Rubbishy Cookery

  This is a Japanese-ish light dinner that is simple, but will knock your socks off with the subtle complexity of its flavours and textures. I didn’t invent it by any means, but it’s a mish-mash modification of actual recipes and deconstruction of dishes I’ve had at Japanese restaurants. Ingredients: The broccoli isn’t really part of the recipe, I’m just making it as a side dish. Directions: First, prepare your mise en place: Finely chop the ginger and chop the scallion into fine rings as above. Try to handle your extra firm silken tofu gentler than I have so it emerges from its packaging in a solid block rather than two iceberg shaped pieces with extra bits. Chop the silken tofu into delicate bite sized cubes. I’m saving half of my block for another day, possibly for a miso soup (see Recipe #2): Meanwhile, as I heat up a pot of water in which to cook my soba noodles, why not take advantage of the resultant steam for my broccoli side: After a few minutes, I have perfectly steamed a...

  This is a fantastic soup if you have a Vitamix. I have no idea how it would work out without a Vitamix. Also, more clean up. Contrary to popular belief, you don’t have to be posh to own a Vitamix. I got the least expensive model from Best Buy with several years’ worth of points in gift cards, so it only cost me about the same as a regular blender. But it sounds like a jet plane is taking off in the kitchen whenever I use it. Apparently the more expensive models have mufflers or something. This is also a minimal clean up soup if you use a Vitamix, a microwave oven, and reuse your bowl and spoon for serving. Perfect for lazy, rubbishy cooks like us! Ingredients: Directions: Cut up your broccoli head into large florets and the stem into chunks and place into a microwave safe bowl. Rinse with water and ensure the broccoli is good and wet. Place the bowl in the microwave and cook on high for about 3-5 minutes until bright green and softened: You could alternatively steam or parboil th...

  I am literally making up this recipe as I go. Improv rubbishy cookery at its finest! Ingredients: This last minute side was inspired by what was in the fridge. Choose your own adventure! Directions: Chop your vegetables up real good: Then add a big glob of instant slaw dressing (a.k.a. mayo): Mix everything together and you’ve got slaw! I just thought how extra good it would taste and crunch with bits of bacon…