Main: Moroccan-style Lamb with Chickpeas
Northern Beaches Cooks
Dessert: Apple Cheesecake Strudel Slice
An unmemorable magazine in a doctor’s surgery
“I don’t like food that’s too carefully arranged; it makes me think that the chef is spending too much time arranging and not enough time cooking. If I wanted a picture I’d buy a painting.” Andy Rooney
Hi everyone!
This quote appealed to me because as you know, I struggle at times with artistic presentation. (I need some training). I just want to get the food out there while it is still hot.
Anyway, this week I went back to a book that was put together many years ago, as a fund raiser, by the Northern Beaches Christian School. The Northern Beaches Cooks comes with recipes from real families so generally they are easy to prepare and delicious to eat. I doubled the amount of lamb for this recipe because there is no way that 500g would feed my lot. It was also an opportunity to pack in a lot of veg. It’s always a bit tricky when doubling spices but I did and it wasn’t overkill at all. I like to rub the lamb in the turmeric and cumin before browning even though it doesn’t say to, so just bare that in mind. I also cooked it a little longer because of the quantity – 2hrs, in fact. When I did a taste test, it just seemed to need something extra so I stirred a tablespoon of tomato paste into the meat and that did the trick. Served on couscous with crusty bread on the side, it really made for a hearty soul warming meal. Very appealing to the eye also with the beautiful colours. Can colour be edible? Because that’s what it felt like. (Note to self: MAV hates couscous and chick peas) 8/10 and there was not a drop left over.
Dessert this week was from one of my many loose recipes torn out of magazines in waiting rooms. A simple do ahead apple cheesecake strudel slice. Great for morning or afternoon tea as well as dessert. The only negative I have to say about it is that the crust was a bit thick. The filling was exactly the right thickness so it wasn’t the tray. It will be something to watch for next time – perhaps reduce the amount of crust in the tray. 9/10 There was loads over to share with neighbours and friends.
Until next week.
From my table to yours with love. x
