simple creative cooking

Do you have a burning desire to create your very own fantastic tasting dishes, and completely WOW! All your family or friends?
I get a huge buzz from creating tasty and gorgeous looking meals from completely fresh (raw) ingredients - using absolutely no pre-packaged or processed ‘rubbish' like instant gravy granules, stock cubes, tinned soups etc.....
....and it's so easy and fun to do!
Your only limitations are your own taste buds!
Follow these simple steps to start creating your very own and completely unique, healthy, balanced and extremely tasty dishes.......let's start with CURRY!!!
Now, before you go rushing out and buying curry powder - forget it! We shall make our own and then you can taste test and refine the taste to suit you by varying the quantity and type of spices, which will be completely unique and unrepeatable! (Unless you very carefully record the exact quantities used of course!). The fun and satisfaction comes from creating different tasting meals every time you make them, they never become boring!!!
Many of the herbs I use I grow as well, it adds a greater sense of satisfaction going outside and picking your ingredients - but don't worry, you can use herbs and spices from your local supermarket!
To start creating your own curry powder simply select any from the following dried spice, I suggest you use 4 to 5 different ones from this list to start with - pick whatever appeals to you!
Paprika, Fenugreek, Cumin, Galangal, Ginger, Coriander
You will also need to add ‘heat' in the form of either fresh chopped ‘birds eye chillies' or you can use dried ‘crushed chillies' they are easier and just as effective - but don't add them to your curry powder mix at this stage, you need to taste test your curry powder for flavour first. Simply add varying quantities of your chosen spices, blend together thoroughly (I use the handle of a teaspoon!), taste until you like the flavour! Don't be too stingy with the quantities, you will need about 5-6 level teaspoons of completed curry powder.
So, now you have created a completely unique curry powder! Just take a moment to savour that delicious smell! Ok, now for the veg! You can literally pick anything (except potato), I personally use bright coloured veg mixed equally with green veg to create a gorgeous colour, but this is your curry and your choice! To get you started pick from the list below, choose 6 different fruit/veg.
Carrot, Tomato, Onion, Mange Tout, Spring Cabbage, Peppers, Sugar snap peas, any Green beans/peas, Mushrooms, Courgette, Celery, Apple, Sultanas
Finely chop all of the above, either in a chopper or by hand, or chop it roughly/coarsely if you prefer a chunky curry!
Now pick a nice large saucepan, and a nice flat wooden spoon to keep it stirred as you cook your creation!
Pop in a good dollop of Extra Virgin Olive Oil (3-5 tablespoons), or you can use a flavoured Extra Virgin Olive Oil such as one with added chilli, I prepare my own chilli oils to use.
Heat your oil! About mid range is ideal on the hob, add 1-2 cloves of chopped garlic (don't use ‘garlic salt') or ground dried garlic is fine, add your chillies (fresh or dried remember!) or if you want a really mega hot curry then try ‘Daves Insanity Sauce' but take great care with it! Add your soft fleshy fruit/veg now, this will cook down to create your curry sauce! No need to add water! Approximate quantities 3-4 tomatoes for example! You can happily cook this for 15ish mins, check and stir once in a while, if you are impatient then you can increase the heat just take care to keep stirring! Once you have a nice saucy looking mix add the rest of your veggies! Go for another 15ish mins, now the really exiting bit! Add your very own curry powder! Stir it in really well!
Add any cooked meat that you have from leftovers, or just any that you fancy, or keep it veggie!
When you get more adventurous you can make your own fresh stocks and add a bit now (not necessary though).
Keep it stirring for 10ish mins and that's it, you're done!
You have now created a completely unique curry, it will look, smell and taste fantastic! Next time you make it use different spice combinations, different veg/fruit combinations, different meats and you'll be creating delicious, unique curries, never ever tried by anyone else before!
And don't just serve traditionally with rice, its lovely over cheesy chips for example!
Or with your very own cucumber and mint raita dip to counteract the heat if you like ‘em hot!
I hope you have enjoyed reading this and that you have fun creating lovely meals! Feel free to visit my blogging page to leave comments, add tips, be creative!
Sean
http://sean-creativecooking.blogspot.com