Wednesday 29 April 2015

Jackfruit & Onion Pitta Pockets

My first encounter with the jackfruit, was in the lovely Stereo cafê and bar. I had never heard about it, and that was mainly the reason I picked it. Trying new flavours is the best!

Now, I came across tins of jackfruit in an African shop here in Glasgow, and being reminded of those amazing jackfruit pitta pockets I had enjoyed over a year earlier, I knew I had to try and cook up something with it!

I read somewhere that if you handle this fruit fresh, you should do it with gloves, as there is something about it that could cause your hands to go numb. When I first read that, I got a little worried - I must say, but because I got the one in the tin - I needn't worry. I just drained and rinsed them and added them to the casserole.

You know what? This came out surprisingly well! Hopefully it wont be the last time I cook something with jackfruit, because this was delicious! Have you tried jackfruit before?

Jackfruit & Onion Pitta Pockets
(Serves 2)

...I tried to stuff the pitta pockets a little too full...

5 tbsp neutral cooking oil (I used rapeseed oil)
400g tin jackfruit = about 300g rinsed
1/2 tsp turmeric
1 1/2 tsp salt, divided
2 small onions, or 1 large, chopped (I used red)
1 red chilli, finely chopped
1 bay leaf
1 tsp ground coriander
1/3 tsp smoked paprika
1 bay leaves
2 cloves, or a good pinch of ground cloves
1/4 tsp cardamom
Pinch nutmeg

Pitta, rice, or salad to serve.

- Start by boiling up enough water to cover the jackfruit in a medium casserole. Drain and rinse the jackfruit and pour it into the pot. Add 1 tsp salt and half of the turmetic. Pour over boiling water and simmer for about 15 minutes.

- Ten minutes in, heat 2 tbsp of the oil in a frying pan and fry the onion until golden, for about five minutes. Set aside.

- Now, drain the water of the jackfruit, and add three tbsp oil to the pot. Add your chillies as well and fry for about five minutes on medium heat until golden.

- Once your jackfruit is golden, add the spices, herbs and bayleaf, along with 1/4 cup water, simmer for a few minutes allowing for the spices to become more fragrant. Five minutes in, add the onions, and simmer for a further 5-10 minutes.


- Serve along with pitta bread, or on a bed of rice or as part of a salad, and enjoy!

So far this week has gone all right in work, I am working back-shifts, which is new to me, but it is only for one week at a time, so next week I will go back to a more normal schedule. Having dinner past ten in the evenings is something you need to get used to methinks! I am in my new team, and they are lovely, even met a face I already knew in the office, how about it?!
This week sadly wont feature another mighty Game of Throne flavoured popcorn, but hopefully that'll change, hell, maybe I'll experiment a little with flavours tonight!

How has your week been so far? Been up to much or cooked up a storm? *smiles*


Original source:
India - Cookbook, p. 266

- Jules

6 comments:

  1. SÅ spennende oppskrift! Jeg har ikke fått smakt jackfruit enda, og jeg gleder emg sånn til den dagen jeg får gjort det for ejg hører så mye positivt om den. Og så virker den så anvennelig, siden man både kan spise den som frukt + bruke den i middager. Spenstig!
    God kveld til deg :) klem

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    1. Tusen takk! Det er artig og eksperimentere med nye ingredienser :) Bare husk på og lese opp på hvordan en skal forberede den som fersk frukt :) Håper du har hatt en god start på helgen, skjønne :) x

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  2. I don't think stuffing the pitas too much would be too much of a problem for me :) This sounds amazing!!
    I didn't know that about jackfruit.. My mom would use it in everything, but I had no idea what it was. Good to know though!
    Hope your weekend is amazing :)

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    1. Thanks Cathleen! The jackfruit is a strange one indeed, when it comes to the preparation anyway - but so tasty! :D Which dishes have you tried with jackfruit in it? :)
      Enjoy your Sunday ;) x

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  3. Well, this is my first encounter with jackfruit! It seems like it would go great in pita pockets :)

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    1. Hi Matea, thanks! :D If you come across the jackfruit, I would definitely recommend trying to cook with it :) x

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