This recipe is published with the permission of Manju Malhi from her book 'Brit Spice'. Manju first made her mark on the BBC 2 'Food & Drink' show in 1999, beating hundreds of other competitors to secure a guest cookery slot. And she hasn't looked back. After the success of her 2001 TV series 'Simply Indian', she has now published her first book.

Manju's upbringing in the Indian community of Middlesex strongly influences her cooking style, yet she has given a modern twist to traditional methods to produce a 'Brit Indi' style of food. She has developed an unusual yet easy cuisine, simplifying complicated Indian dishes without the need for use of countless spices. Many of the recipes have their roots in recipes handed down from her mother.

Every dish in 'Brit Spice' is accessible, easy to follow and quick to make, using ingredients that are readily available nationwide. Her fresh approach makes Indian cookery a pleasure - not a daunting challenge - with consistently delicious results.

To visit Manju's Brit Spice web site <click here>

"I'm not a great fan of luncheon meat, but it does taste delicious when it is spice up. It's a good stand-by too on a day when you're feeling broke but in need of a really tasty and comforting supper! And Richard Madeley, who is a member of the Spam Society, loved this recipe".

Ingredients

2 tbsp vegetable or olive oil
1/2 onion, peeled and finely chopped
1 green chilli, seeded and chopped
1 clove garlic, peeled and crushed
1 tsp tomato purée
1 tsp peeled and grated root ginger
200 g / 7 oz can Spam or pork luncheon meat, cubed

• Heat the oil in a saucepan, then put in the onion and chilli and fry for 3 minutes until the mixture begins to turn golden brown.

• Add the garlic, tomato purée and ginger and stir for a minute.

• Then tip in the Spam and sauté for another minute.

• Add 65 ml / 3 fl oz water and cook until it gas evaporated.

• Serve with hot pitta breads.

Serves 2

Manju Malhi
Recipe from Brit Spice

©Manju Malhi 2002