Gujerati- style cabbage with carrots (4-6)

This is from ” Madhur Jaffreys Indian Cookery” which was published in 1982 to accompany her series on BBC 2. This was the first recipe book I bought and i still have my now very stained and dog eared copy. This is an everyday vegetable dish from the state of Gujerat which goes with any Indian meal but is also a good accompaniment to pork chops. The ingredients are readily available in supermarkets now but back then many could only be sourced in specialist Indian groceries.

Lentil, Aubergine and Pomegranate Stew (4)

This dish is thought to have originated from the coastal shores of Jaffa, but is popular in the Gaza Strip, where it was introduced by the Palestinian communities displaced from the northern shores. Now they are being displaced from the Gaza strip, facing mass murder , starvation and total destruction of homes and communities which will take decades to rebuild if a ceasefire and lasting solution is ever agreed.

This Palestinian name for this dish is Rummaniyya. I found it in ” Zaitoun” by Yasmin Khan which contains Palestinian recipes and ” a chorus of stories from those who live, love and cook with Palestine in their hearts”. I’m going to post a few Palestinian recipes and as you cook them I hope you will keep the plight of the Palestian people foremost in your heart and mind . If you would like to donate here is a link .https://www.actionagainsthunger.org.uk/gaza-israel-crisis-appeal

This dish would traditionally be served with flatbreads and olives, but can also be served with plain steamed rice which soaks up the juices nicely.

Pasta Alla Norma ( 4)

I am just back from a three week holiday in Sicily, where my vegetarian husband often had little choice other than pasta with tomatoes or this local favourite which originates from Catania. . This very good version of Pasta Alla Norma is from ” Simple” by Yotam Ottolenghi . The aubergines are cooked in the oven which I find far less time consuming than frying in batches.