This month’s Man With A Pan gathering was a lesson in Moroccan cuisine with a Turkish twist, and a celebration of Christmas by adding Brussel Sprouts and mince pies, writes Michael Holland.
Man With A Pan is Appleby Blue’s monthly session that brings men together who might spend too much time alone and could benefit from some cookery tips from Hulya Erdal, the chef that graces the airwaves on Robert Elms, iconic radio show on BBC London, and can often be seen stirring up a storm on one of our many food programmes on TV.
But this time it was more than a few fellas getting together to chat and learn how to cook a specific dish, we were there to cook for a conference bring held at Appleby. Thirty people that included a spoonful of vegetarians and a dash of dietary needs. Nothing that Ms Erdal and her motley crew of four couldn’t handle.
Dish of the Day was Chicken Tagine with Roast Brussels and Mashed Potato (Maris Piper and Sweet), with a vegetarian tagine also being made.
Some of us were assigned spud-peeling for the mash, another was chopping onions, while one more was peeling and slicing the sprouts. We grated fresh turmeric and ginger, peeled and chopped garlic, prepped peppers and basically got stuck right in.
All this goes on while Hulya gives a running commentary on how she got into cooking via working on magazines, and how she came to drift into teaching. There were tales of maleficent males in the industry but without ‘naming names’…
Before long there were huge pans of potatoes boiling, onions and peppers frying, chicken simmering in stock and sprouts being buttered and spiced before going in the oven. We stirred pots, listened while Hulya explained how the spice sellers in her culture would each have their own secret blends, and took note when she told how to make the best roast potatoes and mashed potato. We looked on in wonder how she would not measure the spices but added with abandon because she knew how much was needed by instinct. Hulya would tell us when to add each ingredient, when to turn the heat up or down. The kitchen was her realm and she was Queen but without lording it over us. We were learning something every time she spoke.
As the conference went on in the hall we knew the scintillating aromas were wafting out of the kitchen because some of the attendees kept sneaking glances our way with hunger in their eyes.
At 1pm they broke for lunch and we served up a Royal Treat for them, evoking many ‘Hmmms’ and ‘Aaahhs’ and Oliver-esque ‘Can I have some more, please?’
And of course they could. One satisfied diner said she’s never liked Brussel Sprouts but was now back for seconds and asking for the recipe.
Lunch was topped off with mince pies and clotted cream to broaden to the smiles on already sated faces.
Man With A Pan is open to all male Southwark residents and is free to attend after you have booked your place here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/january-man-with-a-pan-tickets-1118711669719?aff=oddtdtcreato
Appleby Blue, 94 Southwark Park Road, SE16 3RD
10am – 1pm
