THE VEGAN NIGERIAN POP-UP RESTAURANT #3 - BUFFET!

*Limited spaces. Advanced booking required.* 

Another month, another Vegan Nigerian pop-up. And this time around, the format is a little different and laid-back. Come along and enjoy a buffet of delicious Nigerian (inspired) snacks, meals and desserts. Yes, jollof rice is on the menu. And yes, it's going to be another fun event. Looking forward to seeing you there! :)

When: 29th June 2016

Time: 7pm

Where: La Suite West Hotel, Bayswater, London, W2 3JN

What to expect: 

- Canapes 

- Cold buffet & Salads: finger foods and a selection of fresh salads 

- Hot buffet: jollof rice, fired rice, stewed vegetables, plantain 

- Dessert table: a selection of sweet treats 

- Drinks 

For any special dietary requirements, email: vegannigerian@gmail.com 

Buy your tickets here: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/the-vegan-nigerian-pop-up-restaurant-3-buffet-tickets-26021686565

ITALY 2016 | TRAVEL VLOG + VEGAN FOOD DISCOVERIES [VIDEO]

I ditched London for a bit and spent a glorious week in Italy. The timing for this trip couldn't have been more ideal, as returning back, I now find myself faced with new life opportunities, prospects and challenges. The time away gave me a chance to mostly switch off, relax, and just thoroughly relish this thing we call life. It gave me a chance to review the goals I had set for myself earlier this year - reflect on the ones I have already accomplished, and plan leisurely for the ones to come.

In the video below, I share snippets from my time in Porto Santo Stefano (Tuscany) - where I lived with my friend & former chef co-worker, Giulia, and her family - and my day out in Rome discovering a handful of vegan delights that the city has to offer.

It's bitter-sweet being back and leaving all of that sunshine behind, but I can't begin to describe how refreshed I feel and how motivated I am to push forward with what's to come... such as the next pop-up restaurant event which is scheduled to take place at the end of this month. More info on that soon. But for now, if you want to keep up to date on everything, do follow me over on Facebook/Twitter/Instagram.

Wishing you a wonderful week ahead! x

STRAWBERRY AND MINT PASTRIES

These mini pastries are cute, colourful and sweet. Even better, extremely easy to make.

Imagine presenting these as dessert canapés at parties, dinners and other social gatherings - you can make an impression with very little effort. And why not mix things up by using other brightly coloured fruits as the filling - mango, papaya..etc.
There are no limits.

Ingredients

- Ready-roll puff pastry

- Strawberries (finely chopped)

- Maple syrup

- Mint (roughly chopped)

Method

Cut the puff pastry into small squares.

Spoon some chopped strawberries into the centre of each square and pinch the edges inwards to create the crust.

Bake in the oven, gas mark 6, for about 10-15 minutes, or until the pastry is cooked.

Take the pastries out and brush the edges with some maple syrup to enhance the golden colour and give extra sweetness.

Place back in the oven for another 5 minutes.

Serve with a generous sprinkling of chopped mint.

Told you it was easy... :)

GARRI-CRUSTED AVOCADO FRIES [VIDEO]

Hello wonderful people. This random recipe was borne out of contemplating what to do with the avocado and garri I had left over from the 2nd pop-up. Crunchy on the outside, soft & smooth on the inside. Sounded good to me; turned out as scrumptious as I imagined. Take your taste-buds on a slightly wacky culinary journey with this super simple recipe. And as summer encroaches, perhaps this would be a worthy addition as a side dish at BBQs, picnics and parties.

2ND VEGAN NIGERIAN POP-UP RESTAURANT

As I type this, I am in ultimate chill-out mode. Hosting a pop-up is a tiring affair - I'm not even going to sugar-coat that. But it is all so worth it when everything comes together as you imagine - from the food, to the atmosphere, to the general feedback. And hey, no one ever said it was going to be easy. I plan to do a lot more of these - glutton for punishment that I am - and so if you're interested in attending a future event, do follow me on social media as you are likely to hear about it there first. 

The turn out was great, the atmosphere was convivial and the grind was real. I had three friends helping out behind the scenes this time, and between the four of us, we managed to cook, set up, serve guests and clear up at the end of the night. I think I will soon reach a point where I need to consider hiring people to help out, but I'm not going to dwell on that for now. One step at a time. 

I was extremely excited about the menu at this particular pop-up as a few elements were quite experimental. Each dish came to life on the day, just as I'd imagined them in my head and in my diagrams. Nothing beats creative expression, and I can't wait to grow and develop in this regard.

Thank you to all my guests; really hope to see you all again! And special shout-out to Felicia who came along and shot some scenes for a documentary she's working on, and also to fellow YouTuber and Nigerian vegan, Paul for being so kind and helping out at the end. Be sure to check out his YouTube channel. 

And now, pictures....

KENT VEGAN FESTIVAL 2016 [VIDEO]

It's been a while since I've taken to my stall, what with moving to London, working, and getting stuck into new projects such as writing a novel and hosting pop-up restaurant events. If I had to describe this year so far in one word, it would be: productive. And that's how I like it to be. When I heard about the Kent Vegan Festival, which took place in Canterbury this year on Saturday May 7th, I knew immediately that I had to be there. I lived in Kent for many years, and was simply excited that such a thing was taking place so close to home.

When deciding what to take to the festival, I opted for something a little different from my usual cakes and cupcakes. I still made brownies...because brownies always go down a treat...but this time, I also had some dried fruits such as dates, mango, and banana. Then, staying true to my brand, I had to have plantain chips as well. I only took a few in order to test the market and sheesh, was I in for a surprise. Not only did they sell out in record time, but I got some seriously amazing reviews on them. So now I know. Next time, I'll be flooding my table with plantain chips. And next time will be sooner rather than later, as I have now signed up to be at the Maidstone Vegan Festival in July, also in Kent, and also very close to home. Aside from being a part of these events, the major plus side is that I get to escape for a couple of days to spend time with my family.

All in all, the Kent Vegan Festival was a wonderful event, full of great stalls and great vegan food. The warm weather and sunshine on the day brought some extra cheer to the event. And I have to tip my hat to the organisers who made it such a stress-free event to be a part of. Well done to everyone involved, and hopefully see you next year!

POP-UP RESTAURANT #2

Got to keep that momentum going!

I'm hosting the second Vegan Nigerian Pop-Up Restaurant experience and if you're in London then I'd love to see you there! Come through for some great food, great music, and great company :)

*20 spaces available and advanced booking required*

When: Wednesday 11th May 2016

Where: La Suite West Hotel, 41-51 Inverness Terrace, Bayswater, London, W2 3JN

Time: 7pm

Tickets: www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/the-vegan-nigerian-pop-up-restaurant-2-tickets-24813550999

'THE NEW VEGAN' by AINE CARLIN (COOKBOOK REVIEW)

I can't resist a beautiful cookbook, and 'The New Vegan' by writer and blogger Aine Carlin certainly ticks all the boxes on the aesthetics front. Beyond gorgeous photo spreads and layouts, however, this is a cookbook with a difference, bursting with tips and advice on adopting a vegan lifestyle! Along with over 90 healthy and versatile recipes, you can also expect sections on the often overlooked subjects of vegan beauty and vegan clothing (yes, veganism goes beyond the food you eat!)

As the name suggests, this is a cookbook geared towards a contemporary audience; those who are new to the vegan game, but also, I imagine, those veteran vegans who desire a fresh take on veganism altogether. With so much information out there on the web, it can be confusing and daunting sifting through what's reliable and what's not. 'The New Vegan' is a refreshing resource that cuts to the chase and provides the reader with concise and down-to-earth knowledge on all things vegan.

From juices to overnight oats to fruity granola, the breakfast meals are simply mouthwatering. I mean, coconut, mango and spinach smoothie bowl (see image) - can you say perfection? As someone who has never made a smoothie bowl before, this particular recipe inspires me to go all out experimenting with this form. It's certainly a simple way to jazz up your breakfast routine.

Skipping to the Special Meals section, I was surprised to find a jollof rice recipe. Yes, our beloved jollof rice (image below). Knowing how sensitive my fellow West Africans are when it comes to this dish (did you follow Jamie Oliver's #jollofgate scandal back in 2014? lol), I approved of the author's decision to offer a disclaimer: "Of course, this is very much my own (anglicised) spin on things so if you're looking for an authentic version of what I now realise to be a staple national dish for much of West Africa, this probably isn't it."

To be honest, the recipe looks just as delicious as it's supposed to look, so I am excited to give this version a try. I imagine that the addition of paprika will give it a lovely, smoky flavour, and I am here for that!

On the sweet side of things, I was drawn to the strawberry galette, which is so unbelievably quick and easy to prepare, but would make a wonderful centre piece at any dinner party. Special shout out to the banoffee pie recipe too which is raw, decadent and one of my personal favourite vegan desserts.

Finally, the cruelty-free beauty recipes are good enough to eat. Think body scrubs made with banana, body moisturisers made with whipped coconut oil, and exfoliator made with avocado & oatmeal. Like I said, good enough to eat!

If you're an avid cookbook collector like myself, the 'The New Vegan' is a worthy addition to your shelf, and would also make a useful and stylish gift to someone you know who's starting out or thinking of starting out on this lifestyle. It is accessible and appealing, showing just how easy it is to be vegan in this day and age.

To find out more about the author, you can visit her site at: www.peasoupeats.com and follow her on twitter @ainecarlin 

The cookbook is available on Amazon and more info can be found on the publisher's website: www.kylebooks.com.

Note: This review has been organised by the VEGAN Lifestyle ASSOCIATION. It has not been paid for and the copy of the book I received was sent free of charge. This is my genuine and unbiased review of the book.

VEGAN SPRING RECIPES (GUEST POST by SARA UPTON)

Make the most of spring by trying out some of these vegan recipes by freelance writer Sara Upton.

Light, easy to make and bursting with wholesome plant foods...what's not to love?

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Now that spring is upon us, it’s time to switch up our meal plans and start eating some different foods. This means putting away all of the ingredients we've been using over the winter—stashing them in the closet just like we do our thickest winter sweaters—and starting to use some of the plant-based ingredients that are freshest this time of year. 

With that thought in mind, here are a few spring-inspired vegan recipes for side dishes that will have your taste buds going “Mmm…”.

Fava Bean Salad

A great vegetable to work into your spring meal plan is fava beans, and if you follow this recipe, you’ll have a ready-to-eat side salad in just a few minutes. The ingredients are: 

·15 ounces fava beans (which is two cans if you buy them this way; just make sure you drain them)

·2 chopped Roma tomatoes

·1 diced cucumber

·1 diced sweet onion (use a small one)

·1 minced garlic clove

·1 tsp syrup

·2 tbsp balsamic vinegar

·1/3 cup olive oil (extra virgin)

·Juice from ½ lemon

To make this simple spring salad, just mix all of the vegetables together in one bowl and all of the spices, juices, syrups, and oils together in another bowl. Once they’re mixed well, combine them and place in the fridge for an hour to get the salad nice and cold. 

Sweet Potato Soup

Sweet potatoes are great this time of year as well, and sweet potato soup helps bridge the gap between winter and summer by providing a meal that is warm and filling, yet light. Here’s what you need to make it: 

·1 large sweet potato

·1 cup warmed soy or almond milk

·1/2 cup vegetable broth

·1/8 tsp salt

Bake the sweet potato until tender (approximately 40 minutes at 400 degrees), remove the skin, and place it in a blender. Add the milk, broth, and salt and blend until smooth. When you serve it, you can even add chopped tomatoes, chives, and green onions on top!

One More Option...

All of these are great ways to celebrate some of spring’s most treasured treats. However, if you don’t have time to put together side dishes like these, you can always juice your favourite springtime veggies, enabling you to enjoy all of their nutrients and goodness without having to prepare a full meal.

No matter which spring options you like best, the key is to find the ones that satisfy your taste buds most. That way, you'll get the most from the ingredients that are freshest this time of year. But also, don’t be afraid to try new ones. Who knows? You may just find one that you love, even though you didn't realise it! 

FIRST VEGAN NIGERIAN POP-UP RESTAURANT [VIDEO]

The last few weeks have been a roller-coaster, for want of a better metaphor. I first decided that I wanted to go ahead with this pop-up restaurant over a month ago, giving me the time and breathing space to slowly work up to it. No pressure.

Once the event went live, it was jaw-dropping to witness the tickets sell out so fast. At the very least, I knew that I could count on my family and close friends to be there, but I imagined that I'd have to do a great deal of advertising to get the word out and convince other people to come along. The power of social media, sharing and word-of-mouth came into play and thankfully silenced that misconception.

So, in the long lead up to the event, there were days when I was in full planning mode - trying to work out the logistics and practicalities, down to the smallest detail. How to transport ingredients to the venue? What drinks to serve with the meals? How much prep time would be required? etc. On other days, I was able to go about my business without a thought to the event, often leading me to wonder whether I was doing enough to prepare. Time would tell...

Life has a funny way of playing out and it so happened that the week just before the pop-up was to take place was week I had planned (months in advance) to attend Spring Harvest (a Christian holiday/retreat in Somerset) with a friend. Cue a week of complete relaxation and much-needed peace of mind. And when it was over, time seemed to hurtle mercilessly forward to Wednesday. Now or never...

I'm as calm as calm gets, believe me, but I'd be lying if I said I didn't experience little pangs of nervous energy throughout the day. With the help of family and friends, however, who gave their time so generously and selflessly, I was able to make it through the day in one piece. There was so much love and support on their part - and even on the part of the guests I met for the very first time - that I am convinced that that was the key to the event being as successful as it was. Thank God for wonderful people :)

The video I've put together (special thanks to my brother for capturing most of the footage while I was plating behind the scenes) should give you a good idea of the overall night - the atmosphere, the food, the good vibes... No need for me to break it down excessively ;)

Once again, a massive thank you to everyone who played a part in bringing this event to life. You are all appreciated. I'm also going to go ahead and give myself a good pat on the back for following through with this, because why not! Haha. Enjoy the video, share, like, and see you soon at the next pop-up :)

Tomi x

BAKED VEGETABLE CHIPS [VIDEO]

Another week, another YouTube video. These chips are great for snacking on and are a healthy alternative to the deep-fried chips/crisps you get in supermarkets. Hope you give it a try. Don't forget to subscribe to my channel for video updates.
Wishing you all a wonderful Easter!

'CHEESY' VEGAN GARLIC BREAD (GOOD CARMA REVIEW + VIDEO)

I first tried nutritional yeast approximately one year ago after hearing a lot about its wonderfully cheesy flavour. It is this special ingredient that gives body to Good Carma's range of vegan parmesan-style 'cheeses'. 

Founded in 2013 by passionate foodie, Charlotte Bates, Good Carma's aim is to provide a healthy and nutritious alternative to dairy cheese. The Flavour Fusion range is made up of three main 'parmesan' flavours - Garlic, Chilli, and Original (with basil) - allowing you to flavour your food according to your mood :)

I was excited to receive all three to review and over the last few weeks, I have been able to carefully test each one in different ways. Both the chilli and original flavours were delicious sprinkled on pasta dishes (for pasta inspiration, browse through my recipe page), as well as on a hearty tomato soup I had for dinner one evening. They also work incredibly well sprinkled on home-made vegetable chips (video coming soon!). The garlic flavour gave the right amount of intensity to a 'cheesy' garlic bread recipe (see tutorial video below). Overall, I was pleased with each one - the original flavour being my absolute favourite of the 3! - although I would have liked the chilli flavour to carry more heat. A lot more heat!

As well as being dairy-free, there are several other reasons to give these 'cheesy' flavour fusions a try, including the fact that they contain NO artificial colours, flavours & preservatives; they are made using whole foods (nutritional yeast, ground almonds, himalayan pink salt...); they are a good source of B12, and they are wheat/gluten free for those who suffer from intolerances. There is nothing worse than over-processed food, and so I have to say that I really appreciate the company's effort to make these 'cheeses' as clean and natural as possible!

If, like me, you're a vegan who sometimes misses the taste and sensation of having grated cheese over certain foods, then this is definitely for you. Good news is that the Flavour Fusion range is now available online and in 47 Waitrose stores across the UK. In addition to that, you can get 10% off if you're signed up (for free) with the Vegan Lifestyle Association!

Hope you enjoy this quick & easy 'cheesy' vegan garlic bread recipe, featuring Good Carma's Garlic Flavour Fusion. It was a lot of fun to make, and a lot of fun to eat ;)

Note: This review has been organised by the VEGAN lifestyle ASSOCIATION. It has not been paid for and the products were sent free of charge. This is my genuine and unbiased review of the product.

Good Carma Foods are listed with the VLA and you can see their listing here.

STARTING A POP-UP RESTAURANT [VIDEO]

I'm a big believer in taking small, tangible steps towards achieving major life goals. So here's me taking the plunge and launching my first ever pop-up restaurant!

If you're in London and up for trying some of my food, then I'd love to see you there! The first event will be on Wednesday 6th April at 19:00 pm, at La Suite West Hotel.

As the first event is somewhat of a test-run, I've limited the numbers to 20 available spaces. You can secure your ticket(s) and check out the set menu by visiting the event page here.

Thanks! :)

BRIGHTON VEGFEST 2016 [VIDEO]

I had a great day out at the Brighton VegFest this year, where I volunteered with the lovely peeps at the Vegan Lifestyle Association stall, discovered a ton of products and ate a lot of yummy vegan food. Check out my vlog below and don't forget to subscribe! :)

THE SECRET TO PERFECT VEGAN AFTERNOON TEA

I work as a chef at a vegan restaurant in London and if there is one thing they are well known for, it's the painfully stylish vegan afternoon tea served every day from 12 pm. After nine months of being here, I have easily made and plated hundreds (yes, hundreds) of these gorgeous spreads. I'm talking trays of scones, buckets of coconut cream, and enough sweet desserts to make your dentist shudder.

Figuring that it would be fun to cross elements of my work with this blog, I have decided to break down the components required to create the perfect vegan afternoon tea. An insider's perspective, if you will. I use the word 'perfect' very loosely here of course because perfection simply doesn't exist. But I'd like to think that we come pretty close. 

I won't be giving away any specific recipes, although in some places I might link you to some of my previous recipes for inspiration (especially the dessert part of the course!) and I shall happily feed your senses with a few stunning photographs. 

Okay, let's get on with exploring the anatomy of perfect vegan afternoon tea ;)

1. Sandwiches
We kick things off on a savoury note with a selection of finger sandwiches. What makes these sandwiches particularly irresistible is that they are packed with unique and flavourful VEGAN fillings - from mushroom paté to scrambled tofu with mustard cress, to avocado chilli mousse with rocket. The sandwiches look effortlessly chic when you cut the crusts off and divide into three parts (one part per portion). Using a mix of brown and white bread provides contrast on the plate, and then to top the whole thing off, the sandwiches are garnished with delicate edible greens. Try not to eat the screen...

2. Scones and Coconut Cream
The heart of afternoon tea has got to be the scones and cream - coconut cream, to be exact! Fresh strawberries and a generous dusting of icing sugar seal the deal. Here's a cool vegan hack: in order to achieve wonderfully creamy coconut cream, refrigerate a tin of coconut milk overnight and then scoop out the solid cream from the top. It's really as easy as that. Sweeten it with some sugar or syrup to make it extra irresistible. 

3. Desserts
Now comes the fun part. In the pics below, I show you perhaps the most popular combination of desserts we currently serve. From left to right: raw carrot cake with lemon frosting, chilli chocolate fudge cake with a chocolate-caramel sauce, and a moist lemon sponge with lemon curd. We serve raw banoffee pie occasionally too - one of my favourites. On other days, you might also get a lemon tart, sticky toffee pudding or a mini apple pie. If you're feeling inspired and want to have a go at making your own desserts at home, you can start with this vanilla sponge recipe or chocolate fudge cake. 

4. Tea
For obvious reasons, you can't have an afternoon tea without actual tea! Coffee and hot chocolate are also acceptable, but the point is to sip copious amounts of a hot beverage as you eat your way through the course. If your beverage requires milk then you're spoilt for choice - there's almond milk, soya milk, coconut milk, hemp milk, rice milk, oat milk... Don't settle for regular black tea either. Why not try: Earl Grey, Darjeeling, Jasmine, and my personal favourite: Hibiscus!

Photo credit: Tomi Makanjuola, 2016

3 YEARS OF BLOGGING + GIVEAWAY!

My blog turned 3 on the 15th February. Below is a video with some of my favourite highlights from the last few years. At the end, I announce a giveaway! Give it a watch for a chance to enter! ;)

Thank youuu and catch you soon!

WHAT I EAT IN A DAY [VIDEO]

Step into my world for a day and peep the sort of food I eat as a vegan.
Anyone who thinks that vegan food is a synonym for deprivation needs a reality check! ;)

Hope you enjoy the video. Don't forget to subscribe to my channel for more content! :)

PANCAKE DAY [VEGAN]

Today is pancake day and to help you get your pancake on, here is a countdown of all the pancake recipes I've accumulated on this blog so far. Pick your favourite and get cooking! ;)

Click on the titles to access the full recipe.

1. Malted Plantain Pancakes

2. Sweet Potato Pancakes

3. Banana, Raisin and Oat Pancakes

4. Plain Vegan Pancakes

 5. Hemp Crepes

CHOCOLATE TRUFFLES FOR VALENTINE'S DAY [VIDEO]

For all the lovebirds out there, here's a simple chocolate truffle recipe for you! It's quick, easy, AND healthy too so you can spoil your significant other without, well, spoiling them. These truffles make a really cute DIY present for any occasion too, so feel free to gift them to someone 'just because' :)

Don't forget to subscribe to my YouTube channel. I'm trying this thing where I'm all consistent with my videos, ya know? So show some love and I will continue to keep you posted! :)

Scroll down for the video!

Ingredients
- 1 cup dates
- 3 heap tbsps cocoa powder
- 2 tbsp dessicated coconut
- 1 tbsp coconut flour

Blend all the ingredients until the mixture comes together.
Form into round truffle shapes.
Done!

NATIVE UNEARTHED NATURAL CRYSTAL DEODORANT

There's almost something magical about the way this deodorant works.

Unlike traditional deodorants, this particular one by Native Unearthed is unique in that it is made from volcanic crystal minerals, which means that it is all natural, leaves no marks or sticky residue, and prevents odour by leaving an invincible layer of minerals on the underarms to prevent the build up of bacteria. 

The directions for use simply indicate: 'moisten the tip and apply or alternatively apply to wet underarms'. It was this simplicity that initially made me sceptical. After applying it for the first time and letting it dry (this only takes seconds), the feeling was as though I hadn't used any deodorant at all. It was fragrance-free and it left absolutely zero residue. Unused to this, I wondered if it was wise to step out of the house in that state. Still, I was determined to give it a fair trial and so off I went about with my day's business. 

Over a week later of using this deodorant, I can confidently say that it works like a charm and that I am going to have a hard time going back to regular roll-on deodorants. If you don't know already, I work as a chef and that sort of working environment can get hectic at times. Now, if this deodorant by Native Unearthed can see me through a typical working day and provide round the clock freshness, then I'd say there's definitely something magical about it.

Out of their four deodorant products, I was sent the aloe vera infused version, which has a soothing and hydrating quality on top of the effectiveness of the natural deodorant. They have a sale on at the moment, so if you want to take advantage of that, visit their website here. Equally worth checking out are the other types in the range: Crystal Deodorant with Mangosteen, Crystal Deodorant with Raw Curcuma Longa Root, and the plain version: Natural Crystal Deodorant. 

For anyone who's moving towards a more natural, vegan and eco-friendly lifestyle, not only in terms of food, but also in terms of beauty and healthcare, this would be a worthy staple to include. I cannot rave about this product enough - I am just so impressed - and I would urge you to give it a try for yourself! 

Polite note: Thanks to the VEGAN lifestyle ASSOCIATION for making this review possible. It has not been paid for and the products were sent free of charge. This is my genuine and unbiased review of the product. Native Unearthed is listed with the VLA and offers Associates a 10% discount and you can take advantage of this here.