So it’s fasting month for South Indians around the world. That means vegetarian food. Now don’t get me wrong, I’m all into vegetarian curries but I like to mix it up. If anyone’s spent a little time browsing this blog, I think you’d come across a decent amount of vegetarian recipes. It’s because I actually really love it.
Anyway I spent the long weekend with my parents and spent the weekend making delicious vegetarian combinations to keep our bellies full.
green chilli.
sliced red onion.
mature cheddar.
in the oven.
in my belly.
yes please.
bbq sticky boneless pork ribs – spicy steak strips – red pepper hummus – salami sticks – extra mature cheddar – ripe brie – pepper cream cheese – blue cheese – sweet and sour gherkins – toasted pita – yum
So I’m watching Jamie’s Great Britain and he really is so freaking cool. He has surpassed so many chefs in my eyes purely because of his honesty. He has made it up there next to Rick Stein for me. When he cooks he just makes me feel like anything’s possible and you can be exactly what you want, no fuss!
Another guy that’s got me feeling that way is Deena from Masterchef South Africa. What an inspiration! You know, South Africans are so governed by stereotypes but Deena is breaking those down. Simple Indian man with a worldly food dream and telling the world that he is here, multifaceted and talented.
Well, no more wasting the dream for me – that’s the moral of my story!
There was no real point to this post other than to say that, but here’s some inspirational nosh to just top all of this off:
so this is a new one. i’ve always wanted to do this but i’ve never had the time to and if i’m honest, i’ve never had the guts to.
presently, i’m at mugg & bean, gateway in a quiet corner amongst a bustling restaurant enjoying a cup of decaf cappuccino and waiting for my delicious roasted tomato and basil soup. i actually came here for the green pea and bacon soup but it seems they’ve taken that off the menu :( this has very seriously upset me but hey, i’ll just have to settle for second best.
the thing i like about mugg & bean and their soups, is that it just feels incredibly homey. actually the whole atmosphere of mugg & bean is rather homey. i’m not exactly a self conscious person but sometimes you just feel a bit weird whipping out your laptop in public. at mugg & bean, it’s a norm. especially with the free wifi :)
i actually did not realise that that was my first post for 2012. how intense. this blog definitely needs more love and attention!!
happy half new year i guess?
so everyone has been telling me that i need to blog more. it’s not that i don’t want to, it’s that it’s always third on the list of things to do, and the list just gets ever increasingly full. well i will try to excuse myself no more. and with that - there’s too many delicious things to be happy about in this world – like my chicken besto pasta :) no that was not a typo. i call it besto because it REALLY IS the BEST pesto recipe ever! yeah, i’m a little lame-o but that’s ok, cos this recipe is so delicious i could just die! i made it up pretty much but obviously i was influenced by a lot of recipes, particularly jamie olivers and that’s just cos i love how he’s a no nonsense kinda guy when it comes to food.
recipe:
for the besto:
i wish i could give you quantities but i would be lying if i did because i literally taste as i go and i really think you should do. a decent pesto should be fine enough that it winds itself through the pasta easily and course enough that it adds some character and you can actually taste what you’re eating. i like slightly extra garlic and pecorino but feel free to cut it down if you’re not keen on it. i use walnuts purely because it costs less than pine nuts and it tastes just as good. and i use pecorino cos i like the flavour better than parmasan, nothing more than that. if you prefer parmagiano then go right ahead and substitute it.
i literally smashed this up and put on some penne to boil. had some chicken that my gran made so i tossed that in with some finely chopped green chilli (cos i like it hot :)) and voila – deliciousness in my belleh!
hope it’s just as delicious for you :)
may x
