Karolina's property

Did you hear about Jamie Oliver? If not you better watch this video. It will change your life…

(via TED)

After watching this video I decided to buy one of Jamie’s culinary books – “Jamie at home. Cook Your Way to the Good Life.”

I bought this one because it was the only Jamie’s cooking book available in book store here in Sofia, Bulgaria.  And now I thank God that I hit on this one.

The book is fantastic and beautifully printed.  What comes to my mind when I look at the pictures in this book is the strong will to try and cook every single dish that Jamie writes about. I tell you the recipes are great – really tasty and what is very important healthy. 

The whole book is organized by seasons. Jamie gives some tips how to grow your own vegetables and fruits. Which I think is a wonderful idea. Do you remember my little garden at my balcony?

I wanted to try some recipes from the book and I came up with this one – Tomato coriander salsa with grilled tuna. The photograph in the book was insane… so I decided to try it.  The recipe was quick, easy and delicious.

Ingredients:

6 spring onions, trimmed and finely chopped

1-2 fresh red chillies, deseeded and finely chopped to taste

a bunch of fresh coriander, leaves picked

a bunch of fresh mint, leaves picked

1 kg beautifully ripe but firmish tomatoes

sea salt and freshly ground black pepper

juice of 1/2 a lemon

juice of 1 lime

6 fresh fish fillets

olive oil

Preparation.

1. slice the spring onions and half of the chillies

2. finely chop the coriander leaves with the upper parts of the stalks and the mint leaves

3. slice up the tomatoes and chop to the kind of consistency that you like

4. carefully scrape everything off the board into a nice serving bowl with all the juices

5. season and balance the flavors confidently with the salt, the lemon juice and the lime juice

6. put the salsa to one side while you get your fish ready.

7. rub it on both sides with olive oil and season with salt and peper.

8. grill or griddle to your liking on both sides.

9. serve the fish on a plate with a big dollop of the salsa on top, or to the side.

10. enjoy your meal.

(the recipe by Jamie Oliver)

(pictures by me)

Mmmmmm… Enjoy.

SPICY BEAN HOT POT

Things You’ll Need:

225g button mushrooms

1tbsp sunflower oil

2 onions, sliced

2 garlic cloves, crushed

1tbsp red wine vinegar

400g shopped tomatoes

1tbsp tomato puree

1tbsp Worcestershire sauce

1tbsp wholegrain mustard

1tbsp soft dark brown sugar

250ml vegetable stock

400g can red kidney beans, drained

400g can haricot or cannellini beans, drained

1 bay leaf

75g raisins

salt and black pepper

chopped fresh parsley, to garnish

Making Spicy Bean Hot Pot:

1. Wipe the mushrooms, and then cut them into small pieces. Set aside.

2. Heat the oil in a large saucepan or flameproof casserole, add the onions and garlic and cook over a gentle heat for 10 minutes until soft.

3. Add all the remaining ingredients except the mushrooms and seasoning. Bring to the boil, lower the heat and simmer for 10 minutes.

4. Add the mushrooms and simmer for 5 minutes more. Stir in salt and pepper to taste. Transfer to warm plates and sprinkle with parsley.

Serve with bread. (My favorite is ciabatta)

Believe me, Spicy Bean Hot Pot is great tasting and easy to make.

P.S. Maciej, look what you are missing!!