We’ve had and loved Saag Aloo in the past when we used to get India takeaways, it was a bit of a Wednesday evening treat when we were at The In on The Green. We’ve also throw the odd imitation one together. So we thought we’d try a more traditional recipe….
Ingredients:-
4 Medium New Potatoes, peeled and par boiled
½ Tbsp of Ground Coriander
1 TSP of Garam Masala
½ Tsp of Turmeric
½ Tsp of Ground Cumin Seeds
1 Onion, finely diced
2 to 3 Cloves of Garlic, minced
1 Tsp of Brown Sugar
3 Tbsp of Lemon Juice
2 Tbsp of Water
5 Tbsp of Oil
1 Tsp of Brown Mustard Seeds
1 Tsp of whole Cumin Seeds
2 Small Red Chillies, finely chopped
1 Inch (2.54Cm) of fresh Ginger, minced
1 Tomato, finely chopped
250g Fresh Spinach, roughly chopped
1 ½ Tsp of Salt
Method:-
(1) Mix the ground Coriander, Garam Masal, Turmeric, ground Cumin, Sugar, Lemon Juice and Water.
(2) Heat the Oil and fry the par boiled Potatoes, stirring gently until golden brown.
(3) Remove and set aside.
(4) Add the Cumin seeds and Mustard seeds to the hot Oil and stir until fragrant.
(5) Add the Onions, Garlic, Chilli and Ginger and stir for a few minutes.
(6) Add the spice mix from (1) and continue to stir until the water has evaporated.
(7) Add the Tomato and simmer for a further 5 minutes or until thickened.
(8) Stir in the Spinach a few handfuls at a time stiring occasionally.
(9) Season with Salt.
(10) Reduce the heat and add the Potatoes and mix well.
(11) Simmer for a further 5 minutes.
This was a really authentic side to go with the Balti Pork we had frozen an few nights ago. Quick and easy and just what we needed after a day of flooring and boxing in the kitchen.
Originally an American invention to use the front parts of a Pig which we usually make into Sausages. Pulled Pork is a great way to use the ver cheapest cuts. This joint was less that £2. Yes it is a bit of boneless shoulder and yes it would heve been touch as old boots! But not this way.
Note:- Sue is not keen on BBQ sauce so I used a simple gravy at the end of the process to moisten the meat.
Ingredients:-
Pork Shoulder cut. Bone in or out, it's down to what is available.
Stock, beef, chicken or if you have your own any base stock will work.
Sale & Pepper.
Oil.
Method:-
(1) Don't start this expecting to eat in less than 3 hours!.
(2) Turn the oven up to 200c or so.
(3) If using Stock Cube mix with boiling water stir well and set aside.
(4) Mix the Salt and Pepper with the Oil and rub the meat well.
(5) Add the Stock to an oven proof dish.
(6) Place the joint in the dish and put in the oven on a very high heat for the first 20 minutes.
(7) Lower the heat to 140c and cover with foil.
(8) Go away, take the kids out. Clean the loo. Do whatever will distract you from the cooking smells for at the very least 2 ½ hours.
(9) When the meat is really over cooked and very tender take it out and on a board run two forks against each other to shred the meat.
(10) Add Gravy or BBQ sauce and stir well.
(11) Re-heat in a pan if requited.
Serve in a Yorkshire Pudding with vegetables of your choice.
We had the crown of a Chicken left over as we'd used the wings and legs. We also had some Chives from yesterdays meal which we don't normally had in. So Pie it was.....
Ingredients:-
1 small Chicken crown, roasted
Pastry mix (We used Gluten Free at 89p and followed the instructions on the pack)
2 large Onions
4 large Mushrooms, sliced
Flour & Margarine to make a Roux
Fresh Chives
Fresh Parsley
Milk
Salt & Pepper to season
Method:-
(1) Fry the Onions gently until softened.
(2) Cut the Chicken into cubes.
(3) Make a Roux. (margarine and flour) Effectively you need to fry the Flour in the Margarine, add Salt and Pepper and then add milk whilst whisking. You should end up with a reasonably runny White Sauce.
(4) Add the Chicken, Onions, Mushroom, Chives and Parsley to the mix and simmer over a very low heat.
(5) All the Pie base to an oven proof casserole dish.
(6) Add the pastry, bur creative with in if you like?
As a kid I always called Casserole a Stew (In a sort of descenting voice – to be honest!) So if like me you're not too keen on a great deal of liquid on your plate. There's always a very quick and flling way to deal with it.