breakfast deliciousness...Kedgeree

I love a big hearty breakfast... On a sunny Sunday, I invited Katrina over and I made us some Kedgeree.  It is debated whether this dish is of Indian or Scottish origin but the typical ingredients include rice, smoked haddock, curry powder and hard boiled eggs. I have never actually had Kedgeree, but knew I would like it. I perused a range of recipes and decided to try this one.  Some had a load of different spices to add, while this one was fairly simple and I thought simple might be better rather than overpowering the fish. When planning this breakfast invite I hadn't realised my housemate was going to have a house party the night before. So this recipe was a slight challenge as I dodged empty wine bottles, half filled glasses and other post party rubbish...including leftover guests that were wandering aimlessly through the kitchen with hangovers. They were mostly NOT happy that I was cooking fish in the morning!! :-)

The result? It was very good! A lot of flavour. The black pepper and lemon complemented the smoky fish and curry powder. This was a tasty, filling breakfast and really nice served in the garden on a cold but sunny day with a cup of coffee.

For two...
1 Smoked Haddock
300 ml whole milk
bay leaf

1 Tbsp olive oil
2 large Tbsp of butter
1 medium onion (finely sliced from tip to root)
2 tsp mild curry powder
175 g Basmati Rice

2 free range eggs (hard boiled and peeled)

Fresh ground pepper
2 Tbsp chopped coriander
Lemon wedge

• Put 300 ml of milk in a shallow pan with the bay leaf and fish. Add enough water (not more than another 300ml to just cover most of the fish). Cover and bring to a gentle simmer. By the time the liquid is simmering, the fish should be cooked through. If not, turn the fillet over in the hot liquid and leave it, off the heat, for 2–3 minutes to finish cooking.

• Remove the fish and set aside. Remove the bay leaf and reserve the poaching milk. When it’s cool enough to handle, break the poached fish into flakes, discarding the skin and picking out any bones. (Be careful to try and get most of the little pin bones)...This is the tough bit.
  
  
• Heat the olive oil and butter a large saucepan. Add the onion and cook gently for 8–10 minutes. Stir in the curry powder, then the rice. Add 300ml (10fl oz) of the poaching liquid. Bring to the boil and then cover the pan. Turn the heat down to bare minimum and cook for 15 minutes. Remove from the heat and fluff up the rice with a fork. Set aside with the lid back on until you’re ready to serve.

• Fold the smoked fish flakes into the rice, along with half the coarsely chopped coriander and the second knob of butter. Cut the hard-boiled eggs in half – hopefully still a bit soft in the middle. (I brought water to a boil, turned it off and let the eggs sit for 10 minutes. I then rinsed them in cold water...they were great.)
  
  
• Spoon the spicy, fishy rice onto two plates or bowls, top with two hard-boiled egg halves per person, and sprinkle with more coriander. Add a wedge of lemon and some freshly ground black pepper. Serve.

Seafood Ramen...in the rain

On a really awful, rainy London day I went to Tsuru Sushi for my third ramen tasing event. These events are being held in the lead up to the opening of a new restaurant Tonkotsu Bar and Ramen (previously Tsuru Ramen). This event was Seafood Ramen...just as appropriate for me as the last, Spicy Ramen (because I love spicy and I love seafoody). Basia joined me. She had been tempted by the pictures in my Spicy Ramen blog post...she had cycled in the rain...a big bowl of ramen was exactly what we needed.

We started with the chicken kara-age (chicken marinated in soy, ginger and garlic then deep fried).  I had tasted this on my first visit and it was just as good this time. The tender chicken is perfectly fried, juicy and delicious.

We had to wait a bit longer than usual for this bowl but when it arrived it looked amazing! The ramen was topped with prawns, clams, a beautiful piece of sea bass and a soft boiled egg.
 

The fish was perfectly cooked and the egg was, as on each of my previous visits, delightful. This time, however, I felt that the broth wasn't quite as lovely. I thought it was starchy and Basia found hers was on the salty side. I had expected a light, but tasty seafood broth. Having read the post on the restaurants own blog I discover they were actually aiming to avoid a light seafood broth. Another blogger also loved it so I think this broth just wasn't to my taste.

Out of the three tasting events I have attended (I had the Tonkotsu as well), the Spicy Ramen is still my favourite...oh the bits (crunchy, spicy garlic bits)...the bits and the egg...yum. If you are interested there are still a few more planned before the opening. The seafood ramen was £15, but the rest are £10. This includes a bowl of ramen and a beverage...the starters are extra (but worth it). If you love Asahi Black like I do...they have it...it's hard to find.

The future events can be booked at We Got Tickets.

Tonkotsu Bar and Ramen
@tonkotsulondon

so easy, so good. yum pla muk. thai squid salad.

A recent Saturday morning found me wandering around Borough Market... With no plan in mind I ended up at the fishmonger purchasing a few baby squid.

One of my favourite Thai dishes is the yum nua or Thai beef salad. I also love it with squid instead of beef (yum pla muk) but I find it is a pricey dish for something that is 'just' a salad. The beef option typically costs £8 then add on a couple pounds if you choose the squid instead. I like it served with Thai sticky rice which is an addition £2-3. That is £10-12 for a salad, which hasn't taken much effort/skill and the ingredients are pretty cheap.

So...when I arrived home with my 4 baby squid I assessed the ingredients I had on hand and decided to try to make a Thai squid salad. It is ridiculously easy! Here is the recipe I used:

• 4 baby squid (or about one regular squid)
• 1 red onion (sliced thin)
• 1 carrot (shredded)
• 2 minced garlic cloves (optional...they won't be cooked!)
• handful of cherry tomatoes (sliced)
• 1 or 2 small chiles (minced)
• juice of one lemon
• coriander (chopped)

• lettuce leaves
• vermicelli rice noodles (or preferable Thai sticky rice)

I combined the onion, carrot, garlic, tomato, chile and lemon juice first to give the flavours some time to come together while I prepared the squid.

I cleaned the squid (the fishmonger did most of it) and then I sliced the bodies into rings. The tentacles had been removed, but you can slice and add them if you have them.  I brought water to a boil and literally dipped the squid in.  NOT MORE than 30 seconds. I rinsed them in cold water to stop the cooking and also to cool them down for the salad.

I added the cooked squid to the veggies that were waiting...

This salad is best served with Thai sticky rice...a glutinous rice that is typically steamed in little bamboo baskets. It has a slightly sweet taste to offset the spicy salad. It also has a bit of a sticky, chewy texture that I really enjoy. However, since I do not know how to make it and didn't have any, I served my salad with rice vermicelli noodles. I had dry ones on hand and simply soaked them in boiling water for three minutes and rinsed them in cold water. I layered the noodles on top of lettuce leaves, added the squid salad and then topped it with a small handful of chopped coriander. It ticks all the boxes. Fresh, delicious, healthy, easy, cheap, spicy (cut back on the chile if you are not in to spicy)!!  If you have extra time and patience you can let it sit in the fridge for a couple of hours so that the flavours come together a bit more.

men are a mystery...good pizza is simple and delicious.

On a Saturday a couple weeks ago, a lovely friend and former housemate, Kasia, was visiting from Poland. It was the day of the planned third date mentioned in my last post (no need to re-hash). We were catching up over a cup of tea and I had just gushed all the girly details when the confused man sent text canceling planned third date. I was disappointed and surprised. Kasia barely skipped a beat as she scooped me up (metaphorically of course...although she is super strong) and took me for pizza and wine.

 

We went to La Porchetta in Soho near Leceister Square.  Just walking in the door I was comforted. It smelt of fresh dough and perfect pizza. It is a cozy little restaurant decorated with lots of piggie paraphernalia including an early 80's style cartoon mural. So ridiculous it makes you smile.

We ordered a bottle of Chianti to get us started. Notice the cutie in the background...he was smirking at me all afternoon :-)









I chose the Gorgonzola pizza. It was topped with Gorgonzola cheese and pears. Definitely unusual, but I was intrigued, and it was in fact very good. The strong blue cheese perfectly complemented the subtle sweetness in the soft wedges of pear.

The Florentina had been my second choice and it was ordered by Kasia's boyfriend. He swapped me a piece and it was amazing. Garlic-y spinach, a soft fried egg (it was actually a bit runny!) and a nice kick from the fresh ground pepper. I think this will be my order next time.









Kasia got the Pesquala, topped with aubergine and sun-dried tomato topped with rocket. She didn't share, but she definitely enjoyed!

With Kasia's boyfriend leading the way, the two of us ordered tiramisu and espresso.  The espresso was the best I have had in a long time and, the tiramisu was amazing. I didn't think I would make it through the first half but there was no leaving any. Loads of lovely, creamy mascarpone...it was moan-out-loud good. Delicious no matter what, but perfect if you're in need of some cheering up. Felt like my heart was being padded in sweet fluffy goodness!

This was an idyllic afternoon. Simple pizza, nice red wine, good friends (you have to bring those...unfortunately not on the menu). Decent Italian food is difficult to find in London. It's often overpriced and rarely very good. La Porchetta, however, is special...especially for Soho...cheap and cheerful. The total came to just £60...£20 each.


We finished the evening with other housemates at the newly refurbished New Cross House. It is located at the site where #MeatEasy was temporarily in action last year. I recommend New Cross House...it is a lively place (a bit on the hipster/trendy side) with an amazing selection of bottled and draft beer. The menu looks good and the garden area is fantastic; it will be an excellent place for summer evenings. I can't wait for summer :)