This is a Pashtun dish originating from the North West Frontier between Afghanistan and Pakistan. Its popularity spread into the cities of Pakistan and then to certain families in Dhaka in Bangladesh who would serve it on special occassions. This version is from ” Ammu” by Asma Khan
Another favourite from Bengal which I found in Asma Khan’s ” Ammu”. With British and Portuguese influences recipes like this would have originated as railway meals for the colonial elite, but later spread to the general public.
A Bengali dish from Asma Khan’s ” Ammu” whicj is served with rice and dal. You need to use standard white potatoes, not new potatoes or floury ones. If you cant find small prawns use larger ones and cut them into 1 cm pieces.
A warming, hearty and seasonal gratin from Yotam Ottolenghi. You can vary the vegetables using the same total weight, but these work very well together. Cut the vegetables into 2mm thick slices, using a mandolin if you need to.
A favourite recipe from ” The Women’s Institute Homemade Jams and Chutneys” by Midge Thomas. Serve with hot or cold meats such as roast pork or duck, or however takes your fancy.
One of my favourite vegetarian cookbooks many years ago was ” Cooking from an Italian Garden” by Paola Scaravelli and Jon Cohen. Here’s and easy recipe for polenta from them. For a variation you can cooked the cornmeal, add the cheese and then spread the mixture half an inch thick on a wet worksurface. When cooled and firm cut it into small squares or discs then fry in butter until golden on both sides. Drain on kitchen paper and serve hot.
