#INSPIREDBY NOOR MURAD
Noor Murad is a recipe developer and core part of the Ottolenghi Test Kitchen. "Bahrain made, New York trained" as she puts it, and her Instagram feed brings us constant food envy, inspiration and joy! It's an encyclopedia of what you can do with flavour and texture, from all over the world https://www.instagram.com/noorishbynoor/
What was one of the very first dishes you remember eating?
Samboosa with my dad- more commonly known as samosa but in Bahrain we call them samboosa! It's basically fried dough stuffed with spicy potatoes or mung beans and you get them from these hole-in-the-wall places- they come hot and in oil-stained brown paper bags. We would scoff them down greedily in the car, and burn our tongues in the process.
Who is your food hero?
Um Ahmed, the most humble Bahraini lady who taught me how to make our local classics. She would toast her spices in the scorching hot sun to make her own baharat spice mixes, and then proceed to use them liberally: spoonfuls of spicy gold dust on all of her creations
What is your guiltiest food pleasure?
Shawarma. Extra tahini. And french fries in the shawarma (because double carb).
Which restaurant do you long to return to?
Behesht in Finchley central. Best Irani food eva. Guaranteed to give you the most fantastic keshk e bademjan food comas that ever did exist.
What would be your last meal?
Mathrooba. It's this savoury Bahraini porridge made by slow cooking rice, chicken, loads of herbs and spices and then beating the whole thing to a thick, porridge-like consistency. It's the kind of stick-to-your-ribs, warm-your-soul kind of good.
What dish do you cook the most at home?
Soups. I love brothy things with leafy greens and lots of lemon juice. Working at the test kitchen means we taste food things all day- which is great! But when I'm home I like to have simple, fresh, warming foods to give my digestive system a much-needed rest. I will share my soup with whoever sits at my table!
What restaurant T-shirt would you wear?
I like Monty's t-shirts because of the giant pickle.
Favourite vegetable?
I can't possibly answer this! Spinach? Maybe spinach. But I also really love aubergines!
Most-used condiment?
Definitely olive oil. Basically liquid goodness.
Most overrated dish?
Fish n chips. Sorry, I said it.
Favourite restaurant anywhere in the world?
Berdawni in Zahle, Lebanon. All the hot and cold mezze, the most beautiful grills, and then to finish: baskets of the freshest fruit in the land. No fuss, no frills, eat-with-your-hands kind of food. I would happily eat this everyday for the rest of eternity
Favourite fast food joint?
E. Mono on Kentish Town Road
Quick Fire
Breakfast in bed or in the hotel restaurant?
In the hotel restaurant. Hit me up with that grand selection!
English Breakfast Tea or Long Black coffee, or something else?
Black coffee and that is all.
Martini - gin or vodka?
Gin
Ketchup or mayo?
Team mayo! Bonus points if it's homemade.
Stella or Boli?
I haven't tried either? I'm the worst kind of drinker in that, well, I hardly drink. Mostly because it makes me sleepy and that's just no fun!
London or New York ... or another city?!
NYC! I studied in upstate New York and worked in Manhattan and I am certain that I left a piece of myself in that city.
City break or hideaway?
Hideaway. Preferably somewhere hot. I'm an island girl at heart, so anywhere with sunshine and the sea is where I find peace.
THE CONDUIT TO HOST THE NEW YORK TIMES' LONDON CLIMATE FORWARD
THE UK'S TOP RESTAURANTS ARE NAMED
COUNTERTALK TO LAUNCH BRAND NEW PLATFORM COUNTERTALK SPACES
CULT US BURGER SLINGERS LUCKY BUNS TO COME TO CAROUSEL
TOKLAS APPOINTS NEW HEAD CHEF AND OPENS TERRACE
DISHOOM TO OPEN NEW SITE IN CANARY WHARF
BEST SPOTS NATIONWIDE FOR AL FRESCO DINING
OTTOLENGHI ANNOUNCES BLOOMIN' BEAUTIFUL CHELSEA FLOWER SHOW PAVLOVA
CAROUSEL'S SUMMER CHEF RESIDENCY LINE-UP
ANGELA HARTNETT ANNOUNCES LASTEST CAFE MURANO BOOK CLUB LINE-UP
DISHPATCH LAUNCHES SPRING MENU SERIES
THE PLATINUM JUBILEE AFTERNOON TEA LAUNCHES AT FORTNUM & MASON TEA SALON
DISHPATCH TO DELIVER BBQ FEAST FOR FATHER'S DAY
COLETTE PARTNERS WITH GBBO ALUMNI MANON LAGREVE
WAREHOUSE LAUNCHES SPECIAL UBUNTU COCKTAIL
GODDARD & GIBBS TO LAUNCH BRUNCH
COLETTE’S PLATINUM PICNIC HAMPER
WILDFARMED: FIXING FOOD TO FIX THE PLANET
CELEBRATE CHAND RAAT WITH DISHOOM
SKYE GYNGELL IN CONVERSATION WITH ARIZONA MUSE
EASTER MADE EASY WITH DISHPATCH
CELEBRATE GLOBAL CUISINE WITH CAROUSEL
SPRING-TO-GO TO THROW A FINAL CELEBRATION
OTTOLENGHI LAUNCHES NEW MENU WITH DISHPATCH
JKS RESTAURANTS PARTNER WITH LUKE FARRELL
DISHPATCH'S SPECIAL DELIVERY FOR MOTHER'S DAY
#COOKFORUKRAINE
NOPI CELEBRATES INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S DAY
CAROUSEL CELEBRATES INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S DAY WITH ‘THE FEMALE CHEF’ RESIDENCIES
TOM KERRIDGE PARTNERS WITH DISHPATCH
PRAWN ON THE LAWN TO REOPEN PRAWN ON THE FARM
MARLE AT HECKFIELD PLACE AWARDED A MICHELIN GREEN STAR
DISHPATCH TO PARTNER WITH ST. JOHN AND FKA BLACK AXE MANGAL
THE BIB GOURMANDS ARE OUT
VINOTECA BOROUGH TO OFFICIALLY OPEN ON MONDAY 14TH FEBRUARY
GODDARD & GIBBS TO OPEN 3RD MARCH
CAFE MURANO BOOK CLUB
VALENTINE'S DAY IDEAS
ANNOUNCING THE COMPASSES INN
ZAYTOUN'S NEW SEASON OLIVE OIL
GOILA BUTTER CHICKEN TO LAUNCH
OTTOLENGHI TO OPEN A CHELSEA DELI
CAROUSEL 2022 RESIDENCIES
DRY JAN VS WET JAN