Welcome to My Kitchen

I started cooking 20 years ago, and every day has been a new experience. You might not believe it but i was a person who could not fry an egg...but 20 years on..i feel i can take on any challenge.

I'm constantly trying out new recipes and looking for innovative ways to improvise my dishes and make it more easier. The easier the cooking gets and the less time it takes the more time for me to relax with my loved one.
But easy and quick does not mean compromise on taste or the way a dish is presented. I take great pride in decorating my dishes as i am a firm believer of ' The first impression counts'.

I decided to start this blog to help others like me discover that cooking a feast does not require slogging for hours in the kitchen all it requires is the right ingredients, tools and a creative mind and voila! you will have your family and guests begging for second helpings....

My inspiration for cooking has always been my husband...he loves his food..and like the saying goes 'A way to a man's heart is through his stomach'..i can confidently say it's true and it works wonders for a happy relationship...but he is also my best critic and competition.

I've got two little girls both who love to eat, and my eldest always enjoys helping me in the kitchen. I will try to post more kid friendly recipes that can be fun to eat and make together.

Hope you enjoy this blog and find it useful...please do feel free to leave any feedback or comments...remember there's always room for improvement!!!

Sunday 13 November 2011

Lamb Tagine served with Tabbouleh

This is a slow cooked lamb dish, a perfect combination of meat, spices and dried fruit.




Ingredients:


For the lamb


1-2 tbsp Olive oil
6-8 lamb chops
1 tbsp ginger/garlic paste
1 bay leaf
2 dried red chillies
1 cinnamon stick, crushed
2 cardamom pods
1/2 inch ginger, cut in strips
2 garlic flakes, finely chopped
1 sprig of rosemary
2 small red onions, sliced
2 carrots , cubed
1 courgette, cubed
400g tin chopped tomatoes
400g tin chickpeas, drained
150g green lentils
5-6 dried figs, halved
1 tsp turmeric powder
1 tsp paprika powder
1 tsp dried chilli flakes
1 tsp cumin powder
1/4 cup red wine
200ml meat stock
Salt & pepper for seasoning


For the tabbouleh:


25g Bulgar wheat
2 large vine tomatoes, chopped
large bunch of parsley, finely chopped 
small bunch of mint, finely chopped 
1 red onions, finely chopped 
juice of 1/2 a lemon
drizzle of virgin olive oil
Salt & pepper for seasoning


Method:


1. Marinate the lamb chops with ginger/garlic paste. Season with salt & pepper. Leave overnight.


2. Grill the lamb chops, few minutes each side. Keep aside.


3. In the same grill pan, add red wine. Scrap all the lamb juices. Keep aside to add later.


4. In a saucepan, heat the olive oil. Add the cinnamon, cardamom, red chillies, rosemary and bay leaf. Stir for a few minutes. Add the chopped ginger, garlic and onions. Saute for a few minutes.


5. Add the carrots and courgettes. Cook for few minutes. Mix in the lentils and chickpeas.


6. Stir well, and add the turmeric, cumin, dried chilli flakes and paprika powder.


7. Add the chopped tin tomatoes, stir and cook for few minutes. Season well.


8. When it starts to boil, add the meat. Mix well till meat is well coated. Add the figs,stock and red wine mixture.


9. Cook and bring to a boil. 


10. Put this in a pre-heated oven , cook at 180C for 1 or 1.5 hours until meat is very tender.


11. To cook the tabbouleh, place the Bulgar wheat in 50ml of boiling water and cover. Keep aside for 15-20 minutes. Mix all the other ingredients, fluff with a fork. 


12. Serve the lamb hot with tabbouleh on the side, which can be served at room temperature or cold.

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