Cook Book Recipe Review :: BBC1 Saturday Kitchen James Martin 8th March 2008 10.00 am Atul Kochhar and John Torode

John Torode runs Smiths of Smithfield ~ an Aussie who appears on Masterchef with Greg Wallace. Smiths of Smithfield is a four floor restaurant in the heart of Smithfield, london. Simple food and finest ingredients. A great place to enjoy food with friends, it has a real buzz. Have a glass of Champagne first in the bar, then go upstairs for your meal, wonderful experience. Sample menu.

Atul Kochhar was born in Jamshedpur, which is in eastern India. He trained in the Oberoi Hotel in New Delhi and developed such a following that he was able to successfully travel to London in 1994 where he was appointed head chef at the Tamarind restaurant, which is also in Mayfair. Atul received his first Michelin star, for his restaurant Benares, in Mayfair London when he was 31, not that long ago!

I had my birthday dinner in Benares in January this year and it was fabtastic!! Great location and wonderfuly relaxed atmosphere.The menu for Benares is filled with dishes and ingredients from all parts of India.

Atul is opening a new restaurant in Dublin!!! Atul's new restaurant is called 'Ananda' and will open in Dundrum this March, more info when we get it.

See the BBC Saturday Kitchen website for all menus and recipes plus information on the chefs.

Recipes today ~

John Torode cooks Seared beef fillet with watercress, gorgonzola and parmesan dressing - suggested wine: Ravenswood Lodi Zinfandel 2005, California, USA, widely available, from £6.33
Atuk Kochhar cooks Tandoori spiced pork chops with Savoy cabbage poriyal and apple and porcini salad - suggested wine: Yalumba Y Series Viognier 2006, Australia, Waitrose, £6.99
James Martin's Heaven dish: Marinated swordfish with romesco sauce, padrón peppers and sautéed potatoes- suggested wine: Palacio de Bornos Verdejo Rueda 2006, Spain, Waitrose, £6.49
James Martin's Hell dish: Rhubarb, ginger, whisky and custard crumble tart with rhubarb compote - suggested wine: Moscato d'Asti 'Nivole' Michele Chiarlo, Italy, Oddbins, £6.49
A final twist from James is Penne pasta with pancetta and parsley and Little Gem salad
The Hairy Bikers cook Harira by Si King and Dave Myers
Nigella Lawson cooks Crispy squid with garlic mayonnaise by from Nigella Express

Remember many BBC programs and recipes in The Good Food magazine.

Nigella Lawson

Program One ~ Everyday Easy

A solution to providing food fast. Nigella is back and some express recipes prove that preparation need not take long, nor cooking. Keep the number of ingredients low and shopping is simpler too. Plan!

Dinner first ~ proper food, roast poussin with sweet potato add olive oil and cinnamon, ground cummin and into the oven. A watercress and pea salad, a lime wasabi dressing gives the salad a kick. Family dinner with dad.

With friends round, crispy squid and garlic mayo.

Ready meals are good, but if you can prepare food quickly then why bother.

Nigella is really telling us to adopt simpler methods, fewer ingredients and learn the techniques that speed up preparing and cooking food. Where can we learn all this, by watching Nigella of course?

BBC Food episode one recipes ~