Homity photos

First up, the pastry case – then covered in a double layer of cling film and into the freezer, ready for use as and when.

Here's the baked pie – I'm sorry you can't smell its delicious aroma – bring it on!

Slice of pie anyone?

I can definitely confirm that this pastry is the most reliable I've ever used – I've used it for heaps of savoury tarts. It freezes well and does not deteriorate – you won't be sorry!

Three for the price of one – the humble homity

Here's the second of my “canapé” suggestions and this actually gives you three different versions.

Version 1 :

Homity Pie

Serves 12-16 depending on size of slice

Pastry case

200g plain wholemeal flour

100g unsalted butter

pinch of baking powder

ice cold water to bind

Rub the butter into the flour and baking powder until it resembles breadcrumbs, then gradually add a glug of water and use and round bladed knife to bring the pastry together.

You can use a processor to reach the breadcrumb stage if you prefer – I'd then tip the pastry into a mixing bowl and add the water by hand.

Rest the pastry in the fridge for 30 minutes.

Ahead of the game

Bake 6 large jacket potatoes, then cool, peel and dice finely

and place in a large mixing bowl

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

500g onions, finely chopped

3 cloves garlic – finely chopped or roasted

paste

3 tbsp rapeseed oil

salt and black pepper

5 tbsp of freshly chopped parsley – 3 tbsp for the

filling and 2 for the topping – use less if you are

using dried

300g of grated cheese – I use a mixture of mature

cheddar, Gruyere and Red Leicester – 200g for the

filling and 100g for the topping

Sauté the onion and garlic in the oil, add to the potatoes and season with salt and black pepper. Add the cheese and parsley, mix thoroughly.

Roll out your pastry and line a greased baking dish measuring 24cms in diameter x 5cms deep.

Tip your potato mixture into the pastry case and pack it down tightly and flat – it will look as if you'll never get all the filling into the case – persevere – you will succeed.

Top with the remaining cheese and parsley.

Bake in a pre-heated oven – 170fan/190c/Gas 7 for 40 minutes – check after 20 minutes.

Photos on their way!

More kofta kit

Raita is another great favourite to serve as a dip and also as a side to curries – it's cooling and refreshing.

Here's my version, served with a creamy chicken curry (recipe coming soon).

Raita

Take half a large pot of plain yogurt - 250g. Add one teaspoon of ready-made mint sauce and stir well. Add salt and black pepper. If you'd like to add finely diced cucumber feel free but add it as you serve so it remains crisp.

P.s. Not perhaps an ideal time to mention healthy, but, you could use a low fat plain yogurt and try the with tandoori chicken and a crisp green salad – don't forget the mango chutney too.

Another culinary marriage made in heaven – the easy way.

The kit to go with the koftas

Have you ever wondered how they make the “onion salad” served with the poppadoms? I know that it varies from restaurant to restaurant but, many moons ago I was given a recipe which, to this day I've never committed to paper. It has to be said that it's quite hot and obviously you have to like onion.

Here goes :

2 medium onions, finely chopped -

weight 150g per onion approximately

salt and black pepper

2 tbsp fresh orange juice

1 tbsp lemon juice

1 tbsp tomato paste

pinch of chill powder

Place the onions in a large mixing bowl. Add the remaining ingredients and mix well.

Place the salad in sealed airtight containers and store in a cool place.

The secret to this salad is that you should not serve it for at least a day, preferably two after making it. It's important that the orange and lemon juice and the tomato paste are allowed to “mature” - leaving it to infuse takes away any harshness from the onion and the tomato paste.

This is a perfect accompaniment for the koftas but is equally as good with any curry.

Here it is :

If you are a lover of all things spicy then this onion salad is excellent with cold meats or, best of all, with a strong mature cheddar cheese.

Kofta canapés, meatballs and burgers …

… the photo guide

Use a foil tray with 2 tbsp plain flour – it enables you to roll around the koftas to coat with flour without having to “assist” them.

If you would prefer a larger version then use a dessert spoon of mixture, treated in exactly the same way, like these :

Finally, if you're in the mood for a burger – but one with Indian flavours, have a look at these :

These burgers are 110g or 4oz in old money.

The kit to serve with up next ...

Kofta canapés

How about a kofta for a canapé – these Indian meatballs are a real hit. As you'd expect from me they can be made ahead and frozen. Easy to spear on a cocktail fork or a cocktail stick. Serve with small bowls of sweet chilli sauce or raita or mango chutney or all three.

Kofta canapés

makes 25/30 ish

500g of minced lamb

*salt and black pepper

*2 cloves of garlic, crushed or 2 tsps of paste

*1 tsp of ground cumin

*1 tsp of ground coriander

*pinch of garam masala

*pinch of chilli powder

1 heaped tbsp of tomato paste

1 egg

sprinkle of plain flour

kitchen gloves or damp hands

Rapeseed oil for shallow frying

a foil tray 23cms x 23cms

Place the mince in a large mixing bowl then add the ingredients marked * and mix well. Add the tomato paste and the egg and combine. If you find the mixture too wet, then sprinkle a little plain flour into the mixture and fold in gently.

Using either gloves or damp hands your mixture should aim to be the size of a walnut (or 1 heaped teaspoon). Roll the mixture between your hands and when you've 8 or so heat the oil in a large frying pan. Seal the koftas on a low heat and carefully shake the pan to turn them – use tongs if you are accident prone!

At this stage you can continue to cook the koftas in the pan or you can transfer to an oven-proof dish and pop into a pre-heated oven 160fan/180c/Gas 4 for 15 minutes.

Alternatively let the koftas cool once sealed, transfer to freezer bags and freeze until required. Defrost and then place in a foil tray and warm in a pre-heated oven as above for 15 minutes.

Easy peasy and really tasty – photo guide next.

Make it easy on yourself!

I mentioned in Coming soon … that the advertising for all your festive food requirements was imminent and so it is. If you wish you can order the whole lot, from your Christmas Day lunch, through to your party food and desserts too.

Balance is the key. An example – if you've decided that you're going to buy “party food” then choose carefully, browse and browse again – better still arm yourself with a glass of wine, or tea or coffee if you must, flag whatever takes your fancy with a post it note. Leave it be and then return to it the following day – just to be sure.

Whatever your choices make sure they all cook for the same amount of time and at the same temperature – unless of course you want to be tearing backwards and forwards from the kitchen to your guests getting grumpier by the minute. Don't forget to set your timer – preferably a small version that hangs around your neck – it looks like a strange necklace I grant you – you'll be glad you wore it.

Check out the ordinary supermarket deals. You'll find that they'll have good offers – another example or two – a selection of antipasti and smoked salmon. Great on two counts - they don't take up space and they should have good dates – don't forget to check.

Consider buying part-baked baguettes. They do not need to be frozen so don't take up valuable space in your freezer, once again check the dates.

It doesn't take long to bake a Camembert to go with the freshly baked baguettes. Note to self, make sure it's in a stapled container not glued – it will not be pretty and you'll be very cross!

Assemble your own prawn cocktail shots. If you've not got shot glasses I might even go so far as to suggest you invest – you don't have to spend a fortune and I've found them so useful for all sorts of stuff, from making individual puds to the prawn cocktail. You could even use them for alcohol too!

Here's what my most useful versions look like :

A shot glass if for all year round, not just for Christmas.

Next up is a canapé that can actually be a meatball or a burger too!