Cauliflower Cheese with Bacon and Mushrooms

Side dishServes 4

Boil a pan of water and add the cauliflower florets.  Cook for about 10 minutes or until tender and then drain. Fry the bacon lardons until coloured, remove from the pan and set aside but leave the fat in the pan.  Add the mushrooms and fry for 2 -3 minutes then set aside. Melt the butter in a saucepan and add the flour to make a roux.  Stir in the mustard powder, grated cheese and double cream.  The mixture should be thick and creamy once the cheese has melted.  Season to taste, then add the bacon and mushrooms. Preheat the oven to 180°C/350°F/Gas 4.  Place the cauliflower in an ovenproof casserole dish and pour over the sauce.  Sprinkle a pinch of freshly ground nutmeg over the top. Mix the breadcrumbs with the parmesan/monchego cheese and sprinkle over the mixture.  Cook for 15 minutes or until the topping is golden-brown and bubbling. Spoon the cauliflower cheese onto plates and serve with a crisp salad and crusty bread.

Prashad’s Bombay Bataka – Tamarind, Tomato and Potato Curry

Main courseServes 4

Boil the potatoes in their skins for 40 minutes or so, until a knife tip will slide in easily, then peel and cut into 2cm cubes. Soak the dried tamarind in 200ml of boiling water for 10 minutes, then pulp with your fingers and sieve into a small bowl. Crush the ginger using a pestle and mortar (or a blender) to make a fine pulp. Heat the oil in a large pan for a minute over a medium heat and add the dried red chillies, cumin seeds and mustard seeds. When the mustard seeds start to pop, reduce the heat to low and stir in the asafoetida, tomatoes and jaggery. Stir over a low heat for a minute or so, until the jaggery has dissolved. Increase the heat to high and stir in the tamarind water, crushed ginger, chilli powder, ground coriander, turmeric, salt, half the fresh coriander and 400ml boiling water. Cover and cook for 10 minutes to bring the spices together and intensify the flavours. Add the garam masala and stir well – this is a strong flavour and needs to be thoroughly mixed in before you add the dish's main ingredient. Stir in the potatoes gently to avoid breaking them up, then remove the pan from the ehat, sprinkle with the remaining chopped coriander and leave to rest, covered, for at least 10 minutes to allow the flavours to infuse. Reheat over a medium heat and serve with puri (unleavened, deep fried indian bread) and kakadhi raitu (a cool cucumber and yoghurt dip).

Dandelion & Burdock Cocoa Ribs by Coeur De Xocolat

Main courseServes 4

Preheat the oven to 160C /Gas mark 3. Put the ribs, meaty side down, in a single layer in a large roasting tin. Cover with the Dandelion & Burdock and add the spices. Seal with foil and cook for around 2 hours. Put all the glaze ingredients in a pan and reduce on a high heat until thick and syrupy. After tow hours take the ribs out of the oven and turn it up to 200C/Gas mark 6, Drain all the stock from the tin. Turn the ribs flesh side up and baste with the glaze. Roast in the oven for 30 minutes or finish them on a barbecue, keep adding more glaze during cooking until sticky and shiny. Cut into four portions and enjoy.

Sukhu Bhinda Bataka – Mustard Seed, Okra and Potato Curry

Main courseServes 4

Wash and carefully dry the okra. Trim the tops, cut in half lengthways, then cut each piece into 3 chunks (each about 2cm long). Spread out on a baking tray and leave uncovered to oxidise and dry for about 24 hours. Crush the chillies and garlic together using a pestle and mortar (or a blender), to make a fine masala paste. Peel the potatoes and cut into chunks roughly 1 x 4cm. Heat the oil in a large frying pan for about 1 minute over a medium heat, then add the fenugreek and mustard seeds. When the mustard seeds start to pop, stir in the asafoetida and potatoes, ensuring that the potatoes are well coated in oil. Increase the heat to high and fry for 1 minute, then stir in the okra and return the heat to medium. Gently stir in the salt and turmeric, then cover the pan and leave to cook for three minutes. Add the masala paste, ground coriander, ground cumin and chilli powder and stir gently to mix, being careful not to break the delicate okra. Cover and leave to cook for 5 minutes, or until the potatoes are cooked through. Stir once more, then remove the pan from the heat and leave to rest, covered, for about 5 minutes to allow the flavours to infuse. Reheat over a low heat until piping hot, then sprinkle with the chopped coriander and serve.

Shibden Mill Inn Mussels

Main courseServes 2

Start by making sure the mussels are clean, bright & unbroken, tap each mussel and if it remains open and doesn't close by itself discard them. Once washed set aside, in a large heavy bottomed pan, add the oil and ginger & fry over a low heat until soft. After 1-2 minutes add the shallot, garlic & chilli, turn the heat on full and stir with a wooden spoon. Add the mussels along with the lime, vinegar & wine, cover with a lid and stream for 3-4 minutes until all the mussels have opened. Divide into two bowls and serve with the coriander & topped with the spring onions.