THE VEGAN NEWS
THE VEGAN NEWS
OCTOBER
1999
- Recipes
- This Month's Article - Genetically Modified Food
- Readers' Contributions
- Vegan Product Review
- In The Veganic Garden
- Vegan Lake District
- Vegan Websites
- Book Review
- The Wildlife Database
Recipe of the Month
Hot and Spicy Beans
(Source of recipe unknown.)
Ingredients:
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1/2 small onion, chopped
- 1/2 tsp chilli powder (more if you like it hot!)
- 1 garlic clove, chopped
- *7oz can of tomatoes and juice
- 1 tbsp tomato puree
- 1/2 tsp mixed herbs
- 3oz (85g) fresh/frozen green beans, (e.g. runner or French beans) chopped into about 3/4" pieces
- *7oz (200g) can of white beans, (e.g. haricot beans) drained
- *7oz (200g) can of red kidney beans, drained
- Parmazano (optional)
Method
- Heat the oil in a wok (or frying pan) and saute the onion, chilli powder and garlic for 2 minutes.
- Add the chopped tomatoes in their juice, the tomato puree, herbs and beans to the pan. Bring to the boil and then simmer for about 10-15 minutes, or until the green beans are tender.
- Serve with rice, or on top of a baked potato. Sprinkle with Parmazano if desired.
Note: When I make this dish I don't use any tins. The equivalent of a tin of chopped tomatoes can easily be made up by chopping up 4-5 tomatoes and mixing them with the tomato puree and 150ml of water in a bowl. I also use home-cooked beans instead of canned ones. Use 115g (4oz) of kidney beans and a similar amount of white beans. This will be enough for two servings. And if green beans are not available, then it's possible to use frozen peas instead.
Readers' ContributionsI just thought that I would write in to challenge the notion that one has to water (and feed) outdoor tomatoes. Most books go on about this, but I do not believe it to be necessary. I grow my tomatoes in Herefordshire, in the rain shadow of the Black Mountains and rainfall is typically about 25-28 inches. The site where I grow my tomatoes is on a 20 degree south-facing slope and it is a dry limestone soil. I do not feed or water them and also supply about 20 plants to my daughter, living in Bicester and she tells me they are thriving in this very hot weather and that she never waters hers either. I did read somewhere that deep planting (6") is recommended. I tend to do this and this must surely help?
Mike Ibbotson (UK)
Editor's Reply:
July was a really dry month down here in the south of England this year and my soil was as dry as dust, down to a depth of about one foot at one stage. My tomatoes certainly needed watering then, along with quite a few of my other crops, which were all clinging on for dear life! I have never tried deep planting tomatoes - although perhaps I should if these very dry spells continue. What do other readers think?
October Product Review
And following on from last month's sprouting article:
The Being Fare Salad Sprouter
The Being Fare Salad Sprouter is a complete bean and seed growing kit, consisting of three square sprouting trays (measuring approximately six inches square) and a drip tray, plus a starter packet of alfalfa seeds. Produced in a tasteful beige colour, this sprouter will sit unobtrusively on your kitchen work surface. The enclosed instructions are maybe a little bit vague, but the kit is nevertheless very easy to use. Simply sprinkle your seeds onto the trays and flush a glass of water through the system once a day. There appears to be no need to soak seeds before sprouting - just throughly wet them by adding an extra glass of water on the first day of use. So far, in mine, I've successfully grown chickpeas (I do still soak these first), sunflower seeds, wheat, barley, aduki beans, green lentils, radish, alfalfa and mustard and cress.
It's a pity that a meshed lid isn't provided with the kit, as there's nothing to stop flies and other undesirables from getting into the top tray (I usually cover mine with a piece of muslin or a clean tea towel). And some sort of removable partition would also be useful, so that small amounts of different types of seeds could be grown in the trays at the same time - they all tend to get a bit muddled up otherwise.
February 2009 Update: The Being Fare Salad Sprouter is now quite difficult to find and seems to be available only from The Organic Gardening Catalogue for £10.50 (Order Code: BFSS). They also stock the Biosnacky Sprouter for £15.50 (Order Code: SRBS). However, several other similar sprouters are currently available, one from T & M (Order Code: KAA2017, Price £5.99) and another from Suffolk Herbs (Order Code: SP45148, Price £7.45). These are essentially two-tiered sprouters, but extra tiers can be purchased from Suffolk Herbs for £2.35 each. Both of these sprouters have a perforated lid. Suffolk herbs also supplies a Geo 3-tiered sprouter for £16.95 (Order Code: SP451666).
Sunnyvale Organic Sprouted Wheat Bread
A lovely rich, dark, moist loaf which is surprisingly good for you. It contains no added sugar, yeast, fat, eggs or dairy products, the only ingredients being sprouted whole organic wheat and pure filtered water. Yet despite its lack of ingredients this loaf is so nice that it could easily be eaten instead of cake - the sweet taste) being the natural result of the sprouting process, whereby complex starches are converted into simple sugars. A good item to keep in your store cupboard, as it will keep, unopened, for quite a long time - that is of course provided you can leave it alone! It can also be toasted, although it seems a shame to do this to it. Look out for Sunnyvale Organic Sprouted Wheat Bread in your health shop. February 2009 Update: I stopped buying this loaf because there seemed to be a problem with mould. Not sure if this is still the case now though.
What's Happening in the Veganic Garden This Month?
Sowing and Planting Outside
Not much left to sow now, but autumn sowings of field beans (Vicia faba) can be made from September through to November. Field beans are usually grown for animal fodder, but can also be eaten by humans. They make an excellent nitrogen-rich green manure crop, so sow some on any spare land you have left-over, rather than leaving it bare over the winter. Seeds can be obtained from the Organic Gardening Catalogue. (Telephone: 01932 253666 if you would like a catalogue.) A 112 g packet of seeds is enough to sow 60 sq ft. Don't forget to plant out spring cabbage plants (e.g. Offenham or Flower of spring) and many new fruit bushes can also be planted out this month.
Other Jobs
Continue to tidy up the garden for the winter. See the January 1997 issue if you want more information on how to make new raised beds, or visit the October 1996 issue to find out how to make your own leaf mould from fallen autumn leaves. Lift remaining beetroots, potatoes and carrots and store them for the winter. And now is the time to pick the last remaining runner beans before the frosts arrive. Large, tough beans can be dried and kept for next year's seeds.
Crops Available This Month Include:
Autumn leeks, Brussels sprouts, cabbages, cauliflowers, celery, parsnips, turnips, sweetcorn, globe artichokes and apples, pears and plums.
In The Wildlife Garden
I made a good start on my butterfly garden this year and I am pleased to report the following wildlife sightings:
My oregano plant, in my herb area, remains a favourite with many butterflies. Most years it is covered with small tortoiseshells when it flowers in July and August. However, for some mysterious reason there haven't been that many small tortoiseshells in my garden this year. On one occasion it was visited by a blue butterfly this year, but unfortunately I didn't get the chance to identify which species it was before it flew off again. It has also been quite popular with cabbage whites. And in July I was pleased to see loads of gatekeepers flying round and visiting this plant.
This year I also grew the French marigold 'Naughty Marietta' (Tagetes patula) in troughs on my patio. The plants flowered nicely all summer, making a lovely orange display. Visiting butterflies included: peacocks, a small tortoiseshell and cabbage whites. And incidentally, this plant is also very popular with bees. I have plenty of spare seed left. So if any UK readers would like some free seed, please send a SAE to: 48 Bury Rd, Old Harlow, Essex, CM17 OEE.
The aubrietia 'purple cascade' (Aubrietia deltoidea) is also doing well, but hasn't flowered yet and probably won't until next spring. Consequently it has not yet been visited by any butterflies. I am growing it inside an old, white chimney pot and hope that once it is established it will cascade down the sides of the chimney and make a nice display.
It was my second attempt to grow Sedum spectabile this year. Therefore, I was very disappointed when the seeds failed to germinate once again. Similarly the wild thyme also failed to germinate, but I will have another go with these this autumn.
The poached egg plants (Limnanthes douglasii) I grew were wonderful and their lovely yellow and white flowers attracted many hoverflies into the garden. However, perhaps the most successful plants for attracting butterflies into the garden this year were my brassicas - cabbages, kale, pak choi, broccoli and Brussels sprouts. Although this wasn't exactly what I had intended when I planted them!
And around about the 20th of September I suddenly noticed lots of red admirals flying around my garden - the ivy was in flower again! It's so nice to see these brightly coloured butterflies basking in the sun, all over the walls of my house and on my terrace, after they've been feeding. And I even spotted a speckled wood butterfly feeding on the ivy's nectar too. I shall make the most of these lovely creatures, for soon they will all disappear for the winter.
Vegan Lake District
This year, whilst walking in and exploring the Lake District, I decided to check out some of the places listed in *VIVA'S Vegetarian and Vegan Guide to the Lake District. Please note that this section was updated in February 2009.
- First of all I visited the Watermill which is located in Little Salkeld (near Penrith). The Watermill is an 18th Century corn mill, powered by water and used to produce a range of flours from organically grown British wheat. The flour is produced using two 12 foot diameter waterwheels which are used to power French burr millstones. Guided tours are available throughout the day on Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays and on these tours it is possible to see some of the machinery in action and to find out more about how the flour is made. There's also a shop where you can purchase flours, cereals and many other organic products such as pasta, coffee, herb tea, herbs, pulses and dried fruit. Many of these products can also be purchased by mail order (Ring 01768 881523 for a catalogue, or they can be ordered online.) And there's also a very nice tea room, offering a range of freshly-baked bread and cakes (some suitable for vegans) as well as tea, organic coffee or freshly squeezed orange juice if you're thirsty. The Watermill also runs regular breadmaking courses throughout the year. And if you can't get over to Little Salkeld, Watermill products are also sold in quite a few health shops throughout the Lake District area - I found some in a wholefood shop in Keswick and also in a health shop in Carlisle. February 2009 Update: Please see http://www.vegguide.org/entry/1797 or visit the Watermill's website for current opening times.
- The Village Bakery, located fairly nearby in the village of Melmerby, is also well worth a visit. Many of their breads and cakes are suitable for vegans and they also have a very nice tea shop. Again if you aren't able to get to Melmerby, then Village Bakery products can also be found in many health shops in the Lake District area, or else you can order from their website on the Internet.
- Priests Mill is another interesting old watermill. It was built by the Rector of Caldbeck and is located in the village of Caldbeck, not far from the church where John Peel is buried. Until 1933 it was used as a cornmill and then as a sawmill and joiner's workshop until 1965, when floods destroyed the dam. You can still see the 14ft diameter waterwheel, although I am not sure if it is ever seen working - it wasn't when I visited. Priests Mill now houses a nice restaurant, specialising in vegetarian cuisine and there's also an interesting second-hand bookshop, a pine furniture showroom, a jewellers, gift shop and a small museum, housing a collection of rural implements.
VIVA!s Vegetarian and Vegan Guide to the Lake District costs £1.00. It is available from many Tourist Information Offices in the Lake District area and can also be purchased by mail order direct from VIVA! It's well worth the money and especially helpful if you want to find out where to eat or sleep in the Lake District. It's also available new or secondhand from Amazon UK.
Finally, I would just like to mention Derwent Bay Bears. Derwent Bay Sawmill is located in Derwent Bay (Portinscale) near Keswick. It produces lovely hand-carved timber bears and other wooden garden creatures. Here you can meet Bruno, Bertie, Barney, Freddie, Brewster, Honey and Fleur. The bears are all made from home-grown timber from renewable resources. And are stained with woodstain which according to the manufacturers does not contain any animal products. Don't miss the bear's bedroom, upstairs in the showroom! Be warned these bears are big and can be difficult to get into the car. They are nice to look at though and you can also see them being made. Incidentally, they can be purchased by mail order. To find out more about these bears visit The Derwent Bay website. (February 2009 Update: Unable to update as the web site is currently unavailable.)
Other Interesting Vegan Websites
The Vegan Society (UK)
An excellent site and a particularly good starting point for obtaining information for the new or intending vegan. You can now visit their online Shop.
Do you want to find out more about the benefits of eating raw food? The FRESH Network provides information and offers support, as well as selling a wide range of raw food books/booklets and equipment such as juicers and dehydrators.
This section was updated in February 2009. Several web sites have been removed as they no longer exist.
October Book Review
Working With Nature: A Practical Philosophy For Health And Sustainability by Steve Charter (Printed by Unique Publications 1999).
A thought-provoking booklet covering many interesting concepts, including the vegan raw food diet, sustainable living, permaculture principles, intuitive eating, paradise and forest gardening and the use of perennials and wild foods as a source of food. In 'Working With Nature' Steve Charter carefully studies the connections, clearly showing how the way we choose to live can affect our own health and the health of the planet. Above all he offers insight into how we can change things for the better - simply by altering our values and our patterns of thinking. An inspiring little booklet which offers hope for the future. Note: This book does carry a health warning. This should be taken very seriously and anyone who wishes to avoid improving their health should not go anywhere near this booklet!