Thursday 16 February 2012

Spiced Tomato and Potato Stew: Salmon or Butterbean



Salmon Stew

I was on my way to my mum’s house this evening expecting a night off from cooking and looking forward to a feast. I called on my way to check if I could pick anything up.  It turns out she wasn’t home yet, was exhausted after a stressful day and hadn’t even thought about cooking. I let myself in with the spare key and had a rummage in the fridge. I saw two lightly smoked salmon fillets, tomatoes and a sack of potatoes on the side. A quick trip to the local shop for a few more ingredients and I had everything I needed for this stew. The Vegetarian soon arrived asking what was on the menu. After locating a tin of butterbeans in the cupboard I adapted the recipe for him too (he eats more than the average person so this would normally serve two vegetarians).

Serves: 2 vegetarians, 2 pescatarians

1 tsp smoked paprika
1 tsp cayenne pepper
1 tsp ground cumin
3 garlic cloves, chopped
2 large potatoes, peeled and cut into thick slices
3 medium tomatoes, skinned and quartered
Juice of half lemon
Handful parsley, chopped
Handful coriander, chopped
Olive oil

P: 2 salmon fillets, skin removed, cut into large chunks
V: 1 tin of butterbeans, drained

In a large pan heat the cayenne pepper, cumin and paprika in a little olive oil for a minute or until fragrant. Add the potatoes, garlic, tomatoes, lemon juice and cover with water (about 2 litres). Bring to the boil, cover and turn down to simmer for 20 minutes or until the potatoes are tender.

Divide between two pans.

P: Add the salmon to one pan and simmer for 10 minutes.
V: Add the butterbeans to the other pan and simmer for 10 minutes.

Sprinkle with coriander and parsley before serving.

Thursday 9 February 2012

Mishkin's, Covent Garden

The menu I didn't get to sample
 
After calling and calling I didn't manage to book a table. I decided to take the risk and turn up. BIG mistake. It was a freezing cold Wednesday night and yet the queue went out the door of Mishkins in Covent garden. A minimum hour and a half wait! I was tempted but the snow flakes started to fall and my belly began to rumble. We opted for sagar - the vegetarian Indian next door. The theatre menu was very reasonable at just £5.99 for tali but actually it wasn't worth much more. The Dahl was watery, the cauliflower and potato curry was bland and the raita was a distant memory to what it once was. We regretfully also ordered starters that were dry and lacked flavour. Our wine choice was an extreme let down too. Sagar used to be good. What has happened?

Aware of the delicious food being eaten next door we ran into Mishkins before our long journey home to book a table for 2 weeks time. Unfortunately due to its popularity it only does bookings a week in advance. So.. Lessoned learned, and alarm set, I must get a table there soon. All this waiting is making me hungry (or is that the lack of food I ate at sagar?) and i now want to eat at Mishkins even more.

If you get there before I do, let me know how it is.