My First Roti Run

The ‘Roti Run’ is something of a tradition among my girlfriend’s family. Some months back I had my first roti – a delicious flatbread roll filled with stewed curried – they can contain, meat, fish and vegetables – although Indian in origin they’re massively popular in the West Indies, particular the Island of Trinidad, where my girlfriend’s mum is from.

The usual destination for the roti run is a place called the Roti Hut all the way down in Shepherd’s Bush – it’s quite a trek from the home base of Canning Town and the last time my girlfriend’s mum tried it they were shut. We had arrived home ready to make food, but there was a note saying ‘Gone on the roti run’. I’d only ever had one before (well two actually – but both in one sitting) and our mouths were salivating at the thought of tasty these delcious curried morsels – so you can imagine our disappointment when a very tired mum returned with news that the prized establishment was shut.

Any way fast forward a few months and it seems that the Roti Hut has been deposed, a recent tip from a fellow Trinidadian has directed my mum and my girlfriend to a new establishment – The Roti Joupa in Clapham North. Being on the Northern Line, I have decided to do the Roti Run myself on my way in from Portsmouth. I’ll get off at Waterloo, head up to Clapham and then return with the juicy morsels. I’m actually smiling right now, just thinking about it. It’s going to be hard to resist eating one of them on the way home, but knowing that I’ll be arriving at my girlfriends lovely warm home, laden down with roti from my first roti run brings a big foodie grin to my face.

The big question is, what filling do I get – goat, chicken, fish or shrimp?

Hmm choices, choices.

Rooibos Ice Teas and Smoothies

OK, finally some pie on the Pie Times, even if this is really pushing my definition of pie to the limits...

As I don't drink caffeine, I'm a big fan of the Rooibos tea, this stuff comes from southern Africa and is a very delicious naturally caffeine free alternative to tea. I bought myself a new box this week and it comes with a handy little leaflet with some recipes for things like smoothies, ice teas that sort of thing. It's the sort of leaflet I'll lose, so I'm going to enter them here for ever more.

Rooibos Iced Tea (serves 4)

• 4 - 5 Rooibos Teabags
• 2 litres (3 1/2 pints) of water, boiling or warm (but not from the tap!)
• Honey, sugar or lemon to taste
• Crushed ice (optional)

Stick the bags and water into a jug, allow to cool and stick in the fridge.

(Doesn't say when to remove the bags - I'm guessing you don't want to keep them in there the whole time, or maybe you do. The quick cool method says to put the bags in 1/2 pint of boiled water, leave for 5 minutes and then add the rest of the water. - Ed).

Raspberry Rooibos Smoothie (serves 4)

• 1 Dragonfly Rooibos Breakfast or Mint tea bag
• 250g frozen raspberries
• 1 banana
• 500ml (1 pint) of cranberry juice
• Handful of fresh mint (optional)

Steep the teabag in 1/2 cup of warm water for 10 minutes. Blitz all the other ingredients - sieve if you, or the kids, don't like the pips - an then add the tea. Dust with chocolate sprinkles for extra whiz.

(Not sure about that last bit, chocolate and cranberry? - ed).

Rooibos Chai Smoothie (serves 4)

• 4 Dragonfly Cape Malay Rooibos Chai teabags (phew what a mouthful - branding huh - ed)
• 450ml (3/4 pint of warm water)
• 2 scoops of vanilla ice cream or 125g of plain yoghurt
• 1 banana (optional but delicious)

Steep the teabags in the water and infuse for 20 minutes or overnight in fridge. Add other ingredients and blitz until frothy.

Rooibos Sundowner (serves 4)
5 Dragonfly Rooibos Evening Blend or Camomile teabags
1 litre of water
500ml of apple juice
Slice of lemon, apple or orange to garnish

Steep the teabags for approximately 20 minutes. Chill. Add the apple juice and garnish.

(Hmm, can't help thinking they forget the vodka or rum or something here - ed).

All Food is Pie!

I think before I go any further, that I should explain a simple truth of the universe.

All food is pie.

OK, perhaps not one of the hithertoo unknown laws of quantum gravity, but yes I like to refer to all food as pie. Casseroles, roasts, curries, pasta, risottos, soups, pies even - it's all pie at the end of the day. All except puddings, some food is puddings. But then some pies are puddings - like Apple Pie, but also some puddings are pie, like Steak and Kidney Pudding.