Eggs with Potatoes and Cumin (2)

The Syrian name for this comforting dish is Muffaraket Batata and I found the recipe in ” Syria Recipes from Home” by Hab Azzam and Dina Mousawi. In the introduction to this dish they descibed how they met a group of young Syrians cooking this in a public park in Lesbos while waiting to register as refugees. Lets hope that many of these displaced individuals can now return to their homeland if they wish to do so. The dish is also popular with pregnant women as it is belived to be a good detoxifier.

Cheese Mash (2)

A good mash to serve on the side with some sausages, grillede bacon or grilled chicken. You can also make Double Cheese Mash by scooping the mash into an ovenproof dish , scattering with a good handful each of Parmesan and fine breadcrumbs, then baking in a very hot oven until the top is golden and fairly crisp. The recipe is from ” Real Food” by Nigel Slater.

Bean Chilli with Cinnamon and Bay (4)

A very good vegetarian chilli using tinned beans from ” The Art of the Larder” by Claire Thomson. The basic recipe can also be used to make a couple of variations- chilli baked under a blanket or cornbread or roasted in peppers with cheese and sour cream. Claire is bringing out a new recipe book on one pot bean dishes which will be published in Febuary 2025. I cant wait and have already preordered the book.