Prashad ‘Indian vegetarian cooking’ Kaushy Patel


We are now into the second day of National Vegetarian week in the Uk and I wanted to draw your attention to a superb vegetarian cookery book that I have recently discovered.

Indian food is my all time favourite, when it comes to dining out and cooking at home. I have always felt it is the cuisine that has the most options for veggies, and with Thai has that stimulus of flavours to tempt deeper indulgence.

Prashad is a small Indian restaurant in Bradford that is family run and a place that I very much would like to visit. It was voted the ‘Best runner up’ by Gordon Ramsay on his TV show Ramsay’s best restaurant 2010. This has brought the culinary skill of Kaushy Patel and her family to the attention to the whole of the UK and not just Yorkshire.

Having just discovered this delicious cookbook of 100 recipes, ranging from snacks/street food, starters, mains, rice, breads, sides and deserts, I thought I would mention it as a vegetarian success story that many meat eaters would also appreciate. The recipes in this book that brings authentic Indian cooking into your kitchen, is ideal for those who are not just vegetarian, vegan, but for those who want to reduce their meat intake and may be tempted by Meat Free Monday’s.

Recipes such as Cinamon spice chick pea curry, cauliflower and pea curry and the delicious chaat (king of street food) that are within its pages would tempt anyone.

At the end of the book is a meal planner that is also very useful.

Prashad ‘Indian vegetarian cooking’ can be brought from the usual retailers and is excellent value for a book with so many veggie recipes in it. One for everyone, I think that loves spicy food.

Prashad Indian vegetarian cuisine
137 Whitehall Road
Drighlington
BD 11 1AT
01113 285 2037
http://www.prashad.co.uk
@prashad_veggie

BYZANTIUM MEDITERRANEAN TAPAS KINGS HEATH


Living in the food mecca of Kings Heath and Moseley is hard work. The choice of where to dine and drink is tough on the decsion making process. Where do you go and savour top vegetarian delights.

Byzantium in Kings Heath on York Road in South Birmingham is a favourite of my wife Ruth and myself.

It seems wrong though to not start the night at Fletchers Bar next door, for cool cocktails, and a good Saturday evening Kings Heath vibe. Fletchers is all wood and has a good cocktail and drinks menu and also serves food from lunch to dinner. It is owned by The Kitchen Garden Cafe near by and thus like them promotes organic and well sourced food.

After a couple of good martinis we were off to Byzantium. It is a lovely restaurant, it has a warming and localised feel that is generous in its welcome and one that will get you talking. It is a small resturant, but big in heart. We began with a Fino sherry (what else) The restaurant has a good selection of drinks, from cocktails to a good selection of wines from the mediterranean and numerous sherries. Many by the glass.

We ordered the Middle Eastern flat bread, slightly griddled and so very aromatic. Superb. With this the smoky aubergine dip, the zaaluk which was also very good.

I also ordered to follow the Aubergine Parmiagiana, Patatas Bravas,
championes rellonos, and from a large special menu the Cheese and spinich Croquetas and
roasted root vegetables with honey and rosemary. Byzantium has a regular specials menu that has numerous vegetarian options on it.

We both finished it off with a Baklava which we enjoyed. We also enjoyed a glass of red and white wine and two coffee’s.

Byzantium is very good choice for vegetarians and meat eaters alike due to its superb choice of on its menu.

The service is informal, friendly but attentive.

Byzantium is very good value and if you don’t order too much.

It will have you returning again and again.

The restaurant was buzzing on a Saturday evening and had a good vibe. I advise you too book a table.

We were having such a good night we returned to Fletchers for a whisky and brandy.

Byzantium certainly glitters gold.

0121 444 5444

Facebook.com/byzantiumtapas

Info@byzantiumtapas.co.uk

Byzantium Mediterranean Tapas Restaurant
11 York Road
Kings Heath
Birmingham
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