Put a pan of water on to boil. Once boiling, add 1 tsp salt and then the aubergines. Boil for 5 minutes then drain well. Grind the spices using a pestle and mortar. Heat the olive oil in a large, deep sided frying pan. Add the spices and cook for 10-20 seconds. Quickly add the […]
Category: Vegetarian
Preheat oven to 220C. Toss the parsnips and carrots in the oil and pour into a baking tray. Season with salt and pepper. Roast for 30 minutes. Remove from oven and add the maple syrup and thyme. Mix well through. Return to the oven and roast for a further 15 minutes or until the […]
Peel the potatoes and cut them into chunks. Put into a baking tray, add oregano, salt and pepper and mix well. Pour in the oil, lemon juice and 3 cups water. Cook in a moderate oven (180C) for 1 and a half hours or until potatoes are tender and liquid has been absorbed.
Perfect roast potatoes
Preheat the oven to 220C. Put the potatoes in a pan of cold, salted water. Bring to the boil and cook until just tender – about 10 minutes. Drain and return to the pan. Put the lid on and shake the pan well to rough up the edges of the potatoes – this will give […]
Potato wedges
Ingredients: Potatoes (about 3 medium potatoes per person) Olive oil Salt and pepper Flavourings of your choosing: Cumin seeds or garam masala (good with curries) Fennel seeds, dried oregano and chilli flakes (good with fish or chicken) Fresh rosemary and whole garlic cloves (good with lamb, pork chops or chicken) Fresh thyme or bay leaves […]
Vegetable samosas
Ingredients: 2 Medium potatoes, peeled and cut into chunks 1 Onion, finely chopped A little groundnut oil Half a cup frozen peas Quarter cup of currants or sultanas 2 tbsp Chopped coriander 2 tbsp Lemon juice 1 tbsp Soy sauce 1 tsp Ground cumin Pinch of hot chilli powder (or half tsp chopped fresh chilli) […]
Potato and fennel dauphinoise
Ingredients: 1 kg Maris Piper potatoes, peeled and sliced about 1cm thick 1 Bulb fennel, finely chopped 1 Clove garlic, finely chopped 300ml Double cream 300ml Milk 100g Gruyere, grated 75g Parmesan, grated Salt and pepper Method: Heat oven to 200C. In an ovenproof dish, layer the potatoes, fennel and garlic. In a bowl, mix […]
Winter salad
Ingredients: 2 Bulbs raw fennel, quartered 1 Orange, segmented 1 Apple, sliced Rocket or other bitter salad leaves Black olives Extra virgin olive oil (Sicilian is particularly good) Method: Place fennel in cold water for 10-15 minutes. Rinse, drain and slice thinly. Mix with the orange and apple. Add salad leaves and olives. Drizzle with […]
Provencal Tomatoes
Ingredients: 2 Large beef tomatoes 2 Cloves garlic Selection of fresh herbs (basil, rosemary, thyme, parsley) Handful of fresh breadcrumbs Large handful of grated parmesan Salt & pepper Method: Preheat oven to 180C. Slice tomatoes in half across the way. Fry (cut side down) in olive oil until caramelised. This will take 10 mins or […]
Ingredients: Small head of cauliflower or 1/2 a big one, cut into large florets Splash of groundnut oil 1 tbsp Black mustard seeds Large pinch asafoetida (or 1 sml onion finely chopped) 12 Curry leaves, pulled off the stalk (can use dried) Half tsp ground turmeric 4 Medium sized potatoes, peeled and cut into chunks […]
Ingredients: 1kg Pumpkin or other squash such as butternut, peeled, deseeded and cut into chunks 3 tbsp Olive oil Salt and black pepper 2 Garlic cloves chopped 6-8 Sage leaves, roughly chopped 150ml Double cream 50g Parmesan grated Method: Heat oven to 200C. In a large gratin dish, toss the pumpkin or butternut squash with […]
Boulangere potatoes
Ingredients: 4 or 5 Potatoes, sliced thinly Maldon sea salt and black pepper 4 Cloves garlic, crushed 1 Onion, thinly sliced 4 Bay leaves Chicken or vegetable stock Method: Jumble the potatoes in a shallow baking dish with the salt and pepper, garlic onion and bay. Spread them out in the dish so they are […]
Puy lentils
Ingredients: 150g Puy lentils 1/2 Red onion, finely chopped 1 Dessertspoon olive oil 225ml Chicken or vegetable stock Sprig rosemary Salt and pepper Method: Fry onion in oil for 5 mins. Stir in the lentils, add liquid and rosemary but no salt at this stage. Put lid on and simmer for 30-40 mins until all […]
Braised red cabbage
Rinse the cabbage well in a colander. In a large heavy pan, fry the onion gently in the butter and oil until it starts to soften – about 5 minutes. Add the drained (but still wet) cabbage, apple, sugar, vinegar, ground cloves and season. Cover tightly and cook over a very low heat for about […]
Turkey is important but so are the sides, this is a great way to elevate simple carrots to something special by adding an orange and thyme glaze to make them shiny and very tasty