Spruced-up Couscous | Book of Elsa

I'm not one to impose my will unto others. The way I see it its a live and let live kind of situation. However, I am goint to tell you this: Couscous is not BORING and this recipe is proof. Just season with salt and pepper, add some drained canned chickpeas, dried fruits and nuts of your choice. Pour over some hot vegetable stock and cover with cling for 20 minutes. Fluff it up with a fork and eat alongside whatever protein you have or as a lunch in and of it self.

Meatballs in Spiced Tomato Sauce | Book of Elsa

There's a terrible misconception about curries: they need to be hot; or even very spicy. This is not the case, a curry can be gentle and spiced without blowing mouths. Here we have just the thing for a week night meal served with plain rice and maybe some naan. 
Also the recipe below specifies a lot wich is the whole point: Leftovers taste even better. You can thank me later.

Meatballs:
500g mince beef
100g breadcrumbs
1 tablespoon soy sauce
1 onion minced
3 garlic cloves minced
pepper to taste

For the Sauce:
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 onion chopped
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1 teaspoon ground coriander
1 teaspoon ground tumeric
1 can chopped tomatoes
1 can coconut milk
1 teaspoon of sugar

Method:
Mix all the meatball ingredients and form into golf sized balls < I get around 16 > put in the fridge to rest whilst you get on with the sauce.

In a wide pan with a lid heat the oil over low heat and add the chopped onion and salt. 
Soften for about 10 minutes then add the ground cumin, coriander and turmeric. 
Fry the spices for a couple of minutes then add the tomatoes, coconut milk and sugar bring the heat to medium and the sauce to the boil and drop in the meatballs.
Once the sauce is simmering, lower the heat and partly cover. 
Cook for 20 minutes, check the sauce for seasoning and serve.

Butternut Squash and Pesto Soup | Book of Elsa

This recipe was born out of necessity, barely anything in the cupboards but dinner still needs to be had and it needs to be delicious. I've been making different version of this soup for years but this variant is by far the quickest. You can come home from work on a cold as hell winters' night and be eating this soup within the hour.
You're welcome.
Ps: You can add some cooked chicken, fish, tofu, whatever but let me tell you this soup is great without any addition.
I've eaten this over the years with all kinds of breads. Naan is my favourite, pitta comes a close second, if you have one of those part baked bread rolls. Use that. Also regular sliced bread and <un>salted butter will do too. Anyways, I digress...

Spaghetti with crab and chillies - Book of Elsa

It has been a while since i've posted in here uh?!
Life you guys has been busy and I'm sorry to say blogging has taken a step back. work, family, other obligations have taken much of my time lately, and it has been awhile since I've even truly cooked.
I have missed this outlet. so here I am with a recipe that screams 'summer' like no other and not only is it delicious but so easy to make too, now I know I say that about every recipe but listen:
If you cannot be bothered to cook tonight: boil some pasta (any shape will do) and had this sauce which doesn't required cooking and eat. I swear you will thank me.
On another note I specify using all white crab meat but please feel free to use 50 percent dark meat if you wish and the sauce isn't just for pasta it goes great on top of some crostini or torn baguette dipped in, with a cold glass of wine... But I digress, here is the recipe.

Feeds 4. Remember leftovers are a good thing here.

Book Review | Mamushka - Olia Hercules

Rapid Ragu | Book of Elsa

What's for dinner, is the never ending question we all face. Everyday. Even for someone like me who adores cooking. 

This ragu is my savior on those days when the thought alone of what to eat the end of a hellish work day can make me screech, the original recipe comes courtesy of Nigella Lawson and can be found here. I however, have tweaked it a bit with ingredients from my own store cupboard and preferences.

Anyway I digress, enjoy.

Book of Elsa