Recipe: Butternut Squash Soup

I made this soup for the first time a couple of days ago.
It didn't take too long to make and was full of flavour, so I will definitely make it again!
I must admit that I cheated by using pre-cut Butternut Squash!

This recipe serves 2.

Ingredients for vegan butternut squash soup

•    a (350g) packet of butternut squash – roughly chopped
•    2 tablespoons of olive oil or sunflower oil
•    1/2 a teaspoon of salt
•    1/4 of a teaspoon of pepper
•    a pinch of cinnamon powder
•    a pinch of nutmeg powder
•    1/2 a cup of coconut milk
•    2 mugs of water – 700 ml

How to make vegan butternut squash soup

1.    Put the pieces of butternut squash on an oven tray and drizzle the oil over them
2.    Roast them in the oven for about 20 minutes
3.    Put the water, salt, pepper, cinnamon and nutmeg in a pan and boil it
4.    When you are happy that the butternut squash is roasted enough, add it to the pan mentioned in step 3
5.    Boil it until it’s tender and then blend it using a hand blender
6.    Heat it for 3 minutes before adding water if it's too thick or boil further if it's too watery
7.    Taste it and add more salt, pepper, cinnamon or nutmeg if required
8.    Serve in a bowl, drizzle with coconut milk and enjoy

Serving suggestions

Put some in a bowl and drizzle with coconut milk before serving. 
Serve with wholegrain bread.

Recipe: Pilau Rice within 30 minutes

This dish takes less than 30 minutes to make. It's healthy, filling and can be eaten hot or cold.

This recipe serves 2.

Ingredients for vegan pilau rice

•    1/2 teaspoon of oil – I use sunflower oil or olive oil
•    1/4 teaspoon of mustard seeds
•    1/2 teaspoon of cumin seeds
•    2 cloves
•    1 stick of cinnamon
•    a handful of raw red skin peanut kernels  – about 30g
•    1 fresh chilli – finely chopped
•    2 carrots - chopped into small cubes
•    a handful of chopped fresh coriander
•    1 bowl of peas – about 150g
•    3/4 of a cup of rice  - brown or white
•    salt to taste
•    1/8 of a teaspoon of turmeric
•    2 and 1/4 teacups of water

How to make vegan pilau rice

1.    Soak the rice in hot water
2.    Meanwhile, heat the oil in a pan and when it’s hot, add the mustard seeds, cumin seeds, cloves and cinnamon
3.    Put the lid on the pan and leave it on a low heat
4.    When the seeds begins to pop add the peanuts and chilli
5.    After 30 seconds, add the carrots and put the lid on the pan
6.    Wash and drain the rice
7.    After 2 minutes add the washed rice, 2 and 1/4 teacups of water, salt and turmeric
8.    Turn the heat up to medium high, put the lid on the pan and leave it to cook for 5 minutes
9.    Add the peas, stir, turn the heat down to a low setting and leave the contents to cook with the lid on the pan
10.    Cook on a low heat for 15 minutes
11.    Keeping the lid on the pan, tilt the pan towards you to see if there’s any excess water in it
12.    If the rice is fluffy and there’s no water left in the pan, turn the heat it off
13.    If not, continue cooking for another 5 minutes
14.    Add some coriander and serve in a bowl or a small plate 

Serving suggestion

Enjoy with some plain vegan yoghurt.