Fire and Spice

Aromatic Indian flavours are ideal for an end-of-summer barbecue, bringing warmth and a touch of the exotic even if clouds threaten.

Paneer in a Herb Marinade with Mango Salsa

Paneer is Indian cottage cheese, made by splitting milk and discarding the whey. It can be made at home but commercially made paneer is firmer and denser, so is better for this recipe. Firm tofu is a good dairy-free alternative; chicken and seafood work well too.

Makes: 15
Preparation: 30 minutes
Cooking: 15 minutes

The Corker recommends
This scented white with its clean finish works well with the sweet mango and barbecued curd. Matra Springs 2006 Gyöngyös, Hungary. Bin 43184; £3.99.

Rose-Scented Lamb Kebabs with Pepper

North India has a great variety of kebabs- all are highly spiced, and some are cooked in clay ovens that use charcoal and produce flavours not unlike those created by a barbecue.

Makes: 10
Preparation: 25 minutes plus marinating
Cooking: 12-15 minutes

The Corker recommends
The sweet, gutsy depths in this wine make an ideal foil for the spicy juiciness of these perfumed lamb kebabs. Mezzomondo Negroamaro Rosso Salento 2005 Southern Italy. Bin 69045; £4.99.

Spicy Blackened Cod with Coriander Relish

Mumbai has some of the best fish markets in all of India. Street food is popular and barbecued fish is sold at small beach stalls along the coast. The most popular fish is pomfret with its firm, delicate flesh, but cod works just as well in this recipe.

Serves: 4
Preparation: 15 minutes, plus marinating
Cooking: 5-6 minutes

The Corker recommends
A clean white is what this spicy dish needs, and this has the right balance of freshness and pungent fruit. Palacio de Bornos Verdejo 2006 Rueda, Spain. Bin 42568; £6.49.

Lemonade with Saffron and Ginger

Summers in India – and sometimes, if we’re lucky, in this country – demand a variety of cooling drinks kept ready in the fridge. You could leave out the sugar in this recipe if you prefer, or substitute it with honey. A pinch of ground cardamom will add extra spice.

Serves: 2
Preparation: 5 minutes
Cooking: 10 minutes

Chicken Skewers with Cream Cheese and Lemon

This traditional Mughal dish from north India, top of plate, is known locally as reshmi kebab. It gets its satiny texture from long, overnight marinating, light cooking and the cream cheese, which acts as a tenderiser. You could substitute the chicken with scallops or large prawns.

Makes: 8
Preparation: 15 minutes, plus overnight marinating
Cooking: 10 minutes

The Corker recommends
The delicate flavour in this Mughal chicken dish is perfect with the haunting and aromatic fullness of this old-vine Mediterranean white (available in limited Waitrose branches or from www.waitrose.com/wine). Les Terres Salées Blanc Christophe Barbier 2004 Vin de Pays Côtes de Pérignan. Bin 52135; £15


This article is from Waitrose Food Illustrated:
Issue September 2007





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