Aubergine Saturday and Samosa Sunday

You may or may not know that in the wake of the horrendous Grenfell Tower fire, a community kitchen – called Hubb Community Kitchen – played an important role in supporting those who’d been caught up in the should-never-have-happened horrific tragedy.

They cooked meals and provided a safe haven for people who were affected – chopping, stirring, baking and simmering their way through lots of chats and meals.

Now, the Hubb Community Kitchen have released their very own cookbook, sharing their very best FREAKING DELICIOUS recipes and raising (awareness and) money to help their vital mental health-supporting kitchen program grow.

And let me tell you? The book is amazing, jam-packed with brilliant recipes, interesting stories and beautiful photographs. All on TOP of its important purpose.

It’s called Together: Our Community Cookbook and it’s available at all great bookstores. I started cooking from it on the weekend and do not want to stop!

left: Together cookbook and right: Cravings Hungry for More by Chrissy Teigen.

On Saturday I made Aubergine Masala – a recipe by Gurmit Kaur – and oh my goodness it was delicious and unlike anything I have eaten before. Golden eggplant and potatoes in a delicious gently spicy sauce. I had it on rice but I can promise you it’s excellent on toast the next day too!

On Sunday I made Vegetable Samosas – a recipe by the delightful Munira Mahmud (who I later met accidentally on Instagram … yay!) – and all I have to say is ‘why haven’t you bought this book and made some, dammit?!’

They were fun and easy to make, and Munira shares a brilliant trick on assembling them that is a life changer. Not even joking. I made Munira’s Green Chilli and Avocado Dip to plonk them into and that was brilliant too.

You can follow Munira on Instagram here! She makes delicious things and in fact has SIX recipes in this book. I really want to make her African Beignets!

I love these Samosas so much, they are going straight to the family fave recipe list. I messaged Munira to find out what SHE likes to serve the samosas with (dip? chutney? etc).

Here is what she said:

“Hello! Yes, normally we serve it with a nice hot chilli dip!”

So let’s do THAT!

If you are a bit of a royal watcher you may know that Prince Harry was at the launch of this cookbook with fellow patron Duchess Meghan, and indeed that Harry made off with a samosa as they departed.

They are irresistible to everyone.

(In fact, the Kensington Palace royals’ Royal Foundation is administrating the funds raised by this book.)

I could be wrong but I reckon we’ve caught Prince Harry red handed stealing some samosas from the Meghan’s ‘Together’ cookbook event they were at today!! Have a watch… #HubbCommunityKitchen @KensingtonRoyal pic.twitter.com/3BWd0TYqj8

— Chris Ship (@chrisshipitv) September 20, 2018

Samosa thieves aside, there are much more serious stories behind these recipes and their sharers. This book will ensure they continue to be remembered and spoken about … because what happened at Grenfell must not happen again … and those affected must be honoured and supported.

I’m going to tackle some other recipes from this book – which is full of history, heart and family, veering refreshingly from the boring and appropriated ‘fashionable food’ that is about at the moment – over the coming weeks. Keep an eye on my Instagram if you would like to follow along. (I posted my efforts so far in my Stories!) Or just buy the book!!

View this post on Instagram

So happy to share some of my most precious recipes with you all… Thank you to the Duchess of Sussex for making a dream come to life… Thank you for giving us a chance to spread love and recipes with people around the world… ???@kensingtonroyal #hubbcommunitykitchen #chef #food #foodie #cook #cooking #muniraeats #kensingtonroyal #cookbook #cooktogether #kitchen #recipes #dessert #london #uk #aroundtheworld #sharing #happy #freshstart

A post shared by Munira Mahmoud (@muniraeats) on Sep 27, 2018 at 10:33am PDT

Thanks to Munira, Gurmit and the women of the Hubb Community Kitchen for all that you do, and for making my weekend so much more delicious!

x Pip

NB: this is not a sponsored post. I bought this book with my own hard-earned cashola!