Tagine-tastic

Everyone seems to have gone tagine crazy recently, and it really does seem to be the new dinner party trend. There are lots of tagines out there and it is important to buy one that will last and can do everything you want it to. The cheaper terracotta ones, are a bargain but they have to be used with a heat diffuser and are known to crack – the age old trick of putting water in the top dimple really does become a necessity.

Here at ChichesterCookshop.co.uk we recommend buying a tagine that is flame proof, such as Nigella’s Flameware or Emile Henry Flame. Both are designed to be used on the hob, in the oven and even in the microwave.

The Emile Henry Flame line is designed for kitchen use, meaning the designers have thought of everything: it is suitable on all hobs as well as being dishwasher safe. Priced slightly cheaper then the Nigella tagine, and available in a variety of colours; the Emile Henry Tagine is the ideal investment to show off on the dinner table.

Sarah

Colour co-ordinate your kitchen

It’s January, everyone is tucked-up inside out of the cold. This means that everyone is at home and spending more time looking at their furnishing then they normally do.

If you are bored of your kitchen but don’t want to re-decorate the whole thing, re-accessorize your kitchen. Just as you might update an outfit with new accessories, the rules apply to your home as well.

Fancy a red twist? Match the Wesco Breadboy Breadbin with the Kickmaster Bin, add a Dualit Toaster and a KitchenAid Mixer and you have given a completely different feel to your home.

It doesn’t even have to be that noticeable, expensive or drastic. Why not give you kitchen a green, eco feel with an organic apron and oven glove set, a green teapot and an olive tagine – accessorizing can even open up new culinary avenues.

The trick is to choose key pieces that fit your look and to go from there. Black and Red has been the most popular colour scheme for our customers this winter, as we move into spring, more people are buying Cream.

Sarah

Another tagine recipe for you…

The Nigella Lawson tagine has been one of the Chichester Cookshop best sellers over the late December – early January period. As it has been so popular with our customers I thought I would find another recipe for everyone to try.

Here is a James Martin recipe for a vegetarian tagine that was featured on BBC’s Saturday Kitchen. It looks absolutely yummy and ideal for those trying to lose a few pounds and detox after a seasonal binge.

If you don’t have a tagine yet, have a look at Nigella Lawson’s Flameware range. It’s beautifully crafted and ideal for oven to table cooking.

Sweet Potato Tagine with Lemon Couscous by James Martin
Serves 4

Ingredients for tagine
2 tbsp olive oil
1 onion, thickly sliced
2 garlic cloves, finely chopped
1 tsp ras el hanout
½ tsp ground cinnamon
½ tsp ground ginger
½ tsp smoked sweet paprika
½ tsp ground cumin
¼ tsp freshly ground black pepper
1kg/2lb 4oz sweet potatoes, peeled and cut into large chunks
1 x 400g/14oz can chopped tomatoes
2 tbsp honey
½ tsp saffron
200ml/7fl oz water
40g/1½oz preserved lemon, finely chopped
125g/4½oz dried apricots, halved
110g/4oz green olives, stones removed
40g/1½oz whole almonds
1 small bunch coriander

Ingredients for couscous
200g/7oz couscous
2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
10g/½oz preserved lemon, rinsed, drained, pulp removed, flesh finely chopped
½ lemon, juice only
2 tbsp chopped fresh coriander leaves, to serve

For the tagine heat a large, deep frying pan with a lid until hot. Add the olive oil, onions and garlic and cook for 2-3 minutes.

Add all of the spices and fry for one minute.

Add the sweet potatoes and stir well.

Add all the remaining ingredients, except the coriander, stir well and bring the mixture to a simmer.

Chop the coriander stalks, reserving the leaves for later, and add the stalks to the pan. Reduce the heat, cover with a lid, and simmer for 15-20 minutes, or until the sweet potato is just tender.

For the couscous place the couscous into a heatproof bowl and pour over enough boiling water to cover the couscous by 1.5cm/½in.

Add the olive oil, preserved lemon and lemon juice and a pinch of salt. Stir well, then cover with cling film and set aside for 3-5 minutes, or until all the liquid has been absorbed.

Remove the cling film and fluff the couscous up with a fork. Season, to taste, with salt and freshly ground black pepper.

To serve, spoon some couscous onto each plate. Spoon the tagine onto the couscous and sprinkle over the reserved coriander leaves.

Sarah

Nigella Lawson’s Lamb and Date Christmas Tagine

Just a quick post to announce that Nigella Lawson’s Flameware Tagine, as seen on her BBC show ‘Nigella’s Christmas Kitchen’ have arrived and are in stock and ready to be sent out! We have had a high level of interest in the tagines, so order yours now before they sell out.

On Nigella’s Christmas Kitchen, she made a lamb tagine, I have posted the recipe below from the BBC Food website, if you would like to have a go at making it yourself.

Sarah

Lamb and Date Tagine by Nigella Lawson

Ingredients
3-4 tbsp goose fat or olive oil
2 onions, peeled and chopped
1 tsp ground cinnamon
1 tsp ground turmeric
1 tsp ground ginger
1 tsp ground cumin
1 tsp ground allspice
1kg/2lb 3oz boneless leg of lamb, chopped into cubes
250g/9oz soft dried dates, stones removed, or Medjool dates, stones removed
250ml/9fl oz pomegranate juice
250ml/9fl oz water
2 tsp Maldon sea salt, or 1 tsp table salt

1. Warm the goose fat (or oil) in a wide heavy-based pan with a lid. Add the onions and cook gently over a low heat for ten minutes, or until softened.

2. Add the ground cinnamon, turmeric, ginger, cumin and allspice and mix well.

3. Turn up the heat and add the lamb, stirring often, until browned all over.

4. Add the dates, pomegranate juice, water and salt and bring to the boil. Cover with the lid and turn down the heat to very low to cook for two hours. (You can cook in the oven if you prefer, for two hours at 150C/300F/Gas 2.)

5. Serve in bowls.

Comforting Cookware and Casseroles

Just in time for cosy autumn stews, Nigella Lawson has launched her new Flameware ceramics range. From Tagines to Marmintouts the gorgeous range of black ceramics are great for cooking and serving. The clever ceramic blend is designed to retain heat making them ideal for buffets.

Unlike other terracotta casseroles, the Flameware range is designed to be used on direct heat from the hob and under the grill, as well the usual places such as the oven. Oh, and should you have any leftovers, the pots can go in the freezer and microwave too.

Have a look at the Living Kitchen Flameware section under Casseroles and Stew Pots in Cookware. I am sure you will fall in love with the range and its cosy appeal.

Sarah