vegan anzac bikkies

I seriously doubt whether there was a single vegan ANZAC in either world wars, however if there was, I salute them with my vegan version of a family favourite, adapted from the simple recipe in mum's CWA cookbook. I added a touch of dark chocolate, because I'm sure that if the troops could have got there hands on some they would have savoured every little morsel. Lest we forget. 

urban coffee house, busselton

unit 2/19 Bussell Highway

Busselton

next to Red Rooster

map

beans : 5 senses arabica 

leaf : loose leaf $4.20 per pot 

soy : Vitasoy, extra 50c 

caffeine free : fresh juice fruit mix, apple, pear, orange, watermelon ($7.50) 

dunk : gingerbread people with smartie buttons ($2.50) 

fork : sweetly decorated cupcakes & daily sweet & savoury muffins ($3.50) 

knife : Yallingup woodfired fruit toast ($6.50) 

plate & bowl : lentil burger with salad, sour cream & beetroot chutney ($12.50)  or the vegetarian breakfast of roast tomato, mushrooms, spinach, feta, poached egg, avocado, pesto oil & sourdough toast ($13.50) - vegan option can be arranged

footprint : steel cap boots or thongs 

latte price : $3.90 

service : young & friendly 

open :  Monday to Thursday 7am to 3pm , Friday 7am to 9pm, Saturday 9am to 2pm 

the buzz : Long deterred by its location in the bowels of “chicken world", I was encouraged by a friend (and Urban regular) to meet for a coffee and temporarily cast aside my disdain for carpark views. It is, after all, this carpark and the corner highway location that makes the café a favourite for tradesmen with trailers, and people that want to avoid the centre of town or grab a take-away before work.  

The owners have injected their Maori heritage into the decorating scheme with an eclectic gamut of themed souvenirs against a backdrop of forest green walls and mismatched furniture.  A kids play area dominates one corner, which depending on the source of your perception is a fantastic distraction or a gross waste of window seating.

The Urban have built a loyal clientele with their consistent and approachable food, friendly service and excellent value.  All day breakfasts are generous, and the no-nonsense lunches service customers with fast takeaway. A vegetarian hunger can be easily satiated and they are happy to modify certain dishes to suit vegans.  5 Senses beans are a solid foundation to a satisfying coffee, but the extra soy charge is regrettable.

While I appreciated the Urban’s unpretentious vibe and easy access is attractive for many, the location and echoes of an office block cafeteria drops it down my local favourites list.  However if you feel threatened by the lofty dining at Margaret River wineries and don’t want to pay inflated prices with your ocean view, the Urban offers honest, good value food and somewhere you can put your feet up, boots and all, with a coffee and the daily paper.

cook, style, shoot

Rather chuffed to receive an "honorary mention" in the recent Radio National First Bite competition - Cook, Style, Shoot.  That's my photo of the blue coffee cup, second row.  Got to be in it to win it - well, nearly. 

wheatbelt gallery, moora

Every autumn we load up the ute for an annual mid-west trip to the wheatbelt area around Mullewa, Three Springs and Dongara.  Tom grew up amidst the red dust, double-gees and stubble, and many of our mates have stayed on the land, contributing to the population and the food security of Australia.  Espresso in these parts is confined to domestic machines and dreams of George Clooney, with one exception in the small town of Moora.  If you leave Perth after breakfast and head north along the Midlands Highway # 116, you'll arrive in time for morning tea.  Pull up under the eucalypts near the tourist bureau and train station and stroll on over the road.  Don't move too fast, you aren't in the 'burbs anymore.  

Owner, operator, barista and baker, Denise Clydesdale-Gebert has an uncanny ability to remember us and our coffee orders from one year to the next. One soy latte, one soy flat white, heading north. Yep, that's us.  

The space used to be a picture framing workshop and a gallery, housing an eclectic range of Aboriginal and Australiana art.  Denise has turned her focus over to the cafe and expanded the space to include a covered patio out the back for functions. It has become a popular meeting place and focal point for the community. Much of the art remains, hanging above retro and new furnishing with no apparent relation to each other.  Stacks of newspapers and magazines are scattered on various surfaces, the melting moments are like nana used to make, and fresh muffins are cheap ($3) and home made.  Our order could be improved with better quality soy milk (Vitasoy please), but still, I'm flushed with Denise's welcoming smile and impressive memory.  

If you're in the area, I encourage you to slow down, stop for a break, and support this local business.

Open Tuesday to Saturday 9.00am to 5.00pm

While we are in the country groove, I thought I'd share some images beyond the cafe. 

marbled chocolate & zucchini bread

The stall holders are almost giving zucchini away at the farmer's markets, yet there is only so many fritters one can put away in a lifetime. Behold this moist vegan loaf that is cheap, easy and won't scare the children.  If you really want to hide the zucchini, peel it first so there is no trace of green.  I forsee a marble cake revival, evoking memories of childhood birthday parties, without the questionable pink swirl.  You can safely double the recipe (and cook for another 20 to 25 minutes) and use a 20cm springform tin to make a large cake.