Rukmini Iyer My mother's cashew nut pulao rice
BBC Good Food UK|April 2023
The best-selling cookbook author and former BBC MasterChef contestant shares the recipe her mum made for special occasions
RUKMINI IYER
Rukmini Iyer My mother's cashew nut pulao rice

Rukmini is the author of The Roasting Tin series, selling over 1.5 million copies to date. The Green Roasting Tin was a Sunday Times Bestseller of the Year in 2019 and The Roasting Tin Around the World and The Sweet Roasting Tin were named among the best cookbooks of 2020 and 2021 respectively by various publications. Here, Rukmini shares the story behind one of her favourite recipes: cashew nut pulao rice.

I’ve loved cooking ever since I was a child, then got more into it while studying English literature at university, learning new dishes from my flatmates and cooking on a budget for parties. Later, at law school, I spent more time planning elaborate dinners for friends than I did studying I realised that I was deeply unhappy as a trainee. The pivotal moment was telling my mum that I didn’t want to continue after qualifying as a solicitor. She helped me put a deposit down for cookery school the day before I got a call from the team behind MasterChef, who asked me to audition for the 2013 series. I pushed cookery school back one term to film and reached the final seven of the competition, which led to working as a food stylist and, eventually, to where I am now.

When I was growing up, we ate a mixture of South Indian, Bengali and western food mac’n’ cheese, quiche my mum’s quiche is legendary!). Mum taught me how to cook, starting with fairy cakes and flapjacks, then moving on to béchamel sauce and browning the onions properly for curries.

My mother's cashew nut pulao rice

Bu hikaye BBC Good Food UK dergisinin April 2023 sayısından alınmıştır.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

Bu hikaye BBC Good Food UK dergisinin April 2023 sayısından alınmıştır.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

BBC GOOD FOOD UK DERGISINDEN DAHA FAZLA HIKAYETümünü görüntüle
'I make food that's multipurpose'
BBC Good Food UK

'I make food that's multipurpose'

In our series on managing the rising cost of living, we asked you how you're adapting and for your tips on making the grocery shop go further

time-read
2 dak  |
May 2023
Subtle flavours for sunny days
BBC Good Food UK

Subtle flavours for sunny days

Enjoy the many May bank holidays with something dry, refreshing and fruity

time-read
2 dak  |
May 2023
Kung Pao & Beyond by Susan Jung
BBC Good Food UK

Kung Pao & Beyond by Susan Jung

Editor Keith Kendrick indulges his love of fried chicken with this celebration of the whole bird

time-read
3 dak  |
May 2023
'THE WORLD'S BEST'
BBC Good Food UK

'THE WORLD'S BEST'

Sandwiched with meringue and cream, this light and airy Norwegian party cake is a guaranteed crowd-pleaser

time-read
2 dak  |
May 2023
The power of growing your own
BBC Good Food UK

The power of growing your own

Growing veg offers more than sustenance for some, be it a means to connect with their country of birth, or a way to recreate flavours enjoyed overseas. Here I speak to growers - for businesses and at home - about why they got into it and what it means to grow your own

time-read
6 dak  |
May 2023
Our school dinner meals go down a storm
BBC Good Food UK

Our school dinner meals go down a storm

A desire to pay it forward led Samantha Couzens to meeting her best friend Penny Hill, and the pair have been cooking together ever since

time-read
4 dak  |
May 2023
Johnny Godden's fish & chips
BBC Good Food UK

Johnny Godden's fish & chips

The boss of Cornwall's Flying Fish Seafoods shares his favourite recipe, evoking memories of his childhood

time-read
4 dak  |
May 2023
watercress
BBC Good Food UK

watercress

Rich in vitamins and minerals, this salad leaf also adds a fresh burst of peppery flavour to a variety of dishes

time-read
3 dak  |
May 2023
let's eat more fish
BBC Good Food UK

let's eat more fish

Try this nutritious midweek main that's effortless to make and counts as two of your five-a-day

time-read
1 min  |
May 2023
veggie weekdays
BBC Good Food UK

veggie weekdays

Go meat-free Monday to Friday and enjoy more of your five-a-day with these cost-efficient recipes

time-read
5 dak  |
May 2023