Happy Birthday Martin!
It was my birthday last week and I wanted to cook a dish which was cooked regularly in our house when I was growing up, but I hadn’t had for over 40 years. My dad used to cook it and it’s barely a recipe, even so I’ve shied away from making it, just in case it wasn’t as good as his. Hence the first dish on this week’s menu, I plucked up the courage to give it a go on Tuesday and it worked out really well.
Something else which worked out well, and a top tip for a great Christmas present is a book called ‘The Flavour Thesaurus’ by Niki Segnit. My mate Jimmy gave me a copy on my birthday exactly ten years ago. It tells you absolutely everything without telling you anything. For the creative cooks amongst you, or even the not so creative, it’s an absolute life line.
PORK BELLY, ONION, POTATO. £7.50
Pork belly divides the nation, possibly as much as marmite, personally I love it, as do most chefs, so join me on this one and tuck in to my dad’s all-time favourite dish. Thick slices of belly, marinated for 2 days in ground fennel seeds, ginger, garlic, olive oil and black pepper. It sits on top of sliced potatoes, onion, fresh thyme, garlic and a little vegetable stock and hangs out in a hot over for a couple of hours until perfectly cooked. I think the fat tastes better than the meat, so if you don’t like fat on your meat, this one’s not for you.
SHREDDED SAVOY CABBAGE. £3.00
With olive oil and caraway seeds. I know we did this last week but it’s so good with both the pork belly and the Turbot
TURBOT, ANCHOVY, CREAM, ROSEMARY. £9.50
Here’s a real treat for fish lovers, a lovely slab of local turbot, reassuringly expensive so not normally seen on a ‘take away’ menu, but I’m feeling generous so I’ve tweaked the price, bonkers I know but we’re amongst friends.
MASHED POTATO. £2.50
Perfect for mopping up all that lovely cream from the turbot.
BEETROOT AND MUSHROOM STROGANOFF. £6.50
I just remembered this recipe I made up ten years ago when we were originally doing the take away meals. It’s actually staggeringly good, even though I do say so myself. Inspired by ‘The Flavour Thesaurus’ mentioned above.
LEMON RICE. £3.00
Tastes great and looks fabulous on the plate alongside the stroganoff.
STICKY DATE AND STEM GINGER PUDDING, TOFFEE SAUCE £5.00
Perfect lockdown comfort with the best selling pudding, perfect with a dollop of ice cream