Spinach is taking over. After our Greek-inspired Spanakopita we've grown green wings and flown a couple of thousand miles east to India, for a Lamb and Spinach Curry. Our journey was inspired by Nupur of One Hot Stove and Ursula who left their ideas in the comment box. Every night Freddie and I rummage through the comment box, deliberating over our next move. Ursula recommended Madhur Jaffery's book "Indian Cookery" which I borrowed from a neighbour in exchange for a hand blender. There must be something in the water because yesterday the whole street was stepping out of their culinary comfort zone. Neighbours were crossing over the road holding casserole dishes and cooking torches. I handed over one rolling pin, a jar of capers, a funnel and a pestle, without its partner, the mortar. I am a little worried about the lone pestle. I can see the headlines in the Evening Standard: "Local man killed by deadly pestle blow." Am I an accessory to the crime? Anyhow, we made our Lamb and Spinach Curry using a recipe similar to this. I think spinach may be addictive because Freddie and Alex were so enthusiastic they asked for seconds.(I was reluctant to hand over because Chris and I wanted more). Freddie's score went through the roof as he awarded an 11 out of 10.
For those of you wanting more inspiration for Indian recipes, we can recommend Mamta's Kitchen which is an incredible resource. Our spinach odyssey continues....
How lovely for you to have neighbours like that. The curry sounds wonderful!
ReplyDeleteSylvie - It was wonderful. the trick is to let the meat marinade for a long time - that makes such a difference.
ReplyDeleteOur neighbours are great.
I am going to have to try this and see if I can slip the spinach past my kids (who so far only like it raw in salads.)
ReplyDeleteYAY for Freddie....I am so thrilled that he likes Indian food :)
ReplyDeleteJenny - Give it a go. Just chose a recipe that has the right mildness of spices. My kids like strong flavours but not real heat. So I marinated the meat over night.
ReplyDeleteThe ginger and garlic tasted fantastic.
Nupur - Its good isnt it!
Hi Charlotte and Freddie,
ReplyDeleteJust discovered this blog--what a great idea! We like our curries with this spinach flatbread
I'm Indo-Canadian and while my mother never actually makes this type of food (we're south Indians), it is one of my favourite restaurant dishes. I love lamb, I love the rich silkiness of the spinach "sauce." And it smells fantastic while cooking.
ReplyDeleteWow, that sounds fantastic. I grew up with this kind of food, and being the brat I was, didn't appreciate it at all. It was only till I was much older that I learned to appreciate real Indian cooking, ala mom. It's a shame I wasn't paying more attention then. Trying to cook it on my own now is so much harder!
ReplyDeleteI'm really enjoying Suvair Saran's new Indian/American cookbook - American Masala. It's what I call, "Indian inspired." Made several recipes so far, all a hit.
S
Does this ever sound good! I am so glad you stopped by my blog - now I'm going to be reading here. My 15-year-old son likes celery, broccoli, corn and cauliflower. If I can find some recipes that he'll eat, I will be happy. I will need to order a copy of your forthcoming book!
ReplyDeleteI like the sound of your neighbourhood ...
Aaah, one of my favourite curries! I like a bit of potato in there too. Have you not tried Popeye on Freddie yet, or is that just a bit too retro?
ReplyDeleteCheers
David
Lamb, spinach and currie, yeah baby, I am there with you. Yum!
ReplyDeleteI've never actually made a meat curry at home, but this according to this link I already have all the spices. Saturday night curry night is in order, I think.
ReplyDeleteI love spinach, but I dislike the way it makes my teeth feel. I don't dislike that enough to not eat it though!
I shred very dry spinach and add it to a white sauce, with blue cheese to top a lasagne with. Very rich, but delicious.
11 out of 10!
ReplyDeleteI feel like I've won my "Freddie Veggie Merit Badge"!
I'm glad you all liked the curry. If you're generally fond of Indian food, Jaffery's cookbooks are very well adapted to home cooking, and it may be worth trying more of her stuff.
Spinach and curried lamb! Yummo!
ReplyDelete