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Nadine Abensur's fast vegetarian cooking
The name of 'Cranks' has become synonymous with quality, vegetarian food, thanks largely to the efforts of mother and international cook, Nadine Abensur
Nadine Abensur, author of Cranks Fast Food (Cassel & Co, £18.99), is one of the UK’s most original vegetarian chefs. She was born in Morocco of French-Jewish parents, and draws on this heritage, her many travels and her own imagination to create her fantastic recipes. Nadine began her career by working in restaurants around the world, then set up her own vegetarian catering company. For five years she was Food Director of the prominent UK vegetarian restaurant group, Cranks. Her first book, Secrets from a Vegetarian Kitchen, was published in 1996, followed by The New Cranks Recipe Book and Cranks Light.
Cranks Fast Food
Nadine’s irresistible, eclectic recipes - inspired by Moroccoan and Middle Eastern cooking - prove that you don’t have to be a vegetarian to enjoy vegetarian food. In fact, sample just a couple of them and you could well wonder why you ever ate meat in the first place. And they fit, effortlessly, into a busy lifestyle. ‘These are recipes I cook at home,’ she says. ‘They are not based on some fantasy. They are my lifestyle. I cook like this because, until recently, like many women, I worked full time and had a young child. I was never at home before 7pm, often later, and it has always been up to me to prepare the food. (My husband is an alien in the kitchen with no interest in food except what is put in front of him - but he is hugely appreciative). Luckily, I thoroughly enjoy cooking. That half hour in the kitchen brings everything together. It unites and harmonizes.’
How fast is fast?
Although you might not associate things like tarts and gratins with speed, the majority of my recipes are naturally, intrinsically quick to prepare (under 30 minutes). However, I refuse to own a microwave. I want to stick my nose in a big bunch of fresh coriander and inhale. I want to see things sizzle, char, crisp and braise. I want the smells. All my recipes will yield these aplenty. And fast doesn’t necessarily mean expensive –
convenience foods can play a useful part. I use shop-bought, chilled puff pastry with no sense of guilt. I have no qualms about using frozen vegetables: petits pois, broad beans, spinach, sweetcorn and artichoke bottoms. Most of all, fast should not necessarily mean expensive.
Cranks Fast Food is published by Cassell & Co. To order your copy for the special price of £16.99 (including U.K. postage and packing; normal price £18.99), please call: 01903 828503 and quote reference JAFF1.
Nadine’s fast and fabulous recipes
Quick Homemade Baked Beans
Roasted Portobello Mushrooms with Herb Pesto and Soft Rocket Polenta
White Onion Tart with Parmesan
Spicy Warm Potato Salad with a Moorish Influence
Braised Fennel Gratin
Spaghetti with Eggs, Crispy Onions and Sage
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