Sometimes all you need for the perfect lunch is bread, some delicious things to go with it and a big ole glass of wine.
I put lunch together for my family the other day from a big haul of groceries I got from various deli counters and speciality food stores around London. At the heart of any lunch like this is the perfect bread, and this time I chose a fruited loaf from the St. John bakery on Druid street which is part of eponymous Michelin starred food group. I picked up an incredible Gorgonzola and some olives from Whole Foods and some very good pestoes at an Italian deli in Hampstead. Decant all these things into their own bowls and platters and they will be a feast for the eyes!
With the rest of it I rustled up one of my favourite multipurpose condiments, a spiced tomato dish that packs bags of punchy flavour. It's wonderful to smear over bread, but goes equally well dolloped over chicken breasts or with some fresh olive oil glazed pasta.
For the spiced tomatoes you will need:
About twenty small vine/cherry tomatoes
Quarter of a red chilli, seeds removed and finely chopped.
One clove of garlic, finely sliced
Basil leaves
Cayenne Pepper
Olive oil
Black pepper
Onion granules
Salt
Heat a glug of olive oil in a saucepan and put in your tomatoes, halved.
Add the sliced garlic, a generous shaking of onion granules, a handful of chopped basil leaves and the red chilli and let the tomatoes soften.
Season the pan with salt, white pepper and cayenne pepper and allow the tomatoes to cook until gooey and soft. Drizzle on a bit more olive oil, toss a few extra basil leaves on top and serve in the pan.
