So 3 friends went off to the big city on the train to search for a very little Japanese restaurant filled with oodles of noodles! (Ramen to be precise.)
We queued in anticipation with several other Japanese people (always a good sign) and a couple of Americans. The restaurant opened its doors at exactly 12 noon and we were told where to sit. The restaurant sat 20. They only served you if you were physically present. So no pre-ordering for late friends!
Orders were taken promptly. I sat sipping on my green tea with roasted rice whilst waiting for my food. The food arrived swiftly and perfectly cooked.
Our starters were chicken karaage with Japanese mayo and BBQ pork with a chilli sauce.
The 3 of us sat in sublime silence enjoying every bite of our chicken and BBQ pork.
Then the steaming hot bowls of pork ramen arrived. We were recommended the ‘hard’ ramen option as the noodles settled into their right texture as we ate. Ching had ordered ‘regular’ and her noodles became too soft. My soup was spiced and the other two not. We all three ordered a boiled egg as the added extra. A good choice, the egg was delicious.
I alternately added thinly julienned ginger or spicy pickled vegetables to my spoonfuls of ramen. These were ‘free’ to help ourselves on the table. I love different textures and flavours and wasn’t disappointed.
The whole experience was definitely to be repeated. Perhaps with Elise and Tara. Maya might be enticed with the crunchy fried chicken but ramen nor pork a favourite.
I want to share my Roti recipe, with a nutritional twist. I used Doves Farm organic wholemeal Buckwheat flour and Psyllium husks.
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Cauliflower and brazil nut curry with roti
The humble Roti, a nutritious flat bread, eaten in many countries, known by different names. A basic filling food that is cheap on ingredients and deeply satisfying to make. I enjoy the ritual of squidging the dough, rolling it out and cooking it on a hot plate. The rolling out in a circle and ‘air bubbles’ when cooking, a challenge for me as a child, I still don’t roll them out in a proper circle but hey! I think I have mastered the ‘air bubbles’:)
We traditionally made them with ‘atta’ (fine wholewheat) flour. I have been experimenting with the wonderful range from Doves Farm.
I met Clare Marriage 10 years ago, when I ran my food business in Wiltshire. We were both members of Slow Food Berkshire.
I love that the business is family run and very socially conscious. I have had much pleasure helping them at their “Free From’ exhibition stalls in London Olympia, Liverpool, Glasgow and their ‘Children in need’ charity tent at Car Fest, Hampshire.
I used their organic flour at my organic cafe in Kuala Lumpur, their gluten free range of flours, pasta, bars and biscuit unbeatable on flavour and quality. It’s lovely to have access to their full range here in the UK.
Giselda’s Fibre rich Roti
Ingredients
500g Doves Farm organic wholemeal Buckwheat flour 1tbsp Psyllium husks 3tbsp Olive oil 2 large pinches of salt to taste 3 cups boiling water
Method
Mix flour and Psyllium husks in a large (roomy) bowl. Add olive oil and salt. Add boiling hot water and mix with spatula in a slicing motion.
Once the dough is cooled to touch, gather dough and form into a ball. Take ball out of bowl and work on a floured surface. Dough should be soft and elastic.
Roll into ping pong ball sized pieces and press down flat using palm of your hand. Then roll out thinly.
I generally roll out a piece while the other is cooking. This is a great opportunity to get your child (partner, friend, neighbour) to help. I often chat with my girls about their day while we bond making Roti.
Cook on a hot flat pan. Keep warm on a plate under a tea towel.
We eat them with curry.
They were also popular at our organic cafe filled with cheese, mashed avocado, tuna, etc and toast on a hot flat frying pan, recipe to follow.
Many months spent working on recipes and menus. Lots of food tastings with my girls and close friends. Lazy Sunday lunches and midweek surprises.
My food journey started many years ago in Malaysia. I grew up in a family of food lovers. Travelling many miles with my father to try the best bowl of Shitake mushroom Bah Kut Teh (a delicious herbal Chinese soup).
My mother always carrying a rice cooker on trips to the beach and cooking the most amazing food in our little hotel room (back in the days when one could smuggle appliances into hotels!)
Sitting with my grandmother and stirring chopped up pieces of banana core in a pan of water to gather the stringy bits.
Aunty Susan producing mouth watering meals with the simplest store cupboard ingredients.
Then travelling and living in many different countries and learning different cultures through food.
d in anticipation with several other Japanese people (always a good sign) and a couple of Americans. The restaurant opened its doors at exactly 12 noon and we were told where to sit. The restaurant sat 20. They only served you if you were physically present. So no pre-ordering for late friends!
