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CALL ME ISHBEL

Plant-based cooking and travelling

  • About
    • What We Do
      • Published Plant-Based Recipes
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        • Middle East Inspired Feast
        • Plant-Based Festive Desserts Class
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    • Cook’s Notes
      • Different names for common ingredients
      • The Weighted Cup: A Guide to Ingredient Measures
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a vintage baking tray lined with brown papar discoloured from roasting florets until lightluy charred. Served with a small bowl of dukkah and stainless steel dish of muhammara and little silver spoons for servingR
Categories
  • Allergy Friendly
  • Cooking
  • Gluten Free
  • Recipes
  • Small Bites and Sharing Plates
9 August 2024

Roasted Broccoli, Muhammara and Dukkah

Roasted Broccoli, Muhammara, and Dukkah come together in a dish that’s both simple and bold. Charred broccoli pairs perfectly with the spicy, umami-rich muhammara and the crunchy, fragrant dukkah, offering a taste of the Middle East that’s as satisfying as it is flavourful. An easy, allergy-friendly option for any meal

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a bowl of Muhammara - a roasted red pepper and walnut dip garnished with mint leaves and pine nuts. It is served alongside some freshly baked flat breads.M
Categories
  • Cooking
  • Dips, Salsas and Spreads
  • Gluten Free
  • Small Bites and Sharing Plates
31 July 2024

Muhammara – A Roasted Red Pepper and Walnut Dip

Muhammara – a roasted red pepper and walnut dip, is thought to have originated in Aleppo, Syria – a city steeped in culinary history. While its exact origins are unclear, food historians believe muhammara has been enjoyed since at least the 18th century. This brick-red dip has been a staple in my house and on my menus for years, adding vibrant colour and flavour to any mezze or platter.

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Rounds of Roasted Butternut with Dairy - Free Cauliflower Cheese that has been grilled until golden and melted. on a baking paper lined trayR
Categories
  • Cooking
  • Mains
  • Recipes
26 July 2024

Roasted Butternut with Dairy – Free Cauliflower Cheese

Dairy-Free Cauliflower Cheese is sweet, savoury, creamy, and cheesy—a combination that ticks all the boxes for a warming winter comfort food. Starting with a plant-based béchamel sauce, it’s easy to make a creamy dairy-free cauliflower cheese to grill on top of rounds of roasted butternut.

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freshly baked plant - based banana bread loaf, sliced on brown baking paperS
Categories
  • Baking and Desserts
  • Bread
  • Cooking
  • Recipes
16 July 2024

Simple Plant-Based Banana Bread

This simple plant-based banana bread recipe is a vegan adaptation of the classic banana bread, a beloved staple in many households. Traditionally baked in a loaf pan, giving it its characteristic shape, banana bread is classified as a quick bread, leavened with baking soda or baking powder for a quick and easy bake.

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A collage featuring the spines of several Ottolenghi cookbooks with two dishes inspired by his style of cookingJ
Categories
  • Blog
  • Books of the Month
9 July 2024

July ’24 – My favourite Cookbooks of the Month

July ’24 – My favourite Cookbooks of the Month are an ode to one author, Yotam Ottolenghi. Yotam and his business partner Sami share a incredible collection of recipes through their restaurants and cookbooks, elevating vegetables to new heights and showcasing their versatility and flavours. They combine traditional and contemporary techniques to create unique, colourful, and flavour-packed dishes that bring together the rich flavours of the Middle East.

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Ready to make a mushroom duxelles, a wooden cutting board with fresh ingredients, including whole and chopped white mushrooms, chopped shallots, and fresh thyme sprigs.H
Categories
  • Cooking
  • How to make
  • Recipes
  • Tips and Techniques
19 June 2024

How to make and use mushroom duxelles

You may think mushroom duxelles (pronounced duck-sell) is not part of your culinary repertoire, but you’ve likely encountered it in your food journey. It’s basically chopped mushrooms, cooked down with a few ingredients into a flavor-packed umami bomb. It’s perfect for using mushrooms that aren’t at their best.

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three types of sauces in vintage gravy boats. Plant-based versions of classic mother sauces: a béchamel, a chicken-style and a beef-style velouté.P
Categories
  • Cooking
  • How to make
  • Plant-Based Essential Recipes
  • Recipes
12 June 2024

Plant-Based Mother Sauces – Béchamel Sauce and Velouté

Many professional chefs count the ‘mother sauces’ as part of their essential toolkit. These foundational sauces, which have their roots in classic French cuisine, play pivotal roles in various culinary traditions around the world. Mastering plant-based versions of these sauces is a valuable skill that can significantly elevate the flavor and texture of your dishes.

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The image shows quick pickled red onions in glass containers. The vibrant pink colour of the onions show they have been pickled with a vinegar-based brine. This type of pickled onion is often used as a topping or condiment in various dishes in many cuisines for a tangy and slightly sweet flavour.H
Categories
  • Condiments
  • Cooking
  • How to make
  • Recipes
31 May 2024

How to make & use quick pickled red onions

With a blend of sweet, sour, and optional spicy notes, quick pickled red onions are incredibly versatile, fitting seamlessly into cuisines ranging from Mexican to Eastern European. Whether you’re topping a falafel wrap or elevating your favourite BBQ dish, these onions are a must-have in your culinary toolkit. Read how to make and use quick pickled red onions with cuisine guide suggestions .

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A collage of four cookbook covers: 'Bitter' with leafy greens and the subtitle 'A Taste of the World's Most Dangerous Flavour, with Recipes'; 'Mushrooms' by Martin Nordin, featuring various mushrooms and a knife; 'Seaweed' showing a plated dish with seaweed and the subtitle 'A Collection of Simple and Delicious Recipes from an Ocean of Food'; and 'Flour' with a textured gray background and the subtitle 'A Comprehensive GuideM
Categories
  • Blog
  • Books of the Month
27 May 2024

May ’24 – My favourite Cookbooks of the Month

It’s mid-autumn, the garden is planted and the greenhouse is brimming with herbs and greens. May ’24 – My Favourite Cookbooks of the Month include comprehensive guides on flour, mushrooms, and seaweed, along with a unique focus on the ‘bitter’ taste.

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2 white plates with Vegan Grilled Lettuce Caesar Salad, featuring grilled lettuce, roasted chickpeas seasoned with seaweed, creamy dressing, and shards of plant-based parmesan cheese. The dish is presented on a rustic wooden table.G
Categories
  • Cooking
  • Recipes
  • Salads
  • Salads, Sides and Soups
23 May 2024

Grilled lettuce Vegan Caesar Salad with Seaweed Chickpeas

Here’s something new for your salad repertoire! A light lunch, a refreshing side, or a unique addition to your next barbecue, this plant-based Caesar salad is sure to impress. Grilled lettuce vegan Caesar salad with seaweed chickpeas might seem unconventional, but trust me, it’s a revelation.

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