16 December 2014

{Bookshelf} Ottolenghi's Broccolini & Edamame Salad with Curry Leaves & Coconut from Plenty More


I’ve had my mitts on this gem for a little while but the cooking mojo seems to have vacated the premises these last few months even with new Ottolenghi inspiration on hand! Desperate times indeed.  Well actually not so much the cooking mojo; I’ve been cooking & eating just not photographing, writing & blogging. I’ve realised now that these phases come & they go & that I just need to go with it, no need to force it. It’s happy fun place over here & should never feel like a chore.

I am planning Christmas so reading through cook books & magazines over this past weekend I could feel my enthusiasm begin to return as dozens of recipes caught my attention.  There will be a veritable feast! There will possibly be a maple & orange glazed ham, perhaps a potato, fennel & crispy caper salad though Donna Hay’s crispy leaf potatoes with oregano salt or some herb & parmesan roasties are very close contenders.  And on the side; perhaps asparagus with a dill & mustard sauce as I need to make the most of these tasty green spears in their always too short season. Also as we head full throttle in to the silly season the need for some green among the glasses of bubbly & tempting treats.



And who to turn to but the master of greens; Mr Ottolenghi.  He’s an alchemist of all sorts of flavours but he can elevate greens to a whole new level of delicious.  Just search my archives….there’s green couscous, green pancakes with lime butter, swiss chard fritters, herb pie, asparagus mimosa, chard & saffron omelettes & baby spinach salad with dates.

Plenty More delivers plenty more green inspiration & this one will also possibly grace the Christmas table. Another new & inventive flavour combination from the master; broccolini, edamame & coconut tossed with aromatic black mustard seeds, curry leaves, chilli & coriander. It also returns my cooking mojo, thank you once again Mr Ottolenghi.

Broccolini & Edamame Salad with Curry Leaves & Coconut, from Ottolenghi’s Plenty More

*It is a salad & I love chillies & curry leaves, so fresh chillies chopped & tossed through the salad a few more curry leaves added. I also added some crispy shallots for a sweet little crunch.




Ingredients

2 bunches purple sprouting broccoli or broccolini, trimmed
500g / ½ lb green beans, trimmed
200g / 7 oz shelled frozen edamame
4 tbsp olive oil
1 medium yellow onion, finely diced
2 ½ tsp black mustard seeds
30 fresh curry leaves, or 40 dried curry leaves
3 whole dried chillies
Zest of 1 lime, plus 1 1/2 tbsp lime juice, more to taste
Zest of 1 lime
1 red chilli, diced (my addition)
⅔ cup coriander leaves
⅔ cup fresh coarsely grated coconut*
Sprinkle of crispy shallots (my addition)
Salt

*Fresh coconut would be ideal but I could only fined dessicated, either way it is one delicious salad!


Directions

Bring a large pot of salted water to the boil & add the broccolini & green beans. Blanch for 3 to 4 minutes, until just tender but still with a little bite. Use a slotted spoon to transfer vegetables to a colander & run under cold water to stop them cooking & keep their vibrant green hue. Pat dry, transfer to large bowl & set aside until ready to assemble the salad.
Return pot of water to a boil, add the edamame & blanch for 2 minutes. Place in colander, run under colder water, pat dry, & add to the other vegetables. Sprinkle 1/2 a teaspoon salt over vegetables, stir & set aside.


Heat 3 tablespoons of olive oil in a frying pan over a medium-high heat & add the onion & a  pinch of salt.  Cook for a few minutes until soft & then add the black mustard seeds. When the seeds begin to pop, add the curry leaves, chillies & lime zest. Sauté for a couple of  minutes before pouring mixture over vegetables. Stir & let sit for 10 minutes.
Just before serving, add diced red chilli, lime juice, coriander, coconut, crispy shallots & drizzle with remaining olive oil. Gently stir & serve.


Enjoy!

3 comments:

  1. I like the fact that you blog when you like and not to a regular cycle - feels so much more like you cooking what you love and when. I have Plenty More for Christmas and looking forward to diving in. Happy Christmas.

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  2. I'm having cookbook envy at present, as Plenty More is still on my wish list. Thankfully I can now make this gorgeous salad before I even get my hands on a copy :-)

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  3. How is the red chilli your addition? I have this recipe from the book and it calls for three dried red chilli.

    ReplyDelete

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