Sometimes It's About the Eating and Not The Cooking

After one of those long and busy weeks of work and events I haven't had much time in the kitchen to get experimental (that's not an excuse, promise). Sometimes preparing a nutritious meal can seem an impossible task and as mentioned on previous posts junk food is a no no so keep those takeaway menus out of sight!! With Jamie Oliver's new "15 Minute Meals" show I was convinced I too could do the same and beat that 30 minute past time. With a quick rummage in my fridge I rustled up a rice and mackerel stir-fry, with garlic, chili and ginger this was not only quick to make but a pleasure to eat.

With my usual music twist to a dish I'm sure you would think of a fast pace, up tempo track for this recipe...well think again. As this blog is exploring mood, music and food as a combination the end result will always lead to the tasting; after all this is where we socialise, catch-up or just relax. And relaxing was just what I needed after a long, tired some day. Tonight is a big day in the UK music world with the Barclaycard Mercury Prize 2012 up for grabs this could launch a new act into the spotlight. Nominees include Jessie Ware, Lianne La Havas, Ben Howard and Alt-J to name a few. However for my relaxing night in I wanted something calm and blissful and this came in the form of a deep soulful voice from Michael Kiwanuka. Who has not only be compared to legends such as Otis Redding and Randy Newman, he also won this year's BBC Sound of 2012.

Good Luck to all the nominated acts tonight I'm glad I'm not a judge as clearly we can see the UK is brimming with talent so I'm sure it will be a tough call.

MACKEREL AND RICE STIR-FRY
 

Ingredients:

· Smoked Peppered Mackerel (remove skin)

· Basmati Rice (handful per person)

· Spring Greens

· Sugar Snap Peas

· Spring Onions

· Coriander

· Sesame Seeds (lightly toasted)

· 1 clove of Garlic

· Thumb size piece of Ginger

· 1tsp Chili Flakes

· Fish Sauce

· Light Soy Sauce

· Sesame Seed Oil

 

Method:

Wash and cook rice as instructed on the packet. While rice is cooking in a separate hot wok add a tablespoon of neutral oil like (vegetable or groundnut), then add the chopped garlic, ginger and chili for 30 secs making sure it doesn't burn. Add the sugar snap peas and spring greens (or any other vegetables you have in your fridge for stir-fry). Add a little water to help steam the vegetables then add the flaked mackerel, cook for a further 3 mins, once the fish is heated warm mix in the rice along with a few drops of fish sauce and soy sauce. Garnish with spring onions, coriander, sesame seeds and a few drops of sesame seed oil.

 

N.B. Optional prawn crackers on the side, but a must glass of wine!