Cookbook club- March- middle eastern and Mary berry

[whatareyoueatingNOW]

I hope it's okay that I set up the new thread for cookbook club.

So this month we are cooking from Mary berry online and family favourites, and our food travel option is the Middle East- any books any recipes.

Here's the Mary berry website
www.maryberry.co.uk
And lots of her recipes can be googled too- a wealth are in bbcgood food.

And for middle eastern inspiration here is king Ottolenghi website which offers lots of recipes www.ottolenghi.co.uk/#navigation

Bethan kedhy of jewelled kitchen bethanykehdy.com/category/recipes/

And here is a list of good blog options to peruse

stepfeed.com/8-lebanese-food-blogs-you-should-definitely-bookmark-and-follow-3873

Happy cooking everyone

Thanks what, I think I’ll try them but treat them more like meatballs so maybe couscous or something along those lines

I had some mince to use up last night do googled a MB recipe for ragu, I didn't follow it to the letter but near enough. It was very tasty, would have been better with half beef, half pork as in the recipe but all beef was still good. recipe here It made quite a lot so we had half with left over mash, fried, and peas last night and will do with linguine tonight.

See my big problem is what to serve with things- I never know! And that's where I fall down with leftovers- I struggle to find a way to use up leftovers without just having the exact same meals again. I really need to get some good vegetable side dishes in my repertoire.

I always make twice as much mash as DH and DS's live it fried with something else. It's a nice quick meal with bacon and eggs for holiday breakfast or tea. Equally at home with a pork chop and gravy, if I've any greens left I make bubble and squeak. The mince ended up with leftover gravy mixed in at the end too

Oh my English

Those shwarma!!!! I’d have taken a photo but the ravenous hordes descended too fast. Absolutely delicious.

ohwhat - lucky you meeting Nige! I love your butcher wild goose chase

My friend knows him so he’s signed a few of his books to me, but I’ve never met him. He is a jolly lovely fellow by all accounts.

taffetta they’ll definitely be a regular feature here!

Considering the relative underwhelmed reception Mary has had so far- there's lots of threads looking for her recipes! Is this part of the nation treasure effect?

Mary Berry creamy asparagus soup for supper today. It's from absolute favourites. Whilst she's not bringing anything new to asparagus soup, it's a lovely version.

I sieved it as instructed, which made for a very creamy velvety soup- but to be honest, took ages and unless I was doing it as a starter for a dinner party then I wouldn't bother. Is a thicker soup really that problematic?

The children loved it too which is a bonus.

I think you've hit the nail on the head there he you say she brings nothing new to the soup - that's how I feel about her cooking! It all looks nice enough but it doesn't make my mouth water or want to rush to the kitchen and start cooking. It all just looks, well, nice. I'm going to watch her tonight and see if I get any inspiration.

I am loving Feasts, we had the pan fried lamb steaks with coriander, lime and garlic rice. Absolutely delicious, sorry forgot to get a photo.

I’m wanting to try either a breakfast or dessert from Feasts this week, maybe the fig & ricotta sourdough or the pear tart? I’m glad I bought it rather than borrowed it it’s a great book

Ive got a freezer full of rhubarb so the rhubarb cake is calling me to make it and I very rarely bake anything. Blueberry and ginger cheesecake looks nice and easy too.

I think I'll try the za'atar halloumi tonight.

Feasts is only £5.20 on Amazon...

Have just reserved Feasts from the library I am trying really hard not to buy any more cookbooks.
Any idea what we will be focusing on for April, so I can get ordering from the library? Can I suggest Diana Henry? Her food is homely, non fussy but still interesting, loads of books to choose from too and plenty of online recipes. Or how about Allegra McEvedy's Quick, quick, slow! - it's still cold enough for a bit of slow cooking isn't it?

I think Diana Henry is a great suggestion - she has lots of online recipes and lots of books so it's likely that people will be able to get one from the library if needed.

The cuisine suggested last month was Greek/Cypriot cooking, unless it's still too cold for that?

I'd hang fire for May/June for Cypriot, although I can see myself carrying on cooking from Feasts for a while yet. Diane Henry is good, I've got her chicken book on kindle and lots online. How about Good Food or other food magazine as well?

I’m happy with Diana Henry, I’ve only dipped into her stuff a few times so happy to do more. Shall we go for another cuisine alongside again? Any suggestions if we’re hanging on a while for Greek/Cypriot?

Yes I'd prefer to wait a bit on Greek/Cypriot too.
Any particular Diana Henry book that anyone recommends?

I made Kofta burgers from Ghayour's Sirocco last night. Really nice flavours but DH both thought that a bit of heat might have been nice- a pinch of cayenne pepper for example.
The book itself is so pretty!

Had the Spiced lamb Kefta with Roasted Tomato sauce from Persiana and it was amazing - full flavoured, moist and loved by the family even the pine nut hating child....will definitely make again - next time with some veggies!

I have quite a lot of the Roasted tomato sauce leftover from yesterday and I’m going to make a middle eastern potatas bravas and serve it with some spicy baked chickpeas.

That sounds lovely orangettes, let us know how it tastes

I cracked a few eggs over the Middle Eastern Patatas Bravas - does that make them a shashuka? Anyway it was very nice, the crispy chickpeas went down well too but the kids suggested I just add normal chickpeas next time and make the crunchy chickpeas as a snack.
Got Hummus & Co from the library but it's very dairy based - they add cheese and/or yoghurt to almost everything, so it wasn't much use to us.

I really like the sound of a patatas bravas/shakshuka mash up - two of my favourite things in one.

So any Diana Henry books for April. As we are waiting for Greek/Cypriot , how about Italian or slow cooking for the cuisine?