Wherein we propose to paste cuttings, reviews and links. And maybe some photos of Veggiestan events and banquets.
Have you cooked from the book? Take some photos and send them to us and we’ll post them up here. Have you any comments (*ahem* constructive ones)? This is the place to leave them….
5th October 2011: Veggiestan went to Scotland. We wittered on about all things Middle Eastern and vegetarian to the lovely Pennie Latin on BBC Radio Scotland’s Kitchen Cafe. You’re meant to think that we’re all sitting round a table together in Inverness – but actually we were in Portland Place, pretending. 
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- With the rather super Robert Elms
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- Our spread at the Bookseller Crow in Crystal Palace.
16th November 2011: Veggiestan went along to chat to Robert Elms. You can ‘listen again’ here for a wee while, if you’re bored, like. This time we got a photo to prove it… He really is a very nice chap
2nd March 2012: We went to meet (chat to) those very nice people at Crow on the Hill in Crystal Palace. We took some mince and slices of quince, and showed them our runcible spoon. And signed some books. Great shop.
28th March – 1st April 2012: Thanks to the lovely people at the British Council, we got to go to the Abu Dhabi International Book Fair as their token cookery writer (the UK was the Country of Focus at the festival this year). This was of course woop-di-doop exciting for a number of reasons, not least of which was a chance to spend some time in Arab-shire. It was kind of intimidating demonstrating Veggiestani food in one of its component countries – but everyone was very kind. Mr. Shopkeeper is just about speaking to Mrs. Shopkeeper again after a rather boisterous trip into the desert (her idea, of course) failed to agree with his constitution (jeep safari meets Alton Towers)….
BLOG ROUND-UP -here’s some kind things that people have said about the book so far. Not that we’d want them to influence you. You should really buy the book and make you own mind up….
Mostly Food
Culinaria Libris
Miss Eco Glam
Food Stories
The Culinary Guide
Saturday Telegraph Magazine
Good Food Magazine – in fact, we’re one of their top ten cookery books of 2011. Which made us VERY HAPPY.
Time Out Magazine. Food book of the week.
BMI In-Flight Magazine.
Domestic Sluttery
Here’s some excerpts, care of those nice people at Word of Mouth in the Guardian:
Baid bi Tamaten
Imam Biyaldi
Maghluba
Shaitany Eggs
Kookoo Sabzi
Dear Sally
Just got your book from the library on the offchance and it’s one of the best veggie books I have ever read and used so thank you! I have been a veggie since the age of 12 and am now 36 and I just love your book and it’s inspiring plus yummy recipes! I am afraid to say I haven’t heard of you before – I live in Edinburgh – but am now your biggest fan! Have been cooking from your book every night and just bought a copy for myself! Thank you so much! Caroline
Dear Caroline,
Aww – thanks for the encouraging words. Glad you’re enjoying Veggiestan.
If you ever get down to London do come and say hello: we have all sorts of stuff going on at our corner shop, not to mention a lot of helpful ingredients, and our samovar is always on.
In the meantime, keep checking back on this website – there’s new stuff going up here all the time. And if you have any favourite recipes…share them!
Bests,
Sally
I picked up your cookbook in Toronto Canada at the wonderful Cookbook Store and I absolutely love it. I spent the last few days of my holidays curled up in our hotel reading through your book.
As soon as we got home (Edmonton, Canada), I made the the Moroccan Tomato and Onion Soup (Hariria) and my husband and will be making it again (and again). It ended up being the first thing I cooked in 2012!!
I am not sure what to try next. The pomegranate salad is certainly on my radar!!
Thanks for a wonderful book!!
Thanks Kelley!
Great to know the book has travelled to the other side of the pond. And I am so pleased that you are enjoying it. It’s the right time of year to be playing with pomegranates – enjoy!
And – Happy New Year
Hi Sally. Well, your recipe book has made it to Piha (West Coast surf beach in New Zealand 40 km away from Auckland). I got it out of the library. It’s fab! As it’s summer here, I’m taking advantage of the bounty of lovely fresh aubergines. You’ve given me some great ways to use aubergines. Thanks so much for this inspiring book. One thing though, I went to make your chilli, mint, onion marmalade the other day and I couldn’t read my own writing. What’s the second ingredient in the recipe that you mix and boil with water? 500 gms of ? Thanks Celia
Hi Celia,
Very excited to hear that Veggiestan is spreading far and wide! I am also glad that you like it.
The missing ingredient is 500g caster sugar. It’s a cracking preserve – enjoy!
It’s little above freezling here today, so send some of that warmth over here will you?
Happy Cooking,
Sally
Love the book . A thing of beauty and some inviting recipes
Just made the Afghan Yoghurt with aubergine. I added a chpped red pepper to the onion and chilli mix and served it with Turkish bread from the book.
My husband claims not to care for aubergine but he adored this recipe and when you say “there will be nothing left” you did not lie. It was fab
Hey Liz. Glad husband approved! Try him on the gingery aubergines in Chapter Eight next…
Ok – tried the gingery tamarind aubergines which I served with a very herby cous-cous. I think my husband actually purred. Definitely one we’ll be having again. Loving these recipes – they always work
Today I finally got round to Tahinapittas…………theres none left!!!! No seriously there are a few left but they are so wow. I’m loving the book, have tried lots of stuff. the green pea houmus is really easy if you don’t have time to cook chick peas and tastes great and the falafel and kibbeh are becoming regulars in my kitchen. Having problems finding broad beans other than tinned stuff but would the frozen variety work? have found a wee middle eastern shop that sells loads of stuff but need a translator! If aubergines are a total no way in our house is there a good substitute? oh and today…. I even saw a bottle of pomegranite molasses in the supermarket.. in Dundee???? loving the regular recipes on the site and everyones great comments. I love other peoples shopping so other peoples favourites from the book is an equally fascinating subject. thanks everyone cos its a bit provincial up here in the frozen north!
Hi Lorraine,
Glad you’re enjoying Veggiestan.
There are always ways to substitute other ingredients, but with aubergines it depends on what you are trying to do. Marrow and courgettes have a familial likeness… Again with regards to the broad beans, it depends which recipe you are following. Frozen are fine – but not for ful medammes or houmous or besara.
If you ever get really stuck we are happy to post stuff
Hi Sally,
I attempted to make the marinated baby aubergines, and thought all had gone well until I opened them, and there was a bubbling almost-explosion… They still smelled ok but I didn’t really fancy them as they were still bubbling away happily an hour later! Any ideas what I might have done wrong? I thought I’d got all the air out of the jar, and then I wondered maybe if I should have left the aubergines for longer to let water come out… I’d like to try again, but I’m a little apprehensive. Any advice would be greatly appreciated!
All the best, Liz x
Ooh-er. Well bubbling and explosion indicate fermentation, and I have only ever experienced this where either the preserving liquid (oil in this case) has been contaminated or, as you say, there is an air pocket. DO try again: I am sure you will succeed the second time, and it is such a lovely satisfying thing to make. Good luck