24
FOOD
Mixing it up!
Classic dishes in this cookbook are reimagined
with the flavours of India by 2022 Masterchef
winner Eddie Scott.
Best known for his inventive
take on Indian cuisine, Eddie
Scott won the Masterchef
TV cooking competition
and adoration of the public with his
heartfelt approach to food. In his
cookbook Misarana, which translates
as 'fusion' in Punjabi, he draws upon
his memories and heritage (cooking
amazing homemade meals with his
grandparents, eating in bustling
French bistros on family holidays,
visiting the vibrant street food stalls
in India and travelling the world
in the Merchant Navy) to create
a collection of inspirational, yet
relatable dishes.
From mid-week meals to
slow Sundays, Misarana is full of
recipes for all kinds of budgets
and schedules, brought to life with
vibrancy, panache a bit of spice.
This book aims to change people's
mindset when it comes to Indian
food and fusion cooking and give
people an insight into the fascinating
and varied regional cuisines of India.
This book is full of flavourful, no
nonsense, everyday recipes that
marry European classics blended
with Scott's love of India. Think Delhi
street-style bread omelette, Keralan
mussels, Hariyali Roasted Celeriac
and Chicken Pistawalla (chicken pie).
You'll learn how to use spice more
effectively, to introduce complexity
and flavour into your everyday
cooking. These recipes would work
for your everyday cooking or to
stimulate your senses and expand
your repertoire with variations of
otherwise classic meals.
Holiday extras
Scott's first memories go back to
being in the kitchen, growing up in a
family that loved to cook great food.
Childhood summer holidays were
spent touring around France and
it was on these adventures that he
discovered his love of classic regional
French cuisine. Such holidays were
spent going off the beaten track,
eating in cafeterias and workers
cafés, places where the locals ate.
He was astounded at the variety of
brilliant ingredients and the culture
of food in France. His teenage years
were spent teaching himself a
repertoire of elaborate dishes from
the great French masters, recreating
his holidays at home.
Scott's cooking is also inspired by
his family's Indian, Punjabi heritage.
His grandparents, both brilliantly
skilled cooks taught him the basics
of Punjabi cuisine and the art of
cooking with spice. He is particularly
passionate about the Royal cuisines
of India and has spent years
perfecting his Hyderabadi biryani.
In 2022, Eddie fulfilled a life
cooking ambition, becoming
MasterChef UK Champion, where he
got to showcase his signature style.
He left behind a successful career as
a Marine Pilot to embark on a life in
food. Since winning Masterchef, he
has spent time honing his skills at his
favourite restaurant, the Michelin
starred Pipe and Glass in East
Yorkshire and Restaurant Gordon
Ramsay on Royal Hospital Road,
London.
Scott has of course also spent
time travelling around India
researching, exploring and learning
about the country's diverse food
culture. He recently opened his
first restaurant in his hometown of
Beverley, East Yorkshire, named after
his favourite childhood restaurant
in France, L'Opaline Bistrot. This
showcases everything that he loves
about cooking from his love of
traditional, hearty French bistro fare
to fiery Indian street food classics,
with some Indian fusion cooking
thrown in too.
Recipes in the cookbook
include: Tandoori butter trout
with ginger and lime greens, Goan
vindaloo pulled pork buns with
apple fennel slaw, Punjabi spinach
and goats cheese tart, Puducherry
bouillabaisse, Kolkata tacos, Lamb
rogan chops, New Delhi baked
cheesecake, Spiced chai chocolate
mousse with poached prunes.
www.opalinebistrot.com