Chocolate Tofu Pie Recipe

After discovering the versatile wonders of tofu, I have been on the lookout for some new recipes. I am better at baking than cooking, so I decided to make a dessert! I had seen a few recipes for a chocolate tofu pie/torte and I really liked the look of it. I decided to take elements from a couple of different recipes and put together my own. I've never really made up a recipe before, but I was really impressed with how it turned out so I thought I would share it. 

 This dessert is so rich and decadent, and is kind of like a cheesecake. Unless you told someone it was vegan they would never guess! It was a huge hit with my non-vegan family. 

  Ingredients   ♥ 250g vegan digestive biscuits (such as Co-Op own brand)♥ 100g vegan margarine♥ 2 packs silken tofu, pressed  ♥ 200g good quality dark chocolate, melted  ♥ 2 tablespoons golden syrup (agave nectar or maple syrup would probably work well too)♥ 1 tablespoon cocoa♥ 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
Method1. Crush the digestive biscuits into crumbs. Melt the margarine and stir in the biscuit crumbs until combined. Press into the bottom of a lightly greased 9 inch springform tin and bake for about 7-8 minutes at 180C. Leave to cool in the tin. 2. Blend the tofu until really smooth. Add the melted chocolate, cocoa, golden syrup and vanilla extract and blend until smooth and combined. 3. Pour the tofu mixture over the biscuit base and smooth out the top. Leave to chill in the fridge for at least 4 hours. 4. Decorate with chocolate curls or fruit and serve with raspberry coulis, ice cream, or whatever you fancy!

The pie should keep for 2-3 days if stored in the fridge (if there's any left that is!). Let me know if you try out my recipe!

Collective Mini-Haul: My Recent Purchases

I haven't been on a big shopping trip lately; instead I have gathered a few bits and pieces that I have seen around the shops.  I saw this chunky knit cardigan a few weeks ago in the Original Factory Shop, but didn't buy it until the other day. I think if you can't get a certain item of clothing out of your head, then it's a sign you should go back and buy it! That was definitely the case with this cardigan, and there was only one left in my size when I went back for it. It was £18 and is so thick and snuggly, but I haven't had a proper chance to wear it yet as the weather has still been quite warm. It is 100% acrylic and it has soft suede-effect patches on the elbows. 

  

 I also couldn't stop thinking about these desert style boots which I had seen in the same shop. Originally £25, they were reduced to £15, and as there weren't many pairs left I thought I should buy them. They are faux-suede and have a chunky heel. I am looking forward to wearing them with tights, dresses and cardigans when it gets a little colder. 

 Also from the Factory Shop are these black faux-leather dolly shoes. I had been needing a new pair of plain black shoes for work, but kept putting it off. Then one day as I was walking to work I noticed a flapping sound coming from one of my shoes - I looked and half of the sole had come off! I took that as the sign to buy some new ones right away, so I popped into the shop and got these ones, which were £6. They have a cushioned lining which is comfy, however the backs are a bit hard and have cut my heels a few times! 

 I needed some new patterned scarves as I only really have plain ones. I spotted this leopard print one in Peacocks (I love leopard print!) which was £7, and decided to buy it along with this blue butterfly print one, which was £6. 

 I am really into big earrings at the minute, and I found both these pairs in the sale in Peacocks. I can't remember exactly how much they were but I think they were each £2 or under. 

 I saw these cute socks in Tesco and bought four pairs as I needed some new ones. How could I leave animal print socks behind? 

 

Mimilicious Devonshire Klotted Kream Review

A little while ago, I was looking for a recipe for a vegan 'clotted cream'. I had no success and attempted to make up my own recipe, but it didn't turn out as well as I'd hoped. Imagine my delight when a new vegan business started up and made the cream I had dreamed of tasting! Mimilicious make Devonshire Klotted Kream, an oat-based alternative to dairy clotted cream. The ingredients are: water, pure oats, coconut oil, sunflower spread (sunflower oil, vegetable oils, salt, emulsifier - mono and diglycerides - vitamins E & A, colour - natural carotenes - vitamins D2 & B12) rapeseed lethicin, xanthan gum, vanilla extract, sea salt. A small pot (110g) of cream costs £1.99 and a large pot (200g) costs £3.75, which I think is really good value for the quality of the product. A percentage of all sales go to a different animal charity every month!  

 I couldn't wait to try the cream out, and what better way for a Cornish girl to have clotted cream than in a cream tea! I made a batch of scones using this recipe, which can be veganised by using vegan margarine and soya or rice milk. I have made this scone recipe loads of times and they turn out really well.  When having a cream tea you must put the jam on first (Devonians will tell you differently but don't listen to them!) and then the cream on top. 

 I shared my cream tea with my mum (who isn't vegan) and we both absolutely loved the cream. I was never a fan of dairy cream, but this vegan version is really nice - light and tasty. Mum said that it does taste quite similar to dairy clotted cream, and she really enjoyed it (even more so as it doesn't contain any cholesterol!).  

 I will definitely be purchasing a pot of this again and I highly recommend it. Mimilicious also make an Almost Raw Pumpkin Peanut Butter Silk Pie and a Raw Triple Chocolate Truffle Cake, both of which look amazing so perhaps I will try those next time I buy some cream! 

 

What I Got for My Birthday/Birthday Haul

  I love reading these kind of posts so I thought I would do one to show you what I got for my birthday last month. I was also given some money and I have got my eye on a few things that I would like to buy with it (maybe I will do a wishlist!). First up was this lovely jumper that my mum got me. It is 100% acrylic and is really warm. I haven't worn it much yet as the weather hasn't been cold enough...hurry up winter! 

 My brother and his girlfriend got me several things, firstly was a set of pink suitcases. I didn't actually have any suitcases of my own and was always borrowing my brother's whenever I went to visit Jamie, so I am really pleased to finally have my own, and in my favourite colour too! 

 They also got me a new waterproof coat and a water bottle for when I go on long, rainy walks with Jack :) 

 Finally they got me something that I have been needing for ages - a blender! I tried it out this weekend when I made a chocolate tofu pie with raspberry coulis; recipe coming soon! 

 My friend Chloe got me these really pretty pink crystal earrings - she always knows the kind of jewellery I love :)

 Jamie's sister, niece and nephew were on holiday in Spain whilst it was my birthday, so I got my present from them when they arrived home. They got me this gorgeous beaded necklace and earring set which is from Spain.  

  Jamie's mum, dad and nan got me some Dr. Bronner's tea tree soap and some Seed & Bean chilli and lime chocolate, which I haven't tried yet but it looks very tasty. 

 Jamie also got me some chocolate; a big hamper full! Lots of amazing chocolates were inside, including my favourite Booja Booja hazelnut crunch truffles. 

 So far I have tried the Grenada Chocolate Company bar, and oh my goodness it is the most amazing chocolate I have ever tasted! I cannot explain how delicious it is; it is so creamy and full of strong, rich flavour. This is proper chocolate! 

 Jamie also got me a beautiful bunch of sunflowers and gladioli that looked striking against my bright pink wall :) 

 He also got me the Harry Potter boxset, which I really wanted as I am a massive fan having grown up with the stories. Now I have got all the films to go with all the books!

 Let me know if you've had a birthday recently, I'd love to see what you got! 

My 23rd Birthday

At the beginning of the month I turned 23. I wasn't sure how I wanted to celebrate so everything was done last minute! I decided I would like a continental style breakfast to start the day, including toast with jam, blueberry muffins, and pain au chocolat. I was going to do croissants and other pastries too, but I just didn't have time to do it all. I used this recipe for the blueberry muffins, and they turned out really well. I would probably do a few less next time so the muffins are a little bigger, but they were nice and not too sweet. 

 Most of Jus-Rol's pastry products are suitable for vegans, and I have been wanting to try their pain au chocolat kit ever since I heard about it.  

 They were such fun to make; first you unwrap a cardboard tube which opens itself with a pop! 

 The pastry is rolled up and is perforated so that you tear it into six strips. 

 You then place a dark chocolate stick at each end of the pastry and roll the ends in to the middle. 

 Glaze with a little non-dairy milk and bake! They were delicious straight out of the oven.

After breakfast I went to a hotel spa with my brother's girlfriend where we enjoyed the swimming pool, sauna and outdoor hot tub (I didn't even think about taking any photos - sorry!). When we arrived my friend who works in the spa informed me that there was one space left that afternoon for a back massage. I decided to treat myself, and I'm so glad I did - I don't always have time to have a massage and it's great being the client for a change! In the evening my family and I went down to the local pub for a meal; I had a nut roast and all the trimmings, plus a few cheeky ciders. My mum did make me a gorgeous chocolate cake using this Lindy Smith recipe, which she smothered in chocolate buttercream and decorated with sugarpaste flowers and butterflies. However, when I got home I was rather merry and cut the cake before realising I hadn't taken a photo of it!  I had a lovely day, and got some amazing presents which I will be writing a post about soon. 

Jack's 3rd Birthday

A few weeks ago Jack turned three. As usual, I set out to spoil him rotten. This year I decided to buy him a load of vegan dog treats. Although Jack is not currently veggie or vegan, I thought it would be good for him to have some treats that aren't made of skin or bone, or any other body part that goes into low quality dog food and treats. Dogs can thrive on vegan diets and some vets even recommend it! Whilst looking for vegan dog treats I came across a website called veggiepets.com. They have a wide range of products to choose from, and I bought quite a few things so that they would last Jack a while. I wrapped them all up as Jack loves to unwrap presents (every time I get a parcel in the post he helps me to open it!). I tried to get him to pose for a photo with all his presents but he was too excited to sit still! 

 

Jack loved all his treats; he went straight for the 'pig' ear. I also made some vegan peanut butter dog biscuits using this recipe. 

  

  My mum got him some doggy chocolate drops (not vegan) and my brother got him some treats, a new ball, and a squeaky elephant teddy which is his new favourite!  

 

 

Of course no birthday would be complete without a cake, and so I made Jack a peanut butter and carrot cake topped with choc drops. I always make this recipe, but this year I veganised it by omitting the honey and replacing the egg with a ripe mashed banana. 

 

I also made a cake for my brother's gorgeous dog, Rhino, who turned three a few days before Jack. They love my cake! 

 Jack had a great birthday and was worn out in the evening. He still has plenty of treats left but I shall be ordering some more when they run out!Do you celebrate your pet's birthday? 

OOTD - Select Bow Print Tea Dress

Another OOTD from my last trip to Birmingham. One day Jamie and I decided to go on a canal boat cruise. It was such a hot day, so I thought it would be the perfect chance to wear my pretty new tea dress from Select, which was £14. I love how versatile tea dresses are; they can be worn as they are in the summer, or paired with tights and cardigans in the winter.

I wore this dress with my new faux-leather sandals, £9.99, and bag, £7.99, both from New Look. The sandals are so comfy, and they keep your feet cool in the heat.

On the way to the canal boat we saw loads of geese. We had taken some bread along to the canal the day before but the geese were all on the other side so we didn't get a chance to feed them. We got to feed them this time though, they were so cute and happily took the bread from my hands!