A Media Moment

Today was a big, no make that a massive day in my life as a foodie. Why?

A couple of weeks back I telephoned one of my local papers the Burton Mail and explained about how I’m writing my first book, my blog and my love of food – was there a chance of any publicity or the chance of a job writing a food column?  No luck re the job (yet, I can live in hope), but they liked the idea of an interview.

So today was the big day, the day the photographer was due to come round to my house and take a few snaps. There was a wee bit of a shock ahead though; he telephoned me around 30 minutes before he was due to arrive and said they’d like to do a short video of me cooking something, “ok” said I, put the phone down and dashed to my bookshelves in a mad panic.  I raced round the kitchen glancing in the fridges/freezers and cupboards to see what I’d got to hand, muttering to myself about how on earth was I to prepare and cook something with so little notice and in so little time.

My Dad, always at hand to calm my nerves, passed me a cup of tea and tried to soothe my nerves, it worked. I had a bit of a brainwave – why not cook one of my recipes? One from my blog would have been good, but I didn’t have anything that was quick enough and the ingredients to hand – that would be too simple wouldn’t it.

So I adapted a recipe of mine and in due course created a lovely new side dish – Spiced Fruity Couscous.

To say I was battling with my nerves, I so hate having my photo taken, I actually loved the whole experience.  Being on camera didn’t bother me at all, which surprised me as I hated doing a video conference between campus sites during my nurse training – it was one of the most nerve wracking experience I’ve ever had. I guess it goes to show that if you’re doing something you love you can easily overcome any nerves or inhibitions.  Chatting on camera felt so natural I really hope I get to do this again!!

The couscous was really quick and simple to prepare, it had to be as everything was done in real time with no editing effects to the food either – totally natural I promise.

It will form the accompanying side dish to some grilled chicken pieces for our dinner tonight, a lovely fresh meal for a rather warm and humid day.  Not a day to be slaving over a hot stove by any stretch of the imagination.

Tomorrow the reporter should be calling me to do the telephone interview, so expect a further report from me then, such exciting stuff

The Recipe:

• 4 tablespoons good olive oil
• 1 large red onion, half sliced in rings and the rest diced
• 1 red pepper, thinly sliced
• 1/2 teaspoon saffron
• 1 teaspoon paprika
• 1 desert spoon ras el hanout
• Pinch of chili flakes
• Pinch of garlic granules
• 1/2 cinnamon stick
• 1 tin of chickpeas
• 150g barley couscous
• 250ml hot water
• 2 tablespoons barberries or dried cherries
• 1 tablespoon pistachio nuts

1. Heat the olive oil in a large frying pan over medium heat, add the onions and fry until softened and tinged with a golden colour.
2. Add the peppers and fry until soft, before adding the spices, be careful not to burn them or it will give a bitter taste to the finished dish.
3. Add the chickpeas and cook for a couple of minutes, stirring all the time.
4. Add the couscous and coat well with the oil, add the water and allow to simmer (covered by a lid) for around 5 minutes.
5. Drizzle with more olive oil (about a tablespoon) and fluff with a fork.
6. Decant into a serving dish and scatter with the fruit and nuts. 

Share this: