FOOD & DRINK

Cauliflower & chickpea tikka masala

INGREDIENTS

1 medium cauliflower (about 1kg) 2 tbsp vegetable oil 400g can chickpeas, rinsed and drained ½ tsp ground turmeric 1 onion, finely chopped 2 cloves garlic, finely chopped 15g fresh root ginger, finely chopped ½ x 283g jar Patak’s Tikka Masala Spice Paste 200g fresh tomatoes, finely chopped 3 tbsp non-dairy yogurt alternative, such as oat ¼ x 25g pack coriander, leaves only Steamed basmati rice, to serve

Preparation time: 20 minutes Cooking time: 25 minutes Serves: 4

METHOD

1. Preheat the oven to 220°C, gas mark 7. Line a large baking tray with foil. Break the cauliflower into large florets, reserving any tender leaves. Toss the florets with 1⁄2 tbsp oil and spread over one side of the baking tray. Toss the chickpeas with another 1 tbsp oil and the turmeric, and spread over the other side of the baking tray. Roast for 20 minutes, stirring each side and adding the cauliflower leaves halfway through. 2. Meanwhile, heat the remaining 1⁄2 tbsp oil in a large pan. Fry the onion for 5 minutes until soft. Add the garlic and ginger and fry for 1 minute. Add the curry paste and fry for 2 minutes. Pour in 50ml water and cook until evaporated. 3. Add the tomatoes and 200ml water to the pan; simmer for 5 minutes, then spoon in the cauliflower. Simmer over a medium-low heat for 5 minutes. Take off the heat and stir in 2 tbsp yogurt alternative. Add the chickpeas and cauliflower leaves. Finish with the final 1 tbsp yogurt alternative and the coriander leaves. Serve with steamed basmati rice.

COOK’S TIP

This is a wonderfully comforting vegan recipe, though you could replace the yogurt alternative with 3 tbsp natural yogurt for a vegetarian option.

Brunch or lunch - Murati’s has it

Last month I was delighted to be asked along to the Newport Pagnell branch of Murati’s to try some dishes off their new lunch and brunch menu. This Mediterranean independent’s between 12-3pm on Fridays, you are able to get two courses for £13.50 and three courses for £16.50. The menu, although limited, contains some firm family favourites, including some of my top picks: the fiery Penne Arrabbiata – for their brunch next – then they’d never get rid of me! Murati's, 28 St John St, Newport Pagnell MK16 8HJ first restaurant opened up in Wolverton several years ago – it may be situated near the car wash but don’t let that put you off – Murati’s is a Milton Keynes institution, serving hearty

Italian cuisine for a number of years in Newport

Pagnell and Wolverton and more recently in

Olney and Daventry, Northamptonshire.

The Newport Pagnell branch is a favourite of mine, as well as of my family. With vibrant and youthful décor, the restaurant maintains its child-friendly atmosphere whilst also being a top choice for a fun-filled boozy dinner.

Walking through the entrance-way, the small seating area is adorned with floral décor and wall murals which are perfect for an Instagram selfie or two, if that’s your thing! You then walk through into their large bar area which, on a weekend, doubles up as a dance floor when they host guest DJ’s alongside their delicious dinner and drinks menu. My brother, an amateur mixologist, believes they serve the best Old Fashioned he’s ever tried, bar his own – excuse the ego!

Past the bar area, you eventually land on the spacious dining area and open kitchen. The restaurant is always much quieter at lunchtime and early evening – I definitely recommend coming at this time with children as it can get rowdy on a weekend. Although I’ve visited Murati’s a number of times as it’s walking distance from my house and their delicious cocktails mean I’m never even slightly tempted to drive (saving the environment right?) it has only ever been for dinner and drinks. On this visit, I was genuinely amazed at the value of their lunchtime menu. Between 12-4pm Tuesday to Thursday, and pasta with garlic, chilli and tomato – and gooey mozzarella arancini balls for a starter too. I’ve always previously put Murati’s down as being solely a lively dinner spot, but their lunch deal really is hard to beat. On this visit it was the new brunch dishes that caught my eye as I wanted to try something a little different. Between 12-4pm on Tuesday to Friday and 12-2pm on Saturday and Sunday, Murati’s offer up their take on a very reasonablypriced brunch, with dishes priced in the range of £7.50 and £11.95. My mum opted for one of the vegetarian breakfast options at £11.50 and said it was genuinely the nicest breakfast she’d ever had outside of our house (and admittedly I do make a mean fry up!) The dish was loaded, but served beautifully without looking too overwhelmingly large – ‘The Veggie’ consisted of two poached eggs, garlic mushrooms, two hash browns (which were to die for,) grilled tomato, avocado, spinach, beans, grilled halloumi and toasted homemade bread and was all excellent value for money. My brother chose the Italian version of Eggs Benedict, which was served on a toasted English muffin with two perfectly-poached eggs, lashings of rich, creamy hollandaise and crispy parma ham – an absolute steal at £8. I just had to choose the most unusual brunch offering – ‘The Brunch Pizza’ is the most expensive dish at £11.95, but I can see why – served on Murati’s signature wood-fired, thin and crispy dough, the pizza has a classic mozzarella and tomato base but is innovatively topped with crispy sliced sausage, bacon and mushrooms and an egg. It was super filling and I can see it being a real crowd-pleaser, especially for those with big appetites. My brother also had the Summer Fruits' French Toast as a sort-of ‘breakfast dessert,’ which we all dug into in order to satisfy our need for a sweet treat – the coulis in particular was tart and delicious. But that’s not it – an ‘off-menu’ addition can be found in the form of their creamy carbonarastyle cheese-wheel pasta – a dish that really fulfils my lifelong cheese addiction. The price of this dish is £16 per person and you are able to choose between crispy pancetta or garlic mushrooms as your topping. The dish itself is made in front of you – the server fires up the wheel (literally, with a blowtorch!) and adds a homemade roux, before the pasta ribbons are coated in the melted cheese and served, piled-high in your bowl. We went for the veggie topping and the mushrooms were delicious – garlicky, peppery and plentiful. As always, Honney and the team made us feel like ‘part of the furniture’ in the best possible way – even after a long-awaited revisit postCovid it felt as if we’d never been away. Ultimately, whatever time of day you choose to visit, Murati’s is fuss-free and family-friendly. Our resident foodie Emma Norris I genuinely think it is just as enjoyable visiting in the afternoon with my three-year-old cousin recently tried the Mediterranean – a little bit of a fussy eater who’s the biggest food and drink at Murati’s and fan of the Frutti Di Mare Linguini – as it is partying and drinking their delicious cocktails has come away hungry for more. into the early hours with friends on a Friday or Saturday evening. I just vote they bring in a bottomless option Tel: 01234 714117 www.muratispizzeria.com > If you would like your restaurant reviewed get in touch mkpulse@pulsegroupmedia.co.uk Follow Emma on Instagram: @emmaroseeats Murati’s Vegetarian Breakfast