In praise of Ottolenghi - three great winter dishes

Cauliflower bake

 Winter meals are always a treat. Nothing like a warm, soft, nutritious dishes for cold winter nights. And so much better if they are easy to make. Having discovered Yotam Ottolenghi and Sami Tamimi's recipes, there is no looking back. I have bought two of their books, Plenty and and The Cookbook. And I have bought both the Kindle versions for when we are over at the farm, and the hard copies for when I am in town!

Their dishes are simple, made with in-season fresh vegetables, and dashes of magic. Here are three I have made recently. These first two dishes are definitely not vegan, just vegetarian as cheese, cream and/or eggs feature. Delicious treats.

Ottolenghi is wonderfully generous and you can find some of their recipes here: http://www.ottolenghi.co.uk/recipes

Ottolenghi's name for the cauliflower bake is Smoky Frittata. How can anyone resists that. Just gorgeous on its own, or with green vegetables.

Ottolenghi's Herbed Mushroom Polenta

the ultimate winter couscous

 The herbed mushroom and potenta dish is one of those which quickly became a favourite.I use my winter thyme and rosemary straight from the garden together with Parkvale tiny bronw mushrooms. Such a fantastic Friday evening dish, relaxing by the fire after the weeks work. This takes about 25 minutes to prepare. You can find the recipe here: http://www.ottolenghi.co.uk/recipes/mushroom-and-herb-polenta-shop





 Couscous dishes have been favourite of mine for a while. this one is vegan and Ottolenghi's version is distinctive with the vegetables gently roasted with cinammon sticks, star anise, bay leaves, and ginger, tumeric, paprika and chilli flakes together with the magic of saffron threads and fresh corriander sprinkled on at the last minute.You can find this recipe here:
http://www.ottolenghi.co.uk/recipes/ultimate-winter-couscous-shop