In my kitchen - October 2016

I am linking this in to the monthly In My Kitchen event, which has a new host in Lizzy of Bizzy Lizzy's Good Things.

Another month! I am reluctant to start with the stereotypical "I can't believe it's [new month]" but I really can't. Life with an infant seems to drag incredibly slowly at times, but then in a bigger sense time is disappearing. It's nearly 3 months since I started maternity leave and nearly 2 months since Mini Bite was born. It's also well and truly autumn, with the long hot days of summer fading into memory as cooler temperatures arrive and autumn leaves become more prominent.

In my kitchen this month there are rather a lot of store-bought items. Our local Sainsbury's had two flavours of Nakd fruit and nut nibbles on a clearance special for 40p per pack. They usually retail for £1.50 each and I'm not sure I could make an equivalent for 40p, so I snapped up rather a lot!

I also tried Sainsbury's 'Free From' fruity granola slice (vegan although the marketing is about being gluten free). They aren't new, but in the past I figured I could make an equivalent myself easily. Making things myself is a bit harder now my time in the kitchen is governed by Mini Bite's naps (or lack thereof!) so I was pleased to give them a try. They were nice, but I do think homemade would be better. I'd favour more fruit and a softer texture.

I did enjoy a new-to-me snack by Whitworths, in the form of fruit and nut-based vanilla macaroons. Again, clearly able to be made at home but these were worth the purchase with the vanilla flavours at just the right level.

There has been a flurry of new vegan products released in the UK recently. I was pleased to try the latest vegan addition to the Quorn range, breaded fillets, which remind me of Fry's schnitzels but with the chicken-style filling characteristic of Quorn. I liked them a lot although they're probably not something I'd eat too often as they do taste quite processed.

Alpro have also released almond milk ice creams to complement their non-dairy milk and yoghurt products. I was extremely excited to see them and bought the coconut and hazelnut-chocolate varieties to try (there is also a vanilla one). In truth, I don't love them but they are a nice alternative to the Swedish Glace soya ice cream we regularly buy, and the Almond Breeze tubs we ration due to cost. The flavour in the Alpro ones is perhaps a little weak, or I need to get used to the texture, which is harder and a little thinner than Swedish Glace and Almond Breeze. I'm very grateful for their production though and the more vegan ice creams the better!

My kitchen has also featured a twist on my vegan French toast, thanks to trying the concept out with fruit bread instead of regular bread. I recommend it, especially topped with peaches.

I'm not great at freezing meals for future use but did make some batches up before Mini Bite was born. We've recently made use of them, including the Mediterranean pasta salad with tofu I shared back in July (but served hot this time) and Gena's vegan lemon asparagus risotto (with fresh asparagus added to the defrosted risotto).

Mediterranean pasta salad with tofu

What is happening in your kitchen this month?

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