Some love for Isa.

Now that I'm full bore testing Vegan Latina recipes for Terry, (see yesterday's post) I thought I should throw some love back towards Isa and her solo book - Vegan Brunch. Its available for pre order on Amazon and the recipes in it are great!! How do I know? I tested a bunch of them.

The yet untitled Vegan Cookies book by both Isa AND Terry is also available for pre order. I have tested a bunch of these recipes too, with some still to come...

Balance in the book testing universe is somewhat resorted.

MIA because I've been Testing.

Testing 1 -

Black Eyed Butternut Tostadas.
Testing 2 -

Creamy Potato Peanut Stew with Rice and Pickled Red Onions.

Testing 3 -

Creamy Potato Soup with Avocado.

Testing 4 -

Rice with Pigeon Peas served with Pine Nut Crema and Pickled Red Onions.

All from the Vegan Latina book testing - thanks to the wonderful Terry Hope Romero. (and these are just the ones I remembered to take photos of!)

So, as you can see, I have been busy, cooking up a storm and eating really well. I've also been lazy about posting about it all, and for that I apologise.

Its Spring Break next week!

AND, I live in the (almost very) west of Western Canada.

So tell me, what is the deal with all this SNOW???

We've got at least 10 cm on the ground from the last day. The kids love it, but I'm just dreading the thaw, which we've already been through once and getting places with the buggy is a nightmare.

Seriously, if I wanted snow in March I'd live in Alberta, Saskatchewan or Manitoba!

I know I'm whining and and having a whinge, so just ignore me. I really do consider myself lucky with our weather, compared to a lot of the rest of the country, but this is so unexpected.

Tester lunch.

Tropical Pumpkin Soup.

Tofu Chicharrones.

and together for my lunch. Yum. I actually made a bunch of tester stuff for dinner to but didn't take pictures. Don't worry there will be more at some time in the future!

Both testers for the upcoming Vegan Latina book by the wonderful Terry Hope Romero.

The first tester!

From Terry Hope Romero's upcoming, still being written, Vegan Latina cookbook. This tasty tasty lunch is from Ecuador and called Llapingachos (mashed potato pancakes) and is served with Salsa de Mani (peanut sauce). If this is a taste of things to come, expect to see loads more Vegan Latina testers on this blog!

Another way to get some Asparagus pee.

On pizza!

Homemade, really thick tomato sauce topped with caramelised onions and some lightly blanched asparagus. Oh boy I love Spring!

Risotto with that special (pee) something.

I told you I'd be using asparagus in risotto before too much longer didn't I! I have and it was glorious!

I didn't roast the asparagus as I do sometimes for this, just lightly cooked it, then used that cooking water and the hard ends to make an asparagus stock, which in turn was used to make the risotto. I would have liked to have had some white wine to use in there too, but didn't his time so no use complaining.

I really must say it was super, and lucky me, I have leftovers for lunch today!

Happy Anniversary to me!

and to my love as well.

We were married 6 years ago at the Fish House Restaurant in Stanley Park here in Vancouver, even though we were living in Edinburgh at the time. It was a small affair, having been arranged about a month in advance and over the internet, but nice and intimate with no fuss that can often accompany weddings.

We're out for dinner tonight, but nowhere fancy as all 4 of us are going. When Grandma and Grandpa get back from their holiday in Hawaii we'll go out with just the two of us, and go a step more upmarket.

and yes, if you can add M has just turned 7. She was dead cute in her fancy dress and fell asleep after the meal.

For dinner last night we had -

I took the leftover Aduki Bean "Mince" from earlier in the week, added in some TVP I'd reconstituted and flavoured with tomato paste, marmite and liquid smoke, then cooked a little to thicken and used that as filling for my pie. Super yum with salad and more asparagus. Here's to ...