After virtually no posts for a year, here I am doing a third in three days! I taught a cooking class for kids this morning and when I wrote out the recipe, I realized it might be nice to post it.... so here is my family's Chinese dumplings!
Chinese Dumplings
Dough:
500 g white flour
water
In a mixer with a dough hook, place almost all the flour (reserve a little for rolling) and, with the machine running, add water until you have a pliable but fairly stiff dough. Knead with the machine for about 5-8 minutes. Let rest for 20 minutes before use- during this time, the dough will become softer.
Or place the flour in a bowl (again, reserve some flour for rolling) and incorporate enough water into the flour by hand to become a pliable but stiff dough. Knead by hand for 10 minutes and then let rest for 20 minutes.
Filling:
Mix 1 kg pure ground pork (careful not to pick up the pre-spiced type that is in many supermarkets over here) with
6 finely sliced scallions
6 minced rehydrated shitaake mushrooms
3 cloves minced garlic
a 2 inch nub peeled, minced ginger
1/4cup plain oil
1/4 cup sesame oil
1/2 cup water
enough salt to make the mix start to smell strong and good.
Mix together until soft- it will be a softer and smoother mix than for meatballs, for example.
NOTE: this mix can be changed to suit your tastes: Try adding in corriander, grated carrot, cabbage or changing the proportions of the listed ingredients. If you have a garden and grow fennel, the fronds, finely chopped can substitute for the mushrooms and scallions and uses an otherwise wasted product! Chinese cabbage is often used, very finely shredded, and a friend in the USA recommends mixing a little peanut butter into the meat and cabbage- his grandfather's restaurant did this and was famous for their dumplings. When I was mostly vegetarian (I only ate seafood), my mother-in-law did a great mix of mashed raw shrimp, scallions, finely chopped bean thread noodles, sesame oil and salt with a little water.
To make the dumplings:
Take a lump of dough and roll it into a rope about 5 cm/1 inch in diameter. Snap off smaller than walnut size lumps and toss them in flour. Take each one and roll into a ball, then flatten with your palm. With a very small roller or a clean small jar, roll the edge only- roll to the center and pull back out, then turn to do the same to each part of the edge of the dough. This leaves the center slightly thicker than the edges. Place a teaspoon of filling on the center of the dough, fold the edges to meet in the center and pinch to form a seam. Seal in crescents or simply along the edges to make pockets, but be sure they are firmly sealed or the filling will come out during cooking.
Boiling:
Bring a pot of water to the boil and then add the dumplings. They are finished when they are floating and puffy- usually around 4 minutes after the water has come back to the boil. You can add a little rice vinegar to the pot for an authentic taste.
Frying:
Heat a good coating of oil in a frying pan and line up all the dumpling in rows along the bottom. After a minute, add a 1/4 cup or so of water and a splash of vinegar (optional) and cover. When all the water has evaporated and the pot begins to splutter again, lift the cover and turn the dumplings onto a plate- when it is done correctly, the entire set of dumplings should come out, lightly stuck together and with a lovely brown crust, as one piece onto a plate. If not, just scrape them out with a spatula, they'll still taste great!
Steaming:
Line a steamer with Chinese cabbage leaves and place the dumplings on top. Steam over boiling water for 6- 8 minutes.
Dipping Sauce:
The simplest sauce is 2 parts soy sauce, 2 parts Chinese black vinegar (balsamic is a reasonable substitute), and 1 part sesame oil. We often add minced garlic, hot chili oil, chopped corriander, or chili bean sauce and sometimes remove the vinegar.
I did this with my own kids and 5 others who signed up for the class and we had a blast! The mess is still on the table, though. Better get cracking....!
Saturday, March 7, 2009
Friday, March 6, 2009
The joys of overindulging
No recipes in this blog, just a celebration of great food done well- and good company! As I mentioned in my last post, I went to the Cotswolds, the lovely area at the intersection of Oxfordshire, Gloucestershire and Warwickshire. This area of beautiful old golden stone buildings, small peaceful villages, rolling countryside and rivers is one of my favorite places in the world. I went with one of my favorite people in the world, my good friend Kristina, musician, Reiki-master, and fellow foodie, to eat, drink and be merrie!
We started off far too early by catching the train from Luxembourg to Bruxelles and then got the Eurostar across to Ebbsfleet International, the train stop before London. We picked up our car and headed west, trying to scoot around the jammed M25 by using country roads. I'm not sure that it worked terribly well, we joined the motorway in the end.
First stop was The Trout Inn, just outside Oxford. I had been before with my family and it was as gorgeous as I remembered. The river rushes past the back garden which was inhabited by a stunning peacock that seemed to be trying to charm us! Well, we were easy targets- we were ready to be charmed by everything at that moment! It wasn't warm enough to eat outdoors (February is warmer in the UK, but not that warm!) so we had our meal sitting in big overstuffed chairs next to the bar. I've forgotten which beer I drank, but the salad was unforgettable. A large slice of soft goats cheese was baked and placed on a salad of rocket and garnished with a poached fresh fig and some pickled onions. Really, an amazing combination of tastes- and honestly, not complicated. It was just the quality of the ingredients. Kristina had a curried smoked chicken salad with peanuts and avacado which was really lovely as well. Then it was on to find the Knights Templar at Temple Guiting!
Actually, on our way to the Knights, I should mention that my GPS took us down a very narrow lane to go to Kineton. This was fine, I lived in the UK for several years and feel quite comfortable on the small roads. However, around a corner was a ford- this means you drive through a river. Now, I've done that before too. The last time I stayed in the Cotswolds, we had to cross at a ford to get to our cottage and we did it with no problems each time. This one, though, was running a bit fast and deep, but there was no way around it except to go all the way back to the main road- and there was no sign that we saw that it wasn't passable, so we took a photo of me in our tiny rental car and then I drove through. By the time I got to the other side, my engine was smoking. After a bit of worrying smell, the smoke died down and we continued on and actually had no other problems. However, at the end of the road on the further side of the ford, we finally came upon the sign "Unsuitable for Motor Vehicles". I have to say, I'm getting tired of the trouble I get into by not being clairvoyent. Ah, well- "All's well that end's well" as the great bard said!
Dinner that night was in Stow on the Wold at The Old Butcher. It was good food, but a bit sterile and I wanted a good local beer on tap, but settled for a bottle of Hooky from Hook Norton as they had Staropramen on their tap. This is a great Czech beer, but I wanted local!! I had a fantastic piece of local lamb on ratatouille, though, and that really made up for it. The fat (yes, I know we're not supposed to eat it, but I couldn't help it!) was so crispy and the meat delicately pink and tender. Kristina had marinated British venison that really stood out for the flavor of the meat. Our starters though, were less interesting. Kristina had a Tartiflette which we know well as it comes from Alsace, just south of us. Maybe if we hadn't already known what a great tartiflette would be (potatoes, onions, and smoky lardons with very ripe Munster cheese put under the grill until brown and bubbly) we would have liked their version (almost the same, but without enough cheese and not crusty/bubbly enough- it was just kind of soft). Mine was a beetroot, smoked eel, and horseradish salad- very good, but not memorable. It took me a long time to remember what I had! Gernerally, the restaurant was good overall, but I wouldn't go with kids so I probably won't be back soon. Kids are normally part of my travel plan...
The next day, after a gigantic fry up of local bacon, sausages and eggs, berries and yogurt and homemade marmalade on toast with gallons of tea (provided by Kiloran, owner of The Wren House B and B in Donnington where we were staying- gorgeous place!!) we headed off on our walk through some of my favorite villages. We started in Bourton on the Water, a stunning town with lots of little bridges crossing the river that runs through the center. Actually, it took a while to get going as Kristina has a penguin obsession and so we had to make a detour to check out the penguins at Birdland. Ultimately, it was a great diversion as the penguins seemed to fall for Kristina and came to the glass and splashed us, jumped, dove, and generally seemed to want to charm us. Hey, is this some sort of theme of this trip...? When we finally tore ourselves away, we only had to make a final stop to buy some lime cremes- chocolate covered, lime flavoured fondants- which seemed a perfect way to help us continue on to our final destination.
We wandered out of Bourton on the Water and crossed the large road to find the Warden's Way, a lovely path that runs along a small river up to the village of Lower Slaughter. There we stopped at the Old Mill shop, a place my family always goes to in this area. I didn't buy anything this time, but I'm back in the area at Easter, so I've got plans... The path then continues to Upper Slaughter, a less picturesque village only in that is is not laid out for views. But the church was very pretty and the old Norman panels which were pointed out to us by a very agreeable gentleman who was visiting the church with his wife on their wedding anniversary were easy to miss but facinating. To touch something so ancient and feel so connected to the past!
After this, we had a harder trek. We wandered down the Warden's Way past fields and a small river, then across open pasture and a barn full of very curious cows and finally descended to see the village of Naunton through the trees. We stopped at The Black Horse pub on the edge of the village and each had a chicken, mushroom and tarragon pie. Fantastic! And a half of Hooky gold for me and a half of cider for Kristina later, we decided- walking is fabulous and we wanted a cab back to our car. So when our silver Jaguar picked us up (this is actually true- what is his second job, we wondered?) we felt rather spoiled as he drove us back around to our starting point. A bit of shopping, a nap at the B and B and we went for dinner.
Now we were getting desperate. This was to be the potential highlight meal of our stay, but could we do it? We were at The Horse and Groom in Bourton on the Hill and had heard great reviews. But as we entered, we were still full... But of course we pulled it off! Kristina had a potato and leek soup and a horseradish crusted hake that was really an interesting combination of creamy sauce and sharp taste. I had another beetroot salad, this time with grilled haloumi. However, we though that my hamburger, made from local cattle, with an onion jam- no bun, none needed- was perhaps the best thing we had that night. Absolutely tender and juicy, a few herbs flecked throughout, this was what I had been waiting for! All this and the atmosphere was lively and entertaining and the owners were there and enjoyed talking to their customers. And their beers were the best of the trip- I will certainly be here when I return in a few weeks!!
The last day in the area was our Indian Head Massage and Reflexology course. So of course, we should have been detoxing, but seemed unable to start! Another cooked brekkie, and we were off for the Farncombe Estate near Moreton in Marsh. The estate is huge and runs down the valley in the green and lush countryside. We came to the place where the courses run and found our room. The whole day was wonderful, we smelled good after and had learned so much about aromatherapy as well as the massage we signed up for. Luckily, the school's lunch provided an opportunity for eating healthy and I took it! Because then we were on a mission to find a place for dinner. We had signed up to go to the Fiddle On folk instrument evening at the institute which included dinner, but neither of us really felt like staying. It was our last evening and we wanted to explore!
So we headed to Moreton in Marsh and looked for a place for dinner. We wandered the streets and found Indian, Thai, and Italian, but we wanted one last Great British Dinner. Finally, we called the Horse and Groom again, thinking that might be our best option, but, unless we wanted to eat immediately, they were full. At the last moment, we came upon the Redesdale Arms, a restaurant attatched to a hotel in the center of town. The menu looked quite good and we agreed to try. We managed to get the last table and returned a couple hours later.
A very cute and cheerful girl was our waitress and she made me laugh hysterically (hopefully she didn't think it was at her) when she offered me a Hooky Gold saying (compared to the Hooky) it was a "Ladies beer". If you've ever seen the sketch comedy show "Little Britain", you'll understand my fit of laughter, if not, check it out- unless you're easily offended! The beer was excellent, though, and I'll look for it again.
Kristina had a roasted pepper soup which seemed mild to start, but then, as the white pepper kicked in, became more intense. I had a wood pidgeon terrine which I found too mild. They served it with macerated grapes, I think with the idea they would intensify the flavour of the mild pigeon but instead they overwhelmed it. Our dinners were fabulous though. Kristina's Cornish haddock with chips and mushy peas was perfectly done and I had my first experience with the touted Gloucester Old Spot pork. It really is something unlike other pork that you might eat. Even Kristina, who only rarely eats pork, tried a bite and agreed that is something really unusual and special. The flavour is simply not comparable to grocery store meat!
Now, I have to confess, I couldn't finish. And I left.... the crackling. This is anaethema to anyone who is a devoted British food fan and my husband was really horrified. This is the salted and crispy edge of a pork roast, done well it resembles pork scratchings but still attached to the meat. And it was wonderfully done, but I simply had to choose what not to eat and it was that. So why did we decide to have a lemon merangue pie? Because this was a birthday trip for Kristina and she had lemon merangue pie instead of a birthday cake every year growing up. And it was worth it! It was more like a flourless almond cake on bottom, very eggy lemon filling next and merangue on top.
That night we paid for it, Kristina spent an hour feeling nauseous and I had terrible heartburn, but we discovered the answer to "How much can we eat in 3 days?" and it was "Just a little less than what we just did." I don't think I'll do that again, I feel much better when I'm more sensible, but it isn't often I'm off with a like-minded friend, sans kids and husband with no one to please but myself. And enjoyed every minute of it!! Thanks Kristina, and happy birthday!!
We started off far too early by catching the train from Luxembourg to Bruxelles and then got the Eurostar across to Ebbsfleet International, the train stop before London. We picked up our car and headed west, trying to scoot around the jammed M25 by using country roads. I'm not sure that it worked terribly well, we joined the motorway in the end.
First stop was The Trout Inn, just outside Oxford. I had been before with my family and it was as gorgeous as I remembered. The river rushes past the back garden which was inhabited by a stunning peacock that seemed to be trying to charm us! Well, we were easy targets- we were ready to be charmed by everything at that moment! It wasn't warm enough to eat outdoors (February is warmer in the UK, but not that warm!) so we had our meal sitting in big overstuffed chairs next to the bar. I've forgotten which beer I drank, but the salad was unforgettable. A large slice of soft goats cheese was baked and placed on a salad of rocket and garnished with a poached fresh fig and some pickled onions. Really, an amazing combination of tastes- and honestly, not complicated. It was just the quality of the ingredients. Kristina had a curried smoked chicken salad with peanuts and avacado which was really lovely as well. Then it was on to find the Knights Templar at Temple Guiting!
Actually, on our way to the Knights, I should mention that my GPS took us down a very narrow lane to go to Kineton. This was fine, I lived in the UK for several years and feel quite comfortable on the small roads. However, around a corner was a ford- this means you drive through a river. Now, I've done that before too. The last time I stayed in the Cotswolds, we had to cross at a ford to get to our cottage and we did it with no problems each time. This one, though, was running a bit fast and deep, but there was no way around it except to go all the way back to the main road- and there was no sign that we saw that it wasn't passable, so we took a photo of me in our tiny rental car and then I drove through. By the time I got to the other side, my engine was smoking. After a bit of worrying smell, the smoke died down and we continued on and actually had no other problems. However, at the end of the road on the further side of the ford, we finally came upon the sign "Unsuitable for Motor Vehicles". I have to say, I'm getting tired of the trouble I get into by not being clairvoyent. Ah, well- "All's well that end's well" as the great bard said!
Dinner that night was in Stow on the Wold at The Old Butcher. It was good food, but a bit sterile and I wanted a good local beer on tap, but settled for a bottle of Hooky from Hook Norton as they had Staropramen on their tap. This is a great Czech beer, but I wanted local!! I had a fantastic piece of local lamb on ratatouille, though, and that really made up for it. The fat (yes, I know we're not supposed to eat it, but I couldn't help it!) was so crispy and the meat delicately pink and tender. Kristina had marinated British venison that really stood out for the flavor of the meat. Our starters though, were less interesting. Kristina had a Tartiflette which we know well as it comes from Alsace, just south of us. Maybe if we hadn't already known what a great tartiflette would be (potatoes, onions, and smoky lardons with very ripe Munster cheese put under the grill until brown and bubbly) we would have liked their version (almost the same, but without enough cheese and not crusty/bubbly enough- it was just kind of soft). Mine was a beetroot, smoked eel, and horseradish salad- very good, but not memorable. It took me a long time to remember what I had! Gernerally, the restaurant was good overall, but I wouldn't go with kids so I probably won't be back soon. Kids are normally part of my travel plan...
The next day, after a gigantic fry up of local bacon, sausages and eggs, berries and yogurt and homemade marmalade on toast with gallons of tea (provided by Kiloran, owner of The Wren House B and B in Donnington where we were staying- gorgeous place!!) we headed off on our walk through some of my favorite villages. We started in Bourton on the Water, a stunning town with lots of little bridges crossing the river that runs through the center. Actually, it took a while to get going as Kristina has a penguin obsession and so we had to make a detour to check out the penguins at Birdland. Ultimately, it was a great diversion as the penguins seemed to fall for Kristina and came to the glass and splashed us, jumped, dove, and generally seemed to want to charm us. Hey, is this some sort of theme of this trip...? When we finally tore ourselves away, we only had to make a final stop to buy some lime cremes- chocolate covered, lime flavoured fondants- which seemed a perfect way to help us continue on to our final destination.
We wandered out of Bourton on the Water and crossed the large road to find the Warden's Way, a lovely path that runs along a small river up to the village of Lower Slaughter. There we stopped at the Old Mill shop, a place my family always goes to in this area. I didn't buy anything this time, but I'm back in the area at Easter, so I've got plans... The path then continues to Upper Slaughter, a less picturesque village only in that is is not laid out for views. But the church was very pretty and the old Norman panels which were pointed out to us by a very agreeable gentleman who was visiting the church with his wife on their wedding anniversary were easy to miss but facinating. To touch something so ancient and feel so connected to the past!
After this, we had a harder trek. We wandered down the Warden's Way past fields and a small river, then across open pasture and a barn full of very curious cows and finally descended to see the village of Naunton through the trees. We stopped at The Black Horse pub on the edge of the village and each had a chicken, mushroom and tarragon pie. Fantastic! And a half of Hooky gold for me and a half of cider for Kristina later, we decided- walking is fabulous and we wanted a cab back to our car. So when our silver Jaguar picked us up (this is actually true- what is his second job, we wondered?) we felt rather spoiled as he drove us back around to our starting point. A bit of shopping, a nap at the B and B and we went for dinner.
Now we were getting desperate. This was to be the potential highlight meal of our stay, but could we do it? We were at The Horse and Groom in Bourton on the Hill and had heard great reviews. But as we entered, we were still full... But of course we pulled it off! Kristina had a potato and leek soup and a horseradish crusted hake that was really an interesting combination of creamy sauce and sharp taste. I had another beetroot salad, this time with grilled haloumi. However, we though that my hamburger, made from local cattle, with an onion jam- no bun, none needed- was perhaps the best thing we had that night. Absolutely tender and juicy, a few herbs flecked throughout, this was what I had been waiting for! All this and the atmosphere was lively and entertaining and the owners were there and enjoyed talking to their customers. And their beers were the best of the trip- I will certainly be here when I return in a few weeks!!
The last day in the area was our Indian Head Massage and Reflexology course. So of course, we should have been detoxing, but seemed unable to start! Another cooked brekkie, and we were off for the Farncombe Estate near Moreton in Marsh. The estate is huge and runs down the valley in the green and lush countryside. We came to the place where the courses run and found our room. The whole day was wonderful, we smelled good after and had learned so much about aromatherapy as well as the massage we signed up for. Luckily, the school's lunch provided an opportunity for eating healthy and I took it! Because then we were on a mission to find a place for dinner. We had signed up to go to the Fiddle On folk instrument evening at the institute which included dinner, but neither of us really felt like staying. It was our last evening and we wanted to explore!
So we headed to Moreton in Marsh and looked for a place for dinner. We wandered the streets and found Indian, Thai, and Italian, but we wanted one last Great British Dinner. Finally, we called the Horse and Groom again, thinking that might be our best option, but, unless we wanted to eat immediately, they were full. At the last moment, we came upon the Redesdale Arms, a restaurant attatched to a hotel in the center of town. The menu looked quite good and we agreed to try. We managed to get the last table and returned a couple hours later.
A very cute and cheerful girl was our waitress and she made me laugh hysterically (hopefully she didn't think it was at her) when she offered me a Hooky Gold saying (compared to the Hooky) it was a "Ladies beer". If you've ever seen the sketch comedy show "Little Britain", you'll understand my fit of laughter, if not, check it out- unless you're easily offended! The beer was excellent, though, and I'll look for it again.
Kristina had a roasted pepper soup which seemed mild to start, but then, as the white pepper kicked in, became more intense. I had a wood pidgeon terrine which I found too mild. They served it with macerated grapes, I think with the idea they would intensify the flavour of the mild pigeon but instead they overwhelmed it. Our dinners were fabulous though. Kristina's Cornish haddock with chips and mushy peas was perfectly done and I had my first experience with the touted Gloucester Old Spot pork. It really is something unlike other pork that you might eat. Even Kristina, who only rarely eats pork, tried a bite and agreed that is something really unusual and special. The flavour is simply not comparable to grocery store meat!
Now, I have to confess, I couldn't finish. And I left.... the crackling. This is anaethema to anyone who is a devoted British food fan and my husband was really horrified. This is the salted and crispy edge of a pork roast, done well it resembles pork scratchings but still attached to the meat. And it was wonderfully done, but I simply had to choose what not to eat and it was that. So why did we decide to have a lemon merangue pie? Because this was a birthday trip for Kristina and she had lemon merangue pie instead of a birthday cake every year growing up. And it was worth it! It was more like a flourless almond cake on bottom, very eggy lemon filling next and merangue on top.
That night we paid for it, Kristina spent an hour feeling nauseous and I had terrible heartburn, but we discovered the answer to "How much can we eat in 3 days?" and it was "Just a little less than what we just did." I don't think I'll do that again, I feel much better when I'm more sensible, but it isn't often I'm off with a like-minded friend, sans kids and husband with no one to please but myself. And enjoyed every minute of it!! Thanks Kristina, and happy birthday!!
Detoxing... or how can a foodie survive like this!?
I decided to do a detox after a rather overindulgent four days in the Cotswolds where a friend of mine, Kristina Mascher-Turner, and I decided to see how much it was possible to eat and drink. The rationale being that we were doing lots of walking everyday and taking a massage course which would detox us at the end. Actually, we both had a hard time sleeping the last night due to food malaise. So I took 3 days and ate only fruit, yogurt and vegetables and seemed to recover well- but as soon as I had some wheat on the 4th day, I felt rubbish again. So I'm on a longer detox... Vegan diet, no wheat, alcohol, or caffine and limited gluten, sugar, and soy products. So what is possible to eat? Actually, quite a lot...
Last night I made Khichri, an Indian curried lentil and rice dish, cauliflower cooked with tomatoes, ginger, nigella, and cumin, and boiled little potatoes with caramelized onions. Tasted great!
Khichri (from Madhur Jaffrey's Indian Cookery)
1/3 cup yellow split peas (I used Urid Dhal, it only needs to soak with the rice)
2 cups of long grain rice (I used brown, it needs an extra 1/2 cup of water during cooking and an
extra 20 minutes of cooking)
3 tablespoons of oil (I used olive, although vegetable- or ghee- is more traditional)
1/2 teaspoon whole cumin seeds
1/2 teaspoon of garam masala (or curry powder)
1 teaspoon salt (or to taste)
4 tablespoons of corriander
2 2/3 cups of water (3 1/3 or a little less for brown rice)
Soak the peas in water for 3 hours, drain. Wash rice several times, soak in water 1 hour (or if using lentils or Urid Dhal soak together for 1 hour). Drain.
Heat the oil in a pot on medium. When hot, put the cumin in and stir for a few seconds. Now add peas and rice. Stir and saute 2-3 minutes until coated in oil. Add garam masala or curry, salt and corriander. Stir and saute another minute or so. Add the water and bring to a boil. Cover tightly and cook 25 minutes (45 minutes for brown rice). Turn off the heat and let sit, undisturbed, 10 minutes. Take off the lid and gently stir before serving.
Cauliflower (my own recipe)
1 head cauliflower, broken into pieces
1 cloves garlic, minced
1 knob of ginger, minced
1tsp nigella (black onion seeds)
1 tsp cumin
2 Tablespoons olive oil
1 can cubed tomatoes
1 tsp sugar
on med-high, heat the oil and add the garlic and ginger. Stir a few seconds, then add the nigella and cumin and stir briefly. Add the cauliflower and cook for a couple minutes, stirring. Add the can of tomatoes and a splash of water. Sprinkle over the teaspoon of sugar. Cook with a lid on, stirring regularly, for about 20 minutes or until the cauliflower is cooked, but not mushy. Salt to taste.
Potatoes with onions
500 g small potatoes
2 onions
olive oil
salt and pepper
Boil the potatoes in their skins until just done. Drain.
Slice the onions into half moons and cook on med-high in the olive oil until very soft. Add the potatoes and continue to cook until the onions caramelize. season with salt and pepper. (you can add in some cumin seeds with the onions when you start if you want a stronger flavor.)
I think we'll have fava beans and rice tonight, vegetable tagine tomorrow, and some kind of Japanese food the next night. So it is possible to survive this! We'll see how long it lasts, though!
Last night I made Khichri, an Indian curried lentil and rice dish, cauliflower cooked with tomatoes, ginger, nigella, and cumin, and boiled little potatoes with caramelized onions. Tasted great!
Khichri (from Madhur Jaffrey's Indian Cookery)
1/3 cup yellow split peas (I used Urid Dhal, it only needs to soak with the rice)
2 cups of long grain rice (I used brown, it needs an extra 1/2 cup of water during cooking and an
extra 20 minutes of cooking)
3 tablespoons of oil (I used olive, although vegetable- or ghee- is more traditional)
1/2 teaspoon whole cumin seeds
1/2 teaspoon of garam masala (or curry powder)
1 teaspoon salt (or to taste)
4 tablespoons of corriander
2 2/3 cups of water (3 1/3 or a little less for brown rice)
Soak the peas in water for 3 hours, drain. Wash rice several times, soak in water 1 hour (or if using lentils or Urid Dhal soak together for 1 hour). Drain.
Heat the oil in a pot on medium. When hot, put the cumin in and stir for a few seconds. Now add peas and rice. Stir and saute 2-3 minutes until coated in oil. Add garam masala or curry, salt and corriander. Stir and saute another minute or so. Add the water and bring to a boil. Cover tightly and cook 25 minutes (45 minutes for brown rice). Turn off the heat and let sit, undisturbed, 10 minutes. Take off the lid and gently stir before serving.
Cauliflower (my own recipe)
1 head cauliflower, broken into pieces
1 cloves garlic, minced
1 knob of ginger, minced
1tsp nigella (black onion seeds)
1 tsp cumin
2 Tablespoons olive oil
1 can cubed tomatoes
1 tsp sugar
on med-high, heat the oil and add the garlic and ginger. Stir a few seconds, then add the nigella and cumin and stir briefly. Add the cauliflower and cook for a couple minutes, stirring. Add the can of tomatoes and a splash of water. Sprinkle over the teaspoon of sugar. Cook with a lid on, stirring regularly, for about 20 minutes or until the cauliflower is cooked, but not mushy. Salt to taste.
Potatoes with onions
500 g small potatoes
2 onions
olive oil
salt and pepper
Boil the potatoes in their skins until just done. Drain.
Slice the onions into half moons and cook on med-high in the olive oil until very soft. Add the potatoes and continue to cook until the onions caramelize. season with salt and pepper. (you can add in some cumin seeds with the onions when you start if you want a stronger flavor.)
I think we'll have fava beans and rice tonight, vegetable tagine tomorrow, and some kind of Japanese food the next night. So it is possible to survive this! We'll see how long it lasts, though!
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