43
FOOD
Braised Spiced Cauliflower (serves 4)
Ingredients
• Cauliflower florets, approx. 600g
• 2 potatoes, approx. 400g, cut in
dice size chunks
• 1 onion, finely sliced
• 4 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
• 2 tbsp Irini's Spice Paste, approx.
80g
• 200g finely chopped ripe tomatoes
• 1 tbsp brown sugar
• 1 bay leaf
• 300ml vegetable stock
• A small bunch of flat leaf parsley,
finely chopped
• 1 tbsp black sesame seeds
Living in Cumbria, she wanted to
support local businesses and find a
producer who could maintain the
authenticity and intricate flavour
profile of the spice paste, which
requires meticulous blending of 13
spices, concentrated tomato paste,
along with Cretan Olive Oil. It is
a contemporary rendition of the
Method
1. Bring a large pan to a medium
heat and add the olive oil and
sliced onion. Sweat the onion for
4-5 minutes until translucent.
Add the spice paste and stir for
a minute followed by the potato
chunks. Cook the potato for 5
minutes, stirring continuously,
then add the cauliflower.
2. Stir everything, add the chopped
tomato, sugar, bay leaf, and stock.
3. Season with salt and freshly
ground black pepper, cover
the pan and cook on low heat,
stirring occasionally, for 30-35
minutes until the vegetables
are cooked and the sauce has
thickened.
4. Serve with freshly chopped flat
leaf parsley and black sesame
seeds.
Recipe by Irini Tzortzoglou
www.irinicooks.com
traditional Greek spice blend known
as Spetsieriko, used in the Corfu beef
dish, Pastitsada.
This dish typically features
cockerel simmered in tomato sauce
flavoured with a number of spices
and to which pasta is added towards
the end of cooking time. The warm
and aromatic spices used add depth
and character without overpowering
the palate. The blend includes
tomato paste, dark brown sugar, red
wine vinegar, salt, cinnamon, garlic,
star anise, nutmeg, ginger, turmeric,
cumin, coriander, allspice, chilli,
smoked paprika, cardamom, black
pepper, and cloves.
Just a teaspoon of the paste
could transform a variety of dishes,
whether enhancing soups, casseroles,
roasts, marinades, or dips, the paste
adds a delightful Mediterranean twist
to any meal.
www.northumbrianpantry.com