A part of my attempt at BIR (British Indian Restaurant) curries, Bhindi Bhaji is one of our favourite vegetable accompaniments. Planning serves: 2/3 preparation time: 10 mins cooking time: 20 mins Ingredients 500g fresh okra 2 medium onions, halved &…
Category: Veggies
Lentil Purée
A vegetable accompaniment that started from one by Nico Ladenis. The original, I realized after I first cooked it with red lentils, uses green lentils. DUH! It also involved double cream and a bothersome demi-glace but I think cream is…
Posted in Veggies
Sag Aloo
I’ve always been fond of Sag Aloo as an accompaniment in our local, excellent Indian restaurant and, having some potatoes and spinach to use up, decided to try this as a side to my chicken and lentil (Murghi aur Masoor…
Braised Red Cabbage
This is the most successful execution of Braised Red Cabbage that I’ve come across. I think it’s the addition of a tiny amount of mixed spice that makes the difference. The original uses cooking apples, white onion and white wine…
Cajun Rice
My version, Anglicized, freshened up (real garlic instead of garlic powder) and cooked differently, of Paul Prudhomme’s “Basic Rice” in Louisiana Kitchen . This is a very necessary accompaniment to Shrimp Etouffée. I like to mould it in ramekins lined…
Roast Butternut Squash Risotto
Butternut squash has become very popular, almost ubiquitous, and it’s an orange colour so it must be good for you. I think it is at its best roasted when the full flavour develops. As well as making a good accompaniment…
Garlic Mashed Potatoes
A garlic fest that goes extremely well with roast chicken. Don’t be put off by the amount of garlic which might seem quite daunting; it is blanched before use and that moderates its strength of flavour into something entirely softer.…
Garden Peas à la JC
Fresh garden peas, in their all-too-brief season, are a complete delight. For a bit of variety over and above plain boiled peas (which are excellent), especially when the season is getting advanced and the peas are a little older, this…
Spring Vegetables
An odd title considering that the canned artichoke hearts are a somewhat less-than-usual ingredient; I’d have thought a title featuring them might be appropriate. Nonetheless, this came from an Easter publication tossed out by the Radio Times. The artichokes remind…
Puy Lentil Salad
Puy lentils have a natural peppery taste and make a good salad to accompany cold chicken or guinea fowl. Planning serves: 4 preparation time: 5 mins cooking time: 15 mins Ingredients 8 oz Puy lentils, rinsed 2 shallots, finely chopped…