busy, busy

yesterday i started cooking & then i just didn't stop. 

one bbq sauce jarred, one big batch of soup, baked beans, two main courses & two salads later, i went to sleep. i didn't officially have to do it all, but i was just in one of those moods & it's important to strike while the iron is hot. this morning i will be greeted with a massive pile of dishes - i just couldn't bring myself to do them at 1 in the morning - but it's ok because i'll be well stocked up heading into december.

on the menu this week, there is a fresh batch of chicken, leek, broccoli & bacon pies. the gravy is made from a rich chicken stock using shani's farm chicken. the leeks are organic & from selwood green, then there's loads of broccoli, bacon, herbs & a puff pastry lid.

small $10 large $20

mmmmm.... bacon.

while i was making these, i realized that i haven't done a vegetarian main in a little while so i decided to whip up a veggie version. it turned into a vegetable pot pie - leeks & broccoli with the addition of carrots, celery, mushrooms & green peas. these aren't gluten or dairy-free but they certainly are some hearty, comfort food for vegetarians.

small $9 large $18

ps: i didn't make many & they probably won't make it onto the blackboard (sort of a secret stash) so just ask, thanks.

from the freezer i have:

fishcakes & baked beans (for two)    $15

lobster mac & cheese      small $12.5 large $25

braised brisket over blue cheese polenta     $23

curried chicken & veggies with basmati rice    small $10 large $20

shani's farm pork tourtiere    $20

getaway farm beef shepherd's pie    small $9 large $18

vegan lasagna    small $8 large $16

the salads also got some major makeovers this week. i hope no one is too alarmed but i was getting a little tired of making the same ones every week - but i did keep them vegan & gluten-free.

the quinoa salad is loaded with blanched green beans, artichoke hearts, garlic, lemon, oregano, dill & whole grain mustard. and the wild rice has turned technicolour! it's filled with roasted beets, sweet potatoes & celery root, pumpkin seeds, toasted pecans, red onion, sage and maple.

this week also sees the return of thai chicken & rice soup. it uses the same chicken stock as the pies, basmati rice, nappa cabbage, celery, carrots, red peppers, green onions, ginger, garlic, lime, cilantro & chillies. if you're feeling a little under the weather, then this one's for you.

and i wasn't really planning on it, but i decided to make a new batch of baked beans. next week is looking a little insane so i wanted to get as much done as possible this week.

other soups in the freezer are:

cream of cauliflower

potato, leek & parsnip

beef stew

seafood chowder

curried butternut squash

pumpkin, ginger, cardamom

beet, parsnip & pear

vegan stew

vegan chilli

miso mushroom

tomato, roasted pepper, sweet potato

today will be baking day. i have a feeling that mini cupcakes are going to be quite popular this week...(they were mentioned in the chronicle herald)... red velvet in particular. the other flavours with be vanilla with blueberry frosting, carrot with maple cream cheese, banana chocolate chip with chocolate buttercream, chocolate with mint frosting & some double chocolate for good measure. i'll also have cookies, squares, brownies, rolls, tarts & macaroons and if time permits, sponge toffee & peppermint meringues.

this week i also had lots of fun: the wooden monkey, trivia night, PRINCE & i decorated my nook at the market. the overall theme of the market is 'family christmas' and as a child of the 80s, i decided to deck mine out in all the tacky, 'gawdiness' of that decade - it's hilarious & not even finished yet... today the lights & ornaments go up!

best get to work - hope to see you tomorrow.