slow-cooker dish.

2. Add the remaining ingredients, cover with the lid and set the cooker to Low. Cook for 4hrs or until the tomatoes are soft but still holding shape. Leave to cool completely.

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Preparing the confit. Images: Kathryn Hawkins

3. For storing, discard the herbs and ladle into a clean, sealable storage container – I used a 750ml Kilner jar. Add more oil as necessary to cover the tomatoes, then seal and store for up to 10 days in the fridge. Alternatively, portion into containers and freeze. The oil can be drained off before serving and re-used to cook with or flavour salad dressings.

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Filling a storage jar with tomato confit. Images: Kathryn Hawkins

That’s me for another week. I have just picked another haul of tomatoes after coming back home after a few days away. I’ll have to get creating again. Until next time, thanks for stopping by 🙂

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My back-from-holiday tomato haul. Image: Kathryn Hawkins