The Student Vegetarian Cookbook, Beverly Le Blanc: Review

This little book is a lifesaver when you are just starting out at uni, or as a vegetarian. My former housemate Lucie (Big shout out to you here!) and I ate our way through many of the dishes. The cook book covers many different types of food including a lentil dhal, our first attempt was a disaster; but after scrubbing out the pan and trying again (turned out that we needed to turn the heat down, our fault not the book) it was very tasty.  It also has the recipe for my current favourite dish, creamy spinach and eggs. This is a complete iron and protein feast and definitely not one for the vegans or the weight conscious (as it uses eggs, cheese and cream), it has become a firm family favourite in my sadly post student days.

This book covers some of the most basic recipes such as toast to the more complex like the above mentioned dhal or semolina gnocchi. All the recipes are well written and easy to follow. This book encourages people to be more adventurous with their cooking, which has to be a good thing at uni when some weeks you will live off toast (especially when you have multiple essays due in on the same day).  Some of the dishes in this book may be a bit expensive if you are on a tight budget, however with some shopping around (look in different ethnic food shops for some of the more exotic ingredients) most dishes are affordable. For every more expensive dish there are at least two less expensive ones.  This is the perfect book for those who are trying to wean themselves off Quorn every night and many of the dishes will be enjoyed by veggies and meat eaters alike.

Sainsbury’s, Trinity Walk, Wakefield

Well the long awaited new shopping centre has opened in Wakefield.  Yay urban regeneration! Not only does the new centre look like the artists impressions tacked up in the market hall, it also has a Debenhams, shock horror. After dodging the people dressed as flies on stilts and the different dance clubs at the entrance I made it into the supermarket

The reason I am doing this quick review is that I was pleasantly surprised by the number of veggie ready meal options, in both the fridge and the freezer sections. These included in the freezer section not only Quorn and Linda McCartney food but also Amy’s ready meals as well. I have seen these meals recommended on the PETA website so I presumed that they were a line only available in the USA.

It also (as it is Sainsbury’s and I don’t want to give you the impression that I live on ready meals) has a range on specialist curry pastes and Japanese noodles. It also sells Meso paste which is the basis of an epic soup I used to eat at Uni, and let’s face it I do live in Wakefield which is quite a small City, I sometime struggle to get ingredients for more exotic dishes.

Anyway Hurrah for the new store.

Harvey Nicols, Leeds (Breakfast)

Let’s face it unless you have more money than sense you only go into Harvey Nicks when you want the door opened for you. When you go in and say thank you to the doorman you automatically know you are a bit common. It’s like entering the twilight zone where you are too scared to touch the merchandise lest you smash that £1000 bottle of perfume.

My mum had had brunch recommended to her by a colleague, so after taking out a small bank loan in anticipation we set off to Leeds. After being informed that you could only get brunch on a Sunday we settled for breakfast.  The café is on the top floor with a wonderful view over the roof tops of the centre of Leeds. As we were the only people in the café for the majority of the time there we got the window seat. The staff were friendly and attentive (well we were the only people in!).The food also arrived quickly and was tasty.

There wasn’t a huge selection of food but what it lacked in quantity it made up for in quality. We both had a Welsh Rarebit and a Portobello mushroom on brioche. It was incredibly tasty, I don’t know what type of cheese it used but it was delicious. The portion was relatively small but the mushrooms succulent and   it was incredibly rich so you don’t need to have anything else with it. I also had a pot of tea which again was very nice. 

The biggest surprise was the price for the rarebit and a cup of tea it cost £8 plus a service charge. I would definitely go again and recommend it to everyone.  

Wockon Leeds

Quirky little noodle bars in Leeds. These have a number of veggie options that are cooked in front of you, most of them have got tofu in them and love it or hate it (I love it) it is cooked to perfection. Very good after shopping or a day at work. The food is served in comedy take away cartons which you can then eat out of with chopsticks (knives and forks are provided for the uninitiated, chopsticks make me feel sophisticated).  There is also a wide selection of meaty dishes for the carnivores out there, and a limited number of starters., I however have not tried them as yet.

My best friend discovered Wockton when he was working in Leeds and for that I am eternally grateful.  The first time I went in we had just run from the train station in a thunder storm and were soaked to the skin. Sexy or what! The friendly atmosphere at the shop however soon dried us off as we scoffed our food, steaming ever so slightly.

Do not, however, attempt to take leftover food out with you. I just took mine in  the paper carton out of the shop and put it in my handbag …..ten minutes later I had a bag full of soy source, my own silly fault of course, they ARE paper cartons. I was still in student mode and any food is good food even if it is three week old cheese with the mould cut off. I digress. The food is epic ‘nuff said.

Web address  http://www.wokon.co.uk/

Mocca Moocho Wakefield

Nestled away down a side street near Wakefield Cathedral is one of the city’s  hidden gems. I have been a patron of the café for many years and have never had bad food there. It has a relaxed if slightly eccentric atmosphere. It would be a good place to take children as the staff are very patient and friendly. The café serves a number of hot and cold sandwiches; however, as many of  these are freshly made or warmed for you,  you don’t want to be in a hurry to get anywhere.  You also may need to queue for a few minutes as it has become very popular at dinner time. If you are going in for a late breakfast they serve croissants and crock madams which are excellent. (My sister is reading over my shoulder and has said to also mention how good the soup is, I bow to her superior knowledge on all things soup related). The cake is also wonderful and they aren’t scanty with their portions, the tiffin is excellent, but you may need someone to share it with otherwise you will eat it all and feel fat afterwards. All the cake as far as I know is made onsite and it's worth going in to the café to see the size of them sitting behind the counter.

It is very rare that you go into a café these days and say that it has real character. I can however say it of this establishment; people who go love it and even if you feel depressed going in something will happen in the café to make you smile. It has big windows on the bottom floor which if you can get a window seat are brilliant for people watching. The café also does a range of teas, coffees and soft drinks. Last summer they did a very nice home made orange juice that made you feel virtuous just looking at it. If I had a friend coming to Wakefield for the day I would definitely take them to Mucca Mocca.

Islamabad’s Wakefield

An Indian take away  on Jacobs Well Lane. You can eat in or take away. The food is very good, I have had food from Islamabad’s  for many years and I’ll say one thing about it, for me it is the taste of home. Damn good curry with a fine selection of all the Indian dishes you would expect, all of which have a veggie option. It also has specific veggie options like Sag Aloo all of which are very tasty; I very much recommend the Vegetable Madras and the garlic Nan. The starters are also very good, the Mushroom Pakora in particular. The pickle tray is fantastic. However, you do not get much pickle for your money. (What a pickle, HURR HURR.)

Eating in is always a pleasure with friendly staff and quick service. However, you do need to bring your own alcohol which you can drink in the eating area.  The take away is also good and it offers a quick and efficient delivery service. The person who answers the phone, however, does not understand my Dad’s Scottish accent which means that orders are sometimes mixed up. The “slammer” is so good that we have relatives who live in Manchester who order the  food in bulk when staying with us and freeze it at home. We have also taken the frozen curry to France on holiday for the first night, it travels very well. Islamabad’s caters for carnivores, so all are satisfied.

Link (Sort of) http://yorkshirefoodguide.co.uk/prod6.asp?prod_id=502&id=274&sub_cat=689&grpid=502&msg=&offset=

KFC Leeds

KFC, Leeds

Well, what can I say about KFC? The non chicken options consist of chips, coleslaw, beans and corn on the cob. I have once or twice been dragged there by people. The first time I went as a veggie, has quite a funny story attached to it. My family had been camping and the tent had leaked in the night, as we were relatively close to home, we went home to spend the night (to dry the sleeping bags, our clothes and ourselves). We ended up going to KFC for our tea (we had no food in the house). When I asked the staff about veggie options they were very rude and dismissive. I contacted KFC to complain and did not even get an automated reply from them. I did however do some research on the website and on the FAQs have a Why don’t we have any Vegetarian options? section. They say it is due to lack of demand; however if there is so little demand for veggie food why is there a section about it in the FAQ page. I’ll post the link down below were you can marvel at it for yourself.  No wonder PETA is all over them.

It is a vegetarian’s right to have a decent meal no matter what the establishment, be it the Ritz or a hotdog stand. So, veggies, if you want to eat at a fast food place, give yourself a break and eat at McDonalds.

Link to the FAQs section  http://www.kfc.co.uk/faqs/#10 

*EDIT* I have just received information that KFC allegedly  fries their chips in chicken fat. I will pursue this further and keep you updated.