After over 10 years in the UK (I have stopped counting) I thought I had avoided most of the behaviour of typical expats. For example I speak the language (I have been told I don't sound French) and my last French friend in the UK moved back to France about 5 years. Yet on Saturday something happened which showed that deep down I am not completely anglified. My weakness: food of course. On my way to work there is a butcher. In order to make viable trade from the local population the butcher is halal. Up to about a year ago the butcher's window had been as unappealing to me as the window of any other british butchers. The meat never looked like it does at "home". The cuts are different and the presentation is different. If you add the fact that a lot of my food related vocabulary was acquired before I moved I find it difficult to ask for what I actually want in English (if anyone nows how to ask in English for a steack cut "dans la poire" or "un morceau d'araignee" you are welcome to advise). A year ago the Halal butcher changed owner and I noticed the meat suddenly started looking more appealing and more familiar. I never got around to stopping to actually buy something until Saturday when I stepped in and tried to work out what the English name for merguez is. The butcher came to the rescue and started telling me in French that they would not be ready until later in the afternoon but that if I was making couscous he had some nice lamb shoulder I could have. While he was chopping and chatting I also grabbed some pain d'epice for The Boy and me. For a moment I was back at home, on any given Saturday Morning with my dad doing the weekly shopping. Meat first at the same butcher for years, then round the market to select the veg which would compliment his choices. I have to admit it felt good, real good. What next ? Am I going to start going to the French GP in Central London and send my son to the Lycee Francais next to the Consulate ? Probably not, but I'll probably carry on shopping at the halal butcher to soak in a bit of francophonie and familiar cooking. The lamb? It was nice: tasteful and melting in the mouth. Lamb Couscous (before any purist write in to complain the choice of veggies was not authentic a reminder that there are many variations and according to my friend Lila's mum and my ex-neighbour Mrs Belagoune couscous is made with the seasonal vegetables available to you and according to personal taste - there you have it) Chop a couple of onions, fry gently until transluscent, add the bits of lamb (with the bones still in), brown, add salt, pepper and ground cumin, a chopped tomato and about a tablespoon of tomatoe puree and about the same of harrisa paste (you can add more later if you like it hot). Cover with water (hot if possible). Cover and simmer gently for an hour. Meanwhile chop the vegetables in nice chunky pieces (3-4 cm - 1inch and a bit). Today I put in the last 2 small turnips from the garden. a couple of carrots, 3 good size courgettes, half a butternutt squash, a handfull of baby broadbeans whith the tough skins taken off and a tin of chick peas (rinsed). Add the veggies to the stew and simmer for an extra 1/2 hour (adjust the time according to how cooked you like your vegetables). Serve with couscous grain (if you have a couscoussier steam the grain above the simmering stew). There you have it.
Oh dear, I have been overcome by expat mentality.
11.7.04 22:19
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(11.7.04 22:28) Wow, that sounds really tasty! I think its cool that you have found somewhere that does meat the way you like it.. |
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(12.7.04 12:08) you have been blog whipped |
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(12.7.04 18:34) yum that sounds like one to try, there is nothing wrong with your attitude ejoy the jewell you have found. |
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(12.7.04 22:31) Very nice - I will definitely try this method! Thanks! |
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(14.7.04 00:56) Guess what went again today and bought steak. Very nice it was too. The bonus in all of it has to be that while I shop there I am not lining the pockets of Mr Tesco and Mr Sainsbury. A nice alternative is with beef or chicken, green beans, carrots, tomatoes and chick peas. Works every time and makes a change from steamed veg. |
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(14.7.04 00:59) mmmm, once again, it all sounds so tasty! *drools* |
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Ken (27.9.04 00:49) Please give me the address, name, telephone number of your halal butcher. My in-laws are coming and I need halal beef steak. |
