Just because I can't eat festive food like this everyday (my bank manager would probably object) And just because everybody I know seems to be on some diet or other, or detoxing or something (don't give up food now people otherwise you'll have nothing to give up for Lent). And just because the fridge looked very bare and I can'y face a trip to the supermarket since the last one when it appeared I was the only person in the place not having ben told the end of the world was just around the corner and looked a bit startled as people were pushing and shuving and try to reach a new record of pilling up food and drink high in a trolley. And just because I didn't feel like spending too long cooking even though I had been thinking about food all day. I give you "spicy chick peas" First empty half the contents of the freezer to locate the frozen chunks of chili an ginger. Then cut bits off the chunks to suit your family's tolerance to heat taking care not to injure yourself in the process. Leave aside to defrost while you chop an onion. Remember you forgot to rinse and soak the rice. Measure rice, rinse 3 times and leave to soak. Gently fry the onion in a little bit of oil, add the ginger after a couple of minutes. Leave alone to soften on low heat while you send Him Indoors to the corner shop to buy coriander, yoghurt and some tined chick peas to refill now empty space in cupboard to avoid me thinking we are going to die of starvation because the cupboard is not full to the brim. Open tin of tomatoes, put 2/3 away in a chinese takeway microwaveable container and place in the fridge ready to be forgotten for weeks (alternatively peel and chop a couple of tomatoes). Add the ramaining 1/3 of a tin and the chili and some ground coriander to the onion. Simmer away gently while you get the rice started. Open tin of chick peas and rinse. Keep an eye on simmering tomatoes add a little water if it looks too dry. When Him Indoors comes back from errand add chick peas, chana masala powder and garam masala. Pop into garden, check if there are any salads left under the cloches. Prepare handfull of leaves and grate carrots and cucumber for garnishes. Dish up
A food post
5.1.05 23:28
|
(5.1.05 23:40) Looks very tasty! Sounds like you are cordon bleu! x |
|
(6.1.05 00:03) Glad you like it. Baking is more my thing, but my boys are not really into processed ready meals so... |
|
Lisa / Website (6.1.05 12:30) That looks just like one of my faves from Madhur Jaffrey (the only difference is she adds a squeeze of lemon at the end)! I love curried chickpeas, and they get even better the next day. Mmmmmmmmmmmmm yummy. |
|
(6.1.05 15:58) yum...chickpeas are very much underrated. Jamie Oliver does a great chickpea, leek and parmesan soup, it was in the comic relief recipe book he dd a while back. and i think I know the madhur jaffrey recipe too...known, in our house at least, as dirty chickpeas. Our big New Year's meal (on Jan 2nd, work it out) was turkey curry and featured dirty chickpeas, cool-as-lisa-raita, bananas in lemon juice, sesame potatoes....all the really scrummy bits that should go with a good indian stylee meal. Oh, goodness, I'm making myself hungry! |
|
(6.1.05 21:18) mmmmmm that looks nice. |
