This delicious rice dish has its origins in the days of the Raj, when it was an essential part of the colonial breakfast buffet. It is a simple dish, the flavour of smoked fish combining with the creaminess of rice and the spices used to make something which seems greater than the sum of its parts. The recipe here is slightly modernised by the addition of lashings of cheese, which just seem to make it feel at home anywhere as a brilliant suppertime treat to pop in the oven after a long day. A great example of how food can move between continents and evolve over time! After many years of research, Spice Mountain have concluded that Lingham’s Chilli & Garlic sauce is the perfect accompaniment to one of our favourite foods of all.

01.

Ingredients

200gr Basmati rice, cooked till al dente
500gr Smoked Cod/Haddock
1 medium onion, diced
2 fresh red chillies, seeded and chopped
2 cloves garlic, finely chopped
4 hard-boiled eggs, peeled and quartered (optional)
100gr Grated cheese (Cheddar works well)
2tsp Spice Mountain Kedgeree spice blend

02.

Method

  • First, poach the fish in some milk until just done. This can be done more easily by putting the fish and milk in a casserole and popping in a hot oven for 10 minutes. When the fish is cooked, the skin will easily peel from it so do this and then gently flake the fish.
  • Fry the onion, garlic and chilli in a little butter or oil until they are soft but not coloured, then add the Kedgeree spice, mix well and saute for another minute. You are now ready to assemble the kedgeree.
  • 3In a casserole or baking dish carefully mix all the ingredients together, trying to keep the fish in nice big flakes and not to bash up the rice too much. Hide the quartered hard-boiled eggs within the rice mixture. Place a few knobs of butter on top, then sprinkle over the grated cheese.
  • Heat your oven to 140d and pop the casserole in for 15-20min, by which time the cheese should be nicely melted, and your kedgeree is ready to serve. It goes well with a nice crunchy salad, and is perfectly good just by itself.