Baked Potato, Coleslaw & Beetroot

Baked potato is a simple meal that I always enjoy -I should have it more often. It is served here with a dollop of vegan margarine, home made coleslaw and fresh beetroot. The coleslaw is made with shredded white cabbage, spring onions, grated carrot, chopped garlic and vegan mayonnaise.

Dhanakosa Retreat

Dhanakosa In The Snow

I have just spent a magical weekend meditating, walking, eating good food and discussing the Dharma with friends at Dhanakosa http://www.dhanakosa.com/ on the shore of Loch Voil, near Balquidder, home of Rob Roy McGregor.

Shrine Room At Dhanakosa

Shrine At Dhanakosa

Dhal With Rice, Garlic Nan & Salsa

Ingredients:
1 Tin of Green Lentils
1 Tin Chopped Tomatoes
1 Large Onion
2 Cloves of Garlic
Tbs Coriander
Tsp Turmeric
Tsp Cumin
1/4 tsp Ground Ginger
1/2 tsp Chilli Powder (adjust to taste)
Coriander Leaves

Fry onions and garlic until soft and golden. Blend with a hand blender and then add spices and fry for a few minutes. Add lentils and chopped tomatoes and coriander leaves and simmer for at least 30 mins. Serve with rice, garlic nan and salsa made from finely chopped onions, cucumber red and green chillies.

Chase Away Those Winter Blues

The Maid of the Loch basking in the winter sun

Loch Lomond from Balloch Park

Nothing like a daily dose of Mother Nature to chase away the winter blues followed by a heart warming bowl of Tuscan bean soup and dumplings:

Ingredients: barlotti beans; canneloni beans; tin of chopped tomatoes; onions; garlic; leek; carrots; turnip(swede); lemon juice; mixed herbs & a bay leaf.

Fry the onions; leek and garlic in olive oil until soft. Add chopped carrots; chopped turnip and mixed herbs and sweat down for a further five minutes. Add chopped tomatoes, beans, bay leaf and about a pint of vegetable stock. Season with salt and black pepper add lemon juice and bring to the boil. Turn down the heat and add dumplings and simmer until light and fluffy.