Jack Monroe really knows her onions kidney beans

by admin

This time Ive .. borrowed from the UKs national broadcaster, the BBC. Well, at least they spell chilli correctly ! [grin]

Jack Monroe is an extraordinary young woman, and has managed her sudden rise to culinary fame with simple aplomb. Also, shes not a proselytiser about being vegan; and that causes my ancient heart to warm to her veganism is so .. demanding. Perhaps I mean for an old fart ?

Anyway. I have just today discovered during seemingly endless browsing of pressure cookers, their pros and cons and the bewildering number of brands of the damned things, that I might be able to forget pressure cookers and simply use my microwave for fast cooking.

What ? no, I didnt ever think of it before. Why would I ?: that would completely ruin my spotless reputation for incomparable dickheadedness !

So I just tried the recipe below for my tea/dinner, even though I dont have the dark chocolate in my pantry OR ANYWHERE ELSE IN THIS HOUSE ! she said before they could laugh scornfully. It works ! its a really nice recipe ! :)

I believe Ill get off my bum tomorrow morning and walk up to the bus that takes me to Woolies, wherein can be found many kinds of dark chocolate. And before you start again with the smartarse comments, I actually dont like dark chocolate (but do have a weakness for white ..); so I shant be stuffing it into my gob in handfuls.

Oh: an important point ! If you, like me, have a fairly ancient and not frightfully powerful microwave, double each cooking time mentioned, OK ? Its still going to be under ten minutes cooking.

MICROWAVE CHILLI

Ingredients

  • smallonion, finely chopped
  • 1 fat garlic clove, crushed
  • knob ofbutter
  • tsp ground cumin
  • tsppaprika
  • tsp chilli flakes (or more, to taste)
  • 400g can chopped tomatoes, drained (and juice reserved)
  • 400g cankidney beans, drained and rinsed
  • vegetable stock cube
  • 2 squares dark chocolate

Method

  • Put the onion, garlic and butter in a microwaveable container, give it a quick stir, then heat in themicrowave on High for 30-40 secs. Leave to stand for 1 min, then add the spices, sieved chopped tomatoes, beans, stock cube and 1 square of the chocolate.
  • Cover with cling film and pierce 3 times. Place some kitchen paper under the container and cook for 2 mins on High. Stir well and leave to stand for 1 min.
  • If your chilli starts to dry out, add some of the reserved tomato juice.
  • Add 2nd piece chocolate; cover and cook on Medium for a further 2 mins. Give it a good stir and allow to stand for 1 min before serving, topped with sour cream (or whatever floats your boat) on rice.

Recommended. But then, I wouldnt post it if I hadnt liked it, would I ?

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