Vekka 2012

It has been a long time between blog posts. Even after posting about losing Gizmo, it didn't seem right to just jump back in. So time has passed, just over seven months in fact. And it is still hard. But I am returning to things that have made me happy in the past, and blogging is one of them. So here we go! To mark my first blog post in a good long while, I thought I'd start with an amazing day I had recently. Every year in August in Brisbane the Ekka (short for Exhibition) is held. It's one of those country comes to the city shows, with animals, rides, show bags, produce and food. I loved it when I was little. Now, not so much. Most of the food isn't vegan, the show bags aren't vegan, and all those animal exhibits just make me feel kind of sad. Every year there is a public holiday on a Wednesday in August in Brisbane for the Ekka, so this year a few of us decided to create our own Vegan Ekka - The Vekka! The main focus was on food glorious food! The 'we' in question were myself, Arly and Kris, and Matt and James.

Dagwood Dogs



One of the most iconic Ekka foods is the Dagwood Dog, similar to the Pluto Pup, and I believe a Corn Dog in the US. Basically you take a hot dog, dip it in batter, deep fry it and dip in tomato sauce. You can actually get Dagwood Dogs from the Ykillamoocow stall at the West End Markets on Saturdays, but these babies were homemade by Arly. And they were delicious! Normally I'm not such a fan of the Dagwood Dog as I don't love deep fried, but these were awesome! I stuck to only one, because I start to feel a bit ill if I have too much deep fried, but secretly I wanted more.

Mini Mince Pies



Arly also made these delicious mini mince pies, also eaten with tomato sauce. I was lucky enough to have some of these little guys to take away with me and I snacked on them in the following days. Arly is the master of mini-pies!

Spinach Triangles



Matt and James brought these delicious spinach triangles. Also, not pictured because all the photos I took of them were blurry, some yummy seitan tenders. The tenders were pretty much all hoovered down while we were still getting the rest of the food ready to take outside. By the way, did you know that Matt and James recently launched their own Brisbane-based food business? Check them out at Delicious Regardless.

Chicken Salt Chippies



Buying cardboard cups of potato chips with chicken salt and drowned in tomato sauce is pretty much a common theme of any outdoors takeaway stall ever.

Corn On The Cob



One of the stalls that is starting to pop up and fairgrounds everywhere is the Corn on the Cob stall, a welcome stopping place for vegans (as long as you make sure to ask for no butter). My version was roasted with Nuttelex and sprinkled with salt, pepper and garlic powder.

Homemade Lemonade



Homemade lemonade is the best! Arly made some delicious lemonade that was mixed up right before taking it to the table.

Strawberries and Cream Cupcakes



Arly made some adorable strawberries and cream cupcakes, that were delicious! Left over buttercream was served with fresh strawberries.

Strawberry Ice Cream Sundaes



When I was younger, my favourite part of the Ekka was strawberry sundaes, and I recreated them for our Vekka. Ice cream cones are filled with chopped strawberries down the bottom, then a scoop of strawberry ice cream, Soyatoo whipped cream, a drizzle of strawberry sauce (not strictly traditional) and a fresh strawberry. For the ice cream I made Strawberries and Cream Ice Cream from Dreena Burton's Let Them Eat Vegan.

Not pictured with the Spun Fairy Floss that Matt and James bought - Maple and Vanilla flavours. Way classier than the regular old fairy floss from the stalls!

It was a lovely day. We ate our feast out in the backyard until we were as full as could be.

Next year we are hoping to organise a bigger Vekka, with more food and maybe some events, and keep growing it more every year!

Cute... Chicken ...Photo of the Post



I know I normally have a kitty photo, but in the spirit of Vekka here is a chicken photo. This is Elvis! She lives with Kris and Arly and loves to be included in festivities. James is in love with her.