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vegetable pilaf – a book giveaway

25 May 2012 by Dominic Franks

… the lovely people at bloomsbury books have sent me a copy of Joanna Weinberg’s new cookbook – cooking for real life… it’s an ‘everyday’ cooks book that is packed with family-friendly but really rather delicious recipes that are written in an open and knowing style that comes from someone who has clearly been in the situations we’ve all been in such as the surprise of friends suddenly dropping by, or feeding a family with what’s in the larder… I like the ‘ordinary-ness’ and no-fuss of the recipes and as Joanna says herself, ‘not every meal has to shine’… the photography is charmingly retro and occasionally as basic as the concept and there are also some cool ’60’s inspired graphics that head up each chapter… followed by some neat ‘instant tips’ also done in a retro style…

… I’ve always liked Joanna’s writing, she writes a weekly column for The Times, so it’s great to see her work in one place and it’s also nice to hear a new voice out there…

… as always when I review a book I like to cook something from the book itself and I actually had real trouble choosing… I wanted something simple to reflect the quality of the book but I also wanted something that I didn’t have to go out and shop for… so always in stock in my cupboard is rice…

vegetable pilaf – taken from the daily grind chapter of the book

1.5 lt vegetable stock
240g basmati rice (I used regular long grain as that’s what I had in…)
40g butter
1 tablespoon vegetable oil
1 large onion – finely chopped
250g cauliflower, broken into florets
75g cashew nuts (i used pine nuts as I had them in the larder)
1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
1 teaspoon ground coriander
1/4 teaspoon ground cardamom
1/4 teaspoon ground turmeric
1/4 teaspoon hot chilli powder
pinch saffron threads
100g frozen peas
100g tinned, drained chickpeas

– bring the vegetable stock to the boil, add the rice and boil vigorously for 5 minutes, drain and set aside

– in a large pan melt the butter and oil together and fry the onions until turning golden, add a pinch of salt, the cauliflower, cashews and the spices and fry for a couple of minutes until everything is coated in oil and spices

– push the veg into a low mound in the middle of the pan, stir the chickpeas and peas through the rice and then pack this mixture around and on top of the veg and nuts

– pour over 325ml boiling water, wrap the lid of the pan in a tea towel and place on the pan so that no steam can escape. ย Set over a high heat for 3 minutes and then a low heat for 10 minutes until the water is absorbed.

– switch off the heat and let it rest for 2 mins

– remove the lid, place a plate upside down over the pan and invert both in one movemnet so that the rice lands on the plate with the vegetables and nuts on top – scatter over the coriander leaves

… I have very kindly been given a copy of the book to give away to one of you lucky readers. ย All you have to do is leave a comment below… you can also enter again by tweeting I’ve entered @belleaukitchen ‘s cooking for real life book giveaway, you can too: http://belleaukitchen.blogspot.co.uk/2012/05/vegetable-pilaf-book-giveaway.htmlย  and then let me know you’ve tweeted by leaving another comment… simple! I will announce the winner at the end of the month…

eat and of course, enjoy!

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Filed Under: Vegetarian Tagged With: curry, vegetable pilaf

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Comments

  1. Fruitful Fusion says

    25 May 2012 at 9:34 am

    What a great giveaway! It sounds like the perfect cook book for a working mum of 4 who likes to put something yummy and nutritious on the table for her family (AKA me!).

  2. Fruitful Fusion says

    25 May 2012 at 9:41 am

    I've tweeted too! ๐Ÿ™‚

  3. little macaroon. says

    25 May 2012 at 10:12 am

    love me a pilaf, especially if it has cashews in it – my favourite. Count me in for a giveaway any day! x

  4. Green Dragonette says

    25 May 2012 at 10:23 am

    Delicious sounding Dom and great to have with the hot days we are enjoying at the moment-just my sort of food-yum!! Now do we get the book also signed by you now you are a TV star??

  5. amy beth marantino says

    25 May 2012 at 10:34 am

    this looks like a great book

  6. amy beth marantino says

    25 May 2012 at 10:34 am

    i tweeted

  7. Corina says

    25 May 2012 at 10:48 am

    Sounds really delicious.

  8. Corina says

    25 May 2012 at 10:49 am

    I've tweeted too.
    @Corinathecook

  9. The Owl Wood says

    25 May 2012 at 11:11 am

    So tasty, so easy, so free from meat, so I'm going to make some!

  10. Magnolia Verandah says

    25 May 2012 at 12:19 pm

    As I am on a retro kick at the moment this book sounds like me. Sometimes its as much a challenge to dish up a meal with what's in the cupboard as it is to plan a shopping expedition. Your right sometimes all you want is simple. Rice always a winner I say!

  11. Xander Xbods says

    25 May 2012 at 12:59 pm

    Liking all the bracketed notes! Recipes can feel so restrictive sometimes, it's nice to see a cook who appreciates that you don't always have saffron knocking around the place ๐Ÿ™‚

  12. Susan Lindquist says

    25 May 2012 at 1:52 pm

    'Not every meal has to shine' … ain't that the truth? Sometimes, a bowl of rice and some easy vegetables or a quick cooked mince mash is just the ticket to fill the belly and give the cook an easy night … especially important for families on the run! Good review, Dom! You picked a good dish to highlight!

  13. Aga Girls says

    25 May 2012 at 2:09 pm

    I read a review of this book somewhere else recently that raved about it.

  14. Aga Girls says

    25 May 2012 at 2:10 pm

    I have also tweeted @agagirls

  15. Choclette says

    25 May 2012 at 2:41 pm

    Yes, like the idea of cooking for real life not just aspirational. Risotto looks good. Am impressed with the photo – it's the sort of thing that would just look messy if I did it.

  16. Choclette says

    25 May 2012 at 2:41 pm

    I've tweeted too ๐Ÿ™‚

  17. Emma says

    25 May 2012 at 3:03 pm

    Looks like a lovely book- would love to add it to my collection! Pilaf recipe looks lovely and summery

  18. Emma says

    25 May 2012 at 3:03 pm

    I have also tweeted @ekitchendiary

  19. Kathleen Hooper says

    25 May 2012 at 3:44 pm

    this looks a great “everyday” cookbook… perfect for my OH who is developing an interest in cooking

  20. Treat and Trick says

    25 May 2012 at 4:48 pm

    The cook book sounds really nice! Great spice combo and delicious one pot meal. Have a great weekend!

  21. Janice says

    25 May 2012 at 7:21 pm

    ooh I'm a sucker for an everyday ordinary sort of recipe, thanks for the chance to win.

  22. Karen S Booth says

    26 May 2012 at 5:15 pm

    GREAT recipe and I also have a book to give away as well as a review copy Dom, so don't add me into the draw! I have not had a chance to look at mine properly yet….but love what I see already as I skimnmed through the book.

  23. Ruth Ellis says

    26 May 2012 at 5:39 pm

    Got a big cauliflower in the veg box this week – maybe half of it will end up being pilaf-ed!

  24. Caroline says

    26 May 2012 at 10:02 pm

    I like the sound of a book that doesn't make me feel bad for not cooking up a gourmet feast each evening – long days and late home from work is not conducive to spending time making feasts. Sounds like I agree with the philosophy of this book!

  25. Baking Addict says

    27 May 2012 at 10:36 am

    Yum your picture looks so tempting. Sounds like a great book too. I love everyday, simple recipes!

  26. Baking Addict says

    27 May 2012 at 10:37 am

    I've just tweeted from @bakingaddict

  27. Blue Kitchen Bakes says

    27 May 2012 at 11:16 am

    Looks like a good book, always trying to find new inspiration for ever day meals

  28. Blue Kitchen Bakes says

    27 May 2012 at 11:16 am

    I've tweeted as well

  29. Please Do Not Feed The Animals. says

    27 May 2012 at 12:58 pm

    This would be a good book to choose a random recipe from – sometimes you just want something simple, eh?

  30. Kavey says

    27 May 2012 at 1:19 pm

    There's a lot to be said for solid, dependable and tasty recipes got everyday!

  31. maxineflossy says

    27 May 2012 at 1:33 pm

    Looks a lovely book – always on the look out for new recipes!

  32. maxineflossy says

    27 May 2012 at 1:34 pm

    and have tweeted @maxineflossy

  33. Sharon Arnott says

    27 May 2012 at 4:16 pm

    I have read a piece of Joanna's writing before, so what with that and the sample recipe you have posted this looks set to be a good book.

  34. Sharon Arnott says

    27 May 2012 at 4:17 pm

    I have tweeted @Black_Catssx

  35. Sharon Arnott says

    27 May 2012 at 4:17 pm

    Sorry @Black_Catsx

  36. Becs @ Lay the table says

    27 May 2012 at 7:11 pm

    The recipe looks delicious – great for during the week and I don't always want to eat meat!

  37. Becs @ Lay the table says

    27 May 2012 at 7:11 pm

    I've also tweeted ๐Ÿ™‚

  38. Katherine says

    28 May 2012 at 8:14 am

    What a fabulous book for healthy eating! Definitely something I need more of in my life ๐Ÿ™‚

  39. Katherine says

    28 May 2012 at 8:14 am

    I'm also tweeting (@KookyKaty)

  40. Janine Ellis says

    28 May 2012 at 10:22 am

    The book sounds wonderful & would really inspire everyday meals. Love the retro look of it too! I bet you could add all sorts of summer veggies to that pilaf, yummy!

  41. Janine Ellis says

    28 May 2012 at 10:23 am

    Oh I Tweeted too! @chouxchouxbedoo :o)

  42. TangolikeRaindrop says

    28 May 2012 at 11:19 am

    Looks lovely! I'm going to have to try this for sure.

  43. TangolikeRaindrop says

    28 May 2012 at 11:21 am

    and I've tweeted. ๐Ÿ™‚ @TangoRaindrop

  44. Helen J says

    16 June 2013 at 9:54 pm

    I've tweeted (I think!!)

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About Dom In The Kitchen

My name is Dominic, I am a cook, food writer and creative event producer. I write the food blog Dom In The Kitchen and also write a monthly recipe column for Lincolnshire Life Magazine and Good Taste Magazine. I also run creative event production company The Persuaders, producing global events for brands since 1997. I am based both in the small village of Belleau in Lincolnshire and the smaller village of London! Read Moreโ€ฆ

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