What's in my kitchen, June 2018

I know people who aren't in Queensland scoff when I say it's getting cold. For example, today, the temperature is expected to range from 8 - 22 degrees (Celsius) and was a chilly 12 when I was up making breakfast. My colleagues based in Melbourne often laugh at me when we are having video meetings and I'm encased in a woolly jacket and scarf while they are still walking around in t-shirts in much colder temperatures. What can I say, I'm thin blooded and feel the cold more! So, with that in mind, something that is back in my kitchen now that the weather has cooled down, are my old trusty Ugg boots... I do so appreciate toasty toes!

Leading into the end of financial year time, work starts to get very busy and the hours longer. I always have a snack drawer with various bits and pieces in it to tide me over, but of late I've noticed lots of sweets creeping in along with the porridge sachets and soup mixes. It feels like I hadn't had gummy anything for ages (due to gelatine) but lately I'm noticing lots of vegan friendly gummy things... like these highly addictive Sour Patch kids. It's hard to stop at one or two, but they're great for a sour/sweet sugary hit.

While grocery shopping, I like to walk methodically aisle by aisle, just looking at all the things available. My kids saw this in the jelly crystal section and couldn't walk past the glitter. Surprisingly, it's also another ninja vegan product, with no gelatine in it either. I didn't eat any, but both my children highly approved of it as a treat.

I had to pick up a few bits and pieces from Ikea recently, and as usual, I walked out with what I intended to get, and a haul of things I didn't know I needed but obviously did (hmmm). I like to look through the food hall after shopping and spied this vegan-friendly imitation black caviar. I had to have it, even though I've never eaten caviar in my life. I just like to support vegan friendly products when I see them, and the novelty of it tickled me. I don't actually know how to consume it - any suggestions?

While meeting a friend for a catch up at a vegan friendly bakery, the little man and I shared this piece of vegan carrot cake. I really loved that the cake was so moist and appropriately carrot and walnut packed. My child was rather taken with the icing more than the cake, although it's fair to say he also ate his share of the cake too. A definite winner. Cake is good anytime, but I especially appreciate it when served with coffee and eaten with friends.

I have wanted to try spaghetti squash as soon as I heard of them. They have always seemed illusive, and I thought it was just one of those things that wasn't to be had in Australia. However, I happened to be near a fruit shop I don't usually frequent and popped in for a look. They had half of a spaghetti squash for sale (and for a bargain 99c!) so I snapped it up. I scraped the seeds out, sprinkled it with a bit of olive oil and roasted it cut side down for about 40 minutes. I then used a fork to scrape the inside and all these glorious little strands resulted. I was pleasantly surprised at just how much flesh there was - it all easily detached from the skin. I served these little squash strands topped with a quick mushroom stroganoff sauce made with cashews for creaminess and it was delicious, but I think that was overkill. If I get my hands on another one, I think it would be best served more simply, maybe as a side dish with some good olive oil, salt and pepper.

I'm not-so-secretly hoping the seeds sprout from the compost. Mr Fork does not like me growing pumpkins on purpose as he is very proud of his lawn, and the pumpkin vines do tend to sprawl out of my garden space and take over whatever they touch. If one was to grow *accidentally* of course... well, it's like it was meant to be, right?!

Finally, talking of gardens, ripening on the windowsill of my kitchen (and visible behind the spaghetti squash above) are homegrown tomatoes. I'm not sure what variety they are, they are smaller than a roma but bigger than a cherry variety. They grow like a truss and are sweet and delicious with a good flavour. I think they might be from a heirloom variety I threw in and have just sprouted randomly. I am picking a handful daily and they make a nice addition to winter salads or just for snacking. 

I am linking this into the monthly In My Kitchen round-up, hosted by Sherry of Sherry's Pickings. What's happening in your kitchen this month?

Vegan snack exchanging

After the success of my previous snack exchange I couldn't help but let out a squeal when I saw talk of a random vegan snack exchange. In fact, I don't think I've ever been more excited for an exchange theme. As the only veg*n in a family of meat eaters, it's very rare that I get vegan goodies unless I make or buy them for myself, or explicitly point out what I want, which does sort of ruin the surprise.

The random part of the exchange was also fun. Random being, you sign up for it and then when sign up closes, all participants are randomly assigned a match. The person could be in a different country and the only caveat on the whole exchange was that anyone was welcome to sign up, but anything sent had to be vegan. As there is no option to communicate directly with your giftee in this case, all participants had to fill out a short questionnaire about allergies, preferences and whether they were happy to accept home made snacks. The exchanges don't really specify a budget but say that most participants usually spend about $20-25 (excluding postage), although you are welcome to spend more as you like.

I watched the statistics and analytics on this exchange quite avidly. Many of the people who signed up were vegan or vegetarian, but others were not although were curious to try. When gifts are received, many people post a picture to a gallery and there were lots of surprised comments about how some foods were unexpectedly vegan (Oreos! Pringles! Hummus! Skittles!). There were also a few disappointed posts about how they could tell their match had tried, but just wanted to point out that a selected snack had beeswax, or milk, or gelatine in, so wasn't considered vegan. I'm sure these were honest mistakes though, as I remember how hard it was to read labels when I started to vet my food in the beginning too.

Anyway, in the spirit of sharing again, here's what I sent my giftee:

• BBQ flavoured broccoli chips
• French onion flavoured chickpeas
• Spinach and wholegrain protein crunch bar
• Sweet carrot rice chips
• Roasted pumpkin seed munch snacks
• Lemon 'jelly' crystals (made from agar)
• Salted caramel mylk chocolate
• Chia seeds

I had a lot of fun picking out what I'd send. My giftee told me their preference was for savoury snacks and things that weren't too commonly found so I think I got it pretty right. I'd also baked a batch of herbed sourdough crackers to include, but somehow Mr Fork and the kids managed to consume them in between baking and the postage deadline, so they didn't make it in.

Here's what I got back. I really think my Santa went above and beyond with my gift. Everything was individually wrapped and carefully packed with bubble wrap (I did not get a picture of this unfortunately as my kids were all.... wrapping! bubble wrap! and deconstructed it all while I was mid blink admiring it all).

There was also a hand written note describing all of the thoughtful inclusions, and even suggestions for using them. I am really looking forward to making those patties...and eating the cacao spread... and, well, everything!

I was also really spoilt with some non-snacky things - a reuseable bag as a little love note to the environment (perfectly handbag sized and great timing with the major supermarkets discontinuing single use plastic bags!) and even some vegan Lush goodies.

I am so, so happy with my exchange. While some of these products I had tried before, some of them are also new to me, and I really appreciate all the thought my gifter put in.

I really love getting mail, and I love seeing the thought that all the participants have been putting into this exchange. I'm keeping a list of all the delicious things that pop up that I need to try! So many ideas and regional favourites I'm learning about! What would be in your package if you sent a food exchange to someone?