Turn up the heat this valentines day with some inspiration from the worlds hottest climates. |
| Passionate Pomegranates |
Long regarded as an aphrodisiac, the pomegranate is loaded with vitamin C, antioxidants and other micronutrients which are being studied in the battle against heart disease. They’re starting to appear in the supermarkets as the season begins. Fresh, ripe examples would normally be around for a couple of months but in todays climate, who knows. Just get stuck in I reckon. To make separating the fleshy seeds from the fluffy pulp easier score the skin and then scoop the guts into a bowl of water. The fleshy seeds (arils) will sink and the junk will float. The flavour is tart with a tannic aftertaste, like a young red wine and it’s origin is middle eastern. Put your matching cap on and you’ll come up with a host of complementary flavours like the one on the right.
To request a recipe, find out what to do with an ingredient, or sign up for a one-on-one cooking tutorial, email info@noweat.com.au |
| Thirst-quenching Satisfaction |
| Drinking alcohol in the heat without adequate hydration before during and after can lead to the mother of all headaches, serious dehydration and heatstroke. When I feel like an adult drink that’s free of alcohol I mix pomegranate juice with soda, half and half. With or without a twist of orange, it provides all the satisfaction of a sparkling red without the sore head. |
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Valentines Day is upon us and the hospitality industry is bracing itself. The problem, you see, is that the most efficient way to fill a restaurant is in evenly spaced tables of four. Valentines day dictates that everyone wants a table for two somewhere on the outside of the restaurant. So despite being flat out trying to feed people who are more interested in devouring each other, the earnings for the night are effectively halved. That is unless you can turn over tables, which is why you’re probably getting the bums rush at 7.45.
Moral of the story;
-If you haven’t booked a table yet, good luck.
-If you’re the gourmand who wants to stay all night, start at 8 or so.
-If you’ve been given a departure time, plan around it to spare the stress. Pack a picnic dessert and feed each other chocolates and fruit in the park, don’t forget the bug repellent and a blanket, comfort is key. Going to a movie is fine, but talking at length about love and life is better.
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BBQ Lamb
Strip-loin and Pomegranate Salad.
400g Lamb Striploin 1Tbs Paprika
2tsp ground coriander
1tsp each cumin and dried oregano
a pinch of ground cinnamon
salt and chilli to taste
Combine dry ingredients with olive oil to make a paste and coat the lamb or for a more exotic twist use goat. Leave to marinate for up to a day.
Cook the lamb loin in a hot pan or bbq (about 2 mins each side for medium). Squeeze a bit of lemon over it while cooking to keep it moist.
Make a basic dressing with 1Tbs lemon juice and 3 or 4 tbs mild olive oil, and use it on a salad of crisp iceberg lettuce, pomegranate arils and avocado.
Rest the lamb before cutting across the loin into strips and serve with the salad and a sprinkling of feta.
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