Vegetarianism: I don't eat meat & I don't like fish

This post is a suggestion of non-meat, non-fish, non-quorn and non-processed food ideas. 

My issue with meat is that I don't like the fleshy texture therefore I don't want a pretend meat substitute. My issue with fish is mainly the taste. Having said that, I try to eat it once a week for the benefits that nutritionists believe in. My third issue is processed food - whatever I eat, I like it to taste fresh! I also choose food that I like the flavour of, however 'bland', because if all you can taste is chilli or ketchup or sugar, etc., what's the point?

My favourite protein-based ingredients are nuts, mushrooms, lentils and beans which go very well with potatoes, vegetable and onion gravy for a Sunday roast. I must admit to getting annoyed with pub menus that don't take into account that cheesy tomato tart or lasagne are not ideal plate-mates for roast potatoes, Yorkshire pudding and (vegetarian) gravy.

Where nuts are a no-no in the kitchens of nut-allergy diners, they can be substituted by beans or chickpeas. Otherwise, whole cashews are a favourite but other nuts need to be smaller. I usually slice Brazil nuts, almonds, walnuts and chestnuts.

Links to Veggie-roast Recipes

Lentil & Cashew Nut Roast
Easy Bean & Nut Roast
Simple Nut Roast
Cashew Nut Roast in Puff Pastry
Lentil & Nut Roast (cheese may be omitted)

As an accompaniment to leftover-turkey-curry at Christmas, I like to offer a fruity korma. Its basic ingredients are: caramelised onion, sweet potato, parsnip, chestnuts, banana, raisins and coconut milk. Add anything else you wish: carrots, beans, broccoli, etc.

Acknowledgement. Not all vegetarians have the same reassons for not eating meat so don't make assumptions.

♫ Let me tell you 'bout the Manfreds!

In the early-mid '60s, my favourite group after The Beatles was Manfred Mann.

In the late 1990s, I noticed that The Manfreds were performing locally (Manfred Mann, the keyboard player, was no longer in the band but the line up included both Paul Jones and Mike d'Abo, lead singers from both popular eras).  I enjoyed a fabulous evening of all the MM hits plus McGuinness Flint's 'When I'm Dead and Gone' plus 'Handbags and Gladrags' that Mike d'Abo wrote and a couple of Paul Jones solo hits - but not 'Bad Bad Boy' which was one of my all-time favourites.

Recently, I dragged the family out again to see the Manfreds with Paul Jones, who is now 70! Without Mike d'Abo, it was a different set, quite a lot of blues music, some 'B' sides plus a few hits, including 'When I'm Dead and Gone', 'Pretty Flamingo', 'Oh no, Not my baby', 'Mighty Quinn', '5 4 3 2 1', 'Do Wah Diddy' and ... yes! 'I've Been a Bad Bad Boy' (How did he know?)!

Tom McGuinness (guitar, was bass) was thoroughly relaxed and enjoying himself, Mike Hugg (keyboards, was drums) was totally absorbed in the music, 'new boys' were Rob Townsend (drums) who was clearly content on stage, singing all the songs to himself, Marcus Cliffe (5-string bass) who acted as an 'aide memoire' to the forgetful older band members and, last but not least, young Simon Currie (sax, flute, clarinet) who was enjoying his craft and delivering frequent solos.

Paul Jones, experienced front man and harmonica player, engaged the audience with a mix of charm and amusing banter. No wonder he's thin, he works so hard!

Manfreds Tour Dates

RIP Jack Bruce, former Manfred, October 2014

 

Recommended Music Blog: soundsandvision

Thieves & Charity Swap Shops. So Many Questions.

A rising trend of thefts from charity shops is puzzling. Items in the shops are priced very cheaply so what kind of person needs to steal them? If they are so poor that they can't spend £2 on a jacket, surely they would be candidates for receiving the goods free? Is there a charity that provides clothing to poor families in the UK, maybe via swap shops or recycling centres?

What drives people to steal from charity shops? Maybe a 'risk assessment' tells the perpetrator that charity shops are 'soft' targets or that low value theft means less severe punishment. Or maybe it's a short-cut for people who need those items? Many people would rather risk being labelled as thieves than admit to needing charity.

Is it easier to take than to ask? Probably. It's certainly quicker and you're not risking a negative response. Is it less embarrassing to steal anonymously (unless caught, of course) than to be recorded as a 'loser' who needs charity? Certainly in some people's opinions.

It seems that the decision to shun help from 'do-gooders' and resort to law-breaking may be based on retaining what little pride is left by keeping their anonymity. I'm so lucky that I haven't had to find out for myself.