Since moving back to Bahrain last year I have been lucky enough to meet some very amazing people. Some of my favorite friends are Rosanna and Peter; a married couple from Australia who have spent the majority of their life living overseas. But that isn’t the best part. The best part, aside from the fact that they live right next door from us, is that they are incredibly passionate vegetarian, feminist, animal loving, anti-capitalist, anti-globalization, absolutely radical, kick ass people and we are lucky enough to consider them our close friends.
Me and Ro!
Peter and Cody!
Peter is one of the best cooks I have ever known. He is always surprising me with his innovative flavor combinations and unique cooking methods. He makes the best dessert I have ever tasted: sticky date pudding cake. He is an archivist and a horse lover, so the conversation is always fascinating. He and Cody are both very quiet, sweet-hearted, gentle guys with a love for quirky music and goofy jokes so they really hit it off.
Rosanna is, to put it quite simply, an inspiration to me. I hope to be like her someday. She has worked passionately and tirelessly in the field of human rights, women’s rights, and anti-globalization for the past 20 years. She is so incredibly brilliant and fearless, she never ceases to amaze me. I consider her my mentor and really value the discussions we have and the guidance she gives me, and I am always amazed and so grateful that she has confidence in me and my potential. Her work with various NGO’s around the world and the stories she has to tell of her insanely brave adventures fighting to make the world and better place and jump-start the revolution make my jaw drop to the floor and fill my heart with hope.
At least once every week or so we all get together for a vegan feast. From now on I plan to take pictures of all the food I cook, as well as all the delicious food Peter contributes to these meals.
Unfortunately for today I only have pictures of the food I made.
Spinach/Basil Pesto Pasta – so fresh and tasty!
Olive Bread – store bought, but wholesome and tangy.
Garlic/Sage Compound Butter – addictive! (And easy to make. Just combine vegan butter with a chopped garlic clove and a few dashes of dried sage and let sit for a while in the fridge before serving to let the flavors combine.)
Spinach/Basil Pesto Pasta (serves an army)
4 bunches of spinach
1 bunch of basil
4 cloves garlic
2 or 3 Tbsp of red miso paste (Gives a great salty, cheesy flavor. Nutritional yeast would also be good)
300 grams of pine nuts
Big splash of lemon juice
pinch of salt and pepper
enough extra virgin olive oil to achieve desired consistency
Serve over 2 boxes of penne pasta
(I sauted up a big bunch of chopped asparagus and added it to the pasta (not blending it or anything) along with some chopped cherry tomatoes just to add a little more deliciousness.)
Combine all of the ingredients in a food processor or hand blender. I am not one of the lucky vegans that own a vitamix and my blender is broken, but I was pleasantly shocked and a bit amazed at how well my cheap little hand blender powered through the huge bunch of spinach leaves, garlic and pine nuts with absolutely no problem. It easily created the thick, creamy consistency of a delicious pesto. The fresh spinach tastes so earthy and delicious balanced against the sweet basil and tangy, salty miso paste. YUM!
Stay tuned for more of the Radical Vegan Lunch Series! Also, coming soon, I have an extra special 2 part series featuring exclusive behind the scenes pictures of my favorite restaurant in Bahrain.
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The pasta looks fabulous. Did I miss the sticky pudding cake–or is that to come?
Thank you! No, I haven’t posted pictures of the sticky date pudding cake yet, but I will. It really is AMAZING!
Oh I LOVE your blog. I just read your dog review.
Don’t you think Polly looks a bit like Snoopy? I love heelers so much. I never thought I would prefer one dog breed but after owning her Smartness I have just fallen in love with their intense intellect, bossiness, protectiveness, and at the same time, shyness.
Of course if we were to adopt another dog it would most likely be someone closer to Volvo’s story than even a rescue heeler. But I am happy to have Snoopy in my life.And all the heelers that come to the vet.
That certainly looks yummy!! I am excited about your plans to do an action on-the-scene look at food preparation in your favorite restaurant (and in Bahrain no less!!!)
Glad you are back again – your blogs are SO INTERESTING!!
that garlicky butter sounds great!
How cool to have kick ass neighbours! And Cody is a cutie, for sure!
Now, how about sending some of that pasta my way…
That pasta looks soooo delicious! Yummmmooo!
that pasta sounds soo good!
It is a joy having good frienda like that! And boy, does that pasta look good. I was thinking of trying a spinach pesto and now I definitely have to!
I think I want your friends
And your food, especially a slice of that bread topped with some of the pasta. Does that sound weird?
that pesto looks AMAZING!
i must try it
Thanks everybody! The pesto IS delicious and really easy to make. Give it a whirl and let me know how it goes!
Ruthie: Polly DOES look like Snoopy! Blue heelers are awesome, so smart and SO loyal.
Mihl: HAHA! That doesn’t sound weird at all because that is exactly what I did! I piled it onto my bread that was covered in the garlic sage butter. YUM!
Wow, you’ve been to so many amazing places!
My dad just got back from a trip to Beirut, and he saidit was amazing, so now I really want to go!
Hey hey!!!!!!
It’s the first time on your blog!! I’m soo happy to find another VEGAN!! =D
Yeah..you’re soo lucky to meet these people!! =)) It’s always GREAT to find guys who are interested in vegan/vegetarian lifestyle and generally livin’ in a better way =D
You’re photos look great…the food is soo fresh and colorful… =)) The spinach dish sounds interesting..!! =))
If you have some time you can visit my blog…=))
http://www.agnesworldofveganpleasures.blogspot.com
Have a great time!!
Wow, your pesto looks over the top delicious! And it does just what it’s supposed to do: stick to the pasta.
By the way, I just discovered your blog and am eager to read more of your posts! Keep ‘em coming!
This was amazing! I grew up on pesto, and I didn't think it was possible to make a good pesto without parmesan, but boy was I wrong. Love the spinach. No one knew it was in there, but it wasn't as strong as regular basil pesto, which my husband doesn't love. Both kids also loved it, and my picky daughter had an unprecedented second helping.
I didn't have sage, so made the butter with dried chives and fresh dill. I added a third carb to the meal since I had some scrumptious teeny new potatoes from the farmer's market. I boiled them and tossed with butter & dill. It was a carb trifecta, and it was perfect! And my friend tells me that's old world Italian cooking, not me making a starch glutton of myself. Yay!
I'm making this for lunch. I think I'll try to shoot it, but I don't think it will be as pretty as your picture!
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[...] have probably heard me gush about Ro before. She is an internationally renowned feminist, global south advocate, vegatarian, and gender [...]