Many of my readers will know from reading my blog that Wales has its own Welsh Valentines Day known as Dydd Santes Dwynwens . This is celebrated today - the 25th January.
St Dwynwen is The Welsh Saint of Love and Lovers. For those of you who want to know more please follow this link that I wrote a few years back about Our very own Patron Saint of Love.
We are so proud in Wales that we have a woman who is the Patron Saint of Love. Her name Dwynwen translates to 'she who leads a blessed life' and her most well known saying is 'nothing wins hearts like cheerfulness'. So if you want to show your loved one a little affection and celebrate St Dwynwen's Day with us today, I have collected some of the best vegan and vegetarian Welsh inspired recipes from my blog and have listed them here if you wish to create a Romantic St Dwynwen Vegan or Vegetarian meal in your own home.
Dydd Santes Dwynwen Haput!
Starter
Welsh Woman's Vegan Laverbread Caviar serve these with Cashew Cream Cheese and crackers or if you don't fancy crackers then perhaps a little on some Crempog Las .
Laverbread is a traditional Welsh delicacy that is often just spread on toast. It also known as 'Seaweed Bread' though it is not a bread at all. The best way to describe it is seaweed pate,
which does not appeal to everyone so to coax you, I will pretentiously call this 'Mermaids Pearls', but I think today calling it 'Welsh Gentlewoman's Vegan Laverbread Caviar' is more appropriate.
Here is the Cashew Cream Cheese I mentioned above.
Welsh Leek and Potato Soup with Chilli aka Welsh Dragon Soup remains one of my firm favourites. I love the giant Red Dragon Chilli Shortbread served with it.
Welsh Glamorgan Scotch Egg or if you want to go fusion, make a Pakora Scotch Welsh Egg.
Welsh Beer Battered Welsh Leek and Caerphilly Cheese Pakora bites
Makes 12
Ingredients
150 - 200g Gram flour
Salt to taste
Pinch of red chilli flakes
Around 250ml Welsh Beer (recommend Tiny Brewery if you can get it) Drink the rest
110g Caerphilly cheese, cheddar will also work well, cut into small cubes
1 teaspoon of mixed dried herbs
150g fresh white or wholemeal breadcrumbs
1 leek, finely sliced or minced
1 – 2 fresh green chilli, minced
1 teaspoon cayenne or chilli powder
1 teaspoon of cumin seeds
1 large egg, beaten
Salt to taste
Oil to deep or shallow fry
First make the batter: Add salt and chilli flakes to the gram flour, then add enough beer until you achieve a good dipping consistency. Let it sit for 10 minutes.
In the meantime: make the pakora bites:
Place 150g breadcrumbs in a large mixing bowl along with the leeks and cheese.
Then add the herbs, cumin seeds, minced chilli, spices and seasoning of salt.
Now add the egg and stir to bind together.
Then divide the mixture into 12 equal portions and then using your hands roll each piece into the shape of a golf ball, squeezing gently to hold it together.
Now dip in batter and coat the balls evenly.
Too cook the pakora bites
Shallow or deep fry for about 6 minutes till all sides are crisp and golden.
These can be made in advance, and reheated in the oven
Not the prettiest, but these deep fried Welsh Leek and Caerphilly Cheese Pakoras aka Bhaji's are very tasty
For the romantic St Dwynwens Day Welsh inspired Mains
Welsh Rarebit Risotto made with leeks and Welsh cheese and served with a Welsh Red Dragon Shortbread
Or you could try and make Welsh Goats Cheese Gnocchi with Herbs
Laverbread, Samphire, and Seaweed Flakes Quiche also known as Sea Vegetable Quiche with Perl Las Quiche
Indo Cymru Leek Stew with Dumplings that give you a Cwtch - that's Welsh for hug!
Welsh cottage Pie with Laverbread Mash.
Welsh Cawl Hot Pot
If the rain is getting to you and you want something a bit more hearty, then perhaps some Welsh Laverbread Pudding.
And if this Savoury Pudding does not appeal, then maybe Laverbread, Mushroom and Puy Lentil Pies.
Sweet things and desserts
Vegan Welshcakes shaped into hearts if you so wish.
To make the Welshcake more decadent I like to serve it with a vegan Coconut Creme Brulee. Or if you must Bara Brith or more Welsh cheese!
Dydd Santes Dwynwen Haput!