Dairy Free Punjabi Breakfast at Namji MK
Dairy Free Punjabi Breakfast at Namji MK AD PR Meal – My experience at Namji MK was complimentary A few weeks ago I was invited to try Namji MK‘s dairy free Punjabi breakfast items at their beautiful restaurant in the Xscape in Milton Keynes. Namji is one of MK’s favorite Indian restaurants, and is well-known in the local vegan community for offering a large range of dietary friendly options. So when founder and Curry Queen Naseem invited me to come review her Punjabi breakfast menu I jumped at the chance! I’d never had a Punjabi breakfast before, and this was the perfect opportunity to find out what dairy free options were available for me to try. Read this blog post to learn all about Namji MK’s dairy free Punjabi breakfast offerings, and discover why you should add it to your Milton Keynes brunch hit list! 28.12.22 – Namji MK’s sumptuous interiors 28.12.22 – Carrot orange juice and mango lassi To Start When we arrived we were seated straightaway in one of their lush, jewel toned booths. At first the table seemed a bit large for just Ben and I, but it was the perfect size to hold the spread of food they ended up bringing out for us to try! We were walked through the menu and the server was well-versed on which items contained dairy and which ones were fine for me to eat. There are no dietary labels on the breakfast menu so here’s a list of what I could have: Halwa Puri – chole and aloo are dairy free, halwa & puris contain dairy so ask for parathas instead Chole Bhature – ask for parathas instead of bhature, which contain dairy Crispy stuffed paratha – aloo and egg were fine, paneer contains dairy, not sure about mooli or methi English style Nastha – I wasn’t served this because it isn’t traditional, but can be made dairy free Ben was offered a mango lassi, but as they are made with yogurt I unfortunately could not try one. He loved it though! Instead, I had their orange carrot juice which was fresh and delicious. Read More The Best Dairy Free Pancakes in Milton Keynes 28.12.22 – A Punjabi breakfast spread 28.12.22 – A plate full of chole, aloo, and parathas The Main Event My dairy free Punjabi breakfast began halwa puri with chole and aloo, aloo stuffed paratha, egg stuffed paratha, and some bhature. Of that the chole, aloo, aloo paratha, and egg paratha were dairy free. I wish I could have tried to fluffy breads (puri and bhature) because they looked so lovely! But everything I could eat was absolutely delicious. I would never have thought to have saucy, curried chickpeas and golden turmeric potatoes for breakfast but I loved it! And the parathas were perfect for scooping it all up. The aloo paratha was soft, spiced, and flexible, while the egg paratha was crispy with a nicely chewy layer of scrambled egg in the middle. In fact, not only was my Punjabi breakfast at Namji MK dairy free, everything except the aloo paratha was vegan as well. The aloo was Ben’s favorite of the curried veg, but I loved the chole so much I got a second helping! This gave me a chance to try a plain paratha too, which was delightfully flaky and perfect with the saucy chickpeas. And to finish this dairy free Punjabi breakfast spread we had some tea. Unfortunately, there was no dairy free alternative for Namji’s masala chai so Ben had a pot of that while I had my own pot of fresh mint tea. It might not have been chai, but it was pleasantly refreshing after such a feast! 28.12.22 – Chole (chickpeas) and a plain paratha 28.12.22 – A pot of mint tea to finish off the meal The Takeaway All in all, we had a lovely time trying a traditional Punjabi breakfast at Namji MK! It’s no wonder Naseem has been crowned Curry Queen – the flavors were spot on, and the crispy parathas were the perfect accompaniment to beautifully spiced veg. I was a little disappointed there were so few dairy free breakfast items I could try, especially at a restaurant known for being so accommodating to dietary requirements with their main menu. But what I did try was gorgeous and I’d happily return for a fun take on the usual catch-up brunch with the gals. Namji MK’s breakfast runs Monday-Saturday 10am-12pm and Sunday 9am-1pm. They’re very busy on the weekends so recommend booking a table Saturday and Sunday. So what do you think, would you try a dairy free Punjabi breakfast at Namji MK? Dairy Free Punjabi Breakfast at Namji MK January 18, 2023 Dairy Free Tasting Menu at Paris House November 14, 2022 Cozy Pubs in Milton Keynes November 11, 2022 The Best Dairy Free Pancakes in Milton Keynes March 1, 2022 About Contact Facebook-f Twitter Instagram Pinterest Privacy Policy
My Top Vegan Eats in Milton Keynes
My Top Vegan Eats in Milton Keynes This is my second year of doing Veganuary and I am loving it! I always feel so much more creative in the kitchen, and love trying new veg-forward recipes throughout the month. But sometimes you just want someone to cook dinner or make sweet treats for you, don’t you? That’s where this guide to my favorite vegan eats in Milton Keynes comes in handy! After extensive (though not exhaustive) research into the MK vegan food scene, I’ve compiled a list of my favorite vegan-friendly breakfast & brunch, lunch & dinner, and dessert & treat vendors around town. So whether you’re vegan, dairy free, or just veeg-curious I hope this guide helps you find a new favorite vegan treat. Happy vegan eating! Vegan Eats in MK French Affaire Out of Office Coffee, Witan Studios The Quirk Space A Vegetative State The Chester Arms Greedy Pizza Ole Tapas Bar Saf’s Kitchen Walnut Tree Fish & Chips Clare’s Vegan Cakery Fuuudge Nutmeg Kitchen My first experience of vegan treats from The Quirk Space was summer 2020. My in-laws surprised Ben and I with a delivery of sausage rolls, peanut butter cups, and brownies for our anniversary! Every piece was absolutely delicious. The sausage rolls are now a family favorite, I always love a dark chocolate peanut butter cup, and the brownies are some of the best I’ve had. 19.06.20 – Sausage rolls, peanut butter cups, and chocolate brownies from The Quirk Space 29.08.20 – A delivery of freshly baked croissants from The Quirk Space Read More My Top Vegan Eats in Milton Keynes Breakfast & Brunch French Affaire I love visiting French Affaire for a fancy brunch out with my husband or the girls! It is an adorable French bistro that offers several delicious vegan items on their brunch menu including crepes and baguettes. I’ll confess I have yet to try their baguettes. The crepes are just too good! While the only savory crepe on French Affaire’s menu is Falafel, they were more than happy to make Le Chevre vegan for me. Both Falafel and Le Chevre are stuffed with so much flavor I never feel like I’m missing out. Just make sure you save room for a sweet crepe. The Apple Tatin Flambee is a showstopper! It is filled with caramelly soft apples, and flambeed in Calvados as they place it on the table in front of you. Location: Stony Stratford Dietaries: Some vegan items on the daytime menu, none on their evening menu 10.07.21 – La Chevre vegan quiche at French Affaire Out of Office Coffee, Witan Studios Fluffy American pancakes are one of my favorite breakfast foods, second only to waffles. Leslie Knope definitely had the right idea! And lucky for me (and you!) the newest Out of Office Coffee location in MK has delicious vegan pancakes on their all day brunch menu. The fluffy stack of pancakes come topped with yogurt, berries, and granola, making a perfect sweet vegan brunch option. Though if you’d rather start your day with something savory, Out of Office also offer a tasty-looking tofu scramble on sourdough toast. Location: Central Milton Keynes Dietaries: A range of vegan and gluten free items to choose from 29.05.21 – Vegan pancakes at Out of Office Coffee Witan Gate Out of Office Coffee, Witan Studios Fluffy American pancakes are one of my favorite breakfast foods, second only to waffles. Leslie Knope definitely had the right idea! And lucky for me (and you!) the newest Out of Office Coffee location in MK has delicious vegan pancakes on their all day brunch menu. The fluffy stack of pancakes come topped with yogurt, berries, and granola, making a perfect sweet vegan brunch option. Though if you’d rather start your day with something savory, Out of Office also offer a tasty-looking tofu scramble on sourdough toast. Location: Central Milton Keynes Dietaries: A range of vegan and gluten free items to choose from 05.11.20 – An assortment of chocolatey treats from The Quirk Space 12.11.20 – A vegan sausage roll from The Quirk Space The Quirk Space If you’ve been following me for awhile, you’ll be very aware of my love for The Quirk Space. It’s a cute cafe, shop, and event space in the heart of Olney. It is also the only place that serves nothing but vegan eats in Milton Keynes! For a light breakfast, The Quirk Space offers great coffee, a variety of vegan milks, and cakes and pastries to takeaway. I highly recommend the croissants! But perhaps the real star of the breakfast show is their “Breakfast Stuff-in Muffin”. The sandwich is stuffed full of the tastiest vegan alternatives to your favourite breakfast sammie fillings. Bacon, sausage, egg, and cheese – all delicious and all plant-based. You can also add ketchup or brown sauce if you like, but it’s perfectly tasty on its own! Location: Olney Dietaries: All vegan, can cater to gluten free 17.07.21 – The Quirk Space’s Breakfast Stuff-in Muffin Lunch & Dinner A Vegetative State A Vegetative State is a firm favorite at Milton Keynes vegan events and street fairs, and it’s not hard to see why! They make their own seitan-based meat alternatives to serve up in a variety of deli sandwiches and burgers. If you’re a fan of New York style deli sandwiches, you need to try A Vegetative State’s famous Reuben sandwich! Multigrain bread is stuffed full of vegan pastrami, sauerkraut, Violife cheezy slices, and Thousand Island Dressing, griddled til toasty and melty, then topped with a pickle. It is absolutely delicious and tastes so similar to the “real deal”. As a lover of Reubens I’d prefer more traditional rye bread, but this is a great swap! Location: Local street food events – follow their socials for the latest popup at a local street fair or takeaway event Dietaries: All vegan 05.12.21 – A Vegetative State’s vegan Reuben sandwich
Vegan Treats at The Quirk Space
Vegan Treats at The Quirk Space As my first Veganuary comes to a close, I thought I’d highlight a local café that’s gotten us through the month with their vegan treats – The Quirk Space! A disclaimer: my in-laws are best friends with the owner’s parents so we order treats from The Quirk Space more frequently than we would otherwise! But we absolutely adore all the food she puts out. And as a fully vegan café, they fill the vacuum left by Elaingel closing in Bletchley in May 2020. The Quirk Space is a vegan café and shop located in Olney, just a short drive outside of Milton Keynes. It’s a great space and they’ve done a lot of work on it over the past year! To Start My first experience of vegan treats from The Quirk Space was summer 2020. My in-laws surprised Ben and I with a delivery of sausage rolls, peanut butter cups, and brownies for our anniversary! Every piece was absolutely delicious. The sausage rolls are now a family favorite, I always love a dark chocolate peanut butter cup, and the brownies are some of the best I’ve had. 19.06.20 – Sausage rolls, peanut butter cups, and chocolate brownies from The Quirk Space 29.08.20 – A delivery of freshly baked croissants from The Quirk Space Read More My Top Vegan Eats in Milton Keynes The Main Event You can get all manner of vegan treats from The Quirk Space. In addition to the sausage rolls, they have pasties and curries for lunch, so many tasty cakes and sweets, and lovely coffees. As I am dairy free, it’s so refreshing knowing I could happily eat anything at the café and not deal with any nasty side effects! The Quirk Space is striving to create a welcoming space for everyone regardless of dietary and lifestyle choices. To that end, they don’t noticeably “play up” their vegan ethos to put off any omni guests. They are just happy to be serving delicious, animal-free food to anyone who visits. A thoughtful addition to the café is a food and homegoods shop. The Quirk Space stocks a range of vegan “dairy” products like Mouse’s Favourite cheeses and whipping cream, and various accessories like headbands, reusable coffee cups, candles, and tote bags. 05.11.20 – An assortment of chocolatey treats from The Quirk Space 12.11.20 – A vegan sausage roll from The Quirk Space The Takeaway I’d be hard pressed to pick a favorite item or two from The Quirk Space’s menu – I’ve loved everything I’ve had from there so far. But if you like croissants, they are a must. They warm up crispy and flakey in the oven for a lovely breakfast treat, and you would never know they were completely vegan! And getting an oat mocha before a walk around Emberton is always a good idea. The Quirk Space is a great all-rounder vegan shop that this city is lucky to have. Dinner at The Green Man Eversholt February 6, 2022 My Top Dairy Free Pizzas February 6, 2022 My Top Vegan Eats in Milton Keynes January 19, 2022 Adventure Local: Newport Pagnell May 7, 2021 About Contact Facebook-f Twitter Instagram Pinterest Privacy Policy
Romantic Valentine’s Dinner at Sweet ‘N’ Seasoned
This year I was incredibly lucky to win a Valentine’s dinner at Sweet ‘N’ Seasoned through an Instagram giveaway. We have never been a couple to celebrate Valentine’s Day, but this was too good to pass up! After enjoying a delicious vegan brunch there with my brunch gals last summer, I was looking forward to sharing the same with my husband. Sweet ‘N’ Seasoned is a waffle diner that specialises in all day breakfast for every diet. They also have a wonderful vegan menu. Little did we know, a full 5 course meal was awaiting us, with nary a brunch item in sight! Though the majority of the menu was vegan, there were fish and steak options for mains as well. I am not vegan myself, but I am extremely lactose intolerant. For that reason, I follow a dairy free diet. This often means I’ll opt for a vegan item on a menu rather than asking the kitchen to make all sorts of substitutions. Over the last few years of this, I have gotten fairly well-versed in the current state of vegan offerings out there. It’s getting better but still extremely hit and miss! Sweet ‘n’ Seasoned is definitely one of the hits. To Start Upon entering the diner, we were greeted with a glass of prosecco and lovely decor. They clearly had a lot of fun decorating with heart balloons and confetti! Our Valentine’s dinner at Sweet ‘N’ Seasoned began with an assorted canape sharing platter. The omni platter included filo prawns, spicy meatballs, spring rolls, and tuna mayo profiteroles. The filo prawns were my favorite! My husband ordered the mushroom risotto ball and I had the “salmon” sashimi, both vegan, to start. I still cannot believe how like salmon the sashimi tasted! It was truly a revelation. And in my husband’s eyes, the only way to possibly improve on the perfection of a good risotto is to deep fry it. So he was of course incredibly pleased with his arancini. The Main Event For mains I had fish with Anna potatoes and my husband had steak and mash. Unfortunately, we waited quite a long time before getting our mains. The fish and steak were both tasty, but after such an impressive selection of canapes and starters, they fell a bit flat. However, the chefs more than redeemed themselves with dessert. We both had the baked vegan cheesecake. It was absolutely divine. Smooth and creamy, not too sweet, with perfectly crumbly base. Decadence on a plate! To finish the meal they presented a few chocolatey bits, but at that point we were so stuffed we hardly touched them. Everything was delicious, even if our mains weren’t quite as exciting as the rest of the meal. We would’ve happily paid the £45 a head for the quality and inventiveness of the food. And it was so refreshing to have vegan options as the default! The Takeaway Before we left, we made a point to speak with the chefs. I thanked them profusely for such a delicious meal, and shared my delighted surprise that we weren’t offered a single brunch item! We discovered this was a way for them to start dipping their toes back into the catering/private chef waters again. They took a few years off to focus on the diner and wanted to stretch their creative muscles! All I can say is I am very much looking forward to seeing them put on more events like this in the future. Unfortunately, due to rent hikes and the current pandemic, Sweet ‘N’ Seasoned have had to leave their premises. But I doubt they’ll be down for long as they are a resourceful duo! Luckily, we snagged a box of their “Vegan Brunch for 2” takeaway special that ran a few weeks before they shut their doors for good. So we’ve satisfied the waffle craving for now, but can’t wait to see what they get up to next!