#INSPIREDBY YASMIN KHAN

Yasmin Khan is a chef, author, broadcaster and human rights campaigner. She has penned two cookbooks - The Saffron Tales: Recipes from the Persian Kitchen and Zaitoun: Recipes and Stories From the Palestinian Kitchen, which chronicles her culinary travels through Palestinian kitchens. Yasmin is working on a third book, about the food of the Eastern Mediterrean, that will be published next Spring.

 

What was one of the very first dishes you remember eating?

I appreciate this isn't what you'd expect from me but I have strong memories of eating Findus crispy pancakes, I think it was one the first things i was able 'to cook' at home. (well, stuck the oven on and got them out the freezer but still). Do they even still exist?

 

Who is your food hero?

I have so many, it's hard to whittle it down. He'd hate to be called anyone's hero, but I admired Anthony Bourdain a lot. His writing was brilliant, his attitude to global travel was refreshing and his work opening up how we perceive other cultures was as important as it was inspiring. 

 

What is your guiltiest food pleasure?

I could eat crumpets drenched in butter and honey all day 

 

Which restaurant to you long to return to?

I'd love to downstairs at Yauatcha in Soho, with a group of friends, ordering LOTs of dim sum

 

What would be your last meal?

Gormeh Sabzi - It's an Iranian stew, made with chunks of lamb simmered with lots of herbs (parsley, coriander, chives, fenugreek), red kidney beans and fragranced with dried limes. It's divine. 

 

What dish do you cook the most at home?

I do a lot of east-Asian style warm noodle salads and stir frys, usually with some tempeh or prawns that I've marinated and whatever veggies are lurking in the back of the fridge. My partner seems to enjoy them!

 

What restaurant T-shirt would you wear?

Maybe my friend Tim's Padella tee. It's the finest pasta in London  

 

Favourite vegetable? 

Sweet Potato. I like to roast them slowly with lots of thyme, fennel seeds and olive oil so they get all sweet and sticky. 

 

Most-used condiment? 

Can we class olive oil a condiment? Because I think I use it as one 

 

Most over-rated dish?

Anything French 

 

Favourite restaurant not in the UK?

 I can't wait to go back to Lilia in Greenpoint, Brooklyn.

 

Favourite fast food joint?

Mangal Pide and Lahmacun in Dalston is the best for a quick snack

 

Quick Fire

Breakfast in bed or Hotel restaurant? 

Always the hotel restaurant. I love a buffet breakfast!

 

English Breakfast Tea or Long Black Coffee?

I stopped drinking coffee a few years ago so I'm strictly on team tea now. 

 

Martini - Gin or Vodka?

Vodka! Gin makes me weep...

 

Ketchup or Mayo? 

ALWAYS mayo (preferably homemade) 

 

Stella or Boli?

 Call me a champagne socialist if you like, but I'm Boli all the way. 

 

London or New York?

 I'm often in an Empire State of Mind.  

 

City break or Hideaway

Hideaway. I love remote getaways 

 

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